They began as a rock and roll freakbeat band called The Spectres. By 1967, with very little commercial success, they discovered psychedelia and changed their name to Traffic (later Traffic Jam, to avoid confusion with Steve Winwood's Traffic.) At this time the line-up also included organist Roy Lynes and drummer John Coghlan. Late in 1967 they recruited second guitarist Rick Parfitt and became The Status Quo, scoring Top 10 singles with Pictures Of Matchstick Men and Ice in The Sun. "Pictures of Matchstick Men" remains the only Top 40 hit single the group has ever charted in the United States. They have never achieved the same level of success there, that they have enjoyed in their home country.
After their second album Spare Parts they decided to change into a heavy boogie rock band. During the seventies they became one of the UK's leading rock bands, gaining a faithful following due to their excellent live gigs. They showed a great amount of energy during this decade and in the early 80s. They and are best known for songs from this era such as Paper Plane (1972), Caroline (1973), Down Down (1975), John Fogerty's Rockin' All Over The World (1977) and Whatever You Want (1979). Down Down topped the UK charts in January 1975 (their only British No. 1 single to date).
Lynes left in 1971, to be replaced initially by guest keyboard players on album, including Jimmy Horowitz and John Parker, and later on a more permanent basis on record and stage by ex-The Herd and Judas Jump member Andy Bown, though as he was contracted as a solo artist with EMI, he was not credited as a full-time member until 1982. Coghlan left in late 1981, to be replaced by Pete Kircher from 1960s band Honeybus. This short-lived lineup played its last gig in 1984 at the Milton Keynes Bowl, and reformed briefly to open the Live Aid charity event at Wembley in July 1985.
That year Rossi recorded and released two solo singles with longtime writing partner Bernie Frost. Parfitt was also working on a solo album which is still unreleased, although some tracks have been re-recorded by Status Quo and released as 'B' sides. Bass player John Edwards and drummer Jeff Rich, both ex-Judie Tzuke Band and Climax Blues Band, assisted Parfitt in the studio.
In the summer of 1985 Rossi, Parfitt and Bown, along with Edwards and Rich started work on a new album. Lancaster, who was living in Australia at the time, took out a legal injunction to stop the band using the Status Quo name on any records. The injunction was lifted after a court hearing in January 1986. Lancaster had had increasing musical differences with the group, notably during the sessions for the 1983 album Back to Back over two tracks which became hit singles for the group around that time. He had written Ol' Rag Blues, but was angered when the producers chose to release a version with Rossi singing lead vocal in preference to the one sung by himself, and he objected to Marguerita Time, which he thought unduly corny and too pop-oriented for them. He remained in Australia, forming a band called Party Boys, who had no success in Britain.
The commercially successful In The Army Now album was released in 1986, and the band continues to this day with the revised personnel. Rich left in 2000 and was replaced by Matthew Letley. Andrew Bown took a year off at the same time for family reasons and was replaced on stage by Paul Hirsh, formerly of Voyager.
According to Songfacts.com, Quo's 29th studio album, Quid Pro Quo, was released in a deluxe format exclusively at Tesco on 30 May 2011. The regular edition was released elsewhere a week later on 7th June. The LP debuted at #10 in the UK charts, the band's best chart placing for an original album since Don't Stop peaked at #2 in 1996.
Although Quo still release new material every few years, recent years have seen them release a series of greatest hits compilations and covers albums. One of the band's most recent original albums, Heavy Traffic, shows a return to classic form not seen since the late 1970s.
Status Quo have often been characterized, perhaps unfairly, as producing very simple songs, always in the same format: 4/4 rhythm, three chord structure. However, the recordings from their first decade demonstrate a diversity in musical style and complexity to rival most of the late 60s UK bands, and several of their singles and album tracks from later show considerable subtlety, not least the mainly acoustic 1979 single Living On An Island, and the 1980 album track, later a single, Rock'n'Roll, which is ironically one of the least rock'n'roll-like songs they have ever recorded.
They have a loyal group of fans in the United Kingdom, where they have enjoyed more hits than any other group in rock and roll history (over 60 as of mid-2005), as well as a big following in Europe, notably in The Netherlands.
In September 2005 a contestant on the long-running BBC television quiz programme Mastermind chose Status Quo as his specialist subject. That same year they took part in the long running ITV soap opera Coronation Street in a storyline which involved them being sued by the layabout Les Battersby.
In December 2005 it was announced that Parfitt was undergoing tests for throat cancer. All subsequent dates of the UK tour were cancelled as a result. However on 20th December it was further announced that the growths found in Parfitt's throat were benign and had been removed.
