The group scored British and American hits in 1964 with "She's Not There". In the US, two further singles—"Tell Her No" in 1965 and "Time of the Season" in 1968—were also successful. Their 1968 album Odessey and Oracle is ranked number 100 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. The Zombies were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2019.
The Zombies signed to Decca and recorded their first hit, "She's Not There" after winning a beat-group competition sponsored by the London Evening News. "She's Not There" was released in mid-1964 and peaked at number twelve in the U.K., where it would be their only top-forty hit. It was first aired in the United States in early August 1964, on New York City rock station WINS by Stan Z. Burns, who debuted the song on his daily noontime "Hot Spot" segment during which new songs were played. The tune began to catch on in early Autumn and eventually climbed to number two.
In early 1965, "Tell Her No" became another big seller in the United States but had failed to make the Top 40 in the band's native U.K Subsequent recordings such as "I Love You" (which became a hit for People! in 1968), "Indication", "Whenever You're Ready", and "Is This the Dream" failed to achieve the success of the previous two singles.
Their first LP, Begin Here (1965), was a collection of early singles, half a dozen original songs combined with several R&B covers. The Zombies signed to CBS Records for one final LP in 1967. The resulting album, Odessey and Oracle, was one of the very first to utilise a Mellotron keyboard, as the band's budget did not allow for the hiring of session musicians. The band discovered too late that "odyssey" had been misspelled by the cover designers and were reportedly deeply embarrassed.
By the time Odessey and Oracle was released in April 1968, the band had broken up. The album sold little, and was only released in the U.S. because musician Al Kooper vouched for it. It has since gone on to be recognized as one of the greatest albums of all time, with Rolling Stone ranking it eightieth on its 500 Greatest Albums list. An album track called "Time of the Season" was released as a single. and eventually (1969) it became a huge nationwide hit (Billboard number three) after a radio DJ discovered it and put it on heavy rotation.
After The Zombies disbanded, Rod Argent formed a band called Argent; Colin Blunstone started a solo career. In1991 Blunstone, Grundy, and White briefly reunited as The Zombies with guitarist Sebastian Santa Maria, and recorded the album New World.
Iconic British psychedelic pop legends The Zombies have returned to celebrate the release of their latest Billboard-charting album, Still Got That Hunger, lead by founding and current members, vocalist Colin Blunstone and keyboardist Rod Argent, alongside bassist Jim Rodford (formerly of ARGENT and The Kinks), Rodford’s son Steve Rodford on drums, and renowned session guitarist Tom Toomey.
The band’s live performances, described by Rolling Stone as “absolutely triumphant”, take fans on a journey through time, from their early hits…their 1968 masterpiece Odessey & Oracle…post-Zombies solo favorites…right to today with Still Got That Hunger.
The second U.K. band following the Beatles to score a #1 hit in America, The Zombies infiltrated the airwaves with the sophisticated melodies, breathy vocals, choral back-up harmonies and jazzy keyboard riffs of their 1960’s hit singles “She’s Not There” and “Tell Her No.” Ironically, the group broke-up just prior to achieving their greatest success – the worldwide chart-topping single “Time of the Season,” from their swan-song album Odessey & Oracle, ranked #100 in Rolling Stone’s ‘500 Greatest Albums of All Time.’ To this day, generations of new bands have cited The Zombies’ work as pop touchstones, and the band continues to be embraced by new generations of fans.
Following the break-up of the original band, lead vocalist Colin Blunstone went on to develop an acclaimed solo career (with hits including "Say You Don't Mind," "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted", and “Old & Wise” with Alan Parsons Project) and keyboardist/songwriter Rod Argent rocked ‘70’s arenas with his eponymous band ARGENT (“Hold Your Head Up,” “God Gave Rock ‘n’ Roll To You”), but the legend of The Zombies continued to take on a life of its own. By the start of the new Millennium, Blunstone and Argent were inspired to resurrect The Zombies.
The explosive release of Still Got That Hunger proved that Zombies fever is stronger than ever, with premieres at Rolling Stone, Mojo, The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian Speakeasy, and Spin, alongside special broadcast performances, including Later…With Jools Holland, The Late Show With Stephen Colbert and AOL Sessions. Moreover, it marked a historical moment on the Billboard charts, as The Zombies’ critically acclaimed album Odessey And Oracle re-entered the Billboard 100 forty-eight years later at the same time as Still Got That Hunger!
The Zombies look forward to an even busier 2017, with a major world tour, table-top book release and other exciting projects to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the recording of Odessey And Oracle.
