I Can Hear The Grass Grow

Album: Move (1998 reissue) (1967)
Charted: 5
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • According to John Van der Kiste in The Roy Wood Story..., the title came from the band's photographer. As it sounded "sufficiently hip," Roy Wood proceeded to write a song around it.

    Produced by Denny Cordell, "I Can Hear The Grass Grow" was released on the Deram label in April 1967 backed by "Wave The Flag And Stop The Train." >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England
  • This song has some pretty trippy lyrics:

    My head's attracted to a
    Magnetic wave of sound
    With a stream of colored circles
    Makin' their way around


    This being 1967, many listeners assumed the song was about an acid trip, but its writer Roy Wood didn't use drugs and had a completely different inspiration for the words: they were based on a book of "fairy stories for adults" that he had written. Many Move songs of this time came from bits he pulled from this book.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Zakk Wylde

Zakk WyldeSongwriter Interviews

When he was playing Ozzfest with Black Label Society, a kid told Zakk he was the best Ozzy guitarist - Zakk had to correct him.

Greg Lake of Emerson, Lake & Palmer

Greg Lake of Emerson, Lake & PalmerSongwriter Interviews

Greg talks about writing songs of "universal truth" for King Crimson and ELP, and tells us about his most memorable stage moment (it involves fireworks).

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star Riders

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star RidersSongwriter Interviews

Writing with Phil Lynott, Scott saw their ill-fated frontman move to a darker place in his life and lyrics.

A Monster Ate My Red Two: Sesame Street's Greatest Song Spoofs

A Monster Ate My Red Two: Sesame Street's Greatest Song SpoofsSong Writing

When singers started spoofing their own songs on Sesame Street, the results were both educational and hilarious - here are the best of them.

Christmas Songs

Christmas SongsFact or Fiction

Rudolf, Bob Dylan and the Singing Dogs all show up in this Fact or Fiction for seasonal favorites.

Bill Medley of The Righteous Brothers

Bill Medley of The Righteous BrothersSongwriter Interviews

Medley looks back on "Unchained Melody" and "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" - his huge hits from the '60s that were later revived in movies.