(1) Player began as a chance meeting between Peter Beckett and J.C. Crowley, in 1977. They met by coincidence, both being the only two dressed in jeans and t-shirts, attending an all-white garb party in Hollywood. J.C. came from Galveston Bay, Texas. Oddly enough, they both turned out to be singer/songwriters, and made plans to get together later and jam. In J.C.’s garage, they began working on their new material, adding Ronn Moss(bass) and John Friesen(drums) to the band. Ronn Moss had formerly been in the bands Fable Airship, Punk Rock and Count Zeppelin. John Friesen had toured with the Ice Follies as a drummer, percussionist, and musical director. Both had been in a high school band together. The bands style of music developed into mainstream soft pop/rock, with mellow keyboards and layered harmonies. This seemed to fit right in with the breezy sounds of L.A at the time.
They began playing bars and gigs to perfect their playing skills. Their potential managers took them around to different producer’s offices to play live, lugging their guitars and amps. The band’s theory was that “a demo tape can be thrown on a shelf and forgotten, where as a live band wouldn’t fit.” They eventually ended up at the office of Dennis Lambert and Brian Potter, successful songwriters and owners of a new production company called Haven Records. Lambert and Potter liked what they heard and took the guys into the studio to record a few songs. Based on these tracks alone, Lambert and Potter were impressed, but Haven Records had since then folded. They then collaborated with the owner of RSO Records, Robert Stigwood, and got the band, still nameless, signed to a record deal.
The matter of a band name was resolved while watching a movie on television. They saw the end credits list the film cast as “players”, and so they dropped the “s” to become Player. The band also added keyboard/sythesizer player Wayne Cook, former band member of Steppenwolf(1976). A few short months later, with massive radio play, Player had an international number one hit single called ‘Baby Come Back’. This song came about when Peter Beckett had just split from someone he had been in a relationship with for a long time. Still feeling the sting, he sat down with J.C. Crowley, to write, and their moods came out in the song ‘Baby Come Back’. This song broke on the radio in October of 1977 and reached number one early January 1978.
Player was voted by Billboard Magazine’s honor roll as Best New Single Artist for 1978. ‘Baby Come Back’ was immediately followed by their top ten hit, ‘This Time I’m In It For Love’. Both songs appeared on their self-titled, debut album, Player.
In 1978, they released a second album also on RSO, called Danger Zone. This album produced the hit singles ‘Prisoner Of Your Love’, which made the top 40 list, and ‘Silverlining’. Where their first album captured the sunny sound of California pop, Danger Zone illustrated the band’s progressive pop/rock side with heavier guitars pushed to the front.
The band then continued to tour bigger arenas with Eric Clapton, Heart, and Kenny Loggins, as well as headlining at smaller venues.
RSO wanted Player to harden up their image, putting them on tours with hard rock bands. Peter was quoted later as saying that “this could have probably been their biggest mistake, and that Player may have still been around today if not for that.”
Not soon after the tour ended, J.C.Crowley left the band to start a new career in country music.
Departing RSO, Player then signed with Casablanca Records, releasing their third album, Room with a View, in 1980, which Peter co-produced with Tony Peluso. From this album came the top forty hit ‘It’s For You’. Room with a View was a combination of soft, romantic melodies, such as ‘Bad News Travels Fast’, and heavier rock tunes, such as ‘Tip Of The Iceberg’.
By the end of this tour, Ronn Moss’ focus had now shifted to acting, and he quit the band to make films in Italy.
By 1982, Peter Beckett and Dennis Lambert collaborated on the release of Player's fourth LP, Spies of Life, on RCA Records. From that album came the single ‘If Looks Could Kill’. Also joining Peter and John Friesen, the only two original band members left, were Miles Joseph(guitar/vocals) and Rusty Buchannan(bass).
After this album, the band members went their separate ways, and Peter decided to become a full time writer, leaving Player on the back burner.
