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)
Say You Will
Robert Palmer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Say you will
Please surrender
(Say you will)
To me
(Say you will)
(Say you will)
Please say you'll let me take you for my wife
(Say you will)
Our love will grow tonight if you will
(Say you will)
Give me your answer, give me your answer
(Say you will)
You will honor and obey me
I will love and cherish you
For poor or for richer, darling
Forsaking everyone but you
Please surrender
(Say you will)
To me
(Say you will)
Our love will grow tonight if you will
(Say you will)
Give me your answer, give me your answer, give me your answer
(Say you will)
With this body I thee worship
Let them forever off their peace
For worse or for better, darling
Holding on to you as long as you live
Say you will
I will love and comfort you, yeah
If you only say that you will
Take me, illegal, unlawful
To have and hold and keep from this day forward
Please surrender to me
Please surrender to me
(Say you will)
Give me your answer, give me your answer
(Say you will)
Please say this, I have been seeking this moment
(Say you will)
Please say that I can trust you
(Say you will)
Please surrender
(Say you will)
To me
Give me your answer, give me your answer
(Say you will)
Please surrender
(Say you will)
To me
The lyrics of Robert Palmer's song Say You Will are a plea to a woman to surrender to the singer's desire to marry her. The repeated chorus of "Say you will" is a refrain urging the woman to accept his proposal. The first verse outlines the singer's wish to marry the woman, who he declares he has been seeking for some time. He asks her to be his wife and promises that their love will grow if she agrees. The second verse includes the traditional wedding vows of "honor and obey" and promises to love and cherish, no matter the circumstances. The final verse includes a reference to "this body I thee worship," which is a nod to the wedding ceremony that involves the exchange of vows and rings. In the end, the singer urges the woman to surrender to him and give him her answer to his proposal.
Line by Line Meaning
Say you will
Asking the person to commit to something.
Say you will
Repeating the request for commitment.
Please surrender
Asking the person to give up control and submit to the singer's desires.
(Say you will)
Repeating the request for submission and obedience.
To me
Clarifying that the surrender is to the artist specifically.
Please say this, I have been seeking this moment
Asking the person to confirm that this is what the singer has been hoping for.
Please say you'll let me take you for my wife
Asking the person to agree to marry the singer and become their possession.
Our love will grow tonight if you will
Promising an immediate reward for compliance with the request.
Give me your answer, give me your answer
Demanding an immediate response.
(Say you will)
Repeating the demand for an answer.
You will honor and obey me
Asserting dominance over the person and demanding their submission.
I will love and cherish you
Promising affection as long as the person submits to the artist's control.
For poor or for richer, darling
Promising to provide for the person, but only if they comply.
Forsaking everyone but you
Demanding that the person prioritize the singer above all else.
With this body I thee worship
Viewing the person as an object of devotion rather than as an equal partner.
Let them forever off their peace
Ignoring the opinions of others when it comes to the relationship.
For worse or for better, darling
Promising to stick with the person through hardship, but only if they remain obedient.
Holding on to you as long as you live
Demanding loyalty and control for the entire duration of the person's life.
I will love and comfort you, yeah
Repeating the promise of affection in exchange for submission.
If you only say that you will
Insisting that the person's compliance is the only thing that matters.
Take me, illegal, unlawful
Acknowledging the potentially problematic nature of the artist's desires.
To have and hold and keep from this day forward
Asserting ownership over the person and demanding their submission for the rest of their life.
Give me your answer, give me your answer
Demanding an immediate response and further emphasizing the urgency of the request.
Please say that I can trust you
Demanding that the person explicitly state their loyalty and obedience.
Please surrender
Repeating the original demand for submission and control.
(Say you will)
Repeating the request again to emphasize its importance.
Give me your answer, give me your answer
Insisting on an immediate response.
(Say you will)
Repeating the demand for an answer again.
Please surrender
Repeating the request for the person to submit to the artist's desires and demands.
(Say you will)
Repeating the request, hoping that the person will finally comply.
To me
Clarifying that the person's submission is to the singer and no one else.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RUPERT HINE, JEANETTE THERESE OBSTOJ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@maryingolfsrud937
I do believe in love and its promise. When you hear a song as beautiful as this one it makes you feel that life is worth lliving. So beautifully sung too.
@carleensova376
This beautiful man will always be our thrill. Many of us miss his talent, voice, smile and charm. We should ban together to help his memory last forever! Forever wonderful....Mr. Robert Palmer
@lorievogel3953
always and always..~~
@timothytwin61
Undoubtedly one of the most beautiful love songs ever written. Robert Palmer's voice is extraordinary.
@djhotdogboy
Thanks for posting. I continue to be amazed by Robert Palmer's range of musical styles!
@THEWOLFE-007
RP Had a Smokey-smooth quality to his work. Variable tunes on many Great Albums that I bought over the years listening and enjoying his works. I saw him live in the eighties, what a Treat. This photo atop the screen in great, dramatic, warm, style, he is a Handsome face with awesome hair as well as his suit up in Silk and linen and virgin-wools, Haitian-cotten . I miss his new creations as well as his many great interviews. Thanks WOLFE
@nettiebaby45
What a beautiful song! I love it so much! Definately in my favorites playlist right now.
@maryingolfsrud937
Call God when you hear something as beautiful as this lovely song. It is soulful ,and spiritual and it's delivery by this kind and gentle man is truly a gift of eternal peace and love. Lovely xoxo
@lorievogel3953
such beautiful and oh so true words <3
@laurakenney225
Robert shines in these slow, romantic songs. he makes you believe in love 💝