Beginning in the late 1960s and early 1970s, Parker sang in small-time amateur English bands such as the Black Rockers and Deep Cut Three, while working in dead-end jobs at a glove factory and a petrol station. In late 1974 he placed an ad in Britain’s "Melody Maker" music mag seeking like-minded musicians and he began performing professionally. In 1975, he recorded a few demo tracks in London with Dave Robinson, who would shortly found Stiff Records and who connected Parker with his first backing band of note.
Graham Parker & the Rumour (with Brinsley Schwarz and Martin Belmont on guitar, Bob Andrews on keyboards, Andrew Bodnar on bass and Steve Goulding on drums) formed in the summer of 1975 and began doing the rounds of the British pub rock scene. Their first album, Howlin' Wind, was released to acclaim in 1976 and rapidly followed by the stylistically similar Heat Treatment. A mixture of rock, ballads, and reggae-influenced numbers, these albums reflected Parker's early influences (Motown, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan) and contained the songs which formed the core of Parker's live shows -- "White Honey", "Soul Shoes", "Lady Doctor", "Fool's Gold", and his early signature tune "Don't Ask Me Questions", which hit the top 40 in the UK. Like the pub rock scene he was loosely tied to, the singer's class-conscious lyrics and passionate vocals signaled a renewal of rock music as punk rock began to flower in Britain.
Parker preceded the other "new wave" English singer-songwriters, Elvis Costello and Joe Jackson. Early in his career his work was often compared favorably to theirs, and for decades journalists would continue to categorize them together, long after the artists' work had diverged. Characteristically, Parker would not hesitate to criticize this habit with caustic wit.
The first two albums' critical acclaim was generally not matched with LP sales. Graham Parker and the Rumour appeared on BBC television's Top of the Pops in 1976, performing their top 30 hit version of The Trammps' "Hold Back the Night".
At this point, Parker began to change his songwriting style, reflecting his desire to break into the American market. The first fruits of this new direction appeared on Stick To Me (1977). The album broke the top 20 on the UK charts but divided critical opinions.
Energized by his new label, Arista, and the presence of legendary producer Jack Nitzsche, Parker followed with Squeezing Out Sparks (1979), widely held to be the best album of his career. For this album, The Rumour's brass section, prominent on all previous albums, was jettisoned, resulting in a spare, intense rock backing for some of Parker's most brilliant songs. Of particular note was "You Can't Be Too Strong", one of rock music's rare songs to confront the topic of abortion, however ambivalently.
Squeezing out Sparks is still ranked by fans and critics alike as one of the finest rock albums ever made. Rolling Stone named it #335 [1] on their 2003 list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. In an early 1987 Rolling Stone list of their top 100 albums from 1967-1987, Squeezing Out Sparks was ranked at #45, while Howlin' Wind came in at #54 [2].
Although marginally less intense than its predecessor, 1980's The Up Escalator was Parker's highest-charting album in the UK and featured glossy production by Jimmy Iovine and guest vocals from Bruce Springsteen. Nevertheless it was Parker's last album with the Rumour, although guitarist Brinsley Schwarz would join most of the singer's albums through the decade's end.
The 1980s were Parker's most commercially successful years, with well-financed recordings and radio and video play. Over the decade, the British press turned unkind to him, but he continued to tour the world with top backing bands, and his 1985 release Steady Nerves included his only US Top 40 hit, "Wake Up (Next to You)". The singer began living mostly in the United States during this time.
In early 2011, Parker reunited with all five original members of The Rumour to record a new album. The record, titled Three Chords Good, was released in November 2012.
