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Tonic — Lemon Parade
Album: Lemon Parade
Avg rating:
6.9

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2373









Released: 1996
Length: 3:38
Plays (last 30 days): 4
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I wish I'd seen you as a little girl
Without your armor to fend off the world
I would have kept you underneath my wing
I would protect you from everything

Make way for the lemon parade
Make way for my girl
Make way for the lemon parade
Make way for my girl

Did the boys all tease you
When they had the chance
Always left standing
When it came time to dance
Did you hide behind your books girl
Did you find your secret friends
Always I'll want you
Always 'till the end

Make way for the lemon parade
Make way for my girl
Make way for the lemon parade
Make way for my girl

Make way for the lemon parade
Make way for my girl
Make way for the lemon parade
Make way for my girl
Make way for my girl
Comments (235)add comment
I could hear this every day, always makes me happy
Posted 7 months ago by molson    [ Reply ]
 renegade_X wrote:
WHAT THE HECK IS A LEMON PARADE!!! 

Emerson Hart explained the song came from a dream he had. "I had a dream about this girl. I was riding this big Schwinn Sting Ray, and I rode by her working in a lemonade stand. She looked ugly and sad because kids were throwing lemons at her. Then later on, I saw her after high school and was crazy about her. They couldn't see how beautiful she really was."

Posted 8 months ago by nightdrive    [ Reply ]
Whoah...I was just now thinking how much the last song, Caamp's "Lavender Girl" reminded me of and left me wanting to hear THIS magnificent gem! Crank it!
Posted 1 year ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
 renegade_X wrote:
WHAT THE HECK IS A LEMON PARADE!!! 


Maybe they had a vacation in France and visit the Fête du Citron® 

https://www.rivieraloisirs.com... 
Posted 1 year ago by uweerx    [ Reply ]
WHAT THE HECK IS A LEMON PARADE!!! 
Posted 1 year ago by renegade_X    [ Reply ]
 timmus wrote:

Might as well follow this up with Dream Academy's "Love Parade".



and then listen to the doors album soft parade.
Posted 1 year ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
Tricky one...

To me it's nearer a 7 than an 8 - BUT - it's also nearer 'most excellent' than 'quite likeable'...

8 for now...
Posted 1 year ago by meanderer    [ Reply ]
 argexpat wrote:

Did they name the band after the song, or the song after the band?? I'm on the fence on whether that's lame or not.




Tonic is usually garnished with  lime. Does that help? ;-)
Posted 1 year ago by xrdstv    [ Reply ]
Might as well follow this up with Dream Academy's "Love Parade".
Posted 2 years ago by timmus    [ Reply ]
 ch83575 wrote:

I always thought he was saying "lemming parade". I happened to glance at my phone and noticed my mistake, but I like my version better.




Doesn't that make his girl a Lemming? 
Posted 2 years ago by robmerkeldesigns    [ Reply ]
I always feel this song right on the opening notes.
Posted 2 years ago by surfool    [ Reply ]
Saw them on Mayport Naval Station, Fl., free concert for enlisted and dependents in the Summer of 1999, with the Goo Goo Dolls. They were awesome! Great Memories!
Posted 2 years ago by Fugee-yama    [ Reply ]
 ch83575 wrote:

I always thought he was saying "lemming parade". I happened to glance at my phone and noticed my mistake, but I like my version better.

I used to think it was " Lovin' parade", which I think makes more sense as an ode to a woman, but hey, nobody pays me to write songs. :-) 
Posted 2 years ago by ExpatLarry    [ Reply ]
One of the few CDs in the mid 1990s that I purchased, and it was a solid buy.  Through and through a great album.  But somehow they lost all this amazing songwriting momentum and their subsequent albums songs just fell flat. 
Posted 2 years ago by Relayer    [ Reply ]
This song continues to grow on me, and I think the reason is that they hold back so long before they throw in that excellent riff. Just upped it from 6 to 8.  Quite musical.
Posted 3 years ago by cely    [ Reply ]
Just made this a nine, its great
Posted 3 years ago by jp33442    [ Reply ]
 yofitofu wrote:

Not too many people know that drummer Kevin Shepherd in this band is Tom Selleck's stepson. Although parents moved on, Kevin and Tom are very close.



Not too many people know that Kevin Shepherd is the drummer for Tonic... 
Posted 3 years ago by bahalana    [ Reply ]
Good tune, good band.  Glad they are still active.

