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)
Looking For Clues
Robert Palmer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm worried that the caller might have awful news, oh my'
Who knows these days where on earth the money goes, oh yeah
No doubt we could put it to a better use, oh my
You keep insisting that nobody showed you how to keep relationships, oh yeah
Your daddy made a real good try, oh my
You said you knew all along
Do you have to make a fuss every time we fly
Oh I'm looking for clues
I have to make an effort now I just to be serious, oh yeah
Nobody's gonna give you the benefit of the doubt, oh my
Every time I pick a paper up it's harder to believe the news, oh yeah
I'm gonna have to shake it up and twist and shout, oh my
You can't do nothing that you don't put your mind to, oh yeah
I suspected all along you were a dream come true, oh my
I'm never in the dark 'cause my heart keeps me well informed, oh yeah
I'm convinced that there's a way of getting through to you
Ooh I'm looking for clues
It's crazy but I'm frightened by the sound of relationships, oh yeah
I swear we could put it to a better use, oh my
Do hurry baby you've forgotten how to catch a night groove, oh yeah
You told all the callers you were not amused oh I'm looking for clues
You keep insisting that nobody showed you how to use a telephone, oh yeah
Nobody's gonna give you a second chance, oh my
I don't have to make an effort now to find out where the money goes, oh yeah
Do you have to make a fuss every time we dance
Ooh I'm looking for clues
Do ya do ya do ya do ya
Ooh I'm looking for clues
Ooh I'm looking for clues
Ooh I'm looking for clues
Do ya do ya do ya do ya
Ooh I'm looking for clues
Ooh I'm looking for clues
Ooh I'm looking for clues
In Robert Palmer's hit song "Looking for Clues," the lyrics delve into Palmer's sense of anxiety and confusion about several aspects of his life. He begins by expressing his fear of the telephone, indicating that he is worried that someone might deliver some bad news. This sense of concern is compounded when he realizes that no one understands where their money is going these days. He then addresses a relationship issue, suggesting that his partner is seeking attention and making a fuss all the time. Moreover, he tries to make her understand that nobody is going to grant her a second chance, as she had told all the callers that she was not amused. Palmer concludes by claiming that he is searching for clues and hoping to find a way to get through to his partner.
Throughout the song, Palmer criticizes people who act without thinking, insisting that they need to use their minds if they want to achieve anything. In contrast, Palmer suggests that he is always informed because his heart guides him. He expresses the desire for a more stable relationship, one in which his partner would not have to focus on the negative but could enjoy the moment.
"Looking for Clues" might be interpreted in many ways, reflecting both Palmer's personal and professional experiences. In terms of personal experience, Palmer may be expressing his anxieties about romantic relationships or even his own life, as he tries to get back on track after a difficult period. Professionally, some have noted that the song speaks to Palmer's fascination with the processed beats of the early 1980s and the emerging role of synthesizers in popular music.
Line by Line Meaning
It's crazy but I'm frightened by the sound of the telephone, oh yeah
The sound of the telephone scares me because the caller may bring bad news.
I'm worried that the caller might have awful news, oh my'
I fear that the caller might deliver terrible news.
Who knows these days where on earth the money goes, oh yeah
It's difficult to keep track of money these days
No doubt we could put it to a better use, oh my
We can utilize money in better ways if we are careful.
You keep insisting that nobody showed you how to keep relationships, oh yeah
You constantly mention that nobody taught you how to maintain a relationship.
Your daddy made a real good try, oh my
Your father tried his best to help you understand.
You said you knew all along We could work it out, oh yeah
You were confident that the relationship would work out.
Do you have to make a fuss every time we fly Oh I'm looking for clues
I'm trying to find some signs to understand why you always cause trouble when we travel.
I have to make an effort now I just to be serious, oh yeah
I need to take things seriously now.
Nobody's gonna give you the benefit of the doubt, oh my
Others won't believe you easily.
Every time I pick a paper up it's harder to believe the news, oh yeah
It becomes increasingly hard to trust news these days.
I'm gonna have to shake it up and twist and shout, oh my
I need to change things and make some noise to be heard.
