The Zombies - Tell Her No (1964)

According to founding members Rod Argent and Colin Blunstone, this band’s name nearly became Chatterley and the Gamekeepers before choosing what eventually won out, seen above. Formed in St. Albans, Hertfordshire, England in the early ‘60s, the group won a battle of the bands type of competition held by the London Evening News and was soon signed by Decca Records. Their first hit song, “She’s Not There,” was written by Argent (rumored to only be his second attempt at writing a song) and reached number twelve when released in mid-1964. The band became a part of the British Invasion, touring the United States in the mid-‘60s and, like many other bands, turned toward a more psychedelic sound around 1966/67. Their most acclaimed work would be their 1968 album Odessey and Oracle [sic], which was released four months after the band had already broken up.

Before any psychedelic notions had entered the band’s collective mind, they were focusing on singles much like many other acts of the time. Also like other acts of the time, the band was attempting to hone in on the wildly successful style of The Beatles. This song, written by Rod Argent, was the second-highest charting song by the band, reaching number six in the United States in early 1965 (having been released in December 1964). As mentioned in our previous post featuring this band, the group generally didn’t do as well on the charts in their native United Kingdom as they did in the United States. Backing up that fact, this song only reached number forty-two in the UK.



The Zombies - Tell Her No (1964)

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Lyrics:

And if she should tell you, “Come closer”
And if she tempts you with her charms
(Tell her no, no, no, no)
(No-no-no-no, no, no, no, no)
(No-no-no-no, no, no, no, no, no)
Don't hurt me now, for her love belongs to me

And if she should tell you, “I love you”
And if she tempts you with her charms
(Tell her no, no, no, no)
(No-no-no-no, no, no, no, no)
Oh, don’t let her go from your arms
(No-no-no-no, no, no, no, no, no)
Oh, don't hurt me now, for her love belongs to me

I know she's the kind of girl
Who’d throw my love away
But I still love her so
Don't hurt me now, don't hurt me now

If she tells you, “I love you”
Just remember she said that to me
(Tell her no, no, no, no)
Oh, yeah
(No-no-no-no, no, no, no, no)
Oh, don't take her love from my arms
(No-no-no-no, no, no, no, no, no)
Oh, don't leave me now, for her love belongs to me

The Zombies - Care of Cell 44 (1967)

Formed in 1961 while the members were still enrolled in school, this band first reached success with their 1964 single “She’s Not There.” Like other British groups at the time, they took their success and turned it into a US tour, becoming a part of the British Invasion. Ironically, their future hits did well in the US, but not in their homeland UK.

Their last album, Odessey and Oracle, was released in 1968 after the band had already split up and featured their largest hit, “Time of the Season”. When they refused to get back together to cash in on the album’s success, numerous other groups started touring under their name in attempt to fool people. Now, Odessey and Oracle is considered one of the greatest albums in rock history. I highly recommend listening to the entire album from start to finish.

This song, originally released as a single, is the very first track on “Odessey and Oracle.” The lyrics are quite unique in that they tell the story of someone looking forward to their love returning home from prison.



The Zombies - Care of Cell 44 (1967)

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Lyrics:

Good morning to you; I hope you're feeling better, baby
Thinking of me while you are far away
Counting the days until they set you free again
Writing this letter, hoping you're okay

Saved you the room you used to stay in every Sunday
The one that is warmed by sunshine every day
And we'll get to know each other for a second time
And then you can tell me ‘bout your prison stay

Feels so good
You're coming home soon

It's gonna be good to have you back again with me
Watching the laughter play around your eyes
Come up and fetch you, saved up for the train fare money
Kiss and make up and it will be so nice

Feels so good
You're coming home soon

We're walkin’ the way we used to walk
And it could be so nice
We're talkin’ the way we used to talk
And it could be so nice

It's gonna be good to have you back again with me
Watching the laughter play around your eyes
Come up and fetch you, saved up for the train fare money
Kiss and make up and it will be so nice

Feels so good
You're coming home soon

Feels so good
You're coming home soon