Posted 3 years ago by DW4554    [ Reply ]
 cely wrote:

Excellent riff.  Feeling it.


Well, if you like that, you'll love Cracker's Eurotrash Girl, because it's a complete ripoff of it.
Posted 3 years ago by deepwoodskev    [ Reply ]
 freddyfender wrote:
 argexpat wrote:
Did they name the band after the song, or the song after the band? I'm on the fence on whether that's lame or not.
 

The album title is "Lemon Parade", the name of the song is "Lemon Parade".  The name of the band is Tonic.
 
The triple crown belongs to "Bad Company" singing "Bad Company" from their album "Bad Company". 👑😀

(And surely there are others...)

Posted 3 years ago by bseib    [ Reply ]
 argexpat wrote:
Did they name the band after the song, or the song after the band?? I'm on the fence on whether that's lame or not.
 
Reading is fundamental.
Posted 3 years ago by jelgator    [ Reply ]
Great memories of this band as I was graduating from undergrad with the person I thought was my soulmate. We were scared to death about entering the world and looking for jobs as marine biologists.  In 1996-1997 Tonic was playing a lot of shows with The Verve Pipe and K's Choice. We followed the show around a bit and never got tired of it. I thought each of these bands had a lot of great talent - the pressure of releasing 'radio hits' I think it what did it in for each of them. Tonic was full of energy and put on great shows. Thanks RP for this moment of reflection. I wonder what these bands are doing today. I wonder what she is doing these days.
Posted 4 years ago by pa508701    [ Reply ]
 cavemanleong wrote:
Great song. Sounded like Cracker's Eurotrash Girl there for a minute. 
 
For just a minute??

Ummmm.......
Posted 4 years ago by deepwoodskev    [ Reply ]
 argexpat wrote:
Did they name the band after the song, or the song after the band?? I'm on the fence on whether that's lame or not.
 

The album title is "Lemon Parade", the name of the song is "Lemon Parade".  The name of the band is Tonic.
Posted 4 years ago by freddyfender    [ Reply ]
i find it rather lengthy as well      ppopp wrote:
Very boring tune.
 

Posted 4 years ago by Pilsenaaa    [ Reply ]
 argexpat wrote:
Did they name the band after the song, or the song after the band?? I'm on the fence on whether that's lame or not.
 
The band is Tonic. Song and album are Lemon Parade. 

Which, by the way, is a parade I would totally attend.
Posted 4 years ago by TLynneHenry    [ Reply ]
Did they name the band after the song, or the song after the band?? I'm on the fence on whether that's lame or not.
Posted 4 years ago by argexpat    [ Reply ]
 ch83575 wrote:
I always thought he was saying "lemming parade". I happened to glance at my phone and noticed my mistake, but I like my version better.
 Lets go with your version then!

Posted 4 years ago by shaun2    [ Reply ]
similar to a LEMON PARTY?

asking for a friend
Posted 4 years ago by Wonderloaf    [ Reply ]
that guitar bridge gets me every single time.
Posted 4 years ago by dabeyc    [ Reply ]
Great lead and chorus, but manages to be kind of boring in other parts.  The opening always grabs my attention though.
Posted 4 years ago by cely    [ Reply ]
Not too many people know that drummer Kevin Shepherd in this band is Tom Selleck's stepson. Although parents moved on, Kevin and Tom are very close.
Posted 4 years ago by yofitofu    [ Reply ]
Very boring tune.
Posted 4 years ago by ppopp    [ Reply ]
Really enjoy this song and album.  Thanks Bill!
Posted 5 years ago by DeemerDave    [ Reply ]
EUROTRASH GIRL!!
Posted 5 years ago by deepwoodskev    [ Reply ]
I want Euro-Trash Girl to follow this... 
Posted 5 years ago by ubuntourist    [ Reply ]
Not a song about the Lemon Party.
Not a song about the Lemon Party.
Not a song about the Lemon Party.
Not a song about the Lemon Party.


