He has been active in the 00s and since, touring both as a single artist and as a member of the rotating supergroup 'Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band'. Before fronting the band titled in his name, Squire was the frontman of the power pop group Piper. Said band had some underground fame in the 70s before Squire left for bigger things.
Squier started off his solo career with May 1980's 'The Tale of the Tape'. Although a commercial breakthrough eluded him, the release spent three months on Billboard's album chart and gained a large fan response. Working with songwriter impresario Desmond Child and Kiss co-guitarist Bruce Kulick, his album also brought him praising critical reviews, noting his talent for meeting catchy pop hooks with aggressive guitars and vocals.
His 1981 follow-up, 'Don't Say No', shot his career into the stratosphere. It hit the Top Five on the Billboard album chart and remained on the chart for over two years (a total of 111 weeks). Getting RIAA certified as triple-platinum, singles such as "Lonely Is The Night" and "The Stroke" became staples of arena rock radio. His music from this album has popped up in variety of places such as in the comedy film 'Blades of Glory' and in the popular Guitar Hero video game series.
Squier's third album, 'Emotions in Motion', also picked up both critical praise, with Allmusic calling it a "slice of AOR heaven", and commercial acclaim. The album itself peaked at #5 on the Billboard 200 chart while singles such as "Everybody Wants You" and "Learn How To Live" achieved top 40 rock stardom. Squier also achieved notability both for his album cover, devised by famous artist Andy Warhol, and for his popular music videos, played often on MTV.
Massively successful touring with artists such as Queen had Squier labeled as one of the best hard rock artists of the decade. Still, 'what goes up, must come down', as the saying goes, and his next album would spell his downfall. 1984's 'Signs of Life' came out with initial good press, viewed as perhaps lacking the rock crunch of his previous affairs but still involving some catchy tunes. Single "Rock Me Tonite", released in June 1984 as the lead single, became his highest charting U.S. song, peaking at number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 and hitting the Top 10 on the Cash Box singles chart. It also returned him to #1 on the Top Rock Tracks chart in August of 1984.
Nevertheless, the music video for the song was the beginning of the end for this part of Squier's career. Popularly regarded as one of the worst ever music videos ever made, if not the worst, it shows Squier putting on a pink tank top and making effeminate dance moves around a bed with pastel-colored satin sheets while badly miming to the song, rolling around on the floor in several parts. Many viewers who saw it thought that it depicted the singer on drugs or pretending to be flamboyantly gay. It was directed by Kenny Ortega, who was the third director to be considered for the job.
After an acrimonious break from his label and also making other changes, Squier re-grouped and released 'Enough Is Enough' on September 27, 1986. Signed to Capitol Records, he achieved some success, with the album having peaked at #61 on the Billboard album chart, but failed to meet expectations. Some critics charged that the stress that he had been put under took its toll on his songwriting. Future releases over the next few years failed to change things as his popularity slid downwards, and he ultimately quit the music industry for several years in the 90s.
As stated before, he has been active in the 00s and since, touring both as a single artist and as a member of the rotating supergroup 'Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band'. More recently, a few live albums have come out featuring his music. He also has had several low-key tours.
Don't Say No
Billy Squier Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My world is a vice
Nobody gets out alive
But you can break through the ice
Don't say no
My wounds are the open kind
I pray for a change of mind
You can take me away
Don't say no, don't say no
Don't say no and don't say no
Take on the system, playin' on the wrong side
Spend all my money tryin' to have a good time
Come 'round to see you from time to time
Week in the knees and I'm busted
Some people, they treat me kind
Some drive me away
Some people, they blow your mind
It's not easy today
Don't say no
I live on the borderline
You come from the void
I beg you to cross the line
You take good care of your boy
Don't say no, don't say no
Don't say no, don't say no
Got me a ticket sittin' on a gold mine
Send me the interest, take me where the sun shines
Come 'round to see me from time to time
Bring it to me when I'm busted
One minute, I'm out of time
I don't fit in your game
You kill me in overtime
I don't remember my name (don't say no)
One minute, you're on my mind
Next minute you're gone (don't say no)
You tell me to read the signs
They tell me we're on
Don't say no, don't say no
Don't say no, don't say no
Don't, don't, don't
Don't, don't, don't
Don't, don't, don't (yeah, yeah, yeah)
Don't, don't, don't
Don't, don't, don't (yeah, yeah, yeah)
Don't, don't, don't
The lyrics of Billy Squier’s “Don’t Say No” speak to the complexity of relationships and the struggles to break through the confusion and complications that arise. The opening lines of the song express the confusion and chaos of modern times, with the singer feeling trapped in a vice-like grip of circumstances. However, the song suggests that it is possible to break through this ice and find a way out. The repeated refrain of “Don’t say no” implies the pleading of the singer to their partner, hoping that they won’t refuse their requests for help and escape.
The second verse delves deeper into the singer’s personal struggles and wounds, expressing feelings of helplessness and desperation. But again, the refrain encourages the listener to break free and persevere despite the challenges. The remainder of the song continues this theme of perseverance, with the singer expressing their desire to break with the past and strive for a better life.
Overall, “Don’t Say No” is a song of hope and determination, encouraging listeners to face their problems head-on and not give up when the going gets tough.
Line by Line Meaning
We live in confusion times
The world is tumultuous and uncertain
My world is a vice
My personal struggles feel suffocating and inescapable
Nobody gets out alive
Life inevitably ends in death
But you can break through the ice
There is hope for overcoming obstacles and finding a way out
Don't say no
Please don't refuse to help me or be with me
My wounds are the open kind
My emotional pain is raw and exposed
I bleed every day
The pain is constant and unrelenting
I pray for a change of mind
I hope for a different outlook or perspective
You can take me away
You have the power to improve my situation
Take on the system, playin' on the wrong side
Rebel against societal norms and expectations
Spend all my money tryin' to have a good time
Attempts to escape through material pleasures
Come 'round to see you from time to time
Visiting someone who brings joy and comfort
Week in the knees and I'm busted
Feeling weak and defeated
Some people, they treat me kind
Encountering kindness from others
Some drive me away
Experiencing rejection or hostility from others
Some people, they blow your mind
Encountering people who are truly exceptional
It's not easy today
Life can be difficult and challenging
I live on the borderline
Feeling lost or caught between different worlds
You come from the void
You offer something new and different
I beg you to cross the line
I desperately want to connect with you
You take good care of your boy
You are responsible and nurturing towards those you love
Got me a ticket sittin' on a gold mine
Feeling lucky or fortunate despite challenges
Send me the interest, take me where the sun shines
Hoping for a brighter future and better opportunities
Bring it to me when I'm busted
Offering help or support when I am at my lowest
One minute, I'm out of time
Feeling like time is running out
I don't fit in your game
Feeling like an outsider or not belonging
You kill me in overtime
Collapsing under the pressure and stress
I don't remember my name (don't say no)
Feeling lost or detached from one's own identity
One minute, you're on my mind
Thinking about someone constantly
Next minute you're gone (don't say no)
Sometimes people suddenly disappear from our lives
You tell me to read the signs
Giving advice or guidance
They tell me we're on
The signs indicate that we are meant to be together
Don't, don't, don't
Repeated plea for help or support
Don't, don't, don't (yeah, yeah, yeah)
The urgency of the plea intensifies
Lyrics © Spirit Music Group
Written by: WILLIAM SQUIER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind