7 and 7 Is

The Ronettes, Love

About 7 and 7 Is

"7 and 7 Is" is a song written by Arthur Lee and recorded by his band Love on June 17 & 20, 1966, at Sunset Sound Recorders in Hollywood. It was produced by Jac Holzman and engineered by Bruce Botnick. The song was released as the A-side of Elektra single 45605 in July, 1966. The B-side was "No. Fourteen", an outtake from the band's earlier recordings. "7 and 7 Is" made the Billboard Pop Singles chart on July 30, 1966, peaking at number 33 during a ten-week chart run and becoming the band's highest-charting hit single. The recording also featured on the band's second album, Da Capo. The song drew inspiration from a high school sweetheart of Lee's, Anita "Pretty" Billings, who shared his birthday, March 7. It also describes Lee's frustration at teenage life - the reference to "in my lonely room I'd sit, my mind in an ice cream cone" being to wearing (in reality or metaphorically) a dunce's cap. Describing how the song came to him, Lee stated: "I was living on Sunset and woke up early one morning. The whole band was asleep. I went in the bathroom, and I wrote those words. My songs used to come to me just before dawn, I would hear them in dreams, but if I didn't get up and write them down, or if I didn't have a tape recorder to hum into, I was through. If I took for granted that I could remember it the next day—boink, it was gone."It took a great deal of work to record, with Love's drummer, Alban "Snoopy" Pfisterer, being challenged with its frantic demands after 30 takes or so, and being replaced on drums, intermittently, by Lee himself. In an interview for John Einarson's book Forever Changes (pg 117), lead guitarist Johnny Echols credits the drumming on the released record to Pfisterer. In a 1989 interview, Arthur Lee stated that he himself taught Pfisterer how to play the part, and that the final record featured Pfisterer. In what has been described as a "flirtation" with musique concrète, the song climaxes in an apocalyptic explosion - the supposed sound of an atom bomb - before a peaceful conclusion, in a blues form, which then fades out. Although many listeners thought that the explosion at the end of the song was a reverb unit being kicked or dropped, it was (according to the engineer Bruce Botnick in "Forever Changes" book, page 118), in actuality, taken from a sound effects record. He speculated that it was a recording of a gunshot slowed down. For live performances, the explosion was reproduced by kicking a reverb unit. 


Year:
2015
2:23
76 

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When I was a boy I thought about the times I'd be a man
I'd sit inside a bottle and pretend that I was in a can
In my lonely room I'd sit my mind in an ice cream cone
You can throw me if you want to 'cause I'm a bone and I go
Oop-ip-ip  oop-ip-ip yeah!
If I don't start cryin' it's because that I have got no eyes
My father's in the fireplace and my dog lies hypnotized
Through a crack of light I was unable to find my way
Trapped inside a night but I'm a day and I go
Oop-ip-ip  oop-ip-ip, yeah!
One
Two
Three
Four!

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Love

Love is an emotion of a strong affection and personal attachment. Love is also said to be a virtue representing all of human kindness, compassion, and affection —"the unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another". Love may describe compassionate and affectionate actions towards other humans, one's self or animals. more »

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Written by: Arthur Lee

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


12 facts about this song

Band History
"7 and 7 Is" is a song by Love, an American rock band that was formed in 1965. The band was one of the first rock groups to have an ethnically diverse lineup, with members of different racial and ethnic backgrounds.
Song Creator - Arthur Lee
The song, which is one of the group's best-known tracks, was written by Arthur Lee, the band's frontman. Lee was an influential figure in the 1960s rock scene, known for his eclectic musical style and innovative songwriting.
Top Chart Performance
When it was released in July 1966, "7 and 7 Is" became Love's biggest hit single, reaching number 33 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and spending 10 weeks there.
Unique Song Structure
The song stands out for its unusual structure. It begins with a fast-paced, percussive introduction but abruptly shifts to a slower, more melodic section before returning to the initial tempo.
Drumming Technique
Drummer Alban "Snoopy" Pfisterer reportedly had to record the drums in separate segments due to the song's fast tempo. He was unable to maintain the speed through the entire song length.
Single Version Duration
The original single version of "7 and 7 Is" is around two and a half minutes long. Despite its relatively short duration, the song's complex structure and high energy made it a standout track.
Album Inclusion
"7 and 7 Is" is included in Love's second album, "Da Capo," which was released in November 1966. The album showcased Love's wide-ranging musical influences and was well-received by critics.
Covers and Media Use
The song has been covered by numerous artists, including The Ramones, Billy Bragg, and Alice Cooper. It has also been featured in various movies and TV shows, such as "Narc," "Almost Famous," and "The Simpsons."
Unique Songwriting Theme
Arthur Lee has stated that the lyrics to "7 and 7 Is" were inspired by a dream he had, where he saw himself dying at age 77. This explains the song's somewhat cryptic lyrics, which involve numerology and metaphysical themes.
The Impact on Garage Rock
The song is often cited to be a foundation for the genre of garage rock, and it has been included on various compilations that document the genre history.
Song Recording
The song reportedly required more than 40 takes to complete because of its fast tempo and complex structure. This was considered a significant number of takes at the time.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
In 1994, "7 and 7 Is" was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's list of "500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll".

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1966

    Billboard #33


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