The Lewis and Clarke Expedition - Daddy's Plastic Child (1967)

In 1966, founding members of this group, Travis Lewis (known better as country singer Michael Martin Murphey) and Owen "Boomer" Castleman wrote a song for The Monkees, “What Am I Doing Hangin’ Round?”, having been acquainted with Michael Nesmith in their hometown of Dallas, Texas. Their talent was noticed by Colgems Records and they were signed. They released one self-titled album and a few singles.

This song was from the first single they released after their album failed to chart. The people at Colgems were investing most of their time promoting The Monkees and little was done to advance this group's career. Unfortunately, their album and this single failed to chart and the group dissolved before releasing anything else. Luckily, we have this single, with the B-side “Gypsy Song Man,” that made it out of the studio.



The Lewis and Clarke Expedition - Daddy's Plastic Child (1967)

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Lyrics:

Her hair sparkles red and blue
Her feet, they touch the sun
All of life is on a blade of grass for her
But she has done what must be done

Sally’s from the wrong side of the tracks, you know
It’s not the going over
But the coming back that’s oh so wrong
She’s daddy’s best child
And she must learn to bend to things like this
Because her parents tell her
What is right for her is not the same
As what is right for them

Daddy’s plastic child is bending
Doing what you tell it to do
Daddy’s plastic child pretending
Reaching out to feel the sun
Never telling anyone
Crying out to melt away
What fun

Linda’s from the right side of the tracks, you know
She’s not in love
But she’ll be married
Sunday afternoon at three
And everyone will be there
Giving her congratulations
Never asking if it’s what she really wanted
But just happy she’s like them
She’ll be happy ever after just like them

Daddy’s plastic child is bending
Doing what you tell it to do
Daddy’s plastic child pretending
Reaching out to feel the sun
Never telling anyone
Crying out to melt away
What fun