You can't do nothing that you don't put your mind to, oh yeah
You have to work hard to achieve anything.
I suspected all along you were a dream come true, oh my
I assumed you were perfect for me from the beginning.
I'm never in the dark 'cause my heart keeps me well informed, oh yeah
My emotions help me understand things.
I'm convinced that there's a way of getting through to you Ooh I'm looking for clues
I believe I can find a way to communicate with you.
It's crazy but I'm frightened by the sound of relationships, oh yeah
I'm afraid of relationships and their complications.
I swear we could put it to a better use, oh my
I'm sure we can use our relationship in better ways.
Do hurry baby you've forgotten how to catch a night groove, oh yeah
Hurry, we need to get back to enjoying the night.
You told all the callers you were not amused oh I'm looking for clues
I'm trying to find some answers because you told everyone you aren't happy.
Nobody's gonna give you a second chance, oh my
It might be challenging to get a second chance.
I don't have to make an effort now to find out where the money goes, oh yeah
I don't have to worry about money anymore.
Do you have to make a fuss every time we dance Ooh I'm looking for clues
I'm trying to understand why you cause a scene every time we dance.
Do ya do ya do ya do ya Ooh I'm looking for clues
Searching for clues to understand why you behave the way you do.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ROBERT ALLAN PALMER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
andrew james Bunting
Lyrics
It's crazy but I'm frightened by the sound of the telephone, oh yeah
I'm worried that the caller might have awful news, oh my
Who knows these days where on earth the money goes, oh yeah
No doubt we could put it to a better use, oh my
You keep insisting that nobody showed you how to keep relationships, oh yeah
Your daddy made a real good try, oh my
You said you knew all along we could work it out, oh yeah
Do you have to make a fuss everytime we fly
Ooh I'm looking for clues
I'll have to make an effort now just to be serious, oh yeah
Nobody's gonna give you the benefit of the doubt, oh my
Everytime I pick a paper up it's harder to believe the news, oh yeah
I'm gonna have to shake it up and twist and shout, oh my
You can't do nothing that you don't put your mind to, oh yeah
I suspected all along you were a dream come true, oh my
I'm never in the dark 'cause my heart keeps me well informed, oh yeah
I'm convinced that there's a way of getting through to you
Ooh I'm looking for clues
It's crazy but I'm frightened by the sound of relationships, oh yeah
I swear we could put it to a better use, oh my
Do hurry baby you've forgotten how to catch a night groove, oh yeah
You told all the callers you were not amused
Ooh I'm looking for clues
You keep insisting that nobody showed you how to use a telephone, oh yeah
Nobody's gonna give you a second chance, oh my
I don't have to make an effort now to find out where the money goes, oh yeah
Do you have to make a fuss everytime we dance
Ooh I'm looking for clues
Do ya do ya do ya do ya
Ooh I'm looking for clues
Ooh I'm looking for clues
Ooh I'm looking for clues
Thomas Nelson
Fun fact: Robert produced this song, and played the bass, percussion, and the really cool xylophone solo in the middle. This is one of his most interesting songs imo, and no doubt he had some hidden talents that he occasionally let it show, as he did on this song
Vida Vuk
Accidently heard it driving a car and was delighted, I did not hear the song untill now. A little pearl, beautiful till nowadeys ! Bravo Robert& co !
Paul Richards
Also, Robert invented the giant xylophone that you play by dancing on
Fibro Diva
We lost him too soon. He was brilliant! Listened to everything he ever put out.
Vida Vuk
I agree. His music is timeless.
Eamon Ferris
Chris Frantz from talking heads on drums on this track
Rory Cameron
40 bars before he changes the chord, but never loses your interest - then he subverts the whole verse chorus structure - an absolute masterclass in doing it your own way. Salut Robert
Mario Driessen
If I’m not mistaken, this video was cut short. In the original and full version of the song he already changed chords. Still an unbelievably good song though.
James Rowden
@Mario Driessen Different mix. Oh, and, Palmer does more with 1 chord than most artists of the era did with 3 :P
Dwight Clark
Palmer was a genius. Saw him live in 1987 as a 16th birthday present! He is sorely missed.