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.
In The Army Now
Status Quo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Uncle Sam does the best he can
You're in the army now
Oh, oh, you're in the army now
Now you remember what the draftman said
Nothing to do all day but stay in bed
You're in the army now
You'll be the hero of the neighbourhood
Nobody knows that you've left for good
You're in the army now
Oh, oh, you're in the army now
Smiling faces as you wait to land
But once you get there no one gives a damn
You're in the army now
Oh, oh, you're in the army now
Hand grenades flying over your head
Missiles flying over your head
If you want to survive, get out of bed
You're in the army now
Oh, oh, you're in the army now
Shots ring out in the dad of night
The sergeant calls (stand up and fight)
You're in the army now
Oh, oh, you're in the army now
You're in the army now
Oh, oh, you're in the army now
You've got your orders better shoot on sight
Your finger's on the trigger
But it don't seem right
You're in the army now
Oh, oh, you're in the army now
You're in the army now
Oh, oh, you're in the army now
Night is falling and you just can't see
Is this illusion or reality
You're in the army now
Oh, oh, you're in the army, in the army now
You're in the army now
Oh, oh, you're in the army now
You're in the army now
Oh, oh, you're in the army, in the army now
You're in the army now
Oh, oh, you're in the army now
Oh, oh, you're in the army, in the army now
Oh, oh, you're in the army, in the army now
Oh, oh, you're in the army, in the army now
Oh, oh, you're in the army, in the army now
Oh, oh, you're in the army, you're in the army now
The song "In The Army Now" by Status Quo is a take on the experiences of young men drafted to serve their country in the army during times of war. The lyrics give a sense of the fear and uncertainty that come with being part of the military. The first stanza talks about going for a vacation in a foreign place. However, what awaits the person is becoming a part of Uncle Sam's army. The second stanza mentions how one remembers what the draftman said which used to seem like nothing. However, in the army, it becomes a task to stay in bed all day. The third stanza emphasizes how nobody knows you left the neighborhood, but you might be a hero in the army. However, once you land on the battlefield, nobody gives a damn.
The fourth stanza talks about hand grenades and missiles flying over the head. The lyrics, “If you want to survive, get out of bed” suggest that, in the army, there is no time for sleep, and one needs to be always alert. The fifth and sixth stanzas mention how one needs to stand up and fight when the sergeant calls out, and how one's orders are to shoot at sight. The last stanzas talk about the confusion and illusions that come with war, and it seems that reality is obscured in times like these.
Line by Line Meaning
A vacation in a foreign land
Going into the military feels like going on a journey to an unknown place.
Uncle Sam does the best he can
The government is doing their best to provide for the enlisted soldiers in the military.
You're in the army now
You have become a part of the military and are subject to military rules.
Oh, oh, you're in the army now
The phrase is repeated for emphasis that joining the military is a powerful commitment.
Now you remember what the draftman said
The conditions of enlistment are coming back to memory.
Nothing to do all day but stay in bed
A stereotype of military life is that it's easy and soldiers just sleep all day.
You'll be the hero of the neighbourhood
People will view and treat you differently for your military service.
Nobody knows that you've left for good
It can feel lonely because civilians don't fully understand the experience in the military.
Smiling faces as you wait to land
People back home are happy for you and support your service.
But once you get there no one gives a damn
Reality sets in and the public's support can feel hollow when soldiers are in conflict.
Hand grenades flying over your head
In combat, danger is ever-present from threats like grenades.
Missiles flying over your head
In combat, danger is ever-present from threats like missiles.
If you want to survive, get out of bed
Soldiers always have to be alert and ready to move quickly to survive in combat.
Shots ring out in the dad of night
Combat can be sudden and unpredictable, happening in the darkness of night.
The sergeant calls (stand up and fight)
Soldiers are expected to follow orders and fight back in combat.
You've got your orders better shoot on sight
Soldiers are given strict orders to follow and are expected to shoot when ordered to.
Your finger's on the trigger
Soldiers have to be ready to shoot their weapons at all times in combat.
But it don't seem right
In combat situations, soldiers can become conflicted about the taking of a life.
Night is falling and you just can't see
Combat can be disorienting and the darkness can make it harder to perceive what's happening.
Is this illusion or reality
The surreal and intense nature of combat can make it feel like a dream or nightmare.
You're in the army, in the army now
Repeating the phrase emphasizes the permanence of military service and the impact it can have on one's life.
Oh, oh, you're in the army, in the army now
The final repetition of the phrase adds to the overall emphasis and seriousness of military service.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ferdinand D. Bolland, Robert J. Bolland
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dan Adamus
A vacation in the foreign land
Uncle Sam does the best he can
You're in the army now
Oh, oh you're in the army, now
Now you remember what the draft man said
Nothing to do all day but stay in bed
You're in the army now
Oh, oh you're in the army, now
You'll be a hero of the neighborhood
Nobody knows that you left for good
You're in the army now
Oh, oh you're in the army, now
Smiling faces on the way to 'Nam
But once you get there no one gives a damn
You're in the army now
Oh, oh you're in the army, now
Hand grenades flying over your head
The sun's flying over your head
If you want to survive you're out of bet
You're in the army now
Oh, oh you're in the army, now
Shots ring out in the dead of night
The sergeant calls : "Stand up and fight!"
You're in the army now
Oh, oh you're in the army, now
You've got your orders to shoot on sight
your finger's on the trigger but it don't seem right
You're in the army now
Oh, oh you're in the army, now
Night is falling and you just can't see
Is this illusion or reality
You're in the army now
Oh, oh you
Diego Estrada
Nothing like pure, unaltered 80's songs in the morning.
Adriana Abraham Pasquotto
Conheci hj, pena não ter conhecido antes. Música lindíssima! <3
MaxGame
great song....
This time never back :-/
Good old times! Great music, great bands! Like Queen, T-rex, Pink Floyd, Def Leppard, and others!
red poison
this is good but pink floyd is other level more respect please
dlamiss
Never knew this was a remake of a dutch duos song from 1981. Still easily the best song Status Quo made though
DesertRose122
Gotta be my no 1 Status Quo tune. Fantastic!
Doggo With Anxiety
Sabaton's is equally amazing. Just a fantastic song overall.
Veni, Vidi, Sensi
@Peter Munkacsi Why are you mad Peter? We're entitled to our own opinion, same as you- so calm down.
Peter Munkacsi
Sabaton is a shit
lendy4729 1
This version is more dark, sabaton's is different one