Koobas - Where Are the Friends? (1969)

Signing a contract with The Beatles’ manager, Brian Epstein, in 1964, this group never managed to gain more than a small cult following. They opened for The Beatles on The Beatles’ last British tour as well as opened for The Who and Jimi Hendrix, on separate tours, in 1967. Despite their best efforts, the group didn't make a large impression. When they disbanded, Tony O’Riley, the group’s drummer, briefly joined Yes to replace the college-bound Bill Bruford. Two months later, when O’Riley couldn’t keep up with the rest of the group at Yes’ live performances, the band begged Bruford to come back and O’Riley was dismissed.

Coming from the group’s last album, Barricades, this is the second track (and one of the best tracks) on the album. If you enjoy it, be sure to check out the other highlights it includes: “Gold Leaf Tree/Mr. Claire” and their phenomenal cover of a 1967 Cat Stevens' song, “The First Cut Is the Deepest”.



Koobas - Where Are the Friends? (1969)

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Lyrics:

As the twilight leads the way
For darkness over birth, descending
No one’s there to welcome home
The lonely one whose journey’s ending
Nothing but the memories
That linger in the mind forever
Memories of precious things
But meaningless ‘til we’re together

Where are the friends
That I thought would be here?
Maybe they’ve all lost their way
Or was I wrong
When I thought them sincere?
Have they forgotten the day?

Courage of my childhood
Inventions of our mind’s creation
Growing up as close as brothers
With no thoughts of separation
But it came and I believed
Our plan to meet again was honest
Did the years in passing
Put away the meaning of the promise?

Where are the friends
That I thought would be here?
Maybe they’ve all lost their way
Or was I wrong
When I thought them sincere?
Have they forgotten the day?

And if I stay
Will we all meet again?
If they remember to come
Just one old friend
Who would kindly explain
Why I’m the only one?

As the twilight leads the way
For darkness over birth, descending
No one’s there to welcome home
The lonely one whose journey’s ending
Nothing but the memories
That linger in the mind forever
Memories of precious things
But meaningless ‘til we’re together

Where are the friends?
(Where are the friends?)
Ah, where are the friends?
(Where are the friends?)