Changes
The Zombies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And autumn sad
How brown her eyes
Now
See her walk by
Peppermint coat
Button-down clothes
Diamonds and stones
Hang from her hand
Isn't she smart?
Isn't she grand?
I knew her when summer was her crown
And autumn sad
How brown her eyes
I knew her when winter was her cloak
And spring her voice
She spoke to me
Now
Silver and gold
Strawberry clothes
Money will buy
Something to hold
See in her eyes
Nothing will last
Like emerald stones
And platinum [?]
I knew her when summer was her crown
And autumn sad
How brown her eyes
I knew her when winter was her cloak
And spring her voice
She spoke to me
Now
Silver and gold
Strawberry clothes
Money will buy
Something to hold
See in her eyes
Nothing will last
Like emerald stones
And platinum [?]
I knew her when summer was her crown
And autumn sad
How brown her eyes
I knew her when winter was her cloak
And spring her voice
She spoke to me
I knew her when summer was her crown
And autumn sad
How brown her eyes
The Zombies' song "Changes" is a melancholic reflection on the fleeting nature of time and the transience of relationships. The first verse paints a picture of the singer's past relationship with a woman who was once carefree in the summer but now seems buttoned up and polished. The second verse describes her transformation into a more superficial person who is easily impressed by material possessions. The chorus links these two periods in time, emphasizing the singer's sense of loss and nostalgia for what once was.
The title "Changes" speaks to the theme of the song - the way people and relationships transform over time. The singer longs for the earlier version of this woman, who was more authentic and genuine. The use of seasonal imagery, particularly the contrast between summer and autumn, highlights the way the passage of time alters our perceptions and experiences, even as the world around us remains the same.
The lyrics also use gems and precious metals as symbols of the superficiality that has taken over the woman's life. The final line, "How brown her eyes", reminds us of the fleeting physical beauty of youth, which has been replaced by something more tarnished and less desirable.
Ultimately, "Changes" is a poignant reflection on the passage of time and the ways in which people change and grow apart. The melancholy melody and reflective lyrics create an evocative mood of nostalgia and longing.
Line by Line Meaning
I knew her when summer was her crown
I first met her when life was easy and carefree
And autumn sad
But things changed when the seasons shifted and life grew harder
How brown her eyes
I remember the color of her eyes, so warm and familiar
Now
But now times have changed, and so has she
See her walk by
I see her in passing, a stranger now
Peppermint coat
She wears a colorful coat that draws the eye
Button-down clothes
But it's clear that she's closed off, buttoned up tight
Buttoned-up high
She's hiding something, keeping it all inside
Diamonds and stones
She seems to be doing well, with gems on her fingers as proof
Hang from her hand
But even with all she may have, it doesn't necessarily mean she is happy
Isn't she smart?
Others might look at her and be envious, or impressed
Isn't she grand?
But they don't see the truth of her situation
Now
Times have changed, but some things are still the same
Silver and gold
She still yearns for things that glitter and shine
Strawberry clothes
But she may be dressing up a life that is lacking in sweetness
Money will buy
Money can buy things, but it cannot buy happiness or love
Something to hold
She may be grasping for security, or material validation
See in her eyes
But when I look closer, I see a glint of sadness or uncertainty
Nothing will last
She may have things, but nothing in life is forever
Like emerald stones
Even timeless gems lose their luster over time
And platinum [?]
And even the most valuable objects will not fix what is truly missing
I knew her when summer was her crown
I knew the person she was before her world changed
And autumn sad
Before life became difficult
How brown her eyes
When the warmth in her eyes was a reflection of her inner light
I knew her when winter was her cloak
I knew her even during the darkest times of her life
And spring her voice
When she spoke with hope and promise of a brighter tomorrow
She spoke to me
And I listened, hoping to offer comfort or help in some small way.
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Francis Anthony Eg White, William Robert Young
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@rogerferns9760
Sgt Pepper is crying jealous tears...
@zackzallie8735
I take both albums at any day!
@fshoaps
hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, ask the zombies, 100% would say it wouldn't have happened without pepper existing - and Pepper wouldn't exist without Pet Sounds
@belajokdezval7949
@@fshoaps you right. :) but i preferer Odessey. It's just perfect.
@cerojase
One of the best albums ever
@terenceboris851
Ya think? lol
@breatheintheair570
Is that you really you Joe Buck?
@lorelikesthings
Honestly yes
@elsolitario1741
yeah right wacko boyo
@Oldbmwr100rs
Perfect example of how magical the mellotron can sound! This whole album is beautiful, not a dud on it. And to think it was basically ignored when it was released, eclipsed by other bands. Those were incredible times in music.