For the love of rock
Vol III, Issue 22 – Do ya (15 Nov 2018)
www.intheloveofrock.com
Name of song– Do ya
Band – The Move
Writer– Jeff Lynne
Album- Message from the Country
Release year– 1971
Reissued year– 2005
Peak chart position
# 93 – US Billboard Hot 100 (1971)
Do ya
Reviewers- Bikash Shrestha/Nirab Kayastha
“The Move” was an English band who was at the zenith during the late sixties. Formed by Chris Kefford, Carl Wayne, Bev Bevan, Trevor Burton and Roy Wood in 1965 in Birmingham, “The Move” were named thus as all the members had moved out from different groups at the same time. They were a band with strong pop, rock and rock ‘n’ roll basis with wonderful songs to their name, however they were more famous for their stage antics, publicity stunts and extravagant lifestyle just like their contemporary “The Who”. They even had to pay life-long royalty from their hit song “Flowers in the rain”, when they lost the lawsuit to the British Prime Minister then over the case when their manager portrayed a cartoon postcard of him with his secretary in bed during their publicity stunts. This came down heavily for the band – directly or indirectly affecting the groups’ long term direction and future. During their short lived career, they had numerous line-up changes and with finally addition of Jeff Lynne in 1970, it led their transition with 3 members into “Electric Light Orchestra” (ELO).
“The Move” were more focused on the singles and they have less albums in comparison to their hit singles. Among their 4 albums, “Message from the Country” is the last one released in 1971 during the evolution of ELO. Although all 4 albums have been well appreciated, many prefer this one as their best album. Their most successful singles include “Blackberry way”, “I can hear the grass grow”, “Flowers in the rain”’ “Fire brigade”, “California man”, “Do ya” etc. Although they had numerous UK hit singles, sadly they never got the attention they deserved in US.
“Do ya” was originally written by Jeff Lynne and recorded by “The Move” in 1971. It was released as a single and later included in the 2005 reissue of their 1971 album “Message from the Country”. It could never be a big hit then, but the later recorded version by “ELO” became a much bigger worldwide hit. However, without any doubt, the Move’s version definitely rocks on better than “ELO” version.
It is a grungy rough rock song with amazing arrangement. The song is about the appreciation of a woman with imaginative lyrics and impressive flow. The killer guitar riff is the hallmark of the song which comes unexpectedly, stays unexpectedly, disappears unexpectedly and re-appears unexpectedly. So much so that even the solo guitar is also sidelined within the amazing riff. No doubt, Roy Wood’s gritty vocals and guitar, Jeff Lynne’s guitar, Rick Price’s bass and Bev Bevan’s drums all explode frantically in the song, making it one of the most memorable contributions of “The Move” to rock music.
“The Move” may not have got the break-through in US, but in due time, their music has been well appreciated all over the world even after decades now. With so many amazing numbers to their credit, “Do ya” definitely deserves a standing ovation from the all the rock fans – “Don’t ya?”
Resources– Wikipedia.org, Allmusic.com, genius.com
Do ya
Ah, in this life I’ve seen everything I can see, woman
I’ve seen lovers flying through the air hand-in-hand
I’ve seen babies dancing in the midnight sun
And I’ve seen dreams that came from the heavenly skies above
I’ve seen old men crying at their own gravesides
I’ve seen pigs all sitting, watching picture slides
But I never seen nothing like you
Do ya, do ya want my life (woman)
Do ya, do ya want my love (I’m saying)
Do ya, do ya want my face (I need it)
Do ya, do ya want my mind
Well, I heard the crowd singing out of tune
As they sat and sang Auld Lang Syne by the light of the moon
I heard the preachers banging on the drums
But I never heard nothing like you
Ah, do ya, do ya want my life (woman)
Do ya, do ya want my love (I’m saying)
Do ya, do ya want my face (I need it)
Do ya, do ya want my mind
Well, I think you understand what I’m trying to say, woman
That is, I’d like to save you for a rainy day, yeah
I’ve seen enough of the world to know, baby
That I’ve got to get it all to get it all to grow
Do ya, do ya want my life (woman)
Do ya, do ya want my love (I’m saying)
Do ya, do ya want my face (I need it)
Do ya, do ya want my mind
Ah you got it made
Do ya do ya want my life
Do ya do ya want my love
Do ya do ya want my face
Do ya do ya want my mind
Look out baby, there’s a plane a-coming
Lyrics link- https://genius.com/The-move-do-ya-lyrics
Video link – https://youtu.be/Pe37GuLjSiA