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.
Come On You Reds
Status Quo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Thinkin' 'bout the teams of years gone by
Charlton, Edwards, Law and Georgie Best
We're United, you can keep the rest
Schmeichel, Parker, Pallister
Irwin, Bruce, Sharpe and Ince
Hughes, McClair, Keane and Cantona
Come on you reds, come on you reds
Just keep your bottle and use your heads
For ninety minutes we'll let them know
Who's Man United, here we go
Come on you reds, come on you reds
Just keep your bottle and use your heads
For ninety minutes we'll let them know
Who's Man United, here we go
Glory Glory Man United
Glory Glory Man United
We'll maintain the status quo
We're Man United, here we go
So Old Trafford let us hear you loud
Cheer us on and we will do you proud
Fifty thousand voices sing our song
Keep us at the top where we belong
So here's to Alex Ferguson
He'll take us all the way
We're on the road to glory now
Winning at home and away
Come on you reds, come on you reds
Just keep your bottle and use your heads
For ninety minutes we'll let them know
Who's Man United, here we go
Come on you reds, come on you reds
Just keep your bottle and use your heads
For ninety minutes we'll let them know
Who's Man United, here we go
Glory Glory Man United
Glory Glory Man United
We'll maintain the status quo
We're Man United, here we go
Come on you reds , come on you reds
The team that's able to defend their net
We won the Doubles we'll let you know
We're Man United, here we go
Come on you reds, come on you reds
Just keep your bottle and use your heads
For ninety minutes we'll let them know
Who's Man United, here we go
Man United, here we go
Man United, here we go
The song "Come On You Reds" by Status Quo is a tribute to Manchester United's football team. The lyrics evoke the memories of some of the greatest players to have played for Manchester United, such as Charlton, Edwards, Law, Georgie Best, and more. The song talks about the enduring legacy of the team, which has been maintained over the years through the efforts of great players like Schmeichel, Pallister, Irwin, Bruce, Sharpe, and Cantona. The chorus encourages the team to keep their composure and to use their heads to win the game.
The song also pays homage to the supporters of the team, who are called upon to cheer the team on during matches. The lyrics highlight the passion of the supporters by describing Old Trafford as a place where 50,000 voices sing as one. The song also acknowledges the contribution of the team's manager, Alex Ferguson, who was a key figure in the team's success during the 90s and early 2000s.
Overall, the song celebrates the distinctive spirit of Manchester United, which is embodied in its players, supporters, and tradition. It is an anthem that not only reflects the team's rich history but also inspires its players to achieve more and keep "maintaining the status quo".
Line by Line Meaning
Busby Babes they always made me cry
Reflecting on the teams of the past that have endured hardship and tragedy
Thinkin' 'bout the teams of years gone by
Contemplating the glory days of Manchester United's past
Charlton, Edwards, Law and Georgie Best
Paying homage to the great Manchester United players of the past
We're United, you can keep the rest
Displaying a fierce loyalty to Manchester United and defiance towards other teams
Schmeichel, Parker, Pallister
Listing off some of the great Manchester United players of recent years
Irwin, Bruce, Sharpe and Ince
Continuing to list great past players of Manchester United
Hughes, McClair, Keane and Cantona
Mentioning some of the most beloved and talented Manchester United players of all time
Robson, Kanchelskis and Giggs
Listing off even more legendary Manchester United players
Come on you reds, come on you reds
Encouraging the Manchester United team and its supporters
Just keep your bottle and use your heads
Urging the Manchester United team to stay calm and focused
For ninety minutes we'll let them know
Promising to dominate the opponent for the duration of the game
Who's Man United, here we go
Expressing confidence in the team's abilities and reminding everyone of their affiliation with Manchester United
Glory Glory Man United
Celebrating Manchester United's past glories
We'll maintain the status quo
Promising to keep Manchester United's dominant status in the football world
So Old Trafford let us hear you loud
Rallying the home supporters to be vocal in their support for Manchester United
Cheer us on and we will do you proud
Inspiring the supporters with the team's commitment to play well and represent the club honorably
Fifty thousand voices sing our song
Expressing pride in the passionate fanbase of Manchester United
Keep us at the top where we belong
Appealing to the supporters to continue pushing the team forward to maintain their place as a leading force in football
So here's to Alex Ferguson
Recognizing and praising the contributions of legendary Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson
He'll take us all the way
Expressing trust in the manager's ability to lead the team to further success
We're on the road to glory now
Believing that Manchester United is on the path to reclaiming its past glory
Winning at home and away
Aspiring to achieve success both at home and in other stadiums
The team that's able to defend their net
Boasting of Manchester United's strong defensive abilities
We won the Doubles we'll let you know
Reminding the opponents of Manchester United's past successes
Man United, here we go
Embracing Manchester United's identity and expressing excitement for the team's future
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ANDY BOWN, FRANCIS ROSSI, JOHN VICTOR EDWARDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@irieite9666
🎶
Piling on the agony and
Putting on the style
1,2,3,4,5,6,7
Scoring all the while
You'll never see such football
If you travel for miles and miles
As watching Glasgow Celtic
Putting on the style
🇮🇪 🇺🇦 🇵🇸
@NazmulIslam-pr2gz
Coming back and listening to this has become so sad. How far we have fallen since Sir Alex Ferguson has left the dugout.. 😢😢
@LL92x
Love this song, my dad had this on tape when I was a kid and was all he ever played in the house and in the car, me and my dad driving round used to belt this out 🤣🤣❤️
@mikester1290
"So heres to Alex Ferguson, he'll take us all the way!" More true words never spoken...
@mrlace4776
@Mikkel Litmanen cry salty twat
@grouch666
@M L he was only speaking facts, no need to get all bent out of shape
@mrlace4776
@Grouch na u just salty
@grouch666
@M L Not really, I actually think Ole is doing a good job at the wheel, can keep going & be 'fantastick' 😂
@mrlace4776
@Grouch salty
@edgargin
Las evidencias no se pueden ocultar y esta canción habla de la grandeza del equipo, de la pasión de su afición, de la entrega de sus jugadores y bueno la interpretación de Status Quo!!, solo espero que "El Chicharito" les de incontables alegrías.
@guyster1973uk
Must admit I'm not a fan of man utd but I'm the first to admit they deserved every bit of their success . Alex ferguson built an empire at old Trafford