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.
The Three Martini Lunch
Graham Parker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's a good life if you're winnin' it's a killer if you're not
My wife up and left last night, couldn't stand another fight
The studio boss fired me, my future's been shot by
Chorus
The Three Martini Lunch
Things will get better soon, I gotta hunch
Punching a hole in my life
I came from the backwoods my prospects seemed real good
For actor or director the future looked bright
But I ran in with a bad crowd and since then it's just been down
Alone in the Canyon my only companion
Chorus
I know what they're saying yeah I'll never get back again
I pushed my luck this time and I'm on the skids
But I know what I'm doing I just can't stop doing it
Me and my companion, hell bent to ruin it
Chorus
Coda
Wasting another afternoon
Punching a hole in my li............fe
Wasting another afternoon
Punching a hole in my life
The lyrics of The Three Martini Lunch by Graham Parker paints the picture of a man who has hit rock bottom. He lives in Los Angeles, near Hollywood, but despite locating near the place that creates dreams, his own have long vanished. His wife has left him, his career in the entertainment industry has come to a sudden halt after being fired by a studio boss, and he is now alone in the canyon. The singer contrasts Hollywood's glamour and the bitter reality of struggling to survive in the city. The chorus "The Three Martini Lunch, things will get better soon, I gotta hunch" conveys the feeling that he is still holding out for hope, despite the indigent nature of his life.
The verses continue with the story of a man who left his hometown with high hopes, only to get mixed up with the wrong type of people. The audience gets the feeling that the singer is in a place of self-destruction, and he knows it too. The coda, "Wasting another afternoon, punching a hole in my life" highlights his loss of purpose.
Line by Line Meaning
I live near Hollywood out in the Canyon
I live the dream that most people just fantasize about, but it's not as glamorous as it seems.
It's a good life if you're winnin' it's a killer if you're not
If you're not successful in Hollywood, it can be unbearable and depressing.
My wife up and left last night, couldn't stand another fight
My personal life is a mess and my constant arguing with my spouse pushed her away.
The studio boss fired me, my future's been shot by
My career has hit rock bottom since the boss fired me from the studio.
Chorus
Despite everything falling apart for me, I still believe things will change for the better; but in the meantime, I'm living a life of indulgence and irresponsibility fueled by The Three Martini Lunch.
I came from the backwoods my prospects seemed real good
I used to have high hopes for my career in Hollywood, but my bad choices ruined everything.
For actor or director the future looked bright
I was once confident in my ability to make it as an actor or director, but now, that confidence is shattered.
But I ran in with a bad crowd and since then it's just been down
My fall from grace was accelerated by the company I chose to keep in Hollywood.
Alone in the Canyon my only companion
I have been secluded from society and my only companion is my addiction to alcohol.
I know what they're saying yeah I'll never get back again
People have lost faith in me and think I will never be successful again.
I pushed my luck this time and I'm on the skids
I know that I am responsible for my current situation and that I've made poor choices.
But I know what I'm doing I just can't stop doing it
Despite knowing that my choices are leading me down a destructive path, I am unable to change my behavior.
Me and my companion, hell bent to ruin it
My addiction is like a partner in crime, driving me further down a path of self-destruction.
Coda
Repeating the chorus to emphasize that I am wasting my life away with reckless behavior.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: GRAHAM THOMAS PARKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@oppothumbs1
Not really into this song but.........Graham is One of the Great .. unknowns in the states. Graham's Best in my humble but always sharp Opinion are:
Between You and Me (Best Demo ever)
Discovering Japan
Nobody Hurts You
You've got to be kidding (love it)
Heat Treatment
Pourin' it all out (might be my favorite - Then I found myself in a new year celebration crying alone in a crowd. Yeah that really was some new year celebration all bravado was strong and loud )
back door love
That's what they all say
Mona lisa sister
White Honey
And the lesser know but still great
Call Me your doctor (really great)
I'm Just Your Man (beautiful)
And It Shook Me
Sharpening Axes
Temporary Beauty
@marcmiller4172
I heard this off his greatest hits package from '88 to '91. It's a terrific record on whole. I'm am not into this song (Graham taught me to punch hard, sorry, though the lyrics are clever I don't like the melody much) but some good songs from that are on ..
Get Started, Start a Fire
Little Miss Understanding
Don't Let It Break You Down
Soul Corruption
The Sun Is Gonna Shine Again
That Thing Is Rockin'
I'm Just Your Man
And It Shook Me
Durban Poison
Call Me Your Doctor
My favorites are Get Started/ I'm Just Your Man/ And it Shook Me. Favorite is the little known CALL ME YOUR DOCTOR.
@someonesomewhere18
Bought this on CD when it was released in 88, learnt every song on it back to front on my crappy old acoustic. Fantastic album by a legend I've been a fan of for decades.
@stevemackinson8463
How GP never became really famous is a travesty.. one can listen to his music all day long!
@thomasandersen6719
Great song by a pure genious
@connells36
One of the great unknown songs of all-time!!
@robabc
i'm at my second martini and i feel it: things slowly getting better with every drink.
@dafbdirks
graham for me is the most underated british artist -ever-did anyone see the bbc documentary
@donforrester7147
I've, seen Graham too many times to count. Have, always loved his music! For, the record......... I am a Yank! Glad, he didn't get too big. I, take comfort in the fact........ only, true fans and true music lovers, enjoy and love him!!
@brentselby9930
So ture
@stevetady5332
One can listen to his music all day long. Yep. Perfect way to capsulize the great GP. With that, I am fixin to punch another hole in my life
@atlantaguitar9689
Great upload - I have this album some place and I wore it out.