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.
Wind Of Change
Peter Frampton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I feel it's now or die
I have itchy fingers and butterflies a strange
You know that I live a lie
Take me away, take me away, faking my way through
Take me away, take me away, faking my way through
Diamonds don?t demand me, they?re just for looking
Love comes close to wrecking all you have to give
God knows, there's so much to give
Take me away, take me away, faking my way through
Take me away, take me away, faking my way through
La da da da, like I do
La da da da, cause all I do is for you
And all I do is for you, you, and you, and you
La da da da da da da
The lyrics to Peter Frampton's "Wind of Change" suggests a desire for change and a breaking free from living a lie. The sweet fragrance that brings the wind of change is an indication that change is necessary, and the singer feels that it's now or never. The phrase "itchy fingers and butterflies a strange" suggests a nervous anticipation for something new and exciting. However, the singer acknowledges that he has been faking his way through life and wants to be taken away from it.
The next line in the song suggests that material possessions like sapphires and diamonds are not enough to provide happiness. The line "love comes close to wrecking all you have to give" hints at the idea that love is a powerful force that can change one's perspective on life. The singer acknowledges that there is so much to give, but it requires breaking free from the past and living an authentic life.
The overall theme of the song seems to be about the desire for change and breaking free from the past. The lyrics suggest that material possessions and living a lie are not enough to bring true fulfillment, and the singer longs for something more. The song encourages listeners to take risks and not be afraid to embrace change.
Line by Line Meaning
The sweetest fragrance, it brings a wind of change
There's something in the air that's making me feel like things are about to change for the better
I feel it's now or die
I'm at a crossroads in my life and I have to make a change now or else I'll regret it forever
I have itchy fingers and butterflies a strange
I'm nervous and excited about what the future holds and desperate to take action
You know that I live a lie
I've been pretending to be someone I'm not and it's time to be honest with myself and others
Take me away, take me away, faking my way through
I want to escape from my current situation where I'm pretending to be someone I'm not
Sapphires aren't enough to buy me happiness
Material possessions can't bring me true happiness
Diamonds don?t demand me, they?re just for looking
Even though diamonds are beautiful, they don't have any real value or meaning to me
Love comes close to wrecking all you have to give
Love can be all-consuming and make you give up everything else in your life
God knows, there's so much to give
Despite the sacrifices love requires, I'm willing to give it my all
La da da da, like I do
I'm expressing myself through music and hoping others can relate
La da da da, cause all I do is for you
My music is inspired by my love for my fans and wanting to connect with them
And all I do is for you, you, and you, and you
I'm grateful for my fans and everything I do is to show my appreciation for them
La da da da da da da
Repeating this phrase is a way of expressing emotion without the need for words
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: 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