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.
Honest Work
Graham Parker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll be there 8 hours a day I won't hide and I won't shirk
I got a way with a hammer and a nail a dovetail and a tongue and groove
Put up a wall in half a day guarantee it'll never move
Chorus
Shouda li li li dumb dumb a day honest work
Not gonna feel any more frustration do enough work for an entire nation
Gonna get a chisel and an awl and a saw carve my name out on your door
A block and tackle and a spirit level take your heart of glass and put on a bevel
Chorus repeat
Got to build a strong foundation strong enough to hold up a nation
Strong enough to put your faith in the roof won't leak and the floor won't cave in
Gonna get a lathe and a capstan press take an old claw hammer to this mess
Gonna knock down the walls of denial wear 'em down with a pick and a file
Chorus repeat
The lyrics of Graham Parker's song 'Honest Work' are a reflection of the dignity and pride associated with working hard and meeting one's obligations. The singer talks about the satisfaction and value that come with doing honest work, as well as the expertise and skill required to build strong structures that stand the test of time. The lines "as long as you give me my pay you'll get your money's worth" highlights the importance of a fair exchange of goods and services, as well as the notion that an honest day's work deserves a fair wage.
The chorus line "Shouda li li li dumb dumb a day honest work" is a playful way of reiterating the importance of honest work and the sense of accomplishment that comes with it. The singer emphasizes the importance of building a strong foundation, both in a literal and metaphorical sense, and the necessity of carving one's name into the work as a testament to the effort put into it. The lyrics thus embody a sense of pride in craftsmanship and a commitment to excellence that is refreshing and inspiring.
Overall, Parker's 'Honest Work' is a celebration of hard work, dedication, and a desire to create something lasting and of value. It is a reminder that, no matter what one's profession or station in life, doing a good job is always worth the effort.
Line by Line Meaning
As long as you give me my pay you'll get your moneys worth
I will put my best effort into my work as long as I am compensated fairly.
I'll be there 8 hours a day I won't hide and I won't shirk
I will be present and diligent during my scheduled work hours.
I got a way with a hammer and a nail a dovetail and a tongue and groove
I possess the skills and expertise necessary to construct intricate works with precision.
Put up a wall in half a day guarantee it'll never move
I can build structures with confidence that my work will stand the test of time.
Chorus
Repetition of the refrain 'Shouda li li li dumb dumb a day honest work' to emphasize the value and satisfaction gained from hard work.
I'm gonna build a strong foundation marble walls like grand central station
I strive to build a sturdy and impressive foundation for my work, comparable to the remarkable architecture of Grand Central Station in New York City.
Not gonna feel any more frustration do enough work for an entire nation
I am determined to put in a productive effort without feeling despondent or disheartened, with the potential to contribute to a national collective progress.
Gonna get a chisel and an awl and a saw carve my name out on your door
I will leave my mark of excellence through the intricate and conscientious utilization of tools.
A block and tackle and a spirit level take your heart of glass and put on a bevel
I am able to complete and perfect difficult tasks with ease, leading to the creation of a polished, effective product.
Chorus repeat
Reiteration of the value and fulfillment derived from dedicated and honest work.
Got to build a strong foundation strong enough to hold up a nation
It is imperative to build reliable and substantial structures capable of supporting large communities and societies.
Strong enough to put your faith in the roof won't leak and the floor won't cave in
My work will inspire trust and confidence in the quality, durability, and safety of the structures I construct.
Gonna get a lathe and a capstan press take an old claw hammer to this mess
I will use various intricate and detailed equipment to perfect and complete my work, even if it means working on a flawed structure.
Gonna knock down the walls of denial wear 'em down with a pick and a file
I will break down walls of resistance and self-doubt through hard work, dedication, and attention to detail.
Chorus repeat
Reiteration of the pride and satisfaction in honest and hard work.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: GRAHAM THOMAS PARKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind