Robert Allen Palmer (January 19, 1949 – September 26, 2003), born in Batley… Read Full Bio ↴Robert Allen Palmer (January 19, 1949 – September 26, 2003), born in Batley, Yorkshire, England, was a British singer. He was known for his soulful voice and the eclectic mix of musical styles on his albums, combining soul, jazz, rock, reggae, blues, and even yodeling.

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)

happiness
Robert Palmer Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Take a gamble with your heart
Take a chance on happiness
Odds are on your better half
You'll be glad you placed the bet

Think it over - what's to lose?
All the odds are in your favour
Play your cards right - no excuse

You know life is what you make it

Scared to move case you get shortchanged
But nothing venture, baby - nothing gained
Take a gamble with your heart
Take a chance on happiness

Toss a coin or turn a card
Time to give those blues a rest
Play for keeps - bet your life
I see loving in your future

You'll never know if you don't try
Missionary or kama sutra?
If there's room for you to improve
There's only one thing left for you to do

Take a gamble with your heart
Take a chance on happiness
Take the plunge - leap in the dark
Put your instincts to the test

Take a gamble with your heart
Take a chance on happiness
Turn or leave me - coming start

Find out what you like the best
Take a gamble with your heart........

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Robert Palmer's "Happiness" encourage taking risks and embracing the unknown in the pursuit of happiness, particularly in matters of the heart. The first lines of the chorus implore listeners to "take a gamble with your heart" and "take a chance on happiness," urging them to disregard the fear of losing and instead focus on the potential rewards of love and happiness. The lyrics go on to suggest that the odds are in favor of taking this chance and that life is what one makes of it. The song also implies that the pursuit of happiness can take a variety of forms, from trying new sexual experiences to simply being true to oneself and following one's instincts.

Overall, "Happiness" is a song about embracing risks and seizing opportunities, particularly in the realm of love and relationships. It encourages listeners to put aside their fears and take a chance on love and happiness, emphasizing the potential rewards of such risks and suggesting that the odds are ultimately in one's favor.

Line by Line Meaning

Take a gamble with your heart
Take a risk and invest emotionally

Take a chance on happiness
Be optimistic and have hope for a joyful future

Odds are on your better half
Your chances of success are likely

You'll be glad you placed the bet
You will be happy with the choice you made

Think it over - what's to lose?
Reflect on potential outcomes - there's no risk

All the odds are in your favour
The likelihood of success is high

Play your cards right - no excuse
Make wise choices and take responsibility for your actions

You know life is what you make it
The quality of your life is largely dependent on your attitude and actions

Scared to move case you get shortchanged
Afraid to act for fear of losing out

But nothing venture, baby - nothing gained
You can't achieve anything without taking risks

Toss a coin or turn a card
Make a decision and take action

Time to give those blues a rest
It's time to stop feeling sad and down

Play for keeps - bet your life
Commit fully with everything you have

I see loving in your future
There is potential for love and happiness in your future

You'll never know if you don't try
You won't find out unless you take action

Missionary or kama sutra?
Different choices lead to different experiences

If there's room for you to improve
There is a chance for growth and development

There's only one thing left for you to do
Take a chance and go for it

Take the plunge - leap in the dark
Take a bold and daring step forward

Put your instincts to the test
Rely on your intuition and take a risk

Turn or leave me - coming start
Make a choice and prepare for the future

Find out what you like the best
Explore your options and discover your preferences

Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ROBERT ALLAN PALMER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

S. A

3y↑8

...sexy Man , wonderful Music...😘

80's 90's Music Video's Remastered

3y↑2

200%

triplejazz musicisall

3y↑4

Fantastic song. So sad he died young he gave a lot of happiness to millions with songs like this one. These days to find a happy song on the charts is like the needle in a haystack analogy.

80's 90's Music Video's Remastered

3y↑2

Gone to soon (

Aaaa Aaaa

3y↑6

❤️Robert Palmer

80's 90's Music Video's Remastered

3y↑3

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ forever

PrinceWatercress

3y↑5

Never would have thought Happiness would have had a video. Nice find!

80's 90's Music Video's Remastered

3y↑4

Yes

Deborah Merkerson

3y↑3

Thank you so much for posting this video. Seeing Robert Palmer perform is always a great time!

80's 90's Music Video's Remastered

Yes, his gone too soon.
Will upload some rare RP videos. Stay tuned.

Deborah Merkerson

Became @80's 90's Music Video's Remastered My only exposure to Robert Palmer was his Don’t Explain album. I bought the CD as soon as I heard his cover of Mercy Mercy Me (the Ecology)/I want You. When it came on the radio I almost drove off the hiway tuning the station. I had always loved Marvin Gaye’s original Mercy Mercy Me and almost everything he did. Robert Palmer’s version became and is my favorite song of all time. Unfortunately, I was such a jazz buff that all I listened to was the excellent jazz station we had. It was a fluke that I had heard Robert’s record. I had the one song transferred to a cassette and that was my one exposure to him. Never watched MTV so didn’t know about the videos. I asked colleagues at work if they knew who he was and someone told me about the videos. But swooosh, right over my head. That was late spring, 1992.

Fast forward to almost five years ago. Learned about YouTube and that I could listen to old music. Looked up my song I hadn’t heard in year I remember the day they announced his death. Even though I only knew him as an artist of my one song, I had great sadness for him and his loved ones. My father died of the same thing at age 42. Both had massive myocardial infarctions, their first. It’s a sad way to lose someone.

80's 90's Music Video's Remastered

You are very welcome 😉!!

BENJAMIN wolfe

2y↑1

HAPPINESS!! ROBERT ThE Man!! He has so much style and Class in his performances. I Love the Man's Style and respect for his Audience!! Never was out of Control in front of the crowd. Always performed well and with plenty of GOD Given talent. Any Born-Again people out there reading this Please pray for his former wife and son Jim and daughter Jane for Salvation. THX!!!