Posted 5 years ago by MassivRuss    [ Reply ]
I always thought he was saying "lemming parade". I happened to glance at my phone and noticed my mistake, but I like my version better.
Posted 6 years ago by ch83575    [ Reply ]
Excellent riff.  Feeling it.
Posted 6 years ago by cely    [ Reply ]
Great song. Sounded like Cracker's Eurotrash Girl there for a minute. 
Posted 6 years ago by cavemanleong    [ Reply ]
Lemon Parade - Banana Cavalcade! {#Bananapiano}
Posted 6 years ago by Michaeljcovel    [ Reply ]
 dragon1952 wrote:
Sounds like a Badfinger song, esp. the guitar riff.
 
Yes, the band or their producers must've been fans of Badfinger.  Not a bad thing.
Posted 7 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
6 degrees from "Every Night" {#Heartkiss}
Posted 7 years ago by Segue    [ Reply ]
Yeah, this seems to be a complete ripoff of Cracker's Eurotrash Girl.
Posted 7 years ago by deepwoodskev    [ Reply ]
Gonna get this
Posted 7 years ago by scibility    [ Reply ]
haint never heard this but I likes it
Posted 7 years ago by jbuhl    [ Reply ]
 Synth80s wrote:

Agree completely. Not sure why I never picked up this album, but it's on my short list.

 
Hear! Hear!
Posted 7 years ago by Mizy_Wizy    [ Reply ]
 Baby_M wrote:
Official anthem of the Chevy Vega Owners Club.

 
You can add the Rolling Rotisserie - Ford Pinto Owners Club as well.
Posted 8 years ago by the_jake    [ Reply ]
 loveyourmusic! wrote:
brings me back to the 70's, which I miss soooooooo badly

 
I think its great that you were already listening to this in the 70's...you were truly ahead of your time!
Posted 8 years ago by Cannon    [ Reply ]
 MJdub wrote:
I dunno why I like this song so much.  But I like this song so much.

 
Agree completely. Not sure why I never picked up this album, but it's on my short list.
Posted 8 years ago by Synth80s    [ Reply ]
brings me back to the 70's, which I miss soooooooo badly
Posted 8 years ago by loveyourmusic!    [ Reply ]
Hmmm. I always thought this was George Harrison.
Posted 8 years ago by Hannio    [ Reply ]
kindness
Posted 8 years ago by ivotaillefer    [ Reply ]
I dunno why I like this song so much.  But I like this song so much.
Posted 8 years ago by MJdub    [ Reply ]
Official anthem of the Chevy Vega Owners Club.
Posted 8 years ago by Baby_M    [ Reply ]
Why is this the only song off this album that is being played?  Three/four times in the last thirty days?!  There are other good songs off this album Bill.  You have two others listed but this one, by far, gets the most airplay.  
Posted 9 years ago by coyote620    [ Reply ]
 DaveInVA wrote:
Lemon Parade? Is that a line of Fords going by? {#Stupid}

 
At least it's not a Lemon Party.

There, I said it.

DON'T Google it. Ever.
Posted 9 years ago by CaffeineSam    [ Reply ]
Sounds like a Badfinger song, esp. the guitar riff.
Posted 9 years ago by dragon1952    [ Reply ]
Every time I hear this song, I think he's singing "Make way for the LEMMING parade." And I imagine little rodents walking by on the way to the cliff.  
Posted 9 years ago by maggierob    [ Reply ]
 Grammarcop wrote:

Yup. Came to say the same thing.

 
Just about time for a gin & tonic {#Cheers}
Posted 10 years ago by ShaunJ    [ Reply ]
 deepwoodskev wrote:
Music sounds very similar to Cracker's "Eurotrash Girl."

 
you say it like it's a bad thing?
 
Posted 10 years ago by jules44    [ Reply ]
 deepwoodskev wrote:
Music sounds very similar to Cracker's "Eurotrash Girl."

 
Yup. Came to say the same thing.
Posted 10 years ago by Grammarcop    [ Reply ]
Music sounds very similar to Cracker's Eurotrash Girl.
Posted 10 years ago by deepwoodskev    [ Reply ]
 DaveInVA wrote:
Lemon Parade? Is that a line of Fords going by? {#Stupid}

 
Considering the recalls of the last few years, that should include GM, Toyota, and Volkswagon too. {#Sorry}
Posted 10 years ago by LowPhreak    [ Reply ]
 1wolfy wrote:
I recently bought this CD..Really like it !  Better late than never

 
Agree.  Deserves a higher rating.


 dkwalika wrote:
Got this album. Boring.

  
Don't agree. 
Posted 10 years ago by DaidyBoy    [ Reply ]
 NeilBlanchard wrote:

Somehow I think more of The Las.

