Today’s classic song of the day is “Lazy Day” by Spanky and Our Gang. This frothy little single, released in October of 1967 (same as yesterday’s classic song of the day, the Lovin’ Spoonful’s “She is Still a Mystery“), peaked at #14 on the Billboard Hot 100.
“Lazy Day” was written by Tony Powers (words) and George Fischoff (music). Powers wrote or co-write several well-known songs back in the day, including “Remember Then” by the Earls and “Why Do Lovers Break Each Other’s Heart” by Bob B. Soxx and the Blue Jeans. Powers and Fischoff together wrote 98.6″ for some guy named Keith.
The Spanky and Our Gang song is all about, well, a lazy day. It was the Summer of Love, after all. The lyrics say it all:
Blue sky, Sunshine, what a day to take a walk in the park.
Ice cream, Day dream, till the sky becomes a blanket of stars.
What a day for pickin’ daisies, and lots of red balloons.
And what a day for holdin’ hands and bein’ with you.
Lazy Day, Just right for lovin’ away.
Lazy Day, Made for a stroll in the lane,
Baby, you and me (Baby you and me)
and the honey bee (‘Neath a shady tree)
Lazy Day, Lazy Day, Lazy Day
‘n’ you ‘n’ me
“Lazy Day” was the second big hit for Spanky and Our Gang, following “Sunday Will Never Be the Same” earlier the same year. Later hits included “Sunday Mornin'” and “Like to Get to Know You,” both released in 1968.
Spanky and Our Gang were Elaine “Spanky” McFarlane (vocals), Nigel Pickering (rhythm guitar, vocals), Malcom Hale (lead guitar, vocals), Paul “Oz” Bach (bass, vocals), and John “The Chief’ Seiter (drums, vocals). They performed what later became known as sunshine pop, with a similar stacked-vocals sound as the Mamas & the Papas and the Association. The group formed in 1966 and broke up in 1969 following Hale’s death the previous October.
And here’s your bonus treat of the day, Spanky and her Gang lip synching “Lazy Day” on The Ed Sullivan Show on December 17, 1967. Groovy!
