After touring the US and Europe for two years, he left Humble Pie as the group was gaining popularity because of disdain for Marriott's hard living lifestyle and screaming boogie rock direction. Aside from his work with Humble Pie, other recordings of this era that feature Frampton include albums by Harry Nilsson, Jerry Lee Lewis, and George Harrison. His solo debut was 1972's Wind of Change, which did not fare well on the charts though receiving critical praise. It also featured appearances by musicians such as Ringo Starr and Mick Jones.
Two more efforts by Frampton also struggled commercially, one released under the moniker Frampton's Camel. Constant touring began to create awareness of his talents, however, and 1974's Frampton LP went gold. It also peaked #32 on the Billboard 200 chart in the U.S., showing his growing international appeal.
He finally gained lasting international fame by 1976 when his much-loved live album, Frampton Comes Alive! was released. Having built up his reputation on the road, the LP debuted at No. 1 on the charts in January 1976. It was long considered the best-selling live album of all time, moving over 16 million copies worldwide.
In 1978, Peter suffered a near fatal car crash in the Bahamas, which left him with a concussion, muscle damage and broken bones. But in 1979, he released the album 'Where I Should Be', which went gold and produced the hit 'I Can't Stand It No More'.
His extensive use of the Talk Box effect was and still is an integral part of the Peter Frampton experience.
His albums never regained the high chart placements of the 70's era but he has continued his musical career none the less. Among the gimmicks he's employed to maintain interest have been releasing Frampton Comes Alive II, as well as joining Ringo Starr's touring revue, recording two CDs with ex-Stone Bill Wyman and unsucessfully attempting to reunite with Steve Marriott before his death in 1991. Other notable occasions include starring with the Bee Gees in a film version of The Beatles Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album and playing with David Bowie on his Never Let Me Down album and tour.
In 2006, Frampton released Fingerprints, a completely instrumental guitar showcase album.
In 2013, two of the ballet’s spring production segments were choreographed to Frampton and his band. A third section featured these new compositions. As Frampton says about the experience: “Writing for dance was a wonderfully freeing experience, There were no boundaries…Songwriters and musicians create music to move people. This was beautiful, graceful, and instantly gratifying!”
“The Promenade’s Retreat” features Frampton laying down some light picking. The verses are few, so we don’t get all that much singing, though Frampton’s voice is very distinctive. There is an easy backbeat provided by drummer Chad Cromwell and Frampton manages his trills, pulls-offs and clean intricate leading.
The title track is a poppy acoustic guitar number. Frampton sings at the high end of his range, we get very Beatlesque sing-able choruses, a tickle of Dobro guitar slide in the bridge, and harmony vocals from Gordon Kennedy. Erik Darken’s congas keep everything slipping along as Frampton leads on top of the concoction, showing his mastery on acoustic as much as he ever has on electric.
“The One in 901” is the first real rock mover and probably the heaviest. There is a chunky Chad Cromwell drumming and Frampton double octave riffing. Over the top, he delivers slightly distorted simple yet effective leads. We even hear some softly sung “ooh’s” before the break out at the end.
“Heart To My Chest” is a delicate tune. Frampton offers up his acoustic yet again for the main voicing and some poignant lyric, his voice breaking even slightly on top of it all. When Blair Master’s piano, Gordon Kennedy’s bass and Cromwell’s drums come in for the choruses, we are in latter-day John Lennon-sounding territory. This tune features guitar and piano descending lines at its end with Frampton offering up clean leads over it. This is the best tune here.
A shuffling mid-tempo beat pushes “Norman Wisdom.” Frampton leads all over the tune on acoustic, offering a fun lyric and Steely Dan-like backing vocals from Kennedy and Frampton. Hummingbird In A Box: Songs For A Ballet is clean, simple, not overly stylized playing from Peter Frampton. The songs are strong enough to stand on their own, ballet or not. We get another example of what Peter Frampton is capable of after five decades.
Peter now resides in Cincinnati, Ohio and can still be found playing concerts around the world.
All I Want To Be
Peter Frampton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I went to the doctor he's just another clown
Don't stand alone you might turn to stone
I wish there was a pill for that - you're on your own
Can't you see what it's doing to me
All I wanna be is by your side
I don't care if they cut my hair
Shake me down you wanna put me on the ground
There's money in my pocket I won't make a sound
Run me over or pick a four leaf clover
Now they cut the lights down, this record's going slower
Can't you see what it's doing to me
All I wanna be is by your side
I don't care if they cut my hair
All I wanna be is by your side
The song "All I Want to Be (Is by Your Side)" by Peter Frampton showcases a man pleading for companionship and acceptance. The opening lines, "Do what you do don't bring me down, I went to the doctor he's just another clown," suggests that the singer has been rejected by someone they care about and are struggling to cope with it. The following line, "Don't stand alone you might turn to stone, I wish there was a pill for that - you're on your own," reveals the extent of the singer's desperation. They are asking for support and a companion through their trying time but are forced to face the situation alone.
The second verse of the song, "Shake me down you wanna put me on the ground, there's money in my pocket I won't make a sound, run me over or pick a four-leaf clover, now they cut the lights down, this record's going slower," paints a picture of the singer feeling like they are under attack from all sides. The reference to money in the pocket suggests that people may be taking advantage of the singer’s perceived vulnerability.
The singer repeats the chorus twice throughout the song, "Can't you see what it's doing to me, all I wanna be is by your side, I don't care if they cut my hair, all I wanna be is by your side." The repetition emphasizes the desperation of the singer to be with the person they love, even if it means losing aspects of themselves. Ultimately, the song represents the struggles of loneliness and the need for human connection.
Line by Line Meaning
Do what you do don't bring me down
Keep doing what you're doing, but don't let it negatively affect me.
I went to the doctor he's just another clown
I sought help from someone who couldn't really help me.
Don't stand alone you might turn to stone
Being alone for too long can make you feel isolated and unfeeling.
I wish there was a pill for that - you're on your own
I wish there was an easy solution, but unfortunately you have to deal with this on your own.
Can't you see what it's doing to me
I hope you can see the harm that's being caused to me.
All I wanna be is by your side
All I want is to be near you and feel your presence.
I don't care if they cut my hair
I don't care about superficial things like appearance or social norms.
Shake me down you wanna put me on the ground
You're trying to bring me down and make me feel powerless.
There's money in my pocket I won't make a sound
I have the power to stay silent and not give into your attempts to manipulate me with money.
Run me over or pick a four leaf clover
You can be destructive towards me or try to rely on luck instead.
Now they cut the lights down, this record's going slower
Things are getting darker and the situation is becoming more bleak.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: PETER FRAMPTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Beverly Esparaguera
on Apple Of Your Eye
Good Day Heritage Singers!!!
I am an avid of your singing group. I always listen to your songs because i feel more happy everytime i play your music everyday. I want to ask a lyrics of your song "The Apple of your Eye". I really love this music. Looking forward to receive a response from you, Thanks a lot. More Power and God Bless. Kindly send the lyrics to bhevscasida@gmail.com