60s One Hit Wonders – ‘Come on Down to My Boat’ by Every Mother’s Son (1967)

60s One Hit Wonders – ‘Come on Down to My Boat’ by Every Mother’s Son (1967)

Every Mother’s Son was an American rock band formed in New York City in the late 1960s. The group consisted of Dennis Larden, Larry Larden, Bruce Milner, Schuyler Larsen, and Christopher Augustine. They quickly gained popularity for their melodic tunes, tight harmonies, and catchy lyrics.

The band’s story began when the Larden brothers, Dennis and Larry, decided to form a band. They started their career as a a folk duo playing weekends for parties and Greenwich Village night clubs while they were attending school. Wanting to appeal to a wider audience as a rock band, they recruited keyboardist Milner after they hit it off at a Greenwich Village meeting. Larsen and Augustine joined within a week to complete the lineup. With their unique blend of folk rock and pop, Every Mother’s Son quickly caught the attention of MGM Records.

In 1967, the band released their debut self-titled album, which showcased their musical prowess and songwriting skills. One of the standout tracks on the album was ‘Come On Down to My Boat,’ which would become their biggest hit.

‘Come On Down to My Boat’:

‘Come On Down to My Boat’ was written by Wes Farrell and Jerry Goldstein. The song’s infectious melody and relatable lyrics struck a chord with listeners, propelling it to the top of the charts.

The song is about a girl who is a fisherman’s daughter, who is either literally or figuratively tied to a boat on the dock by her overprotective father. The young man observing this wants to cut that rope, telling her to “Come on down to my boat baby, Come on down we’ll sail away”.

The song’s message of longing and invitation resonated with audiences of all ages. Its catchy chorus and upbeat tempo made it a radio favorite, earning it significant airplay and solidifying its place in music history.

Chart Appearance and Critical Reception:

‘Come On Down to My Boat’ peaked at number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1967. The song’s success helped Every Mother’s Son gain widespread recognition and establish themselves as a prominent band in the music industry.

Music critics praised the band’s harmonies and their ability to create infectious melodies. The song was lauded for its timeless appeal and remains an iconic track from the era.

Although they would never again achieve the success of ‘Come on Down to My Boat’, their second album ‘Every Mother’s Son’s Back’ in late 1967, spawned three charting singles, “Put Your Mind at Ease” (46), “Pony with the Golden Mane” (93), and “No One Knows” (96), but the album itself failed to sell in sufficient quantities to chart.

After Schuyler Larsen left the band, work was started on a 3rd album, but they disbanded before it was completed and were done by the end of 1968.

Although Every Mother’s Son didn’t achieve the same level of success with their subsequent releases, ‘Come On Down to My Boat’ remains a beloved classic. The song has been covered by various artists over the years, further cementing its place in popular culture.

YouTube song link: Come on Down to My Boat