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.
Fakin' The Blues
Status Quo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Waiting around for a miracle
Looking at me for a clue
I'm moving on, if it's the same to you
Too late for me, too late for you
On and on, changing like the weather
Close your eyes, no surprise is in store
I can't have it though, I can't take it, no, over and over again.
Who's fakin' the blues?
Who's breakin' the rules?
While tryin' to fool
Fakin' the blues.
Isn't it time for a turnaround
Isn't it time that you knew
I never thought that I would say to you,
You carry on, I'll survive
On and on, changing like the weather
Close your eyes, no surprise is in store
Look me straight in the eye, when you tell me that lie
I can't have it though, I can't take it, no, over and over again.
Who's fakin' the blues?
Who's breakin' the rules?
While tryin' to fool
Fakin' the blues.
Maybe by now you'll be satisfied
Looking to me like you do
What do you feel burning inside of you?
Living a lie, don't have to try
On and on, changing like the weather
Close your eyes, no surprise is in store
Look me straight in the eye, when you tell me that lie
I can't have it though, I can't take it, no, over and over again.
Who's fakin' the blues?
Who's breakin' the rules?
Who's fakin' the blues?
Who's breakin' the rules?
Who's fakin' the blues?
Fakin' the blues
In the song Fakin' The Blues by Status Quo, the lyrics are about a relationship that has lost its spark and the singer is questioning their partner's feelings and actions towards them. The song starts off with the singer waiting for a miracle and looking for a clue from their partner. They eventually come to the realization that it's too late for both of them and they need to move on. Throughout the song, the singer notices that their partner is always changing like the weather and is lying to them, yet they still try to fool them. The chorus consists of the singer asking who is fakin' the blues and breaking the rules in the relationship.
The lyrics in the verses show that the singer is done with their partner's lies and deceit. They are tired of hearing the same thing over and over again, and they want to know who is causing this endless cycle. The lyrics also display the singer's frustration with their partner's lack of sincerity and the feeling that their partner is not being genuine in the relationship. The song ends with the singer questioning their partner's feelings, wondering what they feel burning inside of them, and ultimately telling them to live their lie, and the singer will survive.
Overall, the lyrics and the melody of Fakin' The Blues combine to create a powerful breakup song that highlights the pain and frustration of dealing with a partner who is constantly faking emotions and actions in a relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Waiting around for a miracle
Continuing to wait for something that is not likely to happen.
Looking at me for a clue
Expecting me to provide guidance or direction in a difficult situation.
I'm moving on, if it's the same to you
I am making progress and leaving the past behind, even if it doesn't matter to you.
Too late for me, too late for you
It's too late for either of us to change things now.
On and on, changing like the weather
Constantly shifting and unpredictable, like the patterns of the weather.
Close your eyes, no surprise is in store
Don't expect things to be any different, because you've seen it all before.
Look me straight in the eye, when you tell me that lie
Have the courage to lie to me while maintaining eye contact.
I can't have it though, I can't take it, no, over and over again.
I can't tolerate the same old lies and excuses over and over again.
Who's fakin' the blues?
Who is pretending to be sad or unhappy when they aren't really?
Who's breakin' the rules?
Who is disregarding the standards or norms in a given situation?
While tryin' to fool
While attempting to deceive or trick others.
Isn't it time for a turnaround
Wouldn't it be better for things to change direction or focus?
Isn't it time that you knew
Don't you think it's about time you understood what is happening?
I never thought that I would say to you, You carry on, I'll survive
I didn't expect to be in a situation where I had to encourage you to move forward while I take care of myself.
Maybe by now you'll be satisfied
Perhaps you will finally feel content with the situation.
Looking to me like you do
Seeking approval, guidance or support from me in a situation that doesn't involve me.
What do you feel burning inside of you?
What deep, intense emotion is driving or motivating you?
Living a lie, don't have to try
Falsely presenting yourself in a certain way doesn't take much effort.
Fakin' the blues
Pretending to be sad, depressed or unhappy for attention or sympathy.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: BERNARD JOHN FROST, FRANCIS DOMINIC NICHOLAS ROSSI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@pioneroneza
Erika Aparicio
Esperando por un milagro
Mirándome buscando una pista
Lo estoy superando, si te da lo mismo
Muy tarde para mí , muy tarde para ti.
Sigue y sigue cambiando como el tiempo
Cierra los ojos no hay sorpresa en la tienda
Mírame de frente a los ojos cuando me mientes
No puedo tenerlo no,no puedo aguantarlo no, otra vez y otra vez
¿Quién está imitando el blues ?
¿Quién está rompiendo las leyes?
Mientras tratas de engañar
¿Quién está imitando el blues?
Acaso no es la hora de girar
Acaso no es la hora en que té enteres
Nunca pensé que te diría que tu continúes
Yo sobreviviré
¿Quién está imitando el blues?
¿Quién está rompiendo las leyes?
Mientras tratas de engañar
Imitando el blues
Tal vez ahora estés satisfecha
Viéndome como lo haces tú
¿Que sientes que te quema por dentro?
Viviendo una mentira
No lo intentes
Sigue y sigue cambiando como el tiempo
Cierra los ojos no hay sorpresa en la tienda.
Esta canción habla sobre otros cantantes tratando de imitar el estilo de Status Quo que es el ritmo Blues.
Saludos y sigue ROCKANROLEANDO.
@martinhawkrsworth9676
I absolutely love it a great song absolute legends brilliant quo
@frans4136
A band as good as Status Quo only comes around once in a lifetime.
@robertnorton3156
A GREAT SLOW QUO NUMBER.LOVE ROCK TILL YOU DROP CD.
@elvirapeschel4572
R.i.P.Rick.Alan
@anniedelmas389
Fantastic Francis
@michaelkarlsson5966
Great stuff! Rock Til You Drop album is underrated, some great stuff on there, Fakin' the blues included! Thank you for sharing :)
@koekelmetperen
Fantastic song
@ingeborgsteuer7261
👍Fantastic song👍
@viggolundbech3604
I really miss status Quo ,we never get a band like them again.
@olanordmann9100
Miss them? They are still with us, so buy a ticket and go see them