I first heard Tim Buckley on, of all things, The Monkees television show. As a kid I remember hearing how great his voice was. I was around 7 so I had no clue who he was. Here is that clip that I saw around 1974. The first time I saw Frank Zappa was on the Monkees as well. At the end of the Monkee’s second and final season, they had almost full control and they used it as much as possible to promote artists they liked.
Buzzin’ Fly was released in 1969 on the Happy Sad album. On this album, he was transitioning from his earlier folk sound to a more jazz-influenced and experimental style. The album was produced by former Lovin’ Spoonful members Zal Yanovsky and Jerry Yester.
This was released at the height of his popularity. The album peaked at #81 on the Billboard Album Charts in 1969. When he started experimenting and moving away from his folk sound it upset some of his long-time fans. After this album, his popularity decreased because he moved toward a jazz feel.
This song was written before the other songs on the album. Buzzin’ Fly was written around 1966. It was performed with his high school band Harlequin 3, with bassist Jim Fielder and later lyricist, Larry Beckett.
The song became one of the most requested songs in concert that he had at the time. Gregg Allman called Tim Buckley and wanted to do an album with him in 1975 and Buckley agreed…but the world would lose Tim Buckley after an overdose in June of 1975 at age 28.
Buzzin’ Fly
Just like a buzzin’ flyI come into your lifeNow I float awayLike honey in the sunWas it right or wrongI couldn’t sing that song anyway
Oh, but darlin’Now I rememberHow the sun shown downAnd how it warmed your prayin’ smileWhen all the love was there
You’re the one I talk aboutYou’re the one I think aboutEverywhere I goAnd sometimes honeyIn the mornin’Lord, I miss you so
That’s how I know I found a homeThat’s how I know I found a home
Oh, hear the mountains singingLord, I can hear them ringing, darlin’,Out your nameAnd tell me if you knowJust how the river flowsDown to the sea
Now I wanna knowEverything about youI wanna knowEverything about you
What makes ya smileWhat makes ya wildWhat makes ya love me this wayDarlin’ I wanna knowDarlin’ I wanna know
You’re the one I talk aboutYou’re the one I think aboutEverywhere I goAnd sometimes honeyIn the mornin’Lord, I miss you so
That’s how I know I found a homeThat’s how I know I found a home
A-walkin’ hand in handAnd all along the sandA seabird knew your nameHe knew your love was growin’Lord, I think it knows it’s flowin’Thru you and me
Ah, tell me darlin’When I should leave you,Ah, tell me darlin’I don’t want to grieve you…
Just like a buzzin’ flyI come into your lifeNow I float awayLike honey in the sunWas it right or wrongI couldn’t sing that song anyway
Oh, but darlin’Now I rememberHow the sun shown downAnd how it warmed your prayin’ smileWhen all the love was there
You’re the one I talk aboutYou’re the one I think aboutEverywhere I goAnd sometimes honeyIn the mornin’Lord, I miss you so…
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