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.
Worthy Of Your Love
Graham Parker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I would know exactly what to do and be worthy of your love
If a flower bloomed in the frozen wastes and the moon had a smiling face
And the stars had not a hint of grace I'd be worthy of your love
I would be there when you're sad and lonely
I would not care if I sacrificed the only
If I had what I haven't got, a second chance a second shot
I'd be something that I'm not, I'd be worthy of your love
I'd be there inside of every moment
I would know how every moment is a moment lost
Unless it's lived as if it's loved
If I could make up all the rules I would not carry out the work of fools
Or use deception and fear as tools and I'd be worthy of your love
I'd be worthy of your love
The song “Worthy of Your Love” by Graham Parker & The Small Clubs revolves around the singer expressing his desire to be worthy of someone’s love. The first verse reflects on the singer’s lack of understanding of the person he loves. He believes that if he knew what was inside them, he would know how to behave and be worthy of their love. The second verse spells out the singer’s willingness to support and be there for his love, even if it means sacrificing his own life for them. The line “If I could make up all the rules I would not carry out the work of fools or use deception and fear as tools” emphasizes the singer’s desire to be honorable and ethical in their pursuit of love.
The chorus of the song repeats the message of the verses, that the singer’s love is genuine and that he is willing to do anything to earn the love of the person he desires. The use of nature imagery emphasizes the strength and depth of the singer’s emotions.
Overall, “Worthy of Your Love” is a heartfelt plea for love that is pure and reciprocal, without manipulation or deceit. The lyrics express the singer’s desire to be a better person, to be worthy of the love he wants to give and receive, and to create a relationship that is built on honesty and respect.
Line by Line Meaning
If I had the slightest clue as to what you are and what's inside you
If I truly understood your character and innermost thoughts,
I would know exactly what to do and be worthy of your love
I would know how to be the kind of person deserving of your affection.
If a flower bloomed in the frozen wastes and the moon had a smiling face
If the impossible occurred and miracles took place,
And the stars had not a hint of grace I'd be worthy of your love
I would still try to be deserving of your love despite the odds being against me.
I would be there when you're sad and lonely
I would support you during your lowest moments.
I would not care if I sacrificed the only
I wouldn't mind giving up everything I had if it meant helping you.
Life I had, I'd give it up as if it were nothing
I would willingly abandon everything to make you happy.
If I had what I haven't got, a second chance a second shot
If I had the ability to redo my past mistakes,
I'd be something that I'm not, I'd be worthy of your love
I would transform into the kind of person deserving of your affection.
I'd be there inside of every moment
I would be present for every significant moment in your life.
I would know how every moment is a moment lost
I recognize the value of time and how each moment is fleeting.
Unless it's lived as if it's loved
Therefore, every moment must be lived as if it is cherished.
If I could make up all the rules I would not carry out the work of fools
If I had complete control over the world,
Or use deception and fear as tools and I'd be worthy of your love
I would choose not to use deceit or intimidation, and I would deserve your love because of it.
I'd be worthy of your love
Overall, I aspire to be the kind of person deserving of your love and affection.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: GRAHAM THOMAS PARKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind