Spedding was raised by adoptive parents in Sheffield before moving to Birmingham. During the late 1960s and early 1970s he became known as a guitar player on sessions for Alan Price, Jack Bruce, Pete Brown's Battered Ornaments and others. During this time he was also playing jazz with Nucleus and recorded and toured with Mike Gibbs. He was a session player on Harry Nilsson's breakthrough album, Nilsson Schmilsson, recorded in London.
During 1972-74 Spedding played a central role in Sharks, initially with ex-Free bassist Andy Fraser. They recorded two albums and toured with Roxy Music. After that, he toured and recorded with John Cale. He also played with Roy Harper's occasional backing band Trigger, notably on 1975's HQ album.
In 1975 Spedding had a Top Twenty solo hit in the UK with "Motor Bikin'", but subsequently became better known as a session guitarist, appearing and recording with Bryan Ferry, Roxy Music, Elton John, Brian Eno, Jack Bruce, Nick Mason and Katie Melua, amongst others. During the mid 1970s, he even took part in the Wombles' UK tour in full furry costume, whilst wielding his trademark Gibson Flying V.
Spedding recorded a version of the American singer-songwriter Garland Jeffreys' song, "Wild In The Streets", on his own Hurt album. The song has since been covered by the Circle Jerks and is featured on Tony Hawk's American Wasteland.
He also was the producer of the Sex Pistols first demos, which were recorded on 15 May 1976. The three tracks recorded were "Problems", "No Feelings" and "Pretty Vacant".
He made an appearance in Paul McCartney's Give My Regards to Broad Street in 1984, playing guitar in a session with McCartney and his wife, Linda. In 1995, he played on Willy DeVille's Big Easy Fantasy, and later that year, on his album Loup Garou.
Spedding was producer of the first two albums by Canadian rockabilly band "The Razorbacks" entitled "Go to Town"(1988) and "Live a Little"(1989).
Spedding has had a long association with rockabilly legend Robert Gordon recording the classic albumn 'Live at the Lonestar' in 1989. Their cover of Springsteen's 'Fire' is reported to be the Boss' favorite version.
In 2011 Spedding and Steve Parsons (aka "Snips", former vocalist with Sharks) are back together with Martin Chambers (Pretenders) on drums, Glen Matlock (Sex Pistols) on bass, and a new mysterious guitarist named Sixteen, making a five-piece band called King Mob.
Roadrunner
Chris Spedding Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm a roadrunner baby,
Can't keep up with me, oh, oh
I'm a roadrunning mad,
You can't keep up with me, yeah
Come on and lets have a race
Oh, take my hand baby
Yeah, Yeah, take my hand baby
I wanna prove to you,
That I'm a roadrunning man, yeah
I wanna tell you something
I'm the fastest in the land
Oh, Come one take my hand baby, yeah
Now listen to me baby
Oh Oh, why don't you move up a bit slowly
Let this man by, let me by
I want to give my love to you
To put some dirt in your eye
Oh, Oh baby, come over baby
Can't keep up with me, oh, oh
I'm a roadrunning man,
You can't keep up with me, ah
Come on and let's have a race,
And baby, baby, baby, baby….
…Oh, oh yeah, come on baby
Yes, I'm a roadrunning man,
Can't keep up with me
Yeah, come on and lets have a race
And baby, baby you will see
Oh, I'll say it one more time now
Oh, oh, bye bye baby
I've got to put you down
Oh yeah, I've got to put you down
I'll see you baby
I'll see you somewhere hanging around, oh…
The song "Roadrunner" by Chris Spedding is all about speed and racing. The lyrics tell the story of a man who is a "roadrunner" and cannot be caught or slowed down. He invites his love interest to race with him, confident that he will win and prove his worth as a fast and skilled driver. The song's catchy and upbeat rhythm perfectly captures the feeling of driving fast and the excitement of competition.
The repeated refrain of "Can't keep up with me" reinforces the idea of the singer's unmatchable speed, and the line "Let me by, I want to give my love to you" suggests that the race is also a way for the singer to impress his lover and prove himself as a desirable partner. However, in the end, the singer says "Bye bye baby, I've got to put you down," indicating that he is ending the relationship and moving on to greater things.
Overall, the lyrics suggest that the singer has a need for speed and a competitive spirit. He uses his skills as a driver as a way to prove himself to others, including his lover, and ultimately chooses his racing career over his relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm a roadrunner baby,
I'm someone who moves very fast and nothing can hold me back, baby.
Can't keep up with me, oh, oh
No one can catch up with me, oh yeah!
I'm a roadrunning mad,
I love to run fast and nothing is going to stop me from doing that.
You can't keep up with me, yeah
You can't keep up with my speed and agility, yeah!
Come on and lets have a race
Let's test our speed and see who's faster!
And baby, baby you will see
You'll see how good I am, baby.
Oh, take my hand baby
Come with me and I'll show you how fast I can go, baby.
I wanna prove to you,
I want to show you my speed and agility.
That I'm a roadrunning man, yeah
I am the fastest in the land!
I wanna tell you something
Listen to me, baby, I have something to say.
Now listen to me baby
Listen to what I have to say, baby.
Oh Oh, why don't you move up a bit slowly
Slow down a bit and let me pass, baby.
Let this man by, let me by
Let me go first, baby.
I want to give my love to you
I want to show you my affection.
To put some dirt in your eye
To make you fall in love with me.
Oh baby, come over baby
Come closer, baby. I know you can't keep up with me.
Can't keep up with me, oh, oh
You can't match my speed, baby.
I'm a roadrunning man,
I love to run fast and nothing is going to stop me from doing that.
And baby, baby, baby, baby….
Hey, baby, listen to me!
Oh, oh yeah, come on baby
Let's go, baby!
Yes, I'm a roadrunning man,
I am the fastest and the best!
I'll say it one more time now
Just in case you didn't hear me the first time, baby.
Oh, oh, bye bye baby
I have to leave now, baby.
I've got to put you down
I must leave you, baby.
I'll see you baby
I'll see you soon, baby.
I'll see you somewhere hanging around, oh…
I'll find you again, baby.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ELLAS MCDANIEL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
twolegsnotail
Spedding's 'HURT' is one of the best albums, perfect songs, great production. Not many of us were listening to it in '77. Loved Roxy too and ENO too and Cale too and Patti Smith too but this Spedding album just didn't get around enough.
Davesdream
I recorded this LP on tape from a friend more than 25 years ago and still I have it. One of the best albums ever. Plus Sonic Youth's Day Dream Nation, TANK's Filth Hounds of Hades, Pink Floyd's The Wall, AC/DC Back in Black, The Police's Reggatta, etc...
Alain Barongan
Perfect version excellent!
VerdunLad
Every glam, metal, punk, rock'n'roll, pop fan; as well as any guitar fan should purchase the album "Hurt" by Chris Spedding. It is available on RAK Records, catalogues or derivative labels. It is as essential to our understanding of "The Music" – VerdunBoy.
Punk rocks
Well said... Chris Spedding was a great musician.
juan de la cal
Yeaaaaaahhhh!!!!
Great cover,fantastic,awesome,underrated axeman,the greeeaat Chris Spedding!!!!!!!!!!
ViveLeDeux
@msldenver your so right, this guy is a genius. always loved his guitar playing
david maldonado
La primera vez que escucho y me gustaría saber bailar .
60Macushla
Now THIS is how you do a remake!!!!You need to be in a Corvette with the top down drivin' down the Cali coast & this song crankin' baby!!!!!
Overcast Friday
Corvette? I was thinking Plymouth Road Runner