The band was lead by singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Ian Bruce-Douglas and released three albums over the course of its career: "Ultimate Spinach" (1968), "Behold & See" (1968) and "Ultimate Spinach III" (1969).
Their debut album was the most successful of all the "Bosstown Sound" LPs released by MGM, reaching #35 on the Billboard 200 and selling over 100,000 copies. Myers and Lahteinen had left the group by the time of their second album, and Russell Levine (drums) and Carol Lee Britt (vocals) were added to the lineup. Winthrop departed shortly thereafter and was replaced by guitarist Jeff "Skunk" Baxter, later a member of Steely Dan and The Doobie Brothers. Bruce-Douglas quit the band in late 1968, and leadership of the group passed onto Hudson and Baxter, who re-formed Ultimate Spinach with a completely different lineup aside from the two of them. The new lineup released the third Ultimate Spinach album in 1969, and disbanded shortly after its release.
Suite: Genesis of Beauty
Ultimate Spinach Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cool winds are blowing
The pointed star is shining
And in your eyes I'm finding
A world of singing
Where love is bringing
A sense of warmth to me
Because your mind is free and real
New waters sighing
My soul is flying
Into oblivion
Imagine the fields are gone for now
Cob web songs destroy the silence
That has threatened beauty's violence
in my mind
The tears have flowed like velvet thunder
Smiles are shattered and torn us under
Then I find
That I've been
Everyone
Everyplace
Every time but now
The falling leaves of wounded words
Are captured by angry birds
of grey
The rivers of distention drown
The virgin in her tattered gown
of golden days
But I know
That clouds will disolve
and morning will absolve my sins
The world is yearning
For the sun that's burning
The path of flowing laughter
You thoughts will follow after
In Ultimate Spinach’s song Suite: Genesis of Beauty, the band describes a beautiful world where everything is in harmony. The opening lyrics show the beauty of nature with green grass growing and cool winds blowing. The pointed star shining is a reference to the North Star, which has long been used as a navigational guide. When the singer looks into the eyes of their love interest, they see a “world of singing” where love is bringing warmth to their soul. The use of the word “singing” suggests that everything is in tune and aligned with each other. This love interest has a free and real mind which further adds to the idea of harmony.
However, the second verse takes a dark twist as the singer begins to describe how “cobweb songs destroy the silence” in their mind. This suggests that their thoughts might not be in harmony with the world around them. The tears have flowed like “velvet thunder” which suggests that the emotions are intense and overwhelming. But ultimately, the singer finds solace in the present moment where they feel like they have been “everyone, everyplace, every time but now”. This could suggest a feeling of being lost in the past or future but finding peace in the present moment.
Lastly, the song ends on a hopeful note with the lyrics “the world is yearning for the sun that’s burning” which symbolizes the desire for positivity and happiness. It encourages one to focus on positive thoughts and follow the path of flowing laughter. Overall, Suite: Genesis of Beauty is a song that explores the duality of beauty and chaos in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Green grass is growing
Nature is thriving and growing, and everything is in harmony.
Cool winds are blowing
The air is refreshing and pleasant, and it signifies positive change.
The pointed star is shining
The star represents hope and guidance that leads towards a brighter future.
And in your eyes I'm finding / A world of singing / Where love is bringing / A sense of warmth to me / Because your mind is free and real
The artist finds happiness and love in their partner's eyes, and their pure and sincere thoughts bring warmth and joy to the artist.
New waters sighing / My soul is flying / Into oblivion / Imagine the fields are gone for now
The artist is moving towards a new chapter of their life, and they are leaving their old life behind. They are at peace and excited about the unknown journey ahead.
Cob web songs destroy the silence / That has threatened beauty's violence / in my mind
The singer's thoughts are filled with negativity and doubt, which threatens to ruin the beauty around them.
The tears have flowed like velvet thunder / Smiles are shattered and torn us under / Then I find / That I've been / Everyone / Everyplace / Every time but now
The singer has experienced sadness and disappointment, but they realize that their past does not define them. They are focused on the present moment and looking forward to the future.
The falling leaves of wounded words / Are captured by angry birds / of grey
The artist's hurtful words have caused damage, and they can't take them back. They feel guilty and ashamed, but they hope to make amends.
The rivers of distention drown / The virgin in her tattered gown / of golden days
The artist feels like they have lost their innocence and purity due to the conflicts and challenges they have faced in life.
But I know / That clouds will disolve / and morning will absolve my sins
The artist is optimistic that their problems will be resolved and they will be forgiven for their mistakes.
The world is yearning / For the sun that's burning / The path of flowing laughter / You thoughts will follow after
The world needs positivity and joy, and the singer believes that spreading happiness and kindness will inspire others to do the same.
Contributed by Hannah K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.