Miles was a member of groups "The Influence", which also included Paul Thompson, later drummer with Roxy Music and Vic Malcolm, later vocalist with Geordie and "The John Miles Set," before starting his solo career in 1971. During the 1970s he issued 18 singles and four albums, including "Rebel" (1976), "Stranger In The City" (1977), and "Zaragon" (1978). He had most success with singles; in addition to Music, he also charted with "Highfly" (1975), "Remember Yesterday" (1976), and "Slow Down" (1977). Most of his songs were co-written with his bassist Bob Marshall.
Miles has toured with Tina Turner, often filling in for Bryan Adams when the latter was unavailable to join her on tour for their duet. Miles is also a frequent guest vocalist on albums by The Alan Parsons Project.
In the 1980s he continued to record and tour. In 1983 a new radio station in the south of England, Radio Mercury, used parts from the song "Music" for their link jingles. The actual song itself also received extensive airplay on the station, leading one to speculate this was perhaps part of a deal for the usage in their jingles.
A list of Miles album releases from the 1980s and 1990s is as follows:
Sympathy (1980)
Miles High (1981)
John Miles' Music (1982)
Play On (1983)
Transition (1985)
John Miles Live In Concert (1992)
Anthology (1993)
Upfront (1993)
Master Series (1998)
Tom and Catherine (1999)
Millennium Edition (1999)
Throughout the late 80s and into the 90s John Miles was musical director to Tina Turner on her various tours, and played on several of her albums. He also played Hammond organ on Joe Cocker's album "Night Calls"(1992).
In 2002 he issued the DVD "John Miles - Live In Concert." In 2007, Miles performed in Gelsenkirchen, Germany with German band Pur and sang two songs. One of those songs, "Abenteuerland", Miles sang with Pur in German. The concert is available on the DVD, Pur-Friends-Live-Schalke-2007. In October 2008, Miles began touring once again with Tina Turner until May 2009.
In 2017, Miles was awarded an outstanding contribution to music award at the Progressive Rock awards.
Glamour Boy
John Miles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For the ladies with painted faces.
He spends his time being seen
In all the right places.
You only get to know him nearly,
There can't be anyone who knows him really.
He's doing so well
And there's no-one to tell you but Glamour Boy.
In a Rock 'N' Roll band if only.
He's got everything it takes to make it
But he's lonely.
He's really an unsung hero
But if money came from having an ego,
He'd get to the top
And the dream would have to stop for Glamour Boy.
It doesn't do to worry.
Feel a little sorry for Glamour Boy.
Spending all his money
Really isn't funny for Glamour Boy.
Everybody knows it,
No-one ever shows it for Glamour Boy.
Living in a world of make believe
And reaching for the sky.
When all the people that you meet
Are chances passing by.
And friends don't seem to mean a lot.
Anyway they're always there.
Don't take too long to realise
You're not going anywhere,
You're not going anywhere.
John Miles’s song Glamour Boy is a melancholic reflection on the life of a man who, despite being successful and wealthy, feels lonely and unfulfilled. The character of Glamour Boy is someone who is always being seen in the right places, with painted-faced ladies as his constant companions. But, as the song progresses, we learn that few people really know Glamour Boy, and he is an unsung hero.
Miles suggests that Glamour Boy could have been a rock star, but instead he spends his time posing for pictures and living in a world of make-believe. The chorus warns against envying his life, as spending all his money isn't funny and everyone knows it. The lyrics are poignant, as they suggest that in trying to attain his dreams, Glamour Boy has lost sight of the things that really matter: he has no real friends and is wasting his life. Miles encourages people not to envy the life of the rich and famous, and to realize that true happiness has little to do with success or material possessions.
Overall, the song is a cautionary tale about the dangers of chasing fame and fortune without taking the time to build genuine relationships with others. It is also a reminder that success does not necessarily bring happiness, and that it is important to keep our feet on the ground and appreciate the things that really matter in life.
Line by Line Meaning
He really does shine
For the ladies with painted faces.
He is attractive to women who wear makeup and his appearance stands out.
He spends his time being seen
In all the right places.
He frequents places where he will be noticed and recognized.
You only get to know him nearly,
There can't be anyone who knows him really.
People only get to know him superficially, and it's likely that no one truly knows him.
He's doing so well
And there's no-one to tell you but Glamour Boy.
He is successful, but he is the only one who acknowledges it.
He could have been the singer
In a Rock 'N' Roll band if only.
He could have had a career in music if circumstances were different.
He's got everything it takes to make it
But he's lonely.
He possesses the required qualities to be successful but is unhappy and lacks companionship.
He's really an unsung hero
But if money came from having an ego,
He'd get to the top
And the dream would have to stop for Glamour Boy.
He is unrecognized despite his talents, but if fame was proportional to egotism, he would be at the peak of his career, and this would be the end of his aspirations in music.
It doesn't to worry.
Feel a little sorry for Glamour Boy.
There is no need to worry, but rather empathize with his situation.
Spending all his money
Really isn't funny for Glamour Boy.
His excessive spending is not beneficial for him and can lead to future problems.
Everybody knows it,
No-one ever shows it for Glamour Boy.
People are aware of his situation, but no one admits it to him.
Living in a world of make believe
And reaching for the sky.
When all the people that you meet
Are chances passing by.
He lives in a fantasy world, aspiring for the highest levels of success, but he misses opportunities and meaningful connections along the way.
And friends don't seem to mean a lot.
Anyway they're always there.
Although he is seemingly surrounded by friends, they are not valuable to him, and they are constantly present.
Don't take too long to realise
You're not going anywhere,
You're not going anywhere.
He needs to recognize sooner rather than later that he is not progressing towards his goals and is stagnating.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind