The first album by Graham Parker and the Rumour, Howlin' Wind, was released to acclaim in 1976 and was 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,Van Morrison) 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.
Parker and the Rumour built a reputation as incendiary live performers: the promotional album Live at Marble Arch was recorded at this time and shows off their raw onstage style. 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.
Bob Andrews left The Rumour in early 1980, and was not officially replaced. However, in studio sessions for the next album (The Up Escalator), Nicky Hopkins and Danny Federici (of The E Street Band) sat in on keyboards.
1980's The Up Escalator was Parker's highest-charting album in the UK and featured production by Jimmy Iovine and guest vocals from Bruce Springsteen. Significantly, the front cover of the album credited only Graham Parker, not "Graham Parker and The Rumour".
The Up Escalator would prove to be Parker's last album with the Rumour, although guitarist Brinsley Schwarz would reunite with Parker in 1983 and play on most of the singer's albums through the decade's end. As well, bassist Andrew Bodnar would rejoin Parker from 1988 through the mid 1990s, and drummer Steve Goulding would play on Parker's 2001 album Deepcut To Nowhere.
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.
Clear Head
Graham Parker & The Rumour Lyrics
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See g see g see g see g
Look round baby tell me what you say, am I imagining it, is it me
See g see g d see g
Does the world get faster day by day? you better get a clear head hey
What a shock you better start to pray even the dumb got something to say
Even the blind ain't lookin away but you better get a clear head hey
Ah you better get a clear head hey
I tell you clear head, clear head, clear head, clear head
See g g d g
You better get a clear head hey, you better get one now
Mona lisa wears a frown cause 'cause everybody's trying to shut her down
They say it's my turn too I want my share but you better get a clear head yeah
On the fault line as the sun rises the only prizes were torture devices
Californians say, have a real nice day but they better get a clear head hey
Yeah they'd better get a clear head hey
I tell you clear head, clear head, clear head, clear head
You better get a clear head hey, you better get one now
Instrumental break ( harmonica over d see d g) then
G see g g see g
Clear head, clear head yeah,
G see see g see see
Clear head, clear head yeah
Bridge
D d see d d see
Blind half the time, have to be, blind crazy on a shell shocked bay
D g see bm see g see d d
If you want to get it on this way you'd better get a clear head hey, hey
In days gone by it was a diseased rye,
They burned them up and said the answer is god
They talk all night and stayed awake all day they said
You better get a clear head hey
Six weeks solitary in the dark a pinball's gained and lost the vital spark
Like a crazy fever on a planet today, you better get a clear head hey
Ah you better get a clear head hey I tell you
I tell you clear head, clear head, clear head, clear head
You better get a clear head hey, you better get one now
Instrumental break as before then
Clear head, clear head yeah, clear head, clear head yeah
Clear head, clear head yeah, clear head, ........ yeah
You better get one now /pre>
The song "Clear Head" by Graham Parker and The Rumour is a call to action for listeners to snap out of the confusion and chaos in the world around them and "get a clear head." The lyrics ask the listener to take a step back and assess their surroundings, questioning if they are imagining things or if the world truly is getting faster each day. The song acknowledges the struggles of various groups, such as Mona Lisa being shut down and Californians dealing with fault lines and torture devices. However, the overall message is that even amidst the chaos, it's important to keep a clear head in order to make sense of it all and move forward.
The song features a powerful harmonica solo in the instrumental break, adding to the urgency and liveliness of the message. The lyrics also reference historical events, such as the burning of diseased rye and being awake all day and night to gain clarity. Overall, "Clear Head" is an anthem of sorts, calling for listeners to stay aware and conscious despite the chaos around them.
Line by Line Meaning
Look round baby tell me what you say, am I imagining it, is it me
Asking for confirmation on the observation that the world is becoming faster.
Does the world get faster day by day? you better get a clear head hey
The world's accelerating pace is not imagined and warrants a clear mind to face it.
What a shock you better start to pray even the dumb got something to say
Anyone, even the unintelligent, can see that the world is changing rapidly and unpredictably.
Even the blind ain't lookin away but you better get a clear head hey
Even those unwilling or unable to see the changes in the world are still affected and need a clear mind.
Mona lisa wears a frown cause 'cause everybody's trying to shut her down
Referencing the famous painting, many people feel oppressed by a society that doesn't value individuality.
They say it's my turn too I want my share but you better get a clear head yeah
Everyone wants their piece of the pie, but the world's fast pace requires a clear mind to attain success.
On the fault line as the sun rises the only prizes were torture devices
Living in a society fraught with uncertainty and danger, prizes may only come in the form of surviving hardships.
Californians say, have a real nice day but they better get a clear head hey
Even the laid-back Californians will be affected by the fast-changing world and need a clear mind to navigate it.
Blind half the time, have to be, blind crazy on a shell shocked bay
People may be blinded by the chaos of the world and need a clear mind to see things logically.
If you want to get it on this way you'd better get a clear head hey, hey
If someone wants to succeed in this world, they need to have a clear mind to make informed decisions.
In days gone by it was a diseased rye,
Referring to the Salem Witch Trials, where people were accused of witchcraft due to a fungus in the rye crop.
They burned them up and said the answer is god
The accused were often killed and religion was used as justification for these acts.
They talk all night and stayed awake all day they said, you better get a clear head hey
Even in the past, people recognized the importance of a clear mind in understanding the world.
Six weeks solitary in the dark a pinball's gained and lost the vital spark
Someone may become lost and desensitized in solitary confinement, much like the game of pinball.
Like a crazy fever on a planet today, you better get a clear head hey
The craziness of the world can be overwhelming, but a clear mind is necessary to navigate it successfully.
Clear head, clear head, clear head, clear head
Reinforcing the importance of having a clear mind to face the fast-changing world.
You better get a clear head hey, you better get one now
Urging people to immediately focus on developing a clear mind to deal with the world's continuous change.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: GRAHAM THOMAS PARKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind