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.
The Bigger They Come
Peter Frampton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Something's follwing me
The back of my neck is feeling much colder
It's there but I just can't see
One day I'll meet it and that'll be that
I know I'm going to beat it, it's a natural fact
The bigger they come - the harder they fall
I've been ducking down some deep dark alleyways
I've done some divin' around
Blindly feeling my way through the city
Got my ear to the ground
I've got to shake it this feeling so bad
It could be the best time that I've ever had 'cause
The bigger they come - the harder they fall
The bigger they come - the harder they fall
Here comes a merchant
he wants money in his hand
I know that he won't listen
He just don't understand
They creep out after midnight
They sliding all around
Working on the night shift
It's going on all over town
The bigger they come - the harder they fall
The bigger they come - the harder they fall
The song "The Bigger They Come" by Peter Frampton is about a feeling of being followed and chased by something, but not being able to see it. The lyrics suggest that the singer has been checking over their shoulder and feels a cold sensation at the back of their neck. Despite the fear of being caught, the singer has been actively avoiding this entity by ducking down "deep dark alleyways" and "blindly feeling" their way through the city. They know that they will eventually meet this entity face to face, but are confident that they will "beat it." The chorus, "The bigger they come - the harder they fall," suggests that when facing intimidating forces, the harder they appear to be, the greater the satisfaction and relief will be when they inevitably fall.
The song has a mysterious tone with a sense of urgency that creates tension and adds to the impact of the lyrics. The lyrics speak to universal fears of being chased or hunted by something unknown and unexplainable. The song's production also adds to its impact, with the use of powerful guitar solos and a driving rhythm section, allowing the listener to feel the rush of adrenaline that comes with being on the run.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been checking over my shoulder
I am constantly on edge, looking out for any potential threats.
Something's follwing me
I feel like I am being pursued by something or someone.
The back of my neck is feeling much colder
I am experiencing physical sensations of fear and anxiety.
It's there but I just can't see
There is a sense of danger or a looming threat that I am aware of, but cannot quite identify.
One day I'll meet it and that'll be that
At some point, I know I will have to confront this fear or danger.
I know I'm going to beat it, it's a natural fact
I am confident that I will overcome this fear or danger, as it is a natural part of life.
The bigger they come - the harder they fall
The larger and more overwhelming the challenge or obstacle, the more satisfying it will be to overcome it.
I've been ducking down some deep dark alleyways
I have been avoiding dangerous or risky situations.
I've done some divin' around
I have been exploring and investigating potential threats or dangers.
Blindly feeling my way through the city
I am navigating through uncertain and potentially dangerous situations without clear direction.
Got my ear to the ground
I am listening closely for any signs or warnings of danger.
I've got to shake it this feeling so bad
I must overcome this intense fear and anxiety.
It could be the best time that I've ever had 'cause
Overcoming this fear or danger could be a liberating and empowering experience.
Here comes a merchant
A greedy and exploitative person is approaching me.
he wants money in his hand
This person is specifically looking to benefit financially from me.
I know that he won't listen
I am aware that this person is only focused on their own interests and will not be receptive to my needs or concerns.
They creep out after midnight
Dangerous and unsavory characters tend to come out at night when the city is less safe.
They sliding all around
These individuals move quickly and stealthily, making them difficult to detect or avoid.
Working on the night shift
These individuals engage in criminal or otherwise illicit activities during the nighttime hours.
It's going on all over town
This kind of danger or criminal activity is pervasive throughout the city, not just in specific areas.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOHN M. REGAN, PETER KENNETH FRAMPTON, STEVE MARRIOTT
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