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.
Lines On My Face
Peter Frampton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She spoke of strangers that don't sleep two a bed
Kept on trying, buying time,not waiting on fate
I somehow got the feeling that I opened my eyes too late
I saw where you came from
Called out your name
But there's no answer
I made you my wife but I don't need that
Lines on my face,while I laugh lest I cry
Speed city dirt and gritty waving me goodbye
So many people,my family of friends
Trying so hard to make me smile until this heartache mends
I saw where you came from
Called out your name
But there's no answer
We lived on your doorstep
I made you my wife but I don't need that
Ice in her eyes,frozen tears would never be a surprise
You can't erase a dream you can only wake me up
My mind is turning slower,never to accept defeat
It don't matter where I live I still got a house to heat
I saw where you came from
Called out your name
But there's no answer
We lived on your doorstep
I made you my wife but I don't need that
The song "Lines On My Face" by Peter Frampton explores the aftermath of a failed relationship. The opening lines reveal that the singer has lines on his head from "that one thing she said" which speaks of "strangers that don't sleep two a bed." It is implied that the relationship failed because of the partner's infidelity, which is deeply disturbing and hurtful. However, instead of being defeated, the singer tries to buy time and not wait for fate to decide his future. He feels a sense of regret for opening his eyes too late and not realizing what was happening in his relationship sooner.
The second verse brings more context to the situation. The singer reveals that he saw where his partner came from and called out her name, but there was no answer. They may have been living on her doorstep, which suggests that he may have been trying to win her back after the incident of infidelity. However, he no longer needs her to be his wife, indicating that he has moved on and has realized that he does not need anyone else to complete him.
The last verse describes the singer's state of mind after the breakup. The partner's eyes are described as having ice in them, indicating that she may have been cold and unfeeling towards the singer. The idea of "frozen tears" indicates that she never showed any remorse or regret for what she had done. The singer, however, is determined not to accept defeat and is still trying to heal from the heartache. He acknowledges that he still has responsibilities to take care of, such as heating his house, regardless of how he feels emotionally.
Line by Line Meaning
Lines on my head from that one thing she said
I have visible worry lines due to the impact of something said by a woman
She spoke of strangers that don't sleep two a bed
The woman talked about people who lead separate lives and don't share beds
Kept on trying, buying time,not waiting on fate
I continue to make efforts and take actions to control my life rather than leaving everything on fate
I somehow got the feeling that I opened my eyes too late
I have a sense of regret for not taking action sooner
Lines on my face,while I laugh lest I cry
I have visible laugh lines, but I am probably hiding my true emotions
Speed city dirt and gritty waving me goodbye
I'm leaving the city behind, and the dust and grime reminds me of that
So many people,my family of friends
I have a lot of people around me who care for me
Trying so hard to make me smile until this heartache mends
My loved ones are doing their best to cheer me up and help me heal from my heartache
Ice in her eyes,frozen tears would never be a surprise
The woman's eyes were cold and unfeeling, and I would not be surprised if she never shed a tear
You can't erase a dream you can only wake me up
I can't forget the dream or hope I had, but someone can remind me of the reality
My mind is turning slower,never to accept defeat
I'm slowing down, but I refuse to accept defeat
It don't matter where I live I still got a house to heat
Regardless of where I live, I still have responsibilities to take care of
I saw where you came from
I know your background
Called out your name
I tried to get your attention
But there's no answer
You didn't respond
We lived on your doorstep
We were close to you, probably neighbors
I made you my wife but I don't need that
I married you, but I don't need you to be happy or complete
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Peter Frampton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@5050spec
"Lines On My Face"
Lines on my head from that one thing she said
She spoke of strangers that don't sleep two a bed
Kept on trying, buying time,not waiting on fate
I somehow got the feeling that I opened my eyes too late
I saw where you came from
Called out your name
But there's no answer
We lived on your doorstep
I made you my wife but I don't need that
Lines on my face,while I laugh lest I cry
Speed city dirt and gritty waving me goodbye
So many people,my family of friends
Trying so hard to make me smile until this heartache mends
I saw where you came from
called out your name
but there's no answer
We lived on your doorstep
I made you my wife but I don't need that
Ice in her eyes,frozen tears would never be a surprise
You can't erase a dream you can only wake me up
My mind is turning slower,never to accept defeat
It don't matter where I live I still got a house to heat
I saw where you came from
called out your name
but there's no answer
We lived on your doorstep
I made you my wife but I don't need that
@renegadewa4183
I remember the summer of Frampton Comes alive so well. He did two shows in New Orleans in November of that year.............one show on a Thursday and the other one on Friday.
I had tickets to the Thursday show...............it was incredible!!
I woke up on Friday morning and went to work......................we always had a radio playing on the job. They were giving away tickets for the Friday night show and guess who won a pair??................lol
The Friday show blew the Thursday show totally away.
I'll never forget that!!
@suzannem6300
I’m losing my sister at the age of 61, I’m 55. Her love for music brought Peter Frampton into my world at age 10. My entire life, his melodies resonate. I like you, am so grateful for his musical presence as part my formation and soul. I can’t pay that compliment to many in my life, but as my sister slips away and leaves this world, she & I together share our memories of hearing him and feeling so thankful he was part of our youth.
@MoosicandCritters
Bless you ❤️❤️
@barbarasilvers7600
Someone took my sister's life in 1980, the month I turned 15.. She was 17. I saw PF live with my first son in 2000 in Southern California, at a small lakeside concert. It was a beautiful journey to Yesterday, so beautiful. He was my Big Bad first crush. My eyes welled up with tears looking at my young son listening in awe, as I realized
she's in me, and, in him. I feel so blessed to grow up in the 70s. It was a carefree era of endless summers at the beach, set to the greatest soundtrack ever.
She's in Me.
@roquefortfiles
My brother introduced me to Frampton in 76. I was just 10. This album has stayed with me all my life. I lost my brother to cancer a few years ago. I understand!!. This song is timeless
@nyy1960
I'm so sorry Suzanne. My condolences.
@davidmoreno5223
1a
@azcharlie2009
You just have to read the comments to see how this album affected all us in our younger years. It was a musical marvel. Thank you, Peter.
@MoosicandCritters
Indeed it touched us so deeply. I still have my original vinyl album. It's as beautiful today as it was back in the 70's. 🎶❤️
@A47919
Just what I was thinking. I was in high school when Peter's live album was released, and still enjoy it to this day. I am fortunate to have seen him live in 2007. My son, who is 31, saw Frampton live on June 19 with his wife and his wife's grandparents! They all loved the show.
So glad some young people still appreciate the incredible music we were blessed to grow up with.
@vickipatterson9040
I can listen to this song over and over and over again and again and again. Sometimes it brings tears to my eyes. I’m so thankful that I grew up in the ‘60’s and ‘70’s and got to see a lot of great bands.