1st Responder
Graham Parker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It won't get any easier I'll tell you true
There's hard knocks road blocks coming thru
You gotta grow up tough but keep your head on too
But sometimes you're gonna need a helping hand
Don't worry about it kid I understand
But you better have a good reason
Then I'll turn up in a Cadillac
A Chevy or a Honda
I'll be your first responder
A Pullman train an all terrain
A tractor or Hyundai
I'll be your first responder
Whatever it is you won't wait any longer
For your first responder
Well I got nothing better to do with my time
Than bail you outta jail or pay
Your parking fine
Well my daddy would a done the same for me
I paid him back later 'cos nothing's free
But sometimes you're gonna need a helping hand
Don't worry about it boy I understand
But you better have a good reason
Don't drag me outta bed unless you really do
Then I'll turn up in a hybrid
Or a hummer or a Honda
I'll be your first responder
A wicked Maserati a Kia or a Hyundai
I'll be your first responder
Whatever it is you wait any longer
For your first responder
But you're explanation for this mess
Better, not be too weird to confess
Or I'll box your ears till
Your teeth come loose
You better have a good excuse
But sometimes you're gonna need a helping hand
Don't worry about it kid I understand
But you better have a good reason
Don't drag me outta bed unless you really do
Don't worry now you won't have to ponder
Who'll be your first responder
I'll cross any distance or the wild blue yonder
To be your first responder
I'll be your first responder
I'll be your first responder
The song "First Responder" by Graham Parker is an uplifting ode to supporting and being there for someone in need. The verses speak to the hardships that one may face in life, and the chorus assures that the singer will be there for the person in any way possible. The first verse warns that life is tough and full of obstacles, and that the person must be resilient and strong to persevere. However, the chorus emphasizes that even the strongest need help sometimes, and the singer promises to be there for them as their "first responder."
The second verse is more personal, with the singer noting that they have nothing better to do than help out those in need, and that they are paying forward the kindness that was done for them by their father. The singer jokingly threatens to "box your ears till your teeth come loose" if the person's explanation for their troubles is too weird, but ultimately reiterates that they will be there for them regardless of the situation.
Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of generosity and understanding, with the singer serving as an example of how to be there for others during tough times. The song is a comforting reminder that no matter what happens, even in the darkest of times, there is someone who cares and will be there to help.
Line by Line Meaning
Well it might get rough in this world for you
You may encounter difficulties in life
It won't get any easier I'll tell you true
Things will not necessarily become easier over time
There's hard knocks road blocks coming thru
You will face obstacles and challenges
You gotta grow up tough but keep your head on too
You must be resilient while maintaining your composure
But sometimes you're gonna need a helping hand
There will be times when you require assistance
Don't worry about it kid I understand
I empathize with your situation
But you better have a good reason
Your request for help should be genuine
Don't drag me outta bed unless you really do
Only contact me in case of an actual emergency
Then I'll turn up in a Cadillac
I will come to your aid in any vehicle, whether luxurious or not
A Chevy or a Honda
My choice of vehicle is not important
I'll be your first responder
I will be the first to offer assistance
A Pullman train an all terrain
I am willing to travel in any type of transportation
A tractor or Hyundai
Regardless of the vehicle, I will come help
Whatever it is you won't wait any longer
I won't hesitate to come quickly to your aid
For your first responder
I will be there to help you
Well I got nothing better to do with my time
I have the availability to assist you
Than bail you outta jail or pay
I will help you out of a difficult situation in need of funds
Your parking fine
Even if it's a smaller issue like a parking fine
Well my daddy would a done the same for me
I learned helping friends in need from my dad
I paid him back later 'cos nothing's free
I understand the importance of reciprocating help
But sometimes you're gonna need a helping hand
I know that you may require help from time to time
Don't worry about it boy I understand
I am sympathetic towards your situation
But you better have a good reason
However, any request for assistance needs to be legitimate
Don't drag me outta bed unless you really do
Only wake me up in case of a true emergency
Then I'll turn up in a hybrid
Like before, I will come to assist you in any type of vehicle
Or a hummer or a Honda
The type of car is immaterial
A wicked Maserati a Kia or a Hyundai
I will come in any type of vehicle, even if it may appear flashy or modest
Whatever it is you wait any longer
I will come to help immediately in any situation
For your first responder
I will be the first one by your side to help you
But you're explanation for this mess
You must have good reason for the situation you are in
Better, not be too weird to confess
Do not disclose any embarrassing or bizarre information
Or I'll box your ears till
Otherwise there will be consequences
Your teeth come loose
Physical punishment may be issued if necessary
You better have a good excuse
So make sure your reason for requesting help is legit
Don't worry now you won't have to ponder
Do not hesitate, I am here to help
Who'll be your first responder
For I will always be there to help you
I'll cross any distance or the wild blue yonder
I am willing to travel any distance to provide assistance
To be your first responder
To make sure you are safe and have support
I'll be your first responder
I will always be there to come to your aid, no matter what.
Contributed by Caleb A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
jimlaregina
Well done! Yet another very cool Graham Parker song the public misses.
Bernd Fischer
cool...