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.
Pollinate
Graham Parker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can feel it in the air I can smell you everywhere
See dm7 see f see
I don't know if you're receptive so l will play the love detective
See
'cause when the bees buzz in the apple blossoms
Dm7 f
They don't think about their fate
Wake up now don't hibernate
See f
The birds are singin' on the garden gate
See f
The fruit is sweet upon your plate
See f see f
Come on baby don't berate me let me in you know you sate me
Dm7 see
When we pollinate
Let me know your fickle heart I only wanna play my part
And we will be resurrected and in the sweetest way infected
And when the bees buzz in the cherry blossoms
They don't analyse their fate
Don't think I'm a degenerate
If I want to consummate
People think I'm filled with hate
They've got it wrong that's out of date I only live to be your mate
Baby let's pollinate
I stood beneath your balcony I unleashed a symphony
Juliet was not at home she took a train and went to rome
But I will follow anyway and try not to be late
My ticket will not terminate
While the birds are singing on the garden gate
And the fruit is sweet upon your plate
Come on baby don't berate me you must know you fascinate me
When we pollinate
Don't think I'm a degenerate if I want to consummate
Baby I'm not filled with hate
That's all wrong that's out of date
I only live for that perfect state
When we pollinate /pre>
In this song, Graham Parker uses the metaphor of pollination to describe the process of falling in love and consummating a relationship. He talks about feeling the presence of his lover everywhere, but not knowing if they are receptive to his advances. Parker compares the act of falling in love to the buzzing of bees in apple blossoms or cherry blossoms, suggesting that it is a natural, instinctual process that should not be overthought or analyzed. He also makes reference to Romeo and Juliet, suggesting that he is a romantic figure who is willing to follow his love interest anywhere in pursuit of a fulfilling relationship.
Throughout the song, Parker is pleading with his lover to give him a chance and let him in, suggesting that he has genuine feelings for them and that this is not just a passing infatuation. He also addresses the idea that his desires may be misunderstood by others, stating that he is not a degenerate or filled with hate, but rather someone who is seeking a deep connection with another person.
Overall, "Pollinate" is a song about love that is playful, romantic, and unapologetically passionate. It encourages listeners to embrace their desires and pursue fulfilling relationships without fear or shame.
Line by Line Meaning
I can feel it in the air I can smell you everywhere
I sense your presence around me, your fragrance is perceptible
I don't know if you're receptive so l will play the love detective
I am unsure of your willingness to engage, I'll have to investigate first
'cause when the bees buzz in the apple blossoms
The bees are drawn towards the scent of the apple blossoms
They don't think about their fate
The bees don't ponder over their destiny
Wake up now don't hibernate
Get out of the slumber and stay awake to seize opportunities
The birds are singin' on the garden gate
The birds are chirping joyously at the entry of the garden
The fruit is sweet upon your plate
The fruit carries a delectable and pleasant taste
Come on baby don't berate me let me in you know you sate me
Don't reject me, allow me into your life as being with you brings immense satisfaction
When we pollinate
When we come together and interact
Let me know your fickle heart I only wanna play my part
Please let me understand your indecisiveness, I wish to contribute in it positively
And we will be resurrected and in the sweetest way infected
Through our association we will rejuvenate and invigorate each other
And when the bees buzz in the cherry blossoms
The bees are drawn towards the scent of cherry blossoms
Don't think I'm a degenerate If I want to consummate
Please do not view me as immoral for feeling the need to consummate our relationship
People think I'm filled with hate, They've got it wrong that's out of date I only live to be your mate
There is a misunderstanding that I am filled with animosity towards you, I'm only looking to be your companion
I stood beneath your balcony I unleashed a symphony
I stood beneath your balcony and created a musical masterpiece
Juliet was not at home she took a train and went to rome
You were not present as you've gone away to Rome
But I will follow anyway and try not to be late
I'll still pursue you despite the distance and aim to arrive on time
My ticket will not terminate
My journey towards you will not come to a halt
Don't think I'm a degenerate if I want to consummate
Please do not view me as immoral for feeling the need to consummate our relationship
Baby I'm not filled with hate, That's all wrong that's out of date, I only live for that perfect state
There is a misperception that I feel intense dislike, that is untrue, I only seek that perfect communion with you
When we pollinate
When we come together and interact
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: GRAHAM THOMAS PARKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind