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.
Goin' Nowhere
Status Quo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I want to shout, but I feel I'm goin' nowhere
Yeah, I feel I'm goin' nowhere
I've run about in a fit of madness
To work it out in the hope of goin' somewhere
Yeah I hope I'm goin' somewhere
And I know it must be time for me making up my mind
If I'm really goin' nowhere
I'm better now, I've thought about it
Can't figure out, but I'm looking for it somewhere
All I know is that it's somewhere
It's closer now than I've ever had it
Much closer now, so I must be getting somewhere
Yeah, I hope I'm getting somewhere
'Cause you never know, in time with the changing of my mind
I could turn around and say that was just another day
Am I really goin' nowhere?
I've run about in a fit of madness
To work it out in the hope of goin' somewhere
Yeah I hope I'm goin' somewhere
'Cause you never know, in time with the changing of my mind
I could turn around and say that was just another day
Am I really goin' nowhere
The Status Quo's Goin' Nowhere depicts a person who is stuck in life and feels like they are not making any progress. The lyrics indicate that the individual is exhausted, frustrated, and unable to find direction in life. They have tried to figure things out, but they keep going around in circles. The song opens with the singer expressing his or her tiredness, both physically and mentally. They are overwhelmed and feel like they want to scream but realize they are going nowhere, reflecting a feeling of hopelessness.
The second verse of the song continues the themes introduced in the first verse. The singer implies that they have tried several things to move ahead in life but is still lost. They have exercised some restraint in the past and stopped, hoping to find some direction eventually. The singer seems to be at the point of making important life decisions but is hesitant and unsure of how to proceed.
Overall, Goin' Nowhere is a commentary on how easily one can feel lost and directionless in life. The lyrics highlight the struggle of striving to make progress but ending up feeling stuck and in the same place. It is a song that resonates with the feelings of uncertainty and feeling trapped.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm tired out, my head is aching
I am exhausted and my head hurts.
I want to shout, but I feel I'm goin' nowhere
I feel frustrated and stuck in my current situation.
Yeah, I feel I'm goin' nowhere
I feel like I am not making any progress.
I've run about in a fit of madness
I have tried everything in my power to figure things out.
To work it out in the hope of goin' somewhere
I hoped that by trying different things, I could make some progress.
Yeah I hope I'm goin' somewhere
I still have hope that things will improve and I will make progress.
And I know it must be time for me making up my mind
I realize that I need to make a decision and commit to a direction.
Does it matter if I'm fine? It'll change my tune in time
Even if I feel unsure or unhappy with my current situation, my outlook can change in the future.
If I'm really goin' nowhere
If I am not making any progress or advancing in any way.
I'm better now, I've thought about it
After reflecting on my situation, I feel more clear-headed and focused.
Can't figure out, but I'm looking for it somewhere
I still haven't figured out my next move, but I am actively searching for a solution.
All I know is that it's somewhere
While I don't have all the answers, I believe the solution is out there somewhere.
It's closer now than I've ever had it
I feel like I am getting closer to a solution or making progress more than ever before.
Much closer now, so I must be getting somewhere
I have confidence that I am moving along a path that will lead me to progress and success.
I've run about in a fit of madness
I have tried everything I can think of to escape my current stagnancy.
To work it out in the hope of goin' somewhere
I still hold onto hope that I can make progress and improve my situation.
Yeah I hope I'm goin' somewhere
I still have faith that my efforts will pay off and I will see progress.
'Cause you never know, in time with the changing of my mind
I acknowledge that my perspective and options can change over time, regardless of how I feel now.
I could turn around and say that was just another day
I might look back and realize that my current struggle was insignificant in the grand scheme of things.
Am I really goin' nowhere?
Questioning whether or not I am truly making any progress or headed in a constructive direction.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
the Gentle Man
this album is something special. Im a big status fan, musician myself. This album has kind Honesty about it, with just very straight honest well made songs, no flirting or trying to impress or make hits or anything, just down to the ground good rock songs. Bravo
Heavy Herti
Goes straight into your ears, you can't escape that tune! I like it!!
Davis
The rock never die
fp08frwi
I am addicted to quo and this song, also burning bridges are damn good
Julia VonW
even if I prefer early quo with Coghlan, i must admit this is a great song
status quo-all
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmj07D0CvvvV2-sRflRnw-Mbw9eIIuVtj
Julia VonW
status quo-all woah! Thx!
status quo-all
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmj07D0CvvvV2-sRflRnw-Mbw9eIIuVtj
Ramdom_ 9
So damn goood 📻 🎶🎶
status quo-all
https://www.facebook.com/groups/489354311102647/