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)
The Silver Gun
Robert Palmer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They say a man's best friend is his horse
But I say it is his gun
For what can a horseman do without a gun?
I sold my silver barrelled gun
And bought a brocade gown for my beloved
But she could not accept it
She returned it
No, but with wet lashes and a charming smile
I could tell her heartache was more terrible than mine
I could stand the heartache
If I could see you again
Until then, I am alone, city to city
Walking the streets
With a heavy heart.
The lyrics to Robert Palmer's The Silver Gun seem to be a reflection on the importance and perhaps even dependence on certain possessions. The song opens with the idea that for some, a man's best friend is his horse, but the singer argues that in reality, it is his gun. The gun is seen as a crucial tool for a horseman, perhaps implying the need for protection or defense in a hostile environment. The singer then reveals that he has sold his silver gun to buy a brocade gown for his beloved, but she returned the gift, leaving him with neither the gun nor her love.
The second half of the song delves into the emotional fallout of this loss. Despite his own heartache, the singer acknowledges the extent of his beloved's pain through her "wet lashes and charming smile." He expresses a desire to see her again, suggesting that his love for her persists despite their separation. However, until that reunion occurs, he is resigned to a lonely existence "city to city," with a heavy heart. Overall, the lyrics present a complex interplay of material possessions, emotional needs, and the connection between the two.
Line by Line Meaning
They say a man's best friend is his horse
Many people believe that a horse is a man's closest companion.
But I say it is his gun
However, in my opinion, a gun is a man's best friend.
For what can a horseman do without a gun?
A horseman cannot accomplish much without a weapon to defend himself or hunt with.
I sold my silver barrelled gun
I sold my cherished weapon which had a silver barrel.
And bought a brocade gown for my beloved
I purchased an intricately-patterned silk gown for my partner.
But she could not accept it
Regrettably, she was unable to receive my gift.
She returned it
She gave the gown back to me.
Now I have no gun and no love
I am now without both my firearm and partner.
No, but with wet lashes and a charming smile
But even though her eyes were teary and her grin was winsome
I could tell her heartache was more terrible than mine
I could discern that her sorrow was more severe than my own.
I could stand the heartache
I could handle the anguish.
If I could see you again
But if I could gaze upon you once more,
Until then, I am alone, city to city
Until that day, I travel from one place to another on my own.
Walking the streets
I walk around the city
With a heavy heart.
With a despondent and forlorn heart.
Contributed by Riley I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Kevin
on Which Of Us Is The Fool
Who is the woman in . Robert palmers music video for Which of us is the fool ?
Nikky
on Which Of Us Is The Fool
Who is the girl in which of us is the fool?