His eighties hits were promoted by particularly striking award winning videos, featuring an all-female, black-clad backing band. The memorable videos, directed by Terence Donovan, featured heavily on MTV and played a large part in his transatlantic success.
His eighties success was kickstarted by his participation in supergroup The Power Station, along with Andy Taylor and John Taylor of Duran Duran and Tony Thompson of Chic.
Robert Palmer died on September 26, 2003 in Paris, France, while staying at the Warwick de berri Hotel. The cause of death was of a heart attack. He was in Paris promoting his Drive CD which had been released in May of 2003. He was joined there by his longtime friend, Jack Bruce. He was survived by his parents, Anna and Leslie Palmer, his brother, Mark Palmer, and his children, James, Jane, Anna, Anthony and Martin. He is interred in London, England.
Solo Albums:
Sneakin' Sally Through the Alley (1974)
Pressure Drop (1975)
Some People Can Do What They Like (1976)
Double Fun (1978)
Secrets (1979)
Clues (1980)
Maybe It's Live (1982) (live)
Pride (1983)
Riptide (1985)
Sweet Lies (1987) (single)
Heavy Nova (1988)
Addictions Volume I (1989) (compilation)
Don't Explain (1990)
Addictions Volume II (1992) (compilation)
Ridin' High (1992)
Honey (1994)
Very Best Of Robert Palmer (1995) (compilation)
Woke Up Laughing (1998) (compilation)
Very Best Of Robert Palmer (1997) (re-release of the 1995 compilation feat: "Addicted To Love '97)
Rhythm & Blues (1999)
Best Of Both Worlds: The Robert Palmer Anthology (1974-2001) (2002) (compilation)
Drive (2003)
At the BBC (2010)
Albums by the group Power Station (Feat: Robert Palmer):
Power Station (1985)
Living in Fear (1997)
The Best of The Power Station (2002)
Albums by the group Vinegar Joe (Feat: Robert Palmer):
Vinegar Joe (1971)
Rock n Roll Gypsies (1972)
Six Star Generals (1973)
Six Star Gypsies (1994) (Compilation)
Speed Queen of Ventura: An Introduction to Vinegar Joe (2003) (Compilation)
Albums by The Alan Bown Set (Feat: Robert Palmer on vocals)
The Alan Bown (1969) (Only the UK release featured Palmer on vocals)
Listen (1970) (although was re-recorded with Gordon Neville on vocals when Palmer left)
Do Nothin' Till You Hear from Me
Robert Palmer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But they wouldn't hurt you, not much
Since everyone spreads the story
With his own little personal touch
Do nothin' till you hear from me
Pay no attention to what's said
Why people tear the thread of anyone's dream
Do nothin' till you hear from me
At least consider our romance
If you should take the word of others you've heard
I haven't a chance
True, I've been seen with someone new
But does that mean that I'm untrue?
When we're apart the words in my heart
Reveal how I feel about you
Some kiss may cloud my memory
And other arms may hold a thrill
But please do nothin' till you hear it from me
And you never will
True, I've been seen with someone new
But does that mean that I'm untrue?
When we're apart the words in my heart
Reveal how I feel about you
Some kiss may cloud my memory
And other arms may hold a thrill
But please do nothin' till you hear it from me
And you never will
But please do nothin' till you hear it from me
And you never will
Oh, please do nothin' till you hear it from me
And you never will
Don't do nothin' you hear
Robert Palmer's Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me is a song about rumors and gossip. The song is telling its listener to ignore what others are saying about someone they care for until they hear from that person directly. The song acknowledges that everyone adds their own personal touch to the story, which can cause the spread of misinformation. The chorus repeatedly urges the listener to hold off on acting or believing in what they hear until they hear directly from the one the rumors are about.
The verses explain the singer's perspective as they have been seen with someone new, causing rumors to spread that they are being unfaithful despite the fact that the singer still has feelings for the listener. The lyrics suggest that actions like a kiss or being seen with someone new do not necessarily mean that one's feelings for someone else are no longer present. The singer expresses the hope that the listener will wait to hear the truth directly from them before making any decisions.
Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me reached #4 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart and was part of Palmer's album Don't Explain, which was heavily influenced by jazz and blues music. The song was originally written by Duke Ellington in 1940 and has been covered by numerous artists including Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, and Diana Krall.
Line by Line Meaning
Someone told someone and someone told me
Information about me has been spreading through word of mouth
But they wouldn't hurt you, not much
The sources of the information may have their biases, but they don't mean harm to you
Since everyone spreads the story
People have been sharing the story about me because of their own selfish motivations
With his own little personal touch
Each person adds their own embellishments and interpretations to the story
Do nothin' till you hear from me
Don't take any action until you get the truth straight from the source
Pay no attention to what's said
Don't believe everything you hear about me without verification
Why people tear the thread of anyone's dream
I don't understand why people try to ruin other people's aspirations and goals
Is over my head
I don't know the reason behind the rumors about me, and it's beyond my control
At least consider our romance
Think about the love we share before making any decisions based on the rumors
If you should take the word of others you've heard
If you believe the rumors instead of me, our relationship doesn't stand a chance
I haven't a chance
The rumors could damage our relationship irreparably
True, I've been seen with someone new
It's true that I've been seen with someone else
But does that mean that I'm untrue?
However, does that automatically mean that I'm unfaithful and betraying you?
When we're apart the words in my heart
When we're not together, my feelings for you are clear in my words
Reveal how I feel about you
They prove that I still love and think of you
Some kiss may cloud my memory
Perhaps a kiss with someone else could make me forget you for a moment
And other arms may hold a thrill
The embrace of another person could give me pleasure
But please do nothin' till you hear it from me
But don't jump to conclusions before hearing the truth from me
And you never will
And you will never hear anything from me that is untrue or deceptive
Don't do nothin' you hear
Don't believe everything you hear without verifying the facts first
Lyrics Β© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, MUSIC SALES CORPORATION
Written by: DUKE ELLINGTON, BOB RUSSELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
M. M.
Great track... perfect rendition!
Twosie76
Great images that show the enormous range of this talented man.
Poopaloo55
Oh yumm! Thanks for this....into my faves it goes...multi thumbs-up to you, Sir!!!!
dixie17084
Too sad we lost Robert Palmer so soon, he could sing anything, true elegance!!!
gilbanks
So much for him needing the girl band behind him. What a rendition! As good a performance as I have ever heard and some greats have given it their best.
Mim Lo
Some songs are so good they hold up forever. R. Palmer does justice to Ellington and Ella. Just hope he's up there singing & swinging w/them both, Billie, Judy, and Amy W....πΌπΆ
Susan eshraghi
could sing anything ,any time ,any where , what a man xx
David Speed
BTW, 4 those interested inο»Ώ seeking out any of Clare Fischer's own recordings (and/or receiving updates re Dr. Fischer's myriad of recently & yet-2B recorded works, which R2B gradually unveiled over the next decade or so), u canο»Ώ visit his website. 4ο»Ώ the active link, pleaseο»Ώ consult my notesο»Ώ above - click on 'Show more.'