 
Fergal Sharky...
Posted 10 years ago by the_real_mccoy    [ Reply ]
Bit of trivia, Kevin Shephard, Tom Selleck's "adopted" son (his wife Jackie Ray's child from a former marriage) played drums with this band until they broke up.
Posted 10 years ago by yofitofu    [ Reply ]
 phobos wrote:
I hear a lot of Tom Petty influence.  And I like it.

 
Somehow I think more of The Las.
Posted 10 years ago by NeilBlanchard    [ Reply ]
I recently bought this CD..Really like it !  Better late than never
Posted 10 years ago by 1wolfy    [ Reply ]
 shellbella wrote:
Luv it!!

 
Took the words right out of my mouth...had I been about to say them 8 months ago.
Posted 10 years ago by Sasha2001    [ Reply ]
Indeed, thanks again for very fine music/song and 'reflection'.
Posted 10 years ago by kdarwish    [ Reply ]
Missed this first time around, so thanks.  Gets better each time.
Posted 10 years ago by DaidyBoy    [ Reply ]
Weird - I always thought this was Tom Petty.  I've heard it before, I just never stopped to look who it was.
Posted 10 years ago by hanssachs    [ Reply ]
Luv it!!
Posted 11 years ago by shellbella    [ Reply ]
 DaveInVA wrote:
Lemon Parade? Is that a line of Fords going by? {#Stupid}

 
Chevy Vegas and Citations.
Posted 11 years ago by Baby_M    [ Reply ]
Lemon Parade? Is that a line of Fords going by? {#Stupid}
Posted 11 years ago by DaveInSaoMiguel    [ Reply ]
I hear a lot of Tom Petty influence.  And I like it.
Posted 11 years ago by phobos    [ Reply ]
7 > 8
Posted 11 years ago by Foot    [ Reply ]
 Tamster wrote:

like ! I miss you R
 

Thank you!  I be me!  Hope you are having a marvelous time right this minute...  love this song...
 
Posted 11 years ago by Lazarus    [ Reply ]
 (former member) wrote:


This is one fine song...  love it...

 
 
like ! I miss you R
Posted 11 years ago by Tamster    [ Reply ]
 Lazarus wrote:

Everybody in my church loves this song...
 
 
like !
 
Posted 11 years ago by Tamster    [ Reply ]
Can you make a like for other peeps comments ? It would be good for meeeeeeeeeeee
Posted 11 years ago by Tamster    [ Reply ]
Hard to believe this never broke it big; I've only ever heard it on RP! but I think, happily, it sits Tall and Pretty here among the RP crowd...Sizzling guitars, nice vocals, sweet arrangement...Hard to beat, and it's always so easy to crank that knob way up on it!
Posted 11 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
Perfection... Oh the roaring 90s...
Posted 11 years ago by floydoftherocks    [ Reply ]

Everybody in my church loves this song...
 
Posted 11 years ago by Lazarus    [ Reply ]
 bluecshells wrote:
I like
 
I like A LOT!!  {#Daisy}
Posted 11 years ago by shellbella    [ Reply ]
I like
Posted 11 years ago by bluecshells    [ Reply ]
Yes. A very fine album.
Posted 11 years ago by DD gypsyman    [ Reply ]
Tonic....lemon....I'm getting an idea here....
Posted 11 years ago by oldsaxon    [ Reply ]
{#Daisy}
Posted 11 years ago by shellbella    [ Reply ]
nice segue from hey rosetta. i was wondering what would follow that up.
Posted 12 years ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
If my guy wrote this for me, I would know it was true love...
Posted 12 years ago by lmic    [ Reply ]
 RedGuitar wrote:

I used to hear "Open Up Your Eyes," and "If You Could Only See" on the radio.

 
Actually they have several excellent albums. All of them have great melodic songs and rich guitar sounds. Emerson Hart also has a very good, critically acclaimed solo album.
Posted 12 years ago by volnomad    [ Reply ]
 philh2o wrote:
I thought I was the only person that bought this album. What a shocker to hear it in 2012. 
 

