In 1966 he signed with Andrew Loog Oldham, releasing an Immediate label EP featuring the tracks - In the Midnight Hour, Mr Pitiful, Satisfaction and Who Can I Turn To. Followed by the his first Album, 14 Things to Think About. The summer of 1966 saw the release of his biggest hit - Out of Time.
In the later part of the sixties he did the classic - Handbags and Gladrags, written by his friend Mike d' Abo of Manfred Man and recently covered by the Stereophonics. This was to be his last solo chart success. In the 70's Chris sang with the band Colosseum before he moved on to the group Atomic Rooster.
He was involved in a serious road accident which stopped him recording and performing for a couple of years.
He worked with various bands/musicians througout the 80's and 90's and
he still performs live today.
Birth name John Henry Deighton
Also known as Little Joe Cook Born October 13, 1940 (age 68)
Origin Islington, North London, England
Genre(s) Rhythm and Blues Jazz rock
Instrument(s) Vocals
Label(s) Columbia, Immediate
Associated acts The Chris Farlowe Band
The Thunderbirds
The Johnny Burns Rhythm and Blues Quartet
The John Henry Skiffle
Group Colosseum Atomic Rooster
Website chrisfarlowe.co.uk
Career
Farlowe's musical career began with a skiffle group, The John Henry Skiffle Group in 1957, then The Johnny Burns Rhythm and Blues Quartet in 1958. He met lead guitarist Bob Taylor (born Robert Taylor, 6 June 1942, London) in 1959 and he joined the band Taylor was in (The Thunderbirds), recording five singles for the Columbia label, without much success. He then moved to Andrew Loog Oldham's Immediate label and recorded another eleven singles, five of them cover versions of Rolling Stones songs; ("Paint It, Black", "Think", "Ride On, Baby", "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction", "Out of Time"). His most successful was "Out of Time" which was number 1 in the UK Singles Chart in 1966. His next four singles were also well received. The most famous was "Handbags and Gladrags" (which was written by Mike d'Abo), later covered by Rod Stewart and more recently by the Stereophonics).As an English R&B star of the early 1960s, Farlowe released one single, "Stormy Monday Blues", under the pseudonym, 'Little Joe Cook', which helped perpetrate the myth that he was black.His association with jazz rock group Colosseum began in the 1970s, recording a live album and three studio albums Daughter of Time, Bread and Circuses and Tomorrow's Blues (2006).Farlowe continues to tour extensively throughout the UK and Europe with band Colosseum, and also with his own band. Farlowe also deals in antiques and has a showroom in Islington. In 1972 he joined Atomic Rooster and is featured on the albums Made in England and Nice and Greasy. He also sang on three tracks of Jimmy Page's Death Wish II soundtrack 1982 and Outrider album Hummingbird, Prison Blues & Blues Anthem in 1988.
Thunderbirds
In the beginning, Farlowe was backed by the band 'The Thunderbirds', which featured guitarist Albert Lee and Dave Greenslade, (later with him again in Colosseum), Bugs Waddell (bass), Ian Hague (drums) Bernie Greenwood (sax) and Jerry Temple (percussion).
Albums
Chris Farlowe and the Thunderbirds (February 1966)
14 Things to Think About (June 1966)
The Art of Chris Farlowe (December 1966)
Tonite Let's All Make Love In London (Soundtrack) (July 1968)
The Last Goodbye (August 1969)
From Here to Mama Rosa (September 1970)
Chris Farlowe Band Live (November 1975)
Out of the Blue (July 1985)
The Live EP: Live in Hamburg (March 1986)
Born Again (June 1986)
Chris Farlowe & Roy Herrington Live in Berlin (17/18 October 1991)
Superblues (Recorded live 1991, released 1994)
Farlowe: Waiting in the Wings (May 1992)
Swinging Hollywood (1994)
Lonesome Road (September 1995)
BBC in Concert (January 1996)
As Time Go By (October 1996)
The Voice (April 1998)
Glory Bound (March 2001)
Farlowe That! (May 2003)
Hungary for the Blues (November 2005)
At Rockpalast (October 2006)
Hotel Eingang (2008)
Singles
Singles & EPs on Immediate Records (1965-70)
IM016 "The Fool" / "Treat Her Good" 7"
IM023 "Think" / "Don't Just Look At Me" 7"
IM035 "Out of Time" / "Baby Make It Soon" 7"
IM038 "Ride On Baby" / "Headlines" 7"
IM041 "My Way of Giving" / "You're So Good To Me" 7"
IM049 "Yesterday's Papers" / "Life is But Nothing" 7"
IM056 "Moanin'" / "What Have I Been Doing" 7"
IM065 "Handbags and Gladrags" / "Everyone Makes a Mistake" 7"
IM066 "The Last Goodbye" / "Paperman Fly in the Sky" 7" (B-side with Thunderbirds)
IM071 "Paint It Black" / "I Just Need Your Loving" 7"
IM074 "Dawn" / "April was the Month" 7" (With Thunderbirds)
IM078 "Out of Time" / "Ride On Baby" 7"
IMEP001 "Farlowe in the Midnight Hour" EP
IMEP004 "Chris Farlowe Hits" EP
All or Nothing
