Mark Lindsay: Something Happening

SOMETHING HAPPENING...

Paul Revere & the Raiders Something Happening cover

Back to Groovy Stuff: Something Happening

Pictured on front cover:

Back Row (L-R) Joe Correro, Jr. Freddy Weller, Charlie Coe

Front Row: Paul Revere, Mark Lindsay

Originally released August 7, 1968 as Columbia #CS 9665 - stereo vinyl album

CD reissued 12/96 as Sundazed #SC 6097

Produced by Mark Lindsay

From The "Good Ol' Days"... A Something Happening 8-Track

Yes, there's the SCREAMING DAY-GLO YELLOW cover US version, but have you seen the Canadian version with a black cover, the title in a rainbow arc, and an outtake picture from the "Do Unto Others" picture sleeve session (i.e. Mark as Indian, etc.)? According to Doug Peterson, it's the only Raider album released in Canada with a totally different cover from the US version.

There are still lots of unreleased tracks floating around the vaults that were recorded for this album, among them "I Need A Girl", "34th of August", and "Just For Love", all written by Mark. Maybe someday, Sony?

Something Happening Promo Ad From 1969

Back to Groovy Stuff: Something Happening

MORE GOOD TIMES

Click to hear a REALAUDIO clip of THE GOOD TIMES
(Scroll down if you need REALPLAYER)

Even if you live further away from civilization than we do, you know by now about the new/old (new format, vintage tapes) CDs that Bob Irwin & Co did such a GREAT job with -- Spirit of '67, Revolution, and Something Happening. I think the sound on them is incredible, and it's the first time I've heard some of the subtle nuances since I last listened to the master tapes at CBS. Mucho kudos to Sundazed!

However, the most astonishing thing is occurring. A new generation of reviewers is hearing the discs for the first time and is really liking them! One glowing blurb, in review of Something Happening, said things like, "This CD proves The Raiders were on the cutting edge of psychedelic pop, and Mark Lindsay used the studio experimentally a la The Beatles!" He went on dissecting the various tunes and gave them very favorable "autopsy reports." He did point out, however, that "The Good Times" was perhaps the weakest cut because of its "banal sentimentality," or words to that effect. I didn't take offense -- "You can't please everyone," as Rick Nelson once sang -- but I did put the track on and listened to it again carefully. And you know, I had to agree with him! But that's okay, too -- let me explain . . .

When I wrote the songs for Something Happening, it was 1968. I kept myself busy in the studio "pushing the envelope", even if once or twice the envelope contained a copy of yesterday's headlines. But in '68, my world was starting to unravel at the edges -- too many hot lights, cold nights, and one-night stands with a 5-piece band. It just wasn't FUN any more, and I desperately wanted some sanity. "The Good Times" was written as an adult's childlike wish for a soft, warm glow and someone to share it with.

So I wrote it from the perspective of having been there years before, having met someone that didn't really exist for me at that time, and looking back with her at the "mem'ries of the good times" we'd had. Yeah, I suppose it sounds a bit corny now, but here's the punchline:

Yesterday, Deb and I were talking, and she was sorting through piles of pictures and remembrances of our travels together -- the little getaways we had taken to Aruba, St. Croix, France, and London. "You know," she said, "we should put this stuff all together in a scrapbook -- one that's devoted just to our 'off-time' adventures, just you and me. We could call it 'The Good Times'."

As my eyes turned misty, I realized that "The Good Times" -- written twenty-nine years earlier -- had become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Lucky for me Deb has golden hair . . .

- MARK LINDSAY

Reprinted from the May 1997 issue of Mark Lindsay's Steppin' Out!

Back to Groovy Stuff: Something Happening

LYRICS...

TOO MUCH TALK

(ALBUM VERSION)

Read the news in the Times today

Said the world is going 'round (world is going 'round)

I don't care what somebody says

Somebody always puts 'em down (always puts 'em down)

Red or yellow, black or white

Are you left-handed or are you right?

When you open your eyes can you see the light?

Do you wake up dreamin' in the middle of the night?

Too much talk, and not enough action

Do you know anybody getting satisfaction?

Everybody wonders 'bout the crowd reaction

And the world gets better by a very small fraction.

Turn around 'til you see a face,

And it won't be very long (won't be very long)

Someone soon will be in your place

And it won't be very wrong (won't be very wrong)

Red or yellow, black or white

Are you left-handed or are you right?

When you open your eyes can you see the light?

Do you wake up dreamin' in the middle of the night?

Too much talk, and not enough action

Do you know anybody getting satisfaction?

Everybody wonders 'bout the crowd reaction

And the world gets better by a very small fraction

Red or yellow, black or white

Are you left-handed, are you right?

When you open your eyes can you see the light?

Do you wake up dreamin' in the middle of the night?

