Five Man Electrical Band
The Five Man Electrical Band (originally known as The Staccatos from 1963–68) is a Canadian rock group from Ottawa. They had numerous hits in their native Canada, including the top 10 entries "Half Past Midnight" (1967) (as The Staccatos), "Absolutely Right" (1971) and "I'm a Stranger Here" (1972). Internationally, they are best known for their 1971 hit single "Signs".
History
Initial success as The Staccatos (1963-68)
The band The Staccatos was formed in Ottawa, Ontario in 1963. The band initially consisted of Dean Hagopian (vocals), Vern Craig (guitars), Brian Rading (bass), and Rick Bell (drums/vocals, born Rick Belanger). Hagopian left after about a year, and was replaced by vocalist and guitarist Les Emmerson, who would quickly become the band's prime songwriter, while Bell and Emmerson split lead vocal duties.
The Staccatos made their debut as a recording act in 1965, with their early singles being written by the team of Craig and Emmerson. After releasing a non-charting single on a small independent label, the group signed to Capitol Records of Canada, and their second single, "Small Town Girl", made it into the Canadian top 20. Several follow-ups also cracked the top 40, and The Staccatos were rising stars in their native country. Their debut album, Initially, came out in 1966, and featured their hits to that point as well as several new recordings.
Five Man Electrical Band
ALBUMS
- 20th Century Masters: The Best of Five Man Electrical Band released: 2009
- Half Past Midnight: The Staccatos and Beyond released: 2008
- Absolutely Right: The Best of Five Man Electrical Band released: 1995
- Sweet Paradise released: 1973
- Good-byes and Butterflies released: 1971
- Coming of Age released: 1971
- Five Man Electrical Band released: 1969
Half Past Midnight: The Staccatos and Beyond
Released 2008- Five Man Electrical Band
- Last Time I Saw Memphis
- Private Train
- Half Past Midnight
- You're Gonna Lose That Girl
- Maple Lane
- Black Sheep of the Family
- Fancy Dancin' Man
- We Go Together Well
- Didn't Know the Time
- Running Back
- Catch the Love Parade
- Whisper Words
- Let's Run Away
- Face to Face (With Love)
- Walker Street
- Super Girl
- She Fancies Herself a Lady
- Weather Man
- Half Past Midnight
Absolutely Right: The Best of Five Man Electrical Band
Released 1995- Signs (LP Version)
- Dance of the Swamp Woman
- Hello Melinda, Goodbye
- Moonshine (Friend of Mine)
- The Man With the Horse and Wagon
- Absolutely Right
- Coming of Age
- Country Girl Suite
- Julianna
- I'm a Stranger Here (LP version)
- We Play Rock 'n Roll
- Money Back Guarantee
- Werewolf
- Signs (single version)
- I'm a Stranger Here (single version)
Five Man Electrical Band
Well Iâ? m a stranger here in this place called Earth
And I was sent down here to discover the worth
Of your little blue planet third from the sun
Come on and show me what youâ? ve done
We got the aeroplane, we got the automobile
We got sky scraper buildings made of glass and steel
Weâ? ve got synthetic food that nearly tastes real
And a little white pill that makes you feel hey
Hey, A whole lot better when you get out of bed
You take one in the morning for the lovelier head
We got everything everybody needs to survive
Surely the good life has arrived
I think your atmosphere is hurting my eyes
And your concrete mountains are blacking out the skies
Now I donâ? t say that youâ? ve been telling me lies
But why do I hear those childrenâ? s cries
Iâ? m a stranger here, Iâ? m just looking around
I see the aeroplanes carrying the bombs
Why, youâ? ve even found people to drop them on
You know you canâ? t keep what you take by force
But itâ? s only my first impression of course.
Well Iâ? m a stranger here on your planet Earth
We got the rivers and the mountains and the valleys and the trees
We got the birds in the sky and the fish in the sea
We got the â?
Oh you crazy fools donâ? t you know you had it made
You were living in paradise
But take it from one who knows
Who knows the gates of Heaven can close
I only pray that you take my advice
Because Paradise wonâ? t come twice.
Well Iâ? m a stranger here in this place called Earth
And I was sent down here to discover the worth
Of your little blue planet third from the sun