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.
Beginning of the End
Status Quo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Its official, from number ten
We're movin' in, we're movin out
All change on the roundabout
Looking good, for the press
Gucci or Prada? Let me guess
The champion is a wonder horse,
Is this the beginning of the end
Or the end of the beginning
The way you got me goin'
Tells me I don't know
I don't understand any
Song that you are singin'
The jurys out, we're gonna let you know
Beginning of the end
Or the end of the beginning
The way you got me goin'
Tells me I don't know
I just can't believe all the records
You are spinning
The jurys out we're gonna let you know
Oo-la-la, a song and dance
Push to the front, and take a chance
Looking out for number one
See the picture in The Sun
New improved and feelin' good
Maybe a move to Hollywood
Party on, all of the time
Who cares about the mess you leave behind?
Is this the beginning of the end
Or the end of the beginning
The way you got me goin'
Tells me I don't know
I don't understand any
Song that you are singin'
The jurys out, we're gonna let you know
Beginning of the end
Or the end of the beginning
The way you got me goin'
Tells me I don't know
I just can't believe all the records
You are spinning
The jurys out we're gonna let you know
From beginning to end
I just don't understand
Is this the beginning of the end
Or the end of the beginning
The way you got me goin'
Tells me I don't know
I don't understand any
Song that you are singin'
The jurys out, we're gonna let you know
(beginning of the end)
We'll let you know
(beginning of the end)
We're gonna let you know
(beginning of the end)
The song "Beginning of the End" by Status Quo is a commentary on the fickleness of fame and success. The opening lines describe a sense of celebration and movement, with the suggestion that a new era is beginning. The lyrics mention number ten, likely referring to 10 Downing Street, the official residence of the British Prime Minister. However, it is unclear whether the change that is occurring is positive or negative, and the chorus repeats the question of whether this is the beginning of the end or the end of the beginning.
The lyrics describe a party atmosphere where people are pushing to be at the front and taking chances. The references to Gucci and Prada suggest a luxurious and high-end lifestyle, while the line "Who cares about the mess you leave behind?" implies a sense of recklessness and disregard for consequences. The song's title is repeated throughout the chorus, with the suggestion that the jury is still out and it is too soon to determine whether this is a positive or negative turning point.
Overall, the song's lyrics suggest a distrust of those in power and a sense that change can be both exciting and dangerous. The repetition of the title throughout the chorus emphasizes the uncertainty and ambiguity of the situation. The song can be interpreted as a cautionary tale about the dangers of seeking fame and success without considering the consequences of one's actions.
Line by Line Meaning
Happy days are here again
Things seem to be going well
Its official, from number ten
The official news comes from the Prime Minister's office
We're movin' in, we're movin out
People are constantly moving around and changing positions
All change on the roundabout
Everything is constantly changing
Looking good, for the press
People are putting on a good show for the media
Gucci or Prada? Let me guess
The rich and powerful are concerned with superficial matters
The champion is a wonder horse,
There is a popular figure that everyone is rooting for
Favourite to make it round the course
People are betting on this popular figure to succeed
Is this the beginning of the end
Are we starting to see the end of something?
Or the end of the beginning
Or is this just the beginning of something else?
The way you got me goin'
I am confused and unsure about what's happening
Tells me I don't know
I don't have a clear understanding of what's going on
I don't understand any
I am completely lost
Song that you are singin'
I don't understand the message that's being conveyed
The jurys out, we're gonna let you know
The decision is not yet made, but we will find out soon
Oo-la-la, a song and dance
People are putting on a show, pretending everything is great
Push to the front, and take a chance
Be aggressive and take advantage of the situation
Looking out for number one
People are only concerned with their own interests
See the picture in The Sun
Look at the media's depiction of what's happening
New improved and feelin' good
People are optimistic about the future
Maybe a move to Hollywood
People are dreaming of bigger and better things
Party on, all of the time
People are always looking for an excuse to celebrate
Who cares about the mess you leave behind?
People are not concerned with the consequences of their actions
From beginning to end
Throughout the entire situation
I just don't understand
I am completely confused
We'll let you know
The decision is not yet made, but we will inform you when it is
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JOHN EDWARDS, FRANCIS DOMINIC MICHAEL NICOLA ROSSI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@eyleenrossi2850
Brilliant.The best Band of the World.I,ve always been a fan of Status Quo.
@jeffsnowden5119
One of their very best with clever and intelligent lyrics. It just barrels along and Francis's riff at 2.40 is one of the best you will ever hear in Rock. RIP Rick and thanks.
@shanepatrick641
Wow this is amazing ! Been listening to them for nearly 2 years now. And only just came across this song. Wow, it's good! 😃
@supersandman86
40 years on and the quo's still rock, you wouldnt think most of them are over 60, rockers to the end......or the beginning
@johnnywalker332
UNO DE LOS GRUPOS MAS ROCKEROS, DIVERTIDOS Y LEGENDARIOS QUE HE TENIDO LA OPORTUNIDAD DE VER. POR SIEMPRE STATUS QUO.
@daniellucena9694
TE DIRIA Q ES UNA BANDA Q DEJO SU PROPIO ESTILO SIEMPRE.EL SONIDO QUO ES UNICO EN SU CLASE.SOY SU FAN DESDE 1980.
@rbouse7
been a fan all my life and they are still the best band ever
@waltersimpson2936
status quo proved that they could play more cords than 3 what a great band I first heard them when I were in the army in1981 and I whas hooked.rest in pease rick .rock on quo.
@heavyherti8892
One of the best Quo songs ever! Such a good drive, what a heavy riff, good singalong.
And what a heavy and outstanding "guitarbased" album! One of my favourite album. There's nol life without Quo!
@dennisthompson6839
Been a fan for over 40 years now and still love the music pity Ricks no longer with us but still the group goes on !!