Now's our chance to change the world,

Change the world with love

With love

Too much talk, and not enough action

Do you know anybody getting satisfaction?

Everybody wonders 'bout the crowd reaction

And the world gets better by a very small fraction

By Mark Lindsay

[NOTE: Too Much Talk (alternate version - demo, previously unreleased)

is also included as a bonus track on the PINK PUZZ CD]

HAPPENS EVERY DAY

Well, I didn't mean to stop when I passed the candy shop

But the choc'late sticks and lemon drops looked good

So I just stood with my nose against the glass

And the window steamed up fast

Then I saw the closing sign, and then changed my mind

I don't care, it happens every day

Here and there, in each and ev'ry way

Losing good things I don't mind

Hurt is just a state of mind

You had yours, I had mine

Hey, hey, hey, it happens every day

I don't care what you do, it can happen just to you

When you think you've got it in your hand, it's gone

But understand, just stop and look around

There is green grass to be found

Take a number, stand in line, you'll be feeling fine

I don't care, it happens every day

Here and there, in each and ev'ry way

Losing good things I don't mind

Hurt is just a state of mind

You had yours, I had mine

Hey, hey, hey, it happens every day

By Mark Lindsay

BURN LIKE A CANDLE

CLICK TO HEAR REALAUDIO CLIP

As a younger girl you didn't have much

There ain't a lot to have on your side of town

The street are dirty, we got by

Then one day we kinda lost touch

You packed and moved away from your side of town

You wanted fine things, the kind that money can buy

Bright lights that turned the night to day

Just like a candle-light

You're really burning bright

But just how long can you stay?

Burn like a candle

It's your turn to burn

Fire's getting higher

Girl, you've got no shame

Burn like a candle

You'll run out of flame

Just the other day I passed you on the street

You didn't notice you were flying so high

Your face was empty, looked so thin, no shoes on your feet

Your crystal beads were brighter than your eyes

You didn't see me, walked right on by

The train to nowhere is fast

Just like a candle-light

You're really burning bright

But just how long can you last?

Burn like a candle

It's your turn to burn

Fire's getting higher

Girl, you've got no shame

Burn like a candle

You'll run out of flame

By Mark Lindsay

OBSERVATION FROM FLIGHT 285

CLICK TO HEAR REALAUDIO CLIP

Through the window pane, window of the plane

At the ground below moving by slow

Thirty thousand feet, getting things to eat

High in the air, you're not there

Clouds are white as snow, far down below

It's wintertime in my mind

Standing on the wing, an angel starts to sing

High in the air, you're not there

Passengers sleeping and no one looks down

Stewardess slowly floats by

See myself standing alone on the ground

And I'm lost in my head in the sky

Patch work fields don't look real

Houses small, hardly there at all

Seat belt sign flashes my mind

High in the air, you're not there

Slowly going down, coming into town

Miniature cars, people very far

Kinda hard to see, how it came to be

High in the air, you're not there

Passengers sleeping and no one looks down

Stewardess slowly floats by

See myself standing alone on the ground

And I'm lost in my head in the sky

By Mark Lindsay

GET OUT OF MY MIND

CLICK TO HEAR REALAUDIO CLIP

Drivin' coastal highway

And I'm wond'ring how I'm goin' to do

All the things I used to do without you

Things aren't going my way

And my head is in a funny place

No matter what I do I can't erase you

I try to keep from thinking and all I see is you

Get out of my head, get out of my life

Get out of my mind

Things we did together

Everything I do is empty now

Nothing seems the same somehow without you

Crowding through my mem'ry

Every girl I look at wears your face

Ev'ry thought I have, it seems to trace you

I try to keep from thinking, but all I see is you

Get out of my head, get out of my life

Get out of my mind

By Mark Lindsay

[NOTE: The car heard at the beginning of the complete song (although not on this clip) was Mark's Ferrari.
Also, Get Out of My Mind (alternate version - demo, previously unreleased)
is included as a bonus track on the PINK PUZZ CD]

DON'T TAKE IT SO HARD

CLICK TO HEAR REALAUDIO CLIP

I've tried to let you down so easy

I'd like to still be a friend

We shared such memories together

But all good things come to an end

You shouldn't take it so hard, You shouldn't take it so hard

You shouldn't take it so hard,You shouldn't take it so hard

You shouldn't take it so hard, You shouldn't take it so hard

So hard, (so hard)

You wonder when you are going to see me

I might just pass this way again

Until then don't you wait up for me

'Cause now I'm getting in the wind

You shouldn't take it so hard, You shouldn't take it so hard

So hard, (so hard)

Don't you remember what I told you from the very start?

