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.
Show Me The Way
Peter Frampton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's ringing in my ears
And no one to relate to except the sea
Who can I believe in?
I'm kneeling on the floor
There has to be a force
Who do I phone?
The stars are out and shining
Oh won't you show me the way
I want you show me the way
Well, I can see no reason,
You living on your nerves
When someone drops a cup and I submerge
I'm swimming in a circle,
I feel I'm going down
There has to be a fool
To play my part
Someone thought of healing,
But all I really want to know
Oh won't you show me the way
I want you show me the way
I want you day after day
I wonder if I'm dreaming
I feel so unashamed
I can't believe this is happening to me
I watch you when you're sleeping
And then I want to take your love
Oh won't you show me the way
Oh won't you show me the way
I want you day after day
I want you day after day
Oh won't you show me the way
I want you day after day
The lyrics to Peter Frampton's "Show Me The Way" express a sense of confusion and desperation. The singer is searching for guidance and a source of truth in an uncertain world. He is overwhelmed by the constant noise and chaos around him, and yearns for someone who can lead him out of his confusion. He feels lost and alone, with no one to turn to except the sea. The imagery of the sea, with its vastness and elemental power, reinforces this sense of isolation and vulnerability.
The singer's sense of helplessness is also evident in the repeated refrain, "Oh won't you show me the way." He is pleading with an unseen force - perhaps God, or simply a benevolent stranger - to provide him with direction and purpose. The repetition of this phrase creates a sense of urgency, as though the singer is on the verge of giving up hope. The final verse introduces a note of hopefulness and possibility, as the singer expresses his desire to connect with another person and to experience the joy of love.
Overall, "Show Me The Way" is a powerful expression of the human desire for guidance and meaning in a confusing world. It captures the feeling of being adrift and alone, and the longing for a source of truth and inspiration. The song's simple yet evocative lyrics, combined with Peter Frampton's iconic guitar work, have made it a timeless classic.
Line by Line Meaning
I wonder how you're feeling
I am curious about your feelings
There's ringing in my ears
I am hearing a ringing sound in my ears
And no one to relate to except the sea
I feel isolated and the only comfort I find is in the sound of the sea
Who can I believe in?
I am unsure about who to trust
I'm kneeling on the floor
I am on my knees, feeling powerless
There has to be a force
I believe there is a higher power at work
Who do I phone?
I don't know who to turn to for guidance
The stars are out and shining
The night sky is beautiful and peaceful
But all I really want to know
Despite the beauty of the night sky, I am still searching for answers
Oh won't you show me the way
I am pleading for guidance
I want you show me the way
I desire to find direction and purpose
Well, I can see no reason
I am struggling to understand
You living on your nerves
You seem very anxious
When someone drops a cup and I submerge
I feel overwhelmed by even the slightest disturbance
I'm swimming in a circle
I feel as though I am going in circles and not making progress
I feel I'm going down
I feel like I am losing control
There has to be a fool
I think there must be someone who is willing to take risks
To play my part
To fulfill my role in life
Someone thought of healing
There are people who want to help and heal others
But all I really want to know
Despite those who want to help, I am still searching for answers
I wonder if I'm dreaming
I question if this is really happening
I feel so unashamed
I feel unashamed of my vulnerability
I can't believe this is happening to me
I am confused and overwhelmed by my current situation
I watch you when you're sleeping
I find comfort in watching you sleep
And then I want to take your love
I desire to connect with you and share love
I want you day after day
I want a consistent and stable relationship
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: PETER KENNETH FRAMPTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@brian1963110
I was 13 when I heard this song, now I'm 54, still a great song...:).
@angelheart46
The summer days of 75 being free and loving life good times <3
@stuartwilliams9868
...and Rollermania too!
@angelheart46
yep lol
@stuartwilliams9868
Angel heart I remember 1975 so well. If wishes could come true I'd want to relive the 70's again and again and again....!
@angelheart46
Awesome i do to, wish there was a time machine
@rhondabeard3407
I wish those days will come back better than these days
@lealieaurelia2582
I love this song. Peter Frampton was amazing. This song is amazing. Nothing but goo things to say! I was raised hearing this song on a daily basis.
@user-yy8zc9ms8n
This great song reminds me of the whole touch of the sentimental 70's.;probably it's purer than today.
@robertdiotalevi2882
As a freshman in college our music teacher asked us to bring in his/her favorite album. For me this was it.