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.
So Hard To Believe
Peter Frampton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But it's all encompassing yeah and it grows
You knew it all and now it's new to you
So much wiser than before but too soon to tell
Don't get close to the edge or you will fall fast from grace
Then it's so hard to believe
Take a look at yourself what do you see
You sing a song of truth but you're living a lie
So hard to believe
You got a dream, you got to see it through
Yes I hear what you say but I don't think you do
Come on give me this 'cause I don't need your sympathy
As I stand here holding the line please take it from me
Don't get close to the edge or you will fall fast from grace
Then it's so hard to believe
Take a look at yourself what do you see
Every time you get close that's when I see you, I see me
When my spirit was low you made me look to the sky
You left a hole in my heart but I don't know why
It's so hard to believe
The lyrics of Peter Frampton's "So Hard To Believe" speak about the struggle of letting go of something that has become a part of one's being. The singer talks about how trying to move on from this thing is all-encompassing and how difficult it is to separate oneself from it. There is a sense of wisdom that comes with this experience, but it is too early to tell what the lesson truly is. The fear of falling from grace is also present in the lyrics, as the singer warns against getting close to the edge.
The chorus of the song brings in the theme of self-reflection, as the singer asks the listener to take a look at themselves and what they see. There is a sense of recognition in the other person, as the singer sees themselves through the other's eyes. The singer also talks about the other person living a lie, despite singing a song of truth. These conflicting emotions make it hard to believe.
The lyrics also touch upon dreams and how important it is to see them through. The singer acknowledges what the other person is saying but doesn't think they truly understand the weight of their words. The singer doesn't need sympathy, as they stand their ground, but they recognize the other person's struggle.
Overall, the lyrics of "So Hard To Believe" talk about the human struggle of letting go, self-reflection, and the pursuit of dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
Another day you try to let it go
Every day, you try to forget about something that has been bothering you.
But it's all encompassing yeah and it grows
Despite your efforts, this issue feels like it's taking over your life more and more each day.
You knew it all and now it's new to you
You thought you had all the answers, but now you're realizing that this situation is unfamiliar to you.
So much wiser than before but too soon to tell
You have gained some knowledge from your past experiences, but it's too early to apply that knowledge to this new situation.
Don't get close to the edge or you will fall fast from grace
If you push yourself too far, you might lose everything that you have worked for.
Then it's so hard to believe
If you do make a mistake, it can be difficult to accept and come to terms with what has happened.
Take a look at yourself what do you see
Reflect on yourself and what you're doing.
Every time you get close that's when I see you, I see me
Whenever you come near me, I am reminded of myself and the things that I struggle with.
You sing a song of truth but you're living a lie
You talk about doing the right thing, but in reality, you're not following through with your words.
You got a dream, you got to see it through
You have a goal that you are working towards and you need to keep going despite any setbacks.
Yes I hear what you say but I don't think you do
I am listening to what you're telling me, but I don't think you fully understand what you're saying.
Come on give me this 'cause I don't need your sympathy
Please don't feel sorry for me, I don't want your pity.
As I stand here holding the line please take it from me
I am holding my ground and I want you to listen to what I'm saying.
When my spirit was low you made me look to the sky
When I was feeling down, you helped me to find hope and inspiration.
You left a hole in my heart but I don't know why
You caused me pain, but I can't understand why you did what you did.
It's so hard to believe
The situation is difficult to accept and comprehend.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOHN M. REGAN, PETER KENNETH 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