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.
Making Waves
Status Quo Lyrics
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When I was a young boy, nothing much mattered to me
You were a girl and a half and you saw yourself a mystery
We got together for a while, I did every thing you wanted me too
Well I tried and you lied, I was left here back in the blue
If your gonna run, are you gonna run today?
You never had it good, you never had it anyway
More more more making waves
I was always right there when you wanted to play
You were living in a scene from a dream every night and day
And I never found a way to make it better for you
Oh I tried, and I tried, but you left me back in the blue
If your gonna run, are you gonna run today?
Is it because I'm out on the road?
You never had it good, you never had it anyway
More more more making waves
What you gonna do now? nothing left, nothing to say
Well I must have been a fool to believe in you anyway
When I tried to find a way or something that I could do
You threw it all in my face and you left me back in the blue
If your gonna run, are you gonna run today?
Is it because I'm out on the road?
You never had it good, you never had it anyway
More more more making waves
If your gonna run, are you gonna run today?
Is it because I'm out on the road?
You never had it good, you never had it anyway
More more more making waves
The song “Making Waves” by Status Quo tells the story of a failed romantic relationship, from the perspective of someone who is feeling left behind and hurt by their partner. The first verse introduces the singer’s former lover, who seemed mysterious and intriguing at first, but ultimately proved to be unfaithful and deceptive. Despite the singer’s efforts to please them, they were still left feeling abandoned and lonely.
The chorus asks a series of questions directed at the former lover, wondering if they are trying to escape their problems or avoid responsibility by running away. The line “More more more making waves” suggests that the former lover is causing chaos and drama in their wake, possibly to distract from their own shortcomings.
The second verse reflects on the singer’s own role in the failed relationship, expressing regret that they were unable to make things better for their partner. They tried their best but were unable to help their partner overcome their issues.
Overall, the song embodies a feeling of frustration and resignation, as the singer realizes that there is nothing left to salvage in their relationship. Through its catchy melody and emotive