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.
The Stroke
Billy Squier Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Then the stroke's the word
Don't take no rhythm
Don't take no style
Gotta thirst for killin'
Grab your vial uh
Put your right hand out, give a firm handshake
Spread your ear pollution, both far and wide
Keep your contributions by your side and
Stroke me, stroke me
Could be a winner boy you move mighty well
Stroke me, stroke me (stroke)
Stroke me, stroke me
You got your number down
Stroke me, stroke me
Say you're a winner but babe, you're just a sinner now
Put your left foot out, keep it all in place
Work your way right into my face
First you try to bet me, you make my backbone slide
When you find you've bled me, slip on by, and
Stroke me, stroke me
Give me the reason this is all night long
Stroke me, stroke me
(Stroke)
Stroke me, stroke me
Get yourself together boy
Stroke me, stroke me
Say you're a winner but man you're just a sinner now
(Stroke, stroke, stroke, stroke, stroke, stroke, stroke)
Better listen now
Said it ain't no joke
Don't let your conscience fail ya'
Just do the stroke
Don't ya' take no chances
Keep your eye on top
Do your fancy dances
You can't stop you just
Stroke me, stroke me
(Stroke, stroke)
Stroke me, stroke me
(Stroke, stroke)
Stroke me, stroke me
(Stroke, stroke)
Stroke me, stroke me
(Stroke) do it
Stroke me, stroke me
(Stroke)
Stroke me, stroke me (keep on)
(Stroke)
Stroke me, stroke me
(Stroke)
Stroke me, stroke me
Say you're a winner but man you're just a sinner now
"The Stroke" by Billy Squier is a song about winning and achieving success. The song encourages people to be aggressive and take risks in order to succeed, embodied in the word "stroke", which refers to a powerful and assertive move. The lyrics suggest that winning requires a thirst for killing, a metaphor for a passionate dedication to achieving one's goals.
The song is divided into two main parts, both of which emphasize the importance of attitude and confidence in achieving success. The first part of the song encourages listeners to spread their influence, seek out opportunities, and be bold in taking risks. The second part advises listeners to be focused and in control, to keep their eye on the prize and not get distracted by temptation.
Overall, "The Stroke" is a high-energy and upbeat song that encourages listeners to embrace their ambition and pursue their goals with passion and determination.
Line by Line Meaning
Now everybody, have you heard, if you're in the game
Attention everyone: if you're involved, pay attention.
Then the stroke's the word
The key to victory is the stroke.
Don't take no rhythm,
It's not about rhythm.
Don't take no style
Style doesn't matter either.
Gotta thirst for killin',
But you do need a desire to win.
Grab your vial uh
Whatever it is that fuels you, hold onto it.
Put your right hand out, give a firm handshake
Introduce yourself properly.
Talk to me about that one big break
Tell me your story and how you'll win.
Spread your ear pollution, both far and wide
Boast of your skills and achievements to everyone.
Keep your contributions by your side and
Never forget what you bring to the table.
Stroke me, stroke me
I need to see that you can perform well (in whatever the context may be).
Could be a winner boy you move mighty well
You might have what it takes to win.
You got your number down
You know what you're doing.
Say you're a winner but babe, you're just a sinner now
Don't get too cocky; you're human and capable of making mistakes.
Put your left foot out, keep it all in place
Be confident and stand your ground.
Work your way right into my face
Be bold and don't back down.
First you try to bet me, you make my backbone slide
You might try to outsmart me, but I won't fall for it.
When you find you've bled me, slip on by, and
If you've taken all you can get from me, move on.
Give me the reason this is all night long
Show me you can keep it up for the long haul.
Get yourself together boy
Get your act together.
Say you're a winner but man you're just a sinner now
Don't forget that you're not perfect and can mess up.
Better listen now
Pay attention.
Said it ain't no joke
This is serious business.
Don't let your conscience fail ya'
Don't do anything that would make you feel guilty.
Just do the stroke
Just focus and do what you need to do to win.
Don't ya' take no chances
Be careful and don't take unnecessary risks.
Keep your eye on top
Stay focused on the goal.
Do your fancy dances
Feel free to celebrate and enjoy yourself when you win.
You can't stop you just
Don't give up, keep pushing forward.
(keep on) Stroke me, stroke me
Keep performing well and impressing others.
Say you're a winner but man you're just a sinner now
Again, don't forget your flaws and be humble.
Lyrics © Spirit Music Group
Written by: William H Squier
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind