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.
Soul Corruption
Graham Parker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You might as well jump from the top of a building
They're beating their chests about drugs and disorder
But behind their backs is a policy of slaughter
You think that you pull the trigger but you′re only a target
Whoa oh they'll never let any nigger in
Why d'you think it′s called the white house
From the bottom, to the top, yeah
From the top top top top top top, to the bottom, yeah
Right down deep uh huh huh
They say we live in a nuclear future
But you feel like you′re stuck in the past in the sewer yeah
You think that you're entitled to an opinion
Let′s face it pal, you're only a minion
The stars and the stripes and the union jack are getting together oh oh
They′re going to crack down on violence and crack,
At least until someone's elected
Soul corruption eh! uh huh huh! Soul corruption, yeah yeah
From the bottom to the top
From the top top top top top top top, to the bottom yeah
Right down deep uh huh huh, Right down deep uh huh huh
Them crazy, them crazy,
We′re going to chase those crazy bald heads
Chase those crazy bald heads, chase those crazy bald heads
Out of the town,
Build your penitentiaries we build your school
Brainwash education so we can be the fools
And if hate is your reward for our love
Telling us of your god above
We're going to chase those crazy, chase those crazy bald heads
Chase those crazy bump heads, chase those crazy bald heads
Out of the town . and bob said
Skiddley da da doo doo, skiddley da da doo doo
Skiddley skiddley da da doo doo da day
Skiddley da da doo doo, skiddley da da doo doo
Skiddley skiddley da da doo doo da day ... and I said
Check your partners please, you'll get the disease
French letters instead of french kisses
Or you′ll be sleepin′ with the fishes
Soul corruption yeah Soul corruption
From the bottom to the top
From the top top top top top top top, to the bottom eh!
Right down deep uh huh huh, Right down deep uh huh huh
Yeah... Right down deep, Right down deep,
Soul corruption ... yeah! ah! Soul corruption, yeah! oooooh
The lyrics of Graham Parker's "Soul Corruption" are a social commentary on contemporary American politics and culture. The song talks about the corruption of the soul of a nation, where those in power are invested in wielding their authority and enforcing policies of slaughter masqueraded as necessary action steps to combat drugs and disorder. Parker draws attention to the exploitation of fear to manipulate and control the masses, rendering their opinions and voices irrelevant. He feels that people believe that they have the power to make a change, but they are only puppets in the hands of the ones in charge. Considering the current situation, it seems relevant that Parker highlights the racial discrimination and lack of acceptance of diverse cultures that still exist.
The repetition of ‘Soul Corruption’ emphasizes the gravity of the situation the country is facing. The song talks about the dystopian future where the government uses brainwashing education to create a mass of brainless individuals. The union jack and stars and stripes come together against violence and drugs, and Parker seems skeptical about the motive behind it. The song continues to call out the wrongdoings of the government and the ones in power, asking the people to “chase the crazy bald heads out of town” meaning people who are bald are typically perceived as evil. The lines “French letters instead of french kisses or you’ll be sleeping with the fishes” paint a gloomy picture of the future of people not following the authorities' instructions.
Line by Line Meaning
They want you to trust in the power they′re wielding
The people in power want you to believe in and trust them
You might as well jump from the top of a building
Trusting those in power is as dangerous as jumping from a building
They're beating their chests about drugs and disorder
Those in power boast about fighting drugs and disorder, but their policies actually cause harm
But behind their backs is a policy of slaughter
There is a secret policy of violence and killing being carried out by those in power
You think that you pull the trigger but you′re only a target
You may think you have control, but you are actually being manipulated and used by those in power
Whoa oh they'll never let any nigger in
There is discrimination and racism at play in the halls of power
Why d'you think it′s called the white house
The name of the White House reveals underlying racial biases and discrimination
Soul corruption eh! uh huh huh! Soul corruption, yeah
The corruption of the soul is being highlighted and commented on
From the bottom, to the top, yeah
Corruption pervades all levels of society
They say we live in a nuclear future
People in power talk about a future dominated by nuclear weapons
But you feel like you′re stuck in the past in the sewer yeah
Despite this talk of the future, people feel stuck in an unpleasant and outdated present
You think that you're entitled to an opinion
People believe they have the right to express their own opinions
Let′s face it pal, you're only a minion
But those in power see the opinions of the masses as insignificant and unimportant
The stars and the stripes and the union jack are getting together oh oh
Countries are coming together to address issues of violence and drugs, but their true motives are unclear
They′re going to crack down on violence and crack,
Governments are claiming to crack down on both violence and drug use
At least until someone's elected
These actions are likely only being taken to win votes and gain political power
Them crazy, them crazy,
Those in power are referred to as crazy and unstable
We′re going to chase those crazy bald heads
There is a desire to remove these corrupt leaders from power
Chase those crazy bald heads, chase those crazy bald heads
This sentiment is repeated
Out of the town,
People want these leaders to be gone and out of sight
Build your penitentiaries we build your school
The government invests more in prisons than education
Brainwash education so we can be the fools
The education system is designed to manipulate and control, ensuring that people remain ignorant
And if hate is your reward for our love
If showing love and compassion gets hate in return
Telling us of your god above
People in power often make reference to their religious views as a justification for their behavior
Soul corruption yeah Soul corruption
The theme of soul corruption is repeated
Check your partners please, you'll get the disease
Be careful who you associate with, because they may be corrupt as well
French letters instead of french kisses
Condoms are necessary to protect oneself
Or you′ll be sleepin′ with the fishes
Or face the consequences
Right down deep uh huh huh, Right down deep uh huh huh
The corruption goes deep
Yeah... Right down deep, Right down deep,
This is reinforced
Soul corruption ... yeah! ah! Soul corruption, yeah! oooooh
The song ends with a final emphasis on the theme of soul corruption
Writer(s): Parker
Contributed by Brayden P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Michael Moreau
One of the best songs he ever did!
Roland Wieffering
@dontbringmedown1900 My God, I am 53 years old and I still get the shivers when I hear this man. I don't know how he does it but he brings the tears in my eyes. The only modern protest singer. And people ask why he isn't as famous as Springsteen. Thanks for the upload
Gregg Clarke
This was recorded at the TLA in Philly. I was lucky enough to be there!!!
Marcos
5 * * * * *
Jo Schepens
@Brent Selby Cheers! A brilliant artist with a great band, no doubt!!!
Jo Schepens
Niiiiiiiiiiiiiiice!!!!!
Brent Selby
Hi I from new Zealand never made a comment on line I own over 1500 records graham parker live and lone is my favorite record of all time, regards Brent
Michael Moreau
One of the best song I'v ever heard ever!
RussRamz
Damn he's good. More importantly he's brilliant, but most minds don't seem to get it. Those of you here get it and that's good enough.
Jo Schepens
I have loved this man since my first exposure to the song "Discovering Japan" (1978)
So many beautifully written songs...one of the most prolific singer/songwriters ever!!!!