The Mascots - This Proud Crowd (1966)

Previously featured on this site, this group was virtually unknown to the English-speaking world in the 1960s. Hailing from Sweden, The Mascots predominately sang in English, but never quite managed to break into the English-speaking market. They released numerous singles in Sweden (with some to large, local success) and even a couple full length albums.

The song below was never released as a single, but was instead featured as the second track on the group’s second album, cleverly titled Ellpee and released in 1966. The song was written by Stefan Ringbom, the group’s lead vocalist and guitarist. The song also featured the rest of the band’s core members: Karl Gunnar Idering on guitar, Anders Forsslund on bass, Rolf “Boffe” Adolfsson on drums, and all of the members performing backing vocals.

Editor's Note: These lyrics are difficult to decipher. If you have any suggestions, please leave a comment below.



The Mascots - This Proud Crowd (1966)

Loading the ABLYAM player...(Might not work on mobile devices)

Lyrics:

Moving down the city way
Taking seats there every day
Buying clothes because they’re “in”
Having “out” ones is a sin
Digging new songs every week
And then you are a real
Member of this proud crowd

Old originality
Was once started, it I see
Someone said I shall break out
And then everyone broke out
Forming troops of self-sane people
And becoming all
Members of this proud crowd

You gotta like these things that’s new
That’s what you can do
Maybe they’re too much of things
Oh, forget it, cut my strings
But some things happen, though
It’s not the old way you will know
Maybe that too much at all
I think I’ll do an outlaw

No more thinking for oneself
‘cause one never is oneself
Doing things the others do
Joining parties, getting blue
Having lots of fun, I know
Because I am somehow
A member of this proud crowd

You gotta like these things that’s new
That’s what you can do
Maybe they’re too much of things
Oh, forget it, cut my strings
But some things happen, though
It’s not the old way you will know
Maybe that too much at all
I think I’ll do an outlaw

No more thinking for oneself
‘cause one never is oneself
Doing things the others do
Having parties, getting blue
Having lots of fun, I know
Because I am somehow
A member of this proud crowd

A member of this proud crowd

The Mascots - Words Enough to Tell You (1965)

Originally known as the Western Trio, this band was from Sweden and made up of members who first came together at their music school, Adolf Fredrik Music School. Highly influenced by the output of music from England happening during the British Invasion, they primarily sang in English, but would occasionally put out a song in their native Swedish (listen to “Lyckan”). They reached the Swedish Top Ten five different time, most notably with their big hit heard below. If you enjoy what you hear, I recommend purchasing their compilation album, Mascots: 1964-68!.

First written for a competition in Bildjournalen magazine in 1965, this song beat out songs by the Shanes and Merrymen in a popular vote. It took a year before the song was released on vinyl and, by then, it had been a bit too late. But, considering the group was Sweden’s top band for a while, it made little difference. The band still played around Sweden, opening for artists such as The Who, The Moody Blues, The Hollies, and Chuck Berry, among others. If you like this song, try listening to “When I Return,” “Goodbye,” or “Walking with My Angel.”



The Mascots - Words Enough to Tell You (1965)

Loading the ABLYAM player...(Might not work on mobile devices)

Lyrics:

There is nothing else I’d rather do
I would love to give my love to you
And as you’re looking on to me
I know what love could be
If there were only
Words enough to tell you

Once before I saw you in the crowd
Having fun with lots of guys around
Oh, how I wished you call my own
And let me get alone
I know you’d give me
Words enough to tell you

I know you’d be the only girl for me
And that’s the reason I will always be
In love with you

And as you’re looking on to me
I know what love could be
If there were only
Words enough to tell you

Words to tell you
Words to tell you
Words to tell you