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)
Top Forty
Robert Palmer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Smash hit
Rock ‘n’ roll record
Everything is gonna be just fine
When I make my Top 40
Smash hit
Rock ‘n’ roll disc
I’ll be the record company’s valentine
Eight hundred pounds of electric genitalia
When I make my Top 40
Smash hit
Rock ‘n’ roll record
Everything’s gonna be just fine
When I make my fuzz tone
Wah-wah
Synthesized record
Everything is gonna be just grand
When I make my fuzz tone
Wah-wah
Synthesized disc
I’ll have to get myself a moving van
Costume, hairdo, made up cute
A personal connection in a business suit
When I make my fuzz tone
Wah-wah
Synthesized record
Everything is gonna be just grand
When I make my dynamite
Heavy soul
Freaked out record
Everything is gonna be just swell
When I make my dynamite
Heavy soul
Freaked out disc
I’ll be living it up pell mell
Mountain top hide away
Three-car garage
Out there hustlin’ that sonic massage
When I make my Top 40
Big beat
Heavy soul
Freaked out
Solid gold
Synthesized
Rock ‘n’ roll record
Everything is gonna be just fine
In Robert Palmer's song "Top Forty," the lyrics center around a desire for fame and success in the music industry. The repeated line "When I make my Top 40 smash hit rock 'n' roll record, everything is gonna be just fine" expresses this desire to achieve a level of commercial success that will bring fulfillment and happiness. The lyrics also touch on the idea of image and presentation, with mentions of costumes, hairstyles, and a "personal connection in a business suit" that suggest a need to present a certain image to succeed.
Each verse focuses on a different type of music, with mentions of a "fuzz tone wah-wah synthesized record" and a "dynamite heavy soul freaked out record." These different styles of music represent the versatility and range Palmer desires in order to succeed in the industry. The lyrics also allude to the idea that success in the music industry can lead to a lavish, materialistic lifestyle, with mentions of a "mountain top hideaway" and a "three-car garage."
The overall tone of the song is one of determination and optimism in spite of the challenges faced in achieving success. The lyrics suggest that with the right formula of catchy music, image, and hard work, everything will fall into place and life will be "just fine."
Line by Line Meaning
When I make my Top 40
Once I achieve success in the music industry by making it onto the top 40 charts
Smash hit
With a song that is incredibly popular and widely enjoyed
Rock ‘n’ roll record
A record filled with upbeat and energetic rock and roll music
Everything is gonna be just fine
Life will be much easier and more enjoyable once I become successful
I’ll be the record company’s valentine
The record company will appreciate and reward my success, creating a mutually beneficial relationship
No more philosophic melancholia
I won't have to deal with the sadness and introspection that can come with trying to make it as an artist
Eight hundred pounds of electric genitalia
Feeling powerful and confident in my music, with an edgy, sexualized energy
When I make my fuzz tone
Once I create a signature sound that is unique and recognized by fans
Wah-wah
Use of an electric guitar pedal effect that changes the sound of the guitar, specifically adding vibrato and distortion
Synthesized record
Incorporating electronic instruments and sounds into the music
Everything is gonna be just grand
Life will be even better and more luxurious once I am more successful
I’ll have to get myself a moving van
I'll need to physically relocate to accommodate my newfound wealth and success, possibly out of necessity or desire
Costume, hairdo, made up cute
Paying attention to my appearance and public image to maintain fame and popularity
A personal connection in a business suit
Developing a close relationship with someone in the music industry which will help further my career
When I make my dynamite
Once I release a song that is explosive and exciting
Heavy soul
A style of music that combines soul music with elements of rock and funk
Freaked out record
A record with unconventional and experimental sounds and techniques
Everything is gonna be just swell
My life will be even more fulfilling and exciting with the continued success of my music
I’ll be living it up pell mell
Living a fast-paced and lavish lifestyle with plenty of excitement and extravagance
Mountain top hide away
A luxurious and remote hideaway location where one can retreat and focus on their music in peace
Three-car garage
Symbolic of wealth and excess resources, referring to having enough space to store multiple luxury vehicles
Out there hustlin’ that sonic massage
Continuing to work hard and pushing to achieve new levels of success even when already doing well
Big beat
A strong and dominant rhythm often used in electronic and dance music
Solid gold
Referring to something being extremely valuable and desirable, like a solid gold record
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: MOSE ALLISON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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