Wow, same here. Unfortunately shared it with my teen and preteen and it disappeared.
Posted 12 years ago by CalOF    [ Reply ]
I thought I was the only person that bought this album. What a shocker to hear it in 2012. 
Posted 12 years ago by philh2o    [ Reply ]
  Good guitar work, good harmonies, good lyrics, what's not to like ?  8
Posted 12 years ago by That_SOB    [ Reply ]
Got this album. Boring.
Posted 12 years ago by dkwalika    [ Reply ]
 ziggytrix wrote:
Make way for the Lemming Rave!
 
Heh, that's close to what I thought I was hearing at first too.

Posted 12 years ago by dwhayslett    [ Reply ]
Long time favorite. Bill is hitting all the buttons this afternoon EST. 

Posted 12 years ago by seven7    [ Reply ]
Good song. First time hearing it. I dig.
Posted 12 years ago by d-don    [ Reply ]
Must be another mix of this song out there. Iremember hearing it about 6 years ago and holding back the urge to vomit from my ears. Not as bad as I remember...
Posted 12 years ago by craigh    [ Reply ]
I screwed up
5->7
nice song ,catchy chorus
Posted 13 years ago by boober    [ Reply ]
I had this song stuck in my head the other day. Coulda been worse. Still love this song.
Posted 13 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
love this tune, love the double guitar lead

Posted 13 years ago by seven7    [ Reply ]
 Magikal1act wrote:
I used to see these guys back in the early 90's in LA. They started out as a band called Radio Flyer but when they got signed they had to change their name. This, as far I as knew, was their only hit and perhaps album. It was such a great time: Sunset strip, 24 years old, friends, laughter, great rock shows...precious memories. I still have the cd and have wondered every now and again what happened to them. I guess now with the internet I could find out. 

 
I used to hear "Open Up Your Eyes," and "If You Could Only See" on the radio.

Posted 13 years ago by RedGuitar    [ Reply ]
Haven't heard from these guys in some time, which is good. I like this one.
Posted 13 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
I used to see these guys back in the early 90's in LA. They started out as a band called Radio Flyer but when they got signed they had to change their name. This, as far I as knew, was their only hit and perhaps album. It was such a great time: Sunset strip, 24 years old, friends, laughter, great rock shows...precious memories. I still have the cd and have wondered every now and again what happened to them. I guess now with the internet I could find out. 

Posted 13 years ago by Magikal1act    [ Reply ]
Never heard this song before, but enjoyed what I'd heard of this band in the past. Really nice.
Posted 13 years ago by DarceySuzanne    [ Reply ]
8 {#Arrow} 9
Posted 13 years ago by mread    [ Reply ]
Anyone hear "Southern Cross" by CSN?
Posted 13 years ago by Lumpy13    [ Reply ]
15 years or so ago... I thought this was one of the really great songs of the 90's.

Having not heard it in probably 5 years... it stands the test of time.  Truly a terrific song. 
Posted 13 years ago by bobringer    [ Reply ]
 romeotuma wrote:

I gave this song one of my rare 10 ratings...  I think this song is really cool...

 
  Considering you'v only rated 3370 songs out of the entire RP lib,,
  yeah that's rare !{#Lol}
Posted 14 years ago by HazzeSwede    [ Reply ]
 romeotuma wrote:


This song is soooo cool...  love it...

 
 

Me too, every time I hear it I love it more. Superbly crafted.
Posted 14 years ago by nigelr    [ Reply ]
{#Bounce}
Posted 14 years ago by LowPhreak    [ Reply ]
Make way for the Lemming Rave!


Posted 14 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
I ´ve rated this one 7, don´t remember when. Now I upgrade to 8, nice sound.
Posted 14 years ago by nalle    [ Reply ]
 anotherlistener wrote:
I like my tonic with a fair portion of gin (you may prefer vodka) and a lime wedge. Ahhhhh! {#Tongue}
 

I concur!  Sweet transition out of Radiohead, by the way, Bill.  I had this album cranked up in the car yesterday after not listening to it for a long time.  Still good!
Posted 14 years ago by osbyec    [ Reply ]
 scraig wrote:
Seamless transition out of Radiohead ;)
 


Posted 14 years ago by lmic    [ Reply ]
I like my tonic with a fair portion of gin (you may prefer vodka) and a lime wedge. Ahhhhh! {#Tongue}
Posted 14 years ago by anotherlistener    [ Reply ]
Nice hearing this song again after a few years.  Sounds great in the context of the RP playlist.  Thanks.
Posted 14 years ago by jessfine    [ Reply ]