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 Shoes
Graham Parker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Verse
G c/g g c/g
Well I ain't got no worry I ain't in no hurry
You better tell your mother, that you're a real soul brother hey hey!
I have to say it's all right about five past midnight
And we don't stop a-rollin' until the floor board cave in.
Bridge
See g
Yeah I feel like I've been a-living to die
See g d
But when that rhythm play I don't know how to cry.
Chorus
G c/g g c/g
I got my soul shoes I got my soul shoes
G c/g g d
I got my soul shoes I got my soul shoes on my feet.
(instrumental break)
Bridge
If you wanna leave me go dance with another guy
If you wanna grieve me baby just set my soul to die
(instrumental chorus)
Verse
Yeah the place is buzzin, please don't let the fuzz in.
You better tell your mother, that you're a real soul brother.
Bridge
Oh yeah I said I feel like I've been living to die
But when that rhythm play I don't know how to cry
Chorus repeat x3 /pre>
The lyrics to Graham Parker & The Rumour's song Soul Shoes showcases the upbeat and carefree attitude that the singer has towards life. The line "Well, I ain't got no worry, I ain't in no hurry" suggests that the singer is living in the moment and not concerned with the future. The following line "You better tell your mother, that you're a real soul brother" adds to this carefree attitude, indicating that the singer is confident and proud of their identity.
The bridge highlights the power of music, with the line "But when that rhythm play I don't know how to cry". This suggests that the music is so uplifting and joyful that it makes the singer forget about their troubles and worries. The chorus reinforces the idea of music being a source of joy and liberation, with the repeated line "I got my soul shoes on my feet" indicating that the singer is ready to dance and enjoy themselves to the fullest.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I ain't got no worry I ain't in no hurry
I am not worried and I also do not have any urgency in my life.
You better tell your mother, that you're a real soul brother hey hey!
You should inform your mother that you are a true soul brother.
I have to say it's all right about five past midnight
I must confess that everything seems fine after midnight.
And we don't stop a-rollin' until the floor board cave in.
We keep on dancing without any interruption until the floorboards give in.
Yeah I feel like I've been a-living to die
I have a sense that I have only been living to die.
But when that rhythm play I don't know how to cry.
However, when the rhythm plays, I forget how to cry.
I got my soul shoes I got my soul shoes
I possess my soul shoes.
I got my soul shoes I got my soul shoes on my feet.
I am wearing my soul shoes on my feet.
If you wanna leave me go dance with another guy
If you want to leave me, then go and dance with another man.
If you wanna grieve me baby just set my soul to die
If you want to cause me pain, then just let my soul die.
Yeah the place is buzzin, please don't let the fuzz in.
The place is lively, so please do not invite the police.
Oh yeah I said I feel like I've been living to die
Oh yeah, as I previously mentioned, I feel like I have only been living to die.
Chorus repeat x3
The chorus is repeated three times.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Graham Parker
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
William Goldrick
this song motivates me to put my shoes on and face the day.I wont stop rolling until the floor boards cave in
William Aitken
A much underrated talent. Should not be forgotten.
Rippi Zarsoff
Nope ...NEVER been 'underrated'.....although 'underrated' is the most overrated word used on YT
Sir Boss
Graham Parker with/without The Rumour are still making music today. Little Steven's Underground Garage is playing his music both the older and new music. Now I've gotta find his latest...
Irene Mazis
I feel like I've living to die, but when that rhythm plays.....
Adam Rubin
This song rocks
Kuya Kevs
Best concert I ever went to... Graham Parker & the Rumour, Palace Theatre, Manchester, UK 1976 (I think!)
Citizen
Best for me? Same band, same year, different venue ... Barbarellas Birmingham
Rippi Zarsoff
One of the best 4 me too ...Sydney late 79....they are SO cool
Sparky K
So good, you can't remember?