Quo have even been the subject of a Doctoral Thesis, purporting to demonstrate that their music composition skills could be favourably compared to the likes of the classical music composers, such as Beethoven!
In Autumn 2008 German techno legend Scooter released new single Jump that rock together with Status Quo.
On 1 February 2016, it was officially announced that Status Quo, in addition to the spring and summer dates already scheduled, would tour Europe starting in October. The final dates would take place in the UK towards the end of the year, after which the group would retire from playing 'electric' tours.
On 28 October 2016, Rick Parfitt permanently retired from live performances after suffering a heart attack earlier the same year. On 24 December 2017, he died in hospital in Marbella, Spain as a result of severe infection, after suffering an injury to his shoulder. Parfitt's funeral was held at Woking Crematorium on 19 January 2017. Irish guitarist Richie Malone, who had substituted for Parfitt during some 2016 live shows, took his place on rhythm guitar.
Back On My Feet
Status Quo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Watching my back again or I could die
When we're up there flying
And it all seems fine
Half the time we're trying
Trying hard what a fool
Saying anything to raze it all
But I'm back on my feet again I'm flying high
It is down to timing
Get it right first time
'cause it's so exiting
Keeping on with the flow
Giving everybody such a show
But I'm back on my feet again I'm flying high
Watching my back again or I could die
Out on the street again I'm riding high
Worried 'bout anything that passes by
It's not a nightmare or a dream
It's not the first time that it's been
I'm back on my feet again I'm flying high
Watching my back again or I could die
So it's time to work out
What is going on
So you'd best not freak out
Lose your mind lose your cool
It's the quickest way to end it all
But I'm back on my feet again I'm flying high
Watching my back again or I could die
Out on the street again I'm riding high
Worried 'bout anything that passes by
Back on my feet again I'm flying high
Watching my back again or I could die
The lyrics of the song “Back On My Feet” by Status Quo express a sentiment of resilience and determination. The singer declares that he is back on his feet again, and he is flying high after the experience of a setback. He is more cautious now and watches his back, as he knows that his life could depend on it. The singer reflects on the highs and lows of life and acknowledges that when we are flying high, it is easy to become complacent and start taking risks. But he realizes that at such times, it is crucial to keep trying hard and not say anything to raze it all.
The singer sings about his life on the streets and how he keeps riding high, but he worries about anything that passes by. He suggests that it is not a nightmare or a dream, and he has experienced it several times. The singer concludes the song with a message of hope that one should work out what is going on and not freak out. Losing one's mind or cool is the quickest way to end it all, and one must keep flying high while watching their back.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm back on my feet again I'm flying high
I have overcome my obstacles and am feeling triumphant and energetic.
Watching my back again or I could die
I am aware of the dangers that could harm me, which keeps me vigilant and cautious.
When we're up there flying
During moments of success and happiness,
And it all seems fine
Everything appears to be going smoothly and without problems
Half the time we're trying
Despite appearances of success and ease, we are still putting in significant effort.
Trying hard what a fool
It may be foolish to put in so much effort when things could appear easy to others.
Saying anything to raze it all
Things could come crashing down if not taken seriously or if one does not maintain their vigilance.
It is down to timing
Success or failure is dependent on the timing of events.
Get it right first time
To avoid disappointment and failure, it is best to ensure everything is done correctly the first time around.
'cause it's so exiting
The excitement and thrill of success can be intense and alluring.
Keeping on with the flow
Keeping a consistent pace and rhythm is critical to maintaining momentum and avoiding disruptions.
Giving everybody such a show
The success and accomplishments act as a source of entertainment, admiration, and inspiration for others.
Out on the street again I'm riding high
Once again, I am experiencing success and triumph in the face of adversity.
Worried 'bout anything that passes by
Even amid success, there is still concern and vigilance for risk and danger.
It's not a nightmare or a dream
This success is not a figment of imagination nor a source of terror.
It's not the first time that it's been
This is not the first instance of success or triumph in the face of adversity.
So it's time to work out
It is the right time to begin to comprehend and analyze the situation at hand.
What is going on
To determine the next steps, it is crucial to understand the context and circumstances accurately.
So you'd best not freak out
Freaking out or panicking is not an option to make rational and smart decisions.
Lose your mind lose your cool
In the face of adversity, it is easy to get sidetracked and lose one's composure or sanity.
It's the quickest way to end it all
However, such a state of mind is likely to lead to disaster or failure.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Colemann76
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