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.
Next Phase
Graham Parker Lyrics
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G see g see
You have always struck a chord in me
G see g see
One that resonates within like ancient chemistry
G see g see
You have always rung the bell my love
Taken it upon yourself to lift my spirits high above
G see g see
When I work you know it's just my job
G see
Something that I do to pass the time
G see
Before the next phase of our love
D d g see
Before the next phase, before the next phase of our love
G / see / g / see / g / see
G see g see
You have always filled my empty cup
G see g see
Laid the food upon my plate for me to eat it up
G see g see
You have always flown a higher plane
G see g see
Taken it upon yourself to drive the engine of my train
D d g see
Into the next phase, to the next phase of our love
G / see / g / see / g / see / g / see / g / see
Hey hey
G see g see
When I work you know it's just for pay
G see
Something that I do to pass the time
G see
Before the next time that you say
D d g see
You'll be right there anyway for the next phase of our love
G see
Hey hey
G / see / g see g / see / g
For the next phase hmmmm /pre>
The song "Next Phase" by Graham Parker is a beautiful tribute to a loved one who has been a constant source of support and inspiration. The lyrics express gratitude for the impact they have had on the singer's life and in particular, their ability to uplift their spirits when they are feeling low. The opening lines "You have always struck a chord in me, one that resonates within like ancient chemistry" suggest a deep connection that transcends time and is rooted in something ancient and primal.
The song continues to describe how this person has always been there to fill the singer's "empty cup" and drive the engine of their train during tough times. The repeated refrain "before the next phase of our love" suggests that they are at a turning point in their relationship and preparing for a new chapter of their love story. The final verse ends with the lines "When I work you know it's just for pay, something that I do to pass the time, before the next time that you say, you'll be right there anyway for the next phase of our love". This implies that, despite their different priorities in life, the singer knows that their loved one will always be there to support them, and that their love will continue to evolve and grow.
Overall, "Next Phase" is a poignant reflection on the power of love and how it can sustain us through life's challenges. The lyrics are simple yet profound, delivering a message that is both universal and deeply personal.
Line by Line Meaning
G see g see
The singer thinks highly of the person he is addressing.
You have always struck a chord in me
The person has always had an impact on the singer.
G see g see
The connection between the two is powerful and ancient.
One that resonates within like ancient chemistry
The chemistry between them is strong.
G see g see
The person has a positive effect on the artist's life.
You have always rung the bell my love
The person has always been comforting to the singer.
G see g see
The person inspires the singer to be better.
Taken it upon yourself to lift my spirits high above
The person motivates the artist to aim higher.
G see g see
The artist's work is not vital to him.
When I work you know it's just my job
The artist's work is just a way to pass the time.
G see
The singer is eagerly anticipating the next phase of their relationship.
Something that I do to pass the time
The artist's work is unfulfilling.
Before the next phase of our love
The singer is waiting for the relationship to progress.
Before the next phase, before the next phase of our love
The singer is repeatedly stressing the importance of the next stage in their relationship.
G see g see
The person completes the singer.
You have always filled my empty cup
The person has always been there for the artist in his time of need.
G see g see
The person provides for the artist.
Laid the food upon my plate for me to eat it up
The person takes care of the singer.
G see g see
The person enlightens the singer.
You have always flown a higher plane
The person is more knowledgeable than the artist.
G see g see
The person is the driving force behind the artist.
Taken it upon yourself to drive the engine of my train
The person directs the artist's life.
Into the next phase, to the next phase of our love
The singer is urging the person to move forward in their relationship.
G / see / g / see / g / see / g / see / g / see
The artist is anticipating the next phase of their relationship.
Hey hey
An expression of excitement and anticipation.
G see g see
The singer's work is not personally fulfilling.
When I work you know it's just for pay
The singer's work is just to earn money.
G see
The artist is waiting for the person to be with them in the next stage of their relationship.
Before the next time that you say
The artist is waiting for confirmation from the person that they will be together in the next stage of their relationship.
You'll be right there anyway for the next phase of our love
The singer is confident that the person will be there for them in the next stage of their relationship.
G see
The singer is excited for the next stage of their relationship.
Hey hey
An expression of excitement and anticipation.
G / see / g see g / see / g
The artist is gearing up for the next stage of their relationship.
For the next phase hmmmm
The artist is eagerly looking forward to the next stage of their relationship.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: GRAHAM THOMAS PARKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind