Jug Band Music

Album: Daydream (1966)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Lead singer John Sebastian wrote this song, where he sings about getting sick in Savannah (after eating cream and bananas on a hot day - not a good idea). The remedy is jug band music, which as the doctor points out, makes him feel just fine.
  • Sebastian cops to stealing many song ideas from the "jug band masters of Memphis, Tennessee." On his Welcome Back concert DVD, he explained: "This tune didn't come from Memphis, Tennesse, it came from New York City. It's sort of a disturbed tune, you see. People think I write all positive songs - this is not true.
  • In 1964, before forming The Lovin' Spoonful, John Sebastian and Zal Yanovsky were in a group called The Mugwumps along with Cass Elliot and Denny Doherty, who later formed The Mamas & the Papas. When this song was released on the Daydream album, the Mugwumps were only a memory, but a cover version was released as a single on Sidewalk records by a completely different group called the Mugwumps. This was clearly a bit of misdirection, and it worked: the single bubbled under at #127 on the Hot 100.

Comments: 2

  • Barbintheboonies from WashingtonI am looking for a CD I lost that had 24 Loving Spoonful songs, or more. One I really enjoyed was about a guy who always did the wrong thing. I can't remember it.
  • NormMaybe the Even Dozen Jug Band had something to do with it.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Martin Page

Martin PageSongwriter Interviews

With Bernie Taupin, Martin co-wrote the #1 hits "We Built This City" and "These Dreams." After writing the Pretty Woman song for Go West, he had his own hit with "In the House of Stone and Light."

Yacht Rock!

Yacht Rock!Song Writing

A scholarly analysis of yacht rock favorites ("Steal Away," "Baker Street"...) with a member of the leading YR cover band.

Def Leppard Quiz

Def Leppard QuizMusic Quiz

Can you name Def Leppard's only #1 hit in America? Get rocked with this adrenalized quiz.

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside Story

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside StorySong Writing

The in-depth discussion about the making of Jesus Christ Superstar with Ted Neeley, who played Jesus in the 1973 film.

Leslie West of Mountain

Leslie West of MountainSongwriter Interviews

From the cowbell on "Mississippi Queen" to recording with The Who when they got the wrong Felix, stories from one of rock's master craftsmen.

He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss): A History Of Abuse Pop

He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss): A History Of Abuse PopSong Writing

Songs that seem to glorify violence against women are often misinterpreted - but not always.