They have had a number of hit singles, their biggest hit being "You Keep Me Hangin' On", a slowed-down, trippy, hard-rock cover of a song originally recorded by The Supremes, which particularly featured Appice's energetic drumming. One follow-up to this hit, "Take Me for a Little While", was an original composition with a very similar sound both in musical themes and treatment, but it said something quite different from its forerunner. While it did not do nearly as well commercially, it did attract some airplay, making it a rare instance of a band successfully parodying their own work.
The members of Vanilla Fudge were great admirers of The Beatles, and covered several of their songs including "Ticket to Ride", of their version of which The Beatles were quite fond.
Vinnie Martel was invited to play with Jimi Hendrix, but Hendrix died a month later.
Bogert & Appice also played with jazz/rock guitarist Jeff Beck on their self-titled album in 1973. (Beck replaced Eric Clapton in the Yardbirds in the late 1960s.)
Stein and Appice revived the band in 1984, with very minor success. The band has not recorded, but has played some concerts since. A live concert recorded in Chicago in 1987 has been released recently.
People Get Ready
Vanilla Fudge Lyrics
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You don't need no baggage you just get on board
All you need is faith to hear diesels a-humming
You don't need no ticket you just thank the Lord
Yeah yeah yeah
People get ready for the train to Jordan
Picking up passengers from coast to coast
There's room for all of the loved and lost
Yeah yeah
Now there ain't no room for the hopeless sinner
Who's hard on mankind just to save his own
Have pity on those whose chances are thinner
'Cause there's no hiding place from the Kingdom's Throne
Oh people get ready there's a train a-comin'
You don't need no baggage you just get on board
All you need is faith to hear diesels a-humming
Don't need no ticket you just thank the Lord
Vanilla Fudge's song "People Get Ready" is a song that speaks about hope and redemption. The song begins with the message of an approaching train, urging people to prepare themselves and board the train. The lyrics suggest that you don't need to carry any baggage to board, only faith is required. The sound of the train is compared to the sound of diesel engines hum, which is a metaphor for the sound of hope itself, calling individuals to come up and take a new direction in life. The song continues with the reference of the train heading to Jordan, picking up passengers from different parts of the world along its way. The lyrics convey that faith is the key to get on board, and there's enough room for everyone - the loved and lost.
The song also warns that there will be no room for hopeless sinners who are hard on mankind in their attempt to save their soul. The song emphasizes that those who are less fortunate and with fewer chances in life should be shown compassion, as everyone will be judged for their deeds by God. The lyrics call out to people to prepare themselves and board the train, as there's no hiding place from the Kingdom's Throne.
The song's message is clear, urging people to have faith and be prepared for their redemption story. The song is a gospel-inspired anthem of hope, with powerful vocals and a steady rhythm that emphasizes the inspiring lyrics. The song is a classic example of how music can carry a deep message that resonates with people from all walks of life, connecting them to a higher power.
Line by Line Meaning
People get ready there's a train a-comin'
Prepare yourselves, people, because a train is approaching.
You don't need no baggage you just get on board
You do not need to carry anything with you, simply get on board.
All you need is faith to hear diesels a-humming
In order to hear the train's engine humming, all you need is faith.
You don't need no ticket you just thank the Lord
No tickets are necessary, but it is important to express gratitude to the Lord.
People get ready for the train to Jordan
Be prepared for the upcoming train journey to Jordan.
Picking up passengers from coast to coast
The train is stopping at different locations to collect passengers from all over.
Faith is the key open the doors and board them
Having faith is the essential element that allows you to open the door and board the train.
There's room for all of the loved and lost
The train has space for both those who are loved and those who are lost.
Now there ain't no room for the hopeless sinner
The train has no space for hopeless sinners.
Who's hard on mankind just to save his own
Those who mistreat others just to save themselves will not have a place on the train.
Have pity on those whose chances are thinner
Show compassion for those who have less of a chance to board the train.
'Cause there's no hiding place from the Kingdom's Throne
It is impossible to hide from the Kingdom's Throne, so it is best to embrace the opportunity to get on the train.
Oh people get ready there's a train a-comin'
The train is still approaching, so it is important to continue to prepare for its arrival.
Don't need no ticket you just thank the Lord
Once again, no tickets are necessary, but it is crucial to give thanks to the Lord.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Curtis Mayfield
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind