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.
Hard Time
Status Quo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She said everything that I can see
I said baby what d'you think of me
And she said nothing at all
So I sit here waiting patiently
To see if there will be a change or three
I think that baby she is using me
And now I'm wondering which way to go
So it's a hard time for us all 'til she gets it right
Yes it's a hard time for us all, be some kind of fight
She makes the same excuse for making all the same mistakes again
Now I think of all the times we had
Yeah, of all the good and all the bad
I sometimes think that maybe I've been had
It doesn't matter at all
And now I'm wondering which way to go
So it's a hard time for us all 'til she gets it right
Yes it's a hard time for us all, be some kind of fight
She makes the same excuse for making all the same mistakes again
Asked my girl what she wanted to be
She said everything that I can be
I said baby what d'you think of me
And she said nothing at all
And so I'm wondering which way to go
So it's a hard time for us all 'til she gets it straight
Yes it's a hard time for us all, hope she's not too late
She makes the same excuse for making all the same mistakes again,
again, again
Oh it's a hard time for us all 'til she gets it right
Yes, it's a hard time for us all, be some kind of fight
She makes the same excuse for making all the same mistakes again
and again
Oh, it's a hard time, yes, it's a hard, hard time
Now, it's a hard time, yes, it's a hard, hard time
A hard, hard time
A hard, hard time
The song "Hard Time" by Status Quo is a classic display of a man's confusion and frustration in his relationship, particularly with his significant other. The lyrics are a reflection of how the singer is trying to figure out what his partner wants from him and the relationship. In this, he has a conversation with his girlfriend, asking her what she wants, and she replied with, "everything that I can see." This response confuses the singer, prompting another question from him about her opinion of him, to which she replied "nothing at all." This ambiguous answer leads to a state of confusion and disillusionment for the singer.
The chorus of the song delineates the painful and difficult times the singer is going through with his partner, hoping that someday she might get it right. He also expresses how difficult it is for him because of the same mistakes his girlfriend repeatedly makes. He expresses nostalgia for both the good and bad times that they shared, but now he is wondering in which direction to move forward.
The song's lyrics convey a sense of helplessness and desperation on the part of the singer, as he tries to make sense of his complicated relationship. The lyrics are aptly paired with a driving rock beat that adds to the message of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Asked my girl what she wanted from me
Inquired about the desires of my romantic partner.
She said everything that I can see
She expressed a broad range of wants and desires.
I said baby what d'you think of me
I questioned how the partner perceived me.
And she said nothing at all
My partner gave no response or feedback.
So I sit here waiting patiently
I am currently in a state of waiting.
To see if there will be a change or three
I anticipate possible changes in the future.
I think that baby she is using me
My suspicion is that my partner is taking advantage of me.
It doesn't matter at all
Regardless of the situation, it is inconsequential.
And now I'm wondering which way to go
I am contemplating potential choices or actions.
So it's a hard time for us all 'til she gets it right
The current state of affairs is difficult for everyone until my partner improves.
Yes it's a hard time for us all, be some kind of fight
Everyone involved will need to work hard to overcome the challenges.
She makes the same excuse for making all the same mistakes again
My partner offers explanations for repeated errors but does not correct them.
Now I think of all the times we had
I reminisce over previous memories and experiences with my partner.
Yeah, of all the good and all the bad
I reflect upon both positive and negative moments.
I sometimes think that maybe I've been had
Occasionally, I suspect that I have been deceived or tricked.
And now I'm wondering which way to go
I am contemplating potential choices or actions.
Asked my girl what she wanted to be
Inquired about my partner’s aspirations and ambitions.
She said everything that I can be
My partner expressed a broad range of potential accomplishments.
I said baby what d'you think of me
I questioned how the partner perceived me.
And she said nothing at all
My partner gave no response or feedback.
So I'm wondering which way to go
I am contemplating potential choices or actions.
So it's a hard time for us all 'til she gets it straight
The current state of affairs is difficult for everyone until my partner improves and becomes more honest.
Yes it's a hard time for us all, hope she's not too late
It is a challenging period for all involved, and we hope my partner is not too slow to change.
She makes the same excuse for making all the same mistakes again, again, again
My partner offers explanations for repeated errors but does not correct them.
Oh it's a hard time for us all 'til she gets it right
The current situation is challenging and will remain so until my partner improves.
Yes, it's a hard time for us all, be some kind of fight
It will require considerable effort for everyone to overcome the difficulties.
She makes the same excuse for making all the same mistakes again and again
My partner offers explanations for repeated errors but does not correct them.
Oh, it's a hard time, yes, it's a hard, hard time
The current situation is extremely challenging.
Now, it's a hard time, yes, it's a hard, hard time
Again, the current circumstance is very difficult.
A hard, hard time
The difficulty of the current situation is emphasized.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: RICK PARFITT, FRANCIS ROSSI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
LinkeD Loetje
Such a beautiful song, loved by the fans... so underrated in the World. 😎💯❤🎵🎸
Moby Whale
Great guitar riffs and great harmonie singing Nice arrangements
status quo-all
https://www.facebook.com/groups/489354311102647/
7915thomas
Great track, so many hidden gems from Quo. Runaway, Over the edge, Take me away and Over and done to name a few.
steven gittins
Great stuff from quo my fave track on the album.
status quo-all
https://www.facebook.com/groups/489354311102647/
Peter
There really is nothing like John Edens work, it really is in a class of it's own and immediately recognisable as a "John edit" as he somehow knows exactly how to mix the tracks !
Peter JP Critchley
Great track. Hint of Beatles' Drive My Car in a couple of lines.
Paul Duffin
I love this from Mssrs Rossi/Parfitt..Nuff & Spud, but someone enlighten me please, is Pip Williams also playing on this track? Brilliant 'Feel', brilliant arrangement etc.... wonderful song this one!!!!
Jonathan Wilkinson
Dude almost ruined Quo, never quite the same after he joined in, imo..