In 2009, the band signed to Coallier Entertainment and was said to release a new CD
(2) A Techno collective with varying members including: Jon Nuccle, Mark Turner, Pete Simpson, Richard Wilkinson, the collective released material under their own label also known as Infamous Player.
(3) Amon Tobin (as Player) released a drill n' bass mash up of Slayer's Raining Blood and Angel of Death, simply called Angel of Theft.
Goodbye
Player Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sweeney Todd
Say Hello Say Goodbye
The costumes, the scenery that make up the props
The audience that lifts you when you're down
The headaches, the heartaches, the packing, the flops
The sheriff who escorts you out of town
There's no business I know
Everything about it is appealing
Everything the traffic will allow
Knowing that you get that happy feeling
When you're taking that extra bow
There's no business like show business
There's no business I know
Everything about it is appealing
Everything the traffic will allow
Knowing that you get that happy feeling
When you're taking that extra bow
Say hello say goodbye
Good to see you're glad to rock and roll you
Say hello say goodbye
You're the ones that really stole the show yeah
Split your spats as you're gone thru the band
It's good to move, to groove to you tonight
Tip your hat, to the boys in the band
Sorry but it's time to end this show yeah
The Player's song "Goodbye" is a tribute to the world of show business. The lyrics convey the ups and downs of being a performer, from the joy of receiving applause to the disappointment of failure. The opening lines refer to the elaborate production aspects of the industry, such as the costumes, scenery, and props that create the visual appeal that draws in audiences. However, the performer also depends on the emotional support of a receptive audience to overcome the hardships that come with the territory.
The song's chorus emphasizes the euphoria that comes with show business, capturing both the thrill of performing and the sense of accomplishment that comes with a successful show. The repetition of these lines reinforces the theme of the perceived glamour and excitement of show business despite the harsh realities. The closing verses of the song bid farewell to the audience, acknowledging the band, bidding them goodnight, and thanking them for sharing in the performance.
Overall, "Goodbye" is a heartfelt tribute to the world of show business, emphasizing the emotional highs and lows that performers face. The song provides a glimpse into the inner workings of the industry and its immense appeal, despite the challenges that come with it.
Line by Line Meaning
The costumes, the scenery that make up the props
The various components of a show including the clothes, decorations and properties that help to create its atmosphere
The audience that lifts you when you're down
The cheering crowds who give you a boost when you feel discouraged or demotivated
The headaches, the heartaches, the packing, the flops
The difficulties that come with putting up a show, such as physical strain, emotional stress, travel, and failures
The sheriff who escorts you out of town
The local officer who is responsible for keeping order and security, but also may have to ensure that performers leave the area
There's no business like show business
Entertainment is a unique and incomparable field that has its own characteristics and rewards
There's no business I know
Personally, I cannot think of any other occupation that matches the appeal and excitement of show business
Everything about it is appealing
Every aspect of this field has an attractive or desirable quality
Everything the traffic will allow
Making the most out of the opportunities available, and pushing the boundaries to achieve one's goals
Knowing that you get that happy feeling
Having the awareness that performing and achieving success brings one joy and satisfaction
When you're taking that extra bow
Receiving even more recognition and applause for one's efforts and accomplishments
Say hello say goodbye
Expressing both greetings and farewells to those who have attended the show or been a part of it
Good to see you're glad to rock and roll you
It is satisfying to know that the audience has enjoyed and appreciated the show's music and energy
You're the ones that really stole the show yeah
The audience's enthusiasm and participation were the highlight of the performance and made it memorable
Split your spats as you're gone thru the band
Dancing energetically as one goes through the band of musicians, creating a lively and exciting atmosphere
It's good to move, to groove to you tonight
It feels great to be dancing and having fun with the audience
Tip your hat, to the boys in the band
Acknowledging and appreciating the musicians for their contributions to the show's success
Sorry but it's time to end this show yeah
Regretfully, it is the appropriate moment to conclude the performance and say goodbye to the audience
Contributed by Adeline P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.