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.
I Want It Back
Peter Frampton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You sew it down without a fight
My heart is sinking
And there's no life boat in sight
Can't hide my feelings
On the outside, looking in
You read me like a book
I want it back
I want it back
Yeah
Let me apologize
For a few things I've said
Funny how a kill is worse
We'll always turned it hell
Sometimes it's true
That I don't listen when you talk
Can't keep my eyes off you
When I watch you walk
I want it back
I want it back
Yeah, yeah
God, when you think you have it on me
Here comes another day to return
I'm sad, it's useless in the moment
Followed with the other lessons learned
Oh yeah, oh yeah
I know I take too much for granted
It's time for me to make amends
I guess the answer is to take it kinda slow
This rug gots many knots and stains to clean, I know
I'm looking straight ahead, my mind is open wide
Only time will tell if she's really on your side
Really on my side
I want it back
I want it back
Yeah, yeah
The lyrics to Peter Frampton's "I Want It Back" are about losing something important, whether it be a relationship, a team, or something else, and desperately wanting to restore it. The verses speak to a feeling of helplessness and vulnerability, with the singer admitting that they can't hide their feelings and that their cover is wearing thin. They also apologize for things they've said, recognizing that their actions may have contributed to the loss. The chorus consists of a simple, repetitive plea for what was lost to be returned.
The bridge of the song offers a bit of reflection on the situation, with the singer acknowledging that they may have taken whatever it is for granted and that it's time to make amends. They also recognize that there may be obstacles to restoring what was lost, but they're willing to take it slow and keep an open mind. Overall, the lyrics are emotional and introspective, conveying the pain of losing something important and the desire to make it right.
Line by Line Meaning
We lose a team
We have lost our unity
You sew it down without a fight
You gave up too easily
My heart is sinking
I am feeling sad
And there's no life boat in sight
There is no help in sight
Can't hide my feelings
I cannot conceal my emotions
On the outside, looking in
I am on the periphery
You read me like a book
You understand my emotions very well
My cover's wearing thin
I am losing my guard
I want it back
I want things to be how they were before
I want it back
I want things to be how they were before
Yeah
End of the stanza
Let me apologize
I want to say sorry
For a few things I've said
For my past actions
Funny how a kill is worse
A verbal attack is more hurtful than a physical one
We'll always turned it hell
We always turn small things into big fights
Sometimes it's true
Admitting something that is true
That I don't listen when you talk
I don’t pay much attention to you
Can't keep my eyes off you
I love to look at you
When I watch you walk
I admire the way you walk
I want it back
I want things to be how they were before
I want it back
I want things to be how they were before
Yeah, yeah
End of the stanza
God, when you think you have it on me
God makes us realize our true strength
Here comes another day to return
Another chance to make things right
I'm sad, it's useless in the moment
I feel hopeless at the moment
Followed with the other lessons learned
Learn from past mistakes
Oh yeah, oh yeah
End of the stanza
I know I take too much for granted
I don’t appreciate things enough
It's time for me to make amends
It's time for me to make up for my mistakes
I guess the answer is to take it kinda slow
I should take things slow and steady
This rug gots many knots and stains to clean, I know
Many problems to resolve
I'm looking straight ahead, my mind is open wide
I am hopeful for the future
Only time will tell if she's really on your side
Only time will reveal someone’s true intentions
Really on my side
They should support me
I want it back
I want things to be how they were before
I want it back
I want things to be how they were before
Yeah, yeah
End of the song
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PETER KENNETH FRAMPTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Radiance Tyler
Man this guy is fantastic~ 40 years of rocking, a great smile and being sober~ what a fantastic gift
Radiance Tyler
What a rock star! I LOVE it!
Terri May
One of THE BEST...Mr. Peter Frampton♥
Super 70 Records
The bass sounds amazing!!
David Wade
Mr John Reagan. Truly a great musician to hold those lines.
SCPirateParty
DAMN! He's STILL awesome!!!!
Gayle Cook
LOVEthis song!
missohio83
@MegaWhiner It's not a hearing aid, it's those things musicians wear in their ears to hear their voices better without distractions and stuff.
FreedomZealot
@missohio83 It's an "in-ear monitor." It wouldn't surprise me if Mr. Frampton had a bit of hearing loss; that's an occupational hazard for lead guitarists. Just ask Pete Townsend, Ted Nugent, Paul Gilbert....
MegaWhiner
@missohio83 Ya, after I wrote that I saw them in somebody else. What's next?