When people fall in love too much

It can cause a broken heart that won't mend easy

But if you just wait some time

I may come walking to you in the sunshine

You shouldn't take it so hard, You shouldn't take it so hard

So hard, (so hard)

By Mark Lindsay

COMMUNICATION

(PART 1 AND 2)

CLICK TO HEAR REALAUDIO CLIP

Thought I knew where I stood with you

I was mistaken

I thought I knew where your head was

I was wrong

I do all the giving, you're just taking

And a one way conversation can't last long

Communication, baby, what went wrong?

You wouldn't listen to the words of my song

But it's all right

It's almost over now

Communication, baby, where are you?

I don't seem to be getting through

But it's all right It's almost over now

By Mark Lindsay

[NOTE: Listen at the very end of the complete song -- it's Mark playing organ, tapping out S-O-S!]

LOVE MAKES THE WORLD GO ROUND

(DON'T YOU LET IT STOP)

All the children around today

They all seem to be down today

Could it be that the reason why

Is because their daddy went bye-bye?

Love makes the world go 'round

It's spinning like a top

Love makes the world go 'round

Don't you let it stop

I went walking around the block

Some of the people were throwing rocks

Could it be they act so funny

'Cause they ain't got enough food in their tummies?

Love makes the world go 'round

It's spinning like a top

Love makes the world go 'round

Don't you let it stop

Turn your eyes to the head of the nation

Where they pass all the legislation

They're spinning their wheels

They've got no traction

Too much talk and not enough action

Love makes the world go 'round

It's spinning like a top

Love makes the world go 'round

Don't you let it stop

Of course we're talking about the war

And what the people have riots for

The things that happen in Washington

Don't you think that something should be done?

Love makes the world go 'round

It's spinning like a top

Love makes the world go 'round

Don't you let it stop

By Mark Lindsay

FREE

CLICK TO HEAR REALAUDIO CLIP

Pull out all the plugs in the switchboard of your mind

You can be, you and me, we can be free

Look into the mirror, a reflection you will find

You can be, you and me, we can be free

It don't really matter if you're feeling low

You'll be feeling high, just feeling fine

And you say you've really got no place to go

You can walk against the 'Don't Walk' sign

You and me, we can be, we can be free

I don't care what they say

You and me, we can be, we can be free

Love is the way

Throw away your hang-ups, you don't need them now because

You can be, you and me, we can be free

Maybe just like Dorothy, you will find the land of Oz

You can be, you and me, we can be free

It don't really matter if you're feeling low

You'll be feeling high, just feeling fine

And you say you've really got no place to go

You can walk against the 'Don't Walk' sign

You and me, we can be, we can be free

I don't care what they say

You and me, we can be, we can be free

Love is the way

By Mark Lindsay

THE GOOD TIMES

CLICK TO HEAR REALAUDIO CLIP

Walkin' in the misty morning dew

Thinkin' how it used to be

When I walked with you and talked with you

Pickin' ivory daisies in the golden sun

Does she love me?

Pull those petals off one by one

Put your hand in mine and run

The good times, the good times

Life's a one way street

You can't change the hands of time

I can see you standing by the window there

The street lamp makes a halo glow in your golden hair

And the love's still there

Maybe someday when we're old

We can look back and hold something worth more than gold

Mem'ries of the good times

In the winter not so long ago

We would bundle up in lots of clothes and go play on the snow

But your nose got cold

I'd come over to your place

And I'd watch the fire light paint pictures on your face

Oh, I miss those days

The good times, the good times

Life's a one way street

You can't change the hands of time

I can see you standing by the window there

The street lamp makes a halo glow in your golden hair

And the love's still there

Maybe someday when we're old

We can look back and hold some thing worth more than gold

Mem'ries of the good times

By Mark Lindsay

HAPPENING '68

I know that some thing's happening

There's something in the air . . .

Listen to that sound now

Comes from everywhere

You know you got to hurry

You don't want to be late

People don't you worry

What's happening is great

It's a happening

And I know that it must be

The firt time it's happening to me.

Run down to the corner

And tell the people there

Brother get your sister

They're comin' from everywhere

To everybody here now

We got to gather round

And get it all together

What they're puttin' down

It's a happening

And I know that it must be

The first time it's happening to me

By Mark Lindsay

[NOTE: Theme From It's Happening (vocal version - previously unreleased, heard only once on Happening '68)

is also included as a bonus track on the HARD'n'HEAVY CD]

The SOMETHING HAPPENING CD also contains 3 bonus cuts:

Too Much Talk (single version) - CLICK TO HEAR REALAUDIO CLIP

Happening '68 (alternate TV version) - CLICK TO HEAR REALAUDIO CLIP

It's Happening (previously released only as a 45 single)

Autographed copies of SOMETHING HAPPENING, SPIRIT OF '67, and REVOLUTION
available at Mark Lindsay's GROOVY STUFF....

If you need RealPlayer, download it here...

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