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.
Some Velvet Morning
Vanilla Fudge Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm gonna open up your gate
And maybe tell you 'bout Phaedra
and how she gave me life
and how she made it in
Some velvet morning when I'm straight
Flowers growing on the hill
Learn from us very much
Look at us but do not touch
Phaedra is my name
Some velvet morning when I'm straight
I'm gonna open up your gate
And maybe tell you 'bout Phaedra
and how she gave me life
and how she made it in
Some velvet morning when I'm straight
Flowers are the things we knew
Secrets are the things we grew
Learn from us very much
Look at us but do not touch
Phaedra is my name
Some velvet morning when I'm straight
Nancy:
Flowers growing on the hill
Lee:
I'm gonna open up your gate
Nancy:
Dragonflies and daffodils
Lee:
And maybe tell you 'bout Phaedra
Nancy:
Learn from us very much
Lee:
And how she gave me life
Nancy:
Look at us but do not touch
Lee:
and how she made it in
Some Velvet Morning by Vanilla Fudge is a song that is filled with imagery, mystery, and sensual overtones. The lyrics depict a story of a man named Phaedra who has been given life and how he plans to reveal the truth about her to the listener in a time when he is straight. The opening line "Some velvet morning when I'm straight" suggests that the singer is currently not in a sober state - either he's high, drunk or both - and promises to reveal his secrets when he's finally free of his intoxication. The second line of the verse "I'm gonna open up your gate" adds to the mystery by suggesting that there is a secret place that he wants to enter and reveal the truth.
As the song progresses, the lyrics take on a more surrealistic tone with "Flowers growing on the hill, Dragonflies and daffodils" which conjures up images of a lush landscape teeming with life. The third verse, "Flowers are the things we knew, Secrets are the things we grew" suggests that the singer and Phaedra shared secrets and experiences that are not known to anyone else. The chorus repeats the mysterious promise to tell the listener about Phaedra and how she gave him life, but the second time around, the lyrics "and how she made it in" are added. This implies that Phaedra had to do something difficult or possibly controversial to attain her powerful position and the singer wants the listener to know about it.
Overall, Some Velvet Morning is a song that leaves the listener with more questions than answers, and each new listen brings out more depth and meaning. The lyrics paint an evocative picture of a secret world that only few have access to and compels the listener to want to know more about the singer Phaedra.
Line by Line Meaning
Some velvet morning when I'm straight
At an unspecified time in the future when I am not under the influence of mind-altering substances
I'm gonna open up your gate
I intend to gain access to your innermost self
And maybe tell you 'bout Phaedra
Perhaps I will speak of a person who is significant to me
and how she gave me life
How Phaedra breathed new life into me, transformed me in a profound way
and how she made it in
And how she was able to succeed in her endeavors
Flowers growing on the hill
Nature's beautiful creations blossoming on steep slopes
Dragonflies and daffodils
Insects that dart through the air and delicate yellow flowers in bloom
Learn from us very much
We have knowledge and experience to share, important lessons to impart
Look at us but do not touch
Observe us, but do not interfere or destroy what we have created
Phaedra is my name
I am Phaedra, the person I mentioned earlier
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: LEE HAZLEWOOD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
비정한세상
Some velvet morning when I'm straight
I'm gonna open up your gate
And maybe tell you 'bout Phaedra
And how she gave me life
And how she made it in
Some velvet morning when I'm straight
Flowers growing on the hill
Dragonflies and daffodils
Learn from us very much
Look at us but do not touch
Phaedra is my name
Some velvet morning when I'm straight
I'm gonna open up your gate
And maybe tell you 'bout Phaedra
And how she gave me life
And how she made it in
Some velvet morning when I'm straight
Flowers are the things we knew
Secrets are the things we grew
Learn from us very much
Look at us but do not touch
Phaedra is my name
Some velvet morning when I'm straight
Flowers growing on the hill
I'm gonna open up your gate
Dragonflies and daffodils
And maybe tell you 'bout Phaedra
Learn from us very much
And how she gave me life
Look at us but do not touch
And how she made it in
James Roets
I have never heard this version. Now I'm hooked on it. Beautifully done - what a voice Mark Stein brings to the song. And the drums of Carmine Appice. It's epic.
Talisi Kid
Carmine rulz! But the others are great too.
Jude in LA
Absolutely agree ✨🤍✨
Mr. K
I just saw the Fudge a few nights ago. Carmine is still an animal on drums; as is Stein to the B3. And Vinny still holds down the guitar parts well. The vocals are also still spot on. They are incredible yet! Hard to believe they have been together for like 56 years and are in their mid/late 70's and rocking hard like this yet. Very inspirational!
Robert Jamison
Became a fan very early in my musical life. Saw an album in a music shop and in those days you could listen before buying. A US group who had not been to the UK but I enjoyed it so much I bought the album and many more since, I am now 72 and still love listening to their music.
Paul Espinosa
Vynl huh
Michele Laraia
You could listen even in the 80s,but the 45s.🇮🇹🖐️8:01 am sud 28/1/2021.
LeftyandFriends
Saw them in Glasgow in 2004.. Astounding!!
Paul Espinosa
@LeftyandFriends are you making reference to appice or sabbath
Larry H.
I'm 70 pushing 71 the organ has disappeared on the newer music one of my sons in his teens said what is that instrument . Had to explain it was dropped by the newpower bands but I used to love the power of them horns in your face literally you could feel air and sound . I hope it comes back but not in my lifetime . Or yours. Loved a woman made me feel just like that once. Hey a tramp is a tramp so glad she's not in my world anymore. Anyway glad I'm not the oldest fudge fan. Take care L.H.