“The ‘Original’ Group”

Song Meaning

This is the origin story of a band, framed by a leader’s decision to push for original material. The narrator, brought in as a substitute guitarist, recalls the initial lineup and the pivotal moment he suggested creating original songs. This desire for artistic expression immediately clashed with the practical demands of bar gigs in the go-go era, where cover songs were king. The central tension arises from the conflict between artistic ambition and economic necessity. Davy Coronado, the tenor sax player and leader, recognized the risk, stating that original material would lead to them being fired. He prioritized earning a living, a pragmatic stance that ultimately led him to leave the group. The narrator, however, pushed forward, convinced the remaining members to learn original songs, a move that proved costly in the short term. The narrative highlights a stark contrast between the established, commercially viable path and the uncertain road of artistic creation. The lyrics detail the immediate consequences of this choice: getting fired from every gig. This repeated failure underscores the difficulty of breaking into the music scene with original work when the market demanded familiar tunes. Yet, the narrator’s persistence eventually paid off, leading to a record contract, though the fate of Davy Coronado remains unknown, a poignant footnote to the band’s genesis.