Chris Farlowe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But now I see you don't hear a thing
Got to make you see how it's got to be
Yes if it's all right
All or nothing yeah yeah
All or nothing
All or nothing for me
Things could work out just like I want them to
If I could have the other half of you
That's all I would if I only could
Is to say
All or nothing oh yeah
All or nothing if I could I'd say
All or nothing for me
Pa pa pa pa ta pa pa pa ta ta
Pa pa pa pa ta pa pa pa ta ta
I ain't telling you no lie girl
So don't just sit there and cry girl
All or nothing (oh no)
All or nothing (oh yeah)
All or nothing (gotta gotta gotta keep on tryin')
All or nothing
(For me, for me, for me we're not children)
The lyrics of "All or Nothing" by Chris Farlowe are about a man who is trying to persuade his lover to commit to him completely, without hesitation or reservation. He is imploring her to listen to him and understand the depth of his feelings, but it seems that despite his efforts, she is not responding to him. He believes that if she were to give herself to him entirely, things would work out perfectly, and they would be able to build a life together. The song is a plea for commitment and a warning that without it, their relationship will fail. The brief instrumental section in between the two verses is a moment of contemplation, as if the singer is gazing into the distance, hoping she will come around to see things his way.
One interpretation of the song is that it's a reflection of the type of desire that can only come from those who've suffered loss or been alone for too long. They long to experience the feeling of true love so they will do everything possible to get it. The lyrics are a metaphor for someone who is willing to gamble everything they have, their heart and soul for someone they really want more than anything. They are willing to risk losing it all because they don’t want to settle for half.
Line by Line Meaning
I thought you'd listen to my reason
I believed that you would consider my point of view
But now I see you don't hear a thing
But now I realize that you are not paying any attention to what I am saying
Got to make you see how it's got to be
I need to make you understand what needs to happen
Yes if it's all right
If it's okay with you
All or nothing yeah yeah
We must have everything or nothing at all
All or nothing
I insist on everything or nothing
All or nothing for me
I can't settle for anything less
Things could work out just like I want them to
The situation could turn out the way I desire
If I could have the other half of you
If I could get the commitment I ask for
That's all I would if I only could
All I seek is to have the entirety of your heart
Is to say
Then I would say
All or nothing oh yeah
I truly want all or nothing
All or nothing if I could I'd say
I would go out and tell the person that if they cannot offer everything; I don't want anything from them
All or nothing for me
It's all or nothing for me
Pa pa pa pa ta pa pa pa ta ta
Instrumental
Pa pa pa pa ta pa pa pa ta ta
Instrumental
I ain't telling you no lie girl
I swear I am not deceiving you
So don't just sit there and cry girl
Please don't just cry; let's talk about it
All or nothing (oh no)
It is everything, or it can't be anything
All or nothing (oh yeah)
It's either all, or it's all nothing
All or nothing (gotta gotta gotta keep on tryin')
Although it might be difficult, we need to keep striving for the ideal outcome
All or nothing
All or nothing
(For me, for me, for me we're not children)
(It's for me, we are not kids anymore; we need to act maturely)
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Philip James Rice, Richard Guard
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@michaeldennettthorpe1959
Underrated person lives in the real world and appreciates other people that have created great songs ie small faces. Stuff you dont forget.
Mick.
@andreamacgillivray8380
Great as usual. He gets better looking as he ages. xxx
@andreamacgillivray3653
Great song,great singer,great band. xx
@Agnethatheredhairkid
He should seriously consider recording this! Chris is now 80.
@hearmecalling2
Great song, great band, OUTSTANDING SINGER! We expect more - Chris is only 70!
@robertm7071
Tremendous version of this great song. It really takes you back. I saw youChris at the Albert Hall with Colosseum.
@pattyambrose5643
Like a fine wine, better with age!
@18Piosta
Great song performed by great musicians! Thank you Chris! Thanks for uploading!
@0settezero
Great Chris, unforgettable Steve
@bigslav5043
old school f####ing brilliant. i was at barry island coffee cove, guy called HANK HILLMAN running the show. 2 men in there 80s blew us all away , WALTER DAVID. the other guy sang the rose. long live singers, p.s, both baritones yay.