I remember this song in Easy Rider from the cool bass line. The Blues Magoos were a psychedelic rock band formed in 1964 as the “The Trenchcoats” in the Bronx, New York. This song came off of the album Psychedelic Lollipop (Great name) in 1967. The song peaked at #5 in 1967 in the Billboard 100 and the album peaked at 21 in the same year.
By 1972 the Blues Magoos name was retired, although the group reunited for live shows in the late 2000s
The Spectres…soon to be Status Quo also covered the song in 1967.
From Songfacts
Blues Magoos were a Psychedelic Rock group from The Bronx who was part of a New York City music scene that included The Lovin’ Spoonful and The Youngbloods. “(We Ain’t Got) Nothin’ Yet” was their only hit, reaching its chart peak the first week of 1967. The band, led by lead singer Emil “Peppy Castro” Thielhem, was a huge influence on Syd Barrett and his band Pink Floyd. Thielhem later became the lead singer of the band Balance.
This song occupies an interesting little niche in music history: somewhere between Acid and Punk Rock, with a little Mothers Of Invention “Freak Out” mixed in. The band is quite boastful in the song, declaring, “Nothin’ can hold us and nothin’ can keep us down, and someday our names will be spread all over town.” Of course, they ended a one-hit-wonder, but the arrogance was part of a display that included big, stylish hair and electric blue/flashing light suits. They were hard to miss when they performed the song on various TV shows.
We Aint Got Nothin’ Yet
One day you’re up and the next day you’re down
You can’t face the world with your head to the ground
The grass is always greener on the other side, they say
So don’t worry, boys, life will be sweet some day
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh
We made enough mistakes
But you know we got what it takes
Oh, we ain’t got nothin’ yet
No, we ain’t got nothin’ yet
Nothin’ can hold us and nothin’ can keep us down
And someday our names will be spread all over town
We can get in while the getting is good
So make it on your own, yeah, you know that you could
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh
We got to make the break
‘Cause we got too much at stake
Oh, we ain’t got nothin’ yet
No, we ain’t got nothin’ yet
We made enough mistakes
But you know we got what it takes
Oh, we ain’t got nothin’ yet
No, we ain’t got nothin’ yet
That is such a 60s sound. I love it. I barely recall this song at all.
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Where I remember it is from Easy Rider…it does have a big 60s sound.
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Sounds like Syd Barrett era Pink Floyd. I don’t remember it in the movie, but it’s been a while.
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Yes it does sound like that era of Pink Floyd. I havent heard it in a while.
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I guess they were a one hit wonder, but I always liked this song along with Tobacco Road which was also very psychedelic.
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Yes they were…I meant to put that. The only song they got in the top 40.
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I don’t know that I’ve heard that one before but it’s fairly good. I would’ve guessed they were British from listening (like others above said, rather like very early Pink Floyd for example)
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I know I would have guessed that also. I thought it was strange that Status Quo did a cover of it the same year.
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I remember this song but not from Easy Rider. I love the way it’s put together. The bass, the keyboard, the drums, the beat, the guitar jammin.
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The bass is really cool… I had forgotten all about it completely until I was looking for something obscure to post.
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The singer sounds like he’s being shaken as he sings. Nice sound though.
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Yea I do like that sound…and I like the bass line.
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Good energy too
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You hear about Dr John? Another legend signs off…
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Yea I just read that a few minutes ago. They are dropping man.
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An incredible piano player and personality
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Yea and that voice…like no other.
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The Blue Magoos version is much better.
Changing the subject, again…have you seen this guy:
https://seventiesmusic.wordpress.com/2019/06/07/rock-lobster-b-52s-1978/
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Change away
Yes I have! He was one of the first blogs I started to read
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I will hit you up on email, manana…
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oki doki!
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Never heard that song before – love it! I was expecting a cover of the BTO song by the same name.
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It’s one of those that are not played much…fun song.
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