Spanky & Our Gang - "Like To Get To Know You" (1968)

Spanky and Our Gang was an American 1960s folk-rock band led by Elaine "Spanky" McFarlane. The band derives its name from Hal Roach's popular Our Gang comedies of the 1930s (known to modern audiences as The Little Rascals). McFarlane was nicknamed "Spanky" because one of the band members, perhaps influenced by her last name, said that she resembled Our Gang star George "Spanky" McFarland. The group was known for its vocal harmonies.

The group's first album, simply titled Spanky and Our Gang, was released by Mercury Records on August 1, 1967, and included three popular songs that were released as singles. These were "Sunday Will Never Be the Same" (their biggest hit, which reached number #9 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart in Summer 1967) followed by "Making Every Minute Count" (reached #31) and "Lazy Day" (reached #14). Both "Sunday Will Never Be The Same" and "Lazy Day" sold over one million copies. "Sunday Will Never Be the Same" was written by Terry Cashman and Gene Pistilli. In an interview by Cashman with the Songfacts website, he revealed that the song was originally written as a ballad. However, Cashman said the group "changed it, and they added the vocal, 'Ba-da-da-da-da,' which was a great hook."

Their second album, Like to Get to Know You, was released in April 1968. Two singles were released: "Sunday Mornin'" in the spring, which reached #30, and "Like to Get to Know You", which reached #17 in the Summer 1968. The single's B-side, "Three Ways From Tomorrow", also received considerable airplay. The album also included their rendition of the classic "Stardust" and a version of "Everybody's Talkin'", best known as a hit single for Harry Nilsson and the theme song for the movie Midnight Cowboy.

"Give a Damn" was released as a single in Summer 1968. In spite of not receiving airplay in several markets because of the curse word in its title - and because it was a comment on racial equality that became the theme song for the New York Urban Coalition - the song became a regional hit where released and overall made #43. It was also performed live on an episode of The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, resulting in CBS' Standards and Practices division receiving numerous complaints about the song's title being used during "family viewing hours". One such complaint reportedly came from Richard Nixon (Tom Smothers, 'Geraldo' Interview, 1987). "Give a Damn" would become John Lindsay's campaign song during his successful run for Mayor of New York.

In October 1968, the group's lead guitarist Malcolm Hale died of carbon monoxide poisoning due to a faulty heating system (Hale's death has also been ascribed to bronchopneumonia). This was a devastating blow to the group. The 27-year old was a multi-instrumentalist, did much of the arranging and pretty well kept the band together. Hale's death, along with the group's satisfaction over what they'd achieved musically, resulted in the decision to disband early in 1969. Mercury released a third album, Anything You Choose b/w Without Rhythm or Reason, in January 1969. It contained two popular songs, the previous summer's hit "Give a Damn" and "Yesterday's Rain".

After the band's break-up, McFarlane enjoyed some success as a solo artist. She also toured for years with the Mamas & the Papas, singing primarily the parts previously performed by the late Cass Elliot. She was most recently seen on stage in Ferndale Repertory Theatre's production of South Pacific, portraying Bloody Mary.

The group briefly reformed in 1975 and recorded an album Change for the Epic label.

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• Spanky
• Our
• Gang
• Like To Get To Know You
• 1968
• Elaine
• McFarlane
• Folk
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[alexlancer11]

Like the photos I think McFarlane was very pretty. Love the singing too of course. BTW I think that is the Jefferson Airplane in the first photo :-) Nice collection of rare photos !

[TheBacmaster]

@alexlancer11 You're right! This does occasionally happen. I make so many of these videos and mistakes do occur. I do admire the class you have pointing out the mistake.

Thank you,

Joe

[rjc3208]

Brilliant Joe. Great song great group. If it's ok with you i would like to put it on tonight for my friday lead video? and your choice to use the Our Gang's Spanky McFarland as your last pic shows a lot of class. Well done Joe...Ricky!

[TheBacmaster]

@rjc3208 Sure, why not?

[yedela1]

love this song epitomises the 60's

[time4action101]

@TheBacmaster ....thank You , Joe!

[theflash1952shodan]

I seem to remember that the group members came mostly from the Yale glee club - or maybe I'm getting senile in my old age!

[zapme9]

Thanks you so much for filling my gap of great '60s bands like this, to hear through my vintage '60s vacuum tube receiver and speakers. Cheers also for the inspiration with my own music too. This song is weaving heavily in my musical mind, while recording and writing new songs. Spanky and Our Gang is timeless music. Beautiful song and string arrangements.

Cheers. ;-)

[Porschedude8]

Excellent!!  I remember this from my childhood. Thanks loads!

[arcturusvmoon]

Wonderful harmonies, love this band

[sixtiesforever1966]

@blues917 Funny I was just listening to Grace Slick and thought the same.

Two Great Ladies!



[drohegda]

The beauty and quality of Spanky's voice is totally unbelievable , One in a million.