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.
Everything Goes
Graham Parker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
D g a
Another schoolgirl disappears
D g a
She's the twenty-third one this year
D g a
They're gonna search on the river bank
And in the disused water tank
Chorus
(a) d a
But everything goes (don't worry) don't worry baby
G
Everything'll work out fine
(a) d a
But everything goes (don't worry) daddy's got a job
G
Waiting on the welfare line
Another train hits another train causing grief, suffering and pain
They're gonna find it's a signal fault the survivors are still distraught
Chorus
But everything goes (don't worry) don't worry baby
Everything'll work out fine
(a) d a
But everything goes (don't worry) daddy's on drugs
G
Mummy's on the welfare line
Em see g
And the schoolgirl's books are found in the lane
A
Not far from where she lived
Em see g a
And a man is held in a foreign jail we don't want to let him live
Chorus
But everything goes (don't worry) don't worry baby
Everything'll work out fine
But everything goes (don't worry) daddy's on drugs
Mummy's on the welfare line (instrumental chorus) /pre>
The song "Everything Goes" by Graham Parker talks about various unfortunate incidents that happen in society, including the disappearance of schoolgirls, train accidents, and the incarceration of a man. Despite the gravity of these events, Parker delivers an optimistic message that everything will ultimately work out fine. The chorus, repeating the phrase "don't worry baby," underscores this upbeat tone even as Parker describes dire situations.
The first verse describes the disappearance of a schoolgirl, the twenty-third one to go missing that year. The authorities search the river bank and a disused water tank. The second verse talks about a train accident that causes pain and suffering, with the possibility that a signal fault is to blame. The chorus then reassures the listener that everything will be okay, even if the father is on drugs and the mother is on welfare.
The third verse takes the darkest turn, as the schoolgirl's books are found in a lane near her home, and a foreign man is held in jail with the implication that he will be executed. The chorus repeats once more, urging the listener not to worry and assuring that everything will turn out all right.
Overall, the song seems to suggest that even in the face of tragedy and hardship, life will go on, and people will find a way to cope and persevere. It's a message of resilience and hope, delivered in the distinctive style of Graham Parker's gritty, passionate singing.
Line by Line Meaning
Another schoolgirl disappears
Yet another young girl has gone missing, likely abducted or met with some other misfortune.
She's the twenty-third one this year
This marks the twenty-third instance of a young girl disappearing under mysterious circumstances in the current year.
They're gonna search on the river bank
Authorities plan to scour the river banks for any leads or clues that may help them solve this latest disappearance case.
And in the disused water tank
In addition to combing the river bank area, law enforcement will also check abandoned water tanks and other relevant sites where the victim may have been taken.
But everything goes (don't worry) don't worry baby
Despite the calamitous events unfolding, the singer urges someone close to him ('baby') not to worry, seemingly conveying the message that these things are all part of the ups and downs of life.
Everything'll work out fine
Expressions of optimism and hope for the future, in spite of the dark times that have been portrayed up until now.
But everything goes (don't worry) daddy's got a job
The singer reassures his child or someone else close to him ('daddy') that things will get better as he has now found employment.
Waiting on the welfare line
There is still a reliance on government aid (as signified by the 'welfare line') to make ends meet, but the singer remains positive and optimistic regardless.
Another train hits another train causing grief, suffering and pain
In another unfortunate event, two trains collide with each other, causing immense physical and emotional pain and anguish for those involved and affected.
They're gonna find it's a signal fault the survivors are still distraught
Investigators believe the cause of the train accident was due to a malfunction with the signal system, but this does little to ease the psychological scars that the survivors are left with.
But everything goes (don't worry) daddy's on drugs
Despite some concerning issues such as drug addiction, the singer continues to flaunt a positive attitude and reassure his loved ones ('daddy') that nothing is beyond hope and repair.
Mummy's on the welfare line
The mother of the family is still dependent on public assistance for basic needs, suggesting some level of financial unrest and uncertainty.
And the schoolgirl's books are found in the lane
A small trace of evidence in the form of books belonging to the missing schoolgirl have been discovered in a nearby lane, adding another layer to the mystery.
Not far from where she lived
This evidence indicates that the perpetrator of the potential crime may have been someone familiar with the girl's whereabouts and habits.
And a man is held in a foreign jail we don't want to let him live
The lyrics suggest that a criminal suspect has been caught and is being held in custody overseas, with a group of people (perhaps the victim's family or close friends) advocating for the assailant's ultimate punishment.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: GRAHAM THOMAS PARKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
abellardsnazz
What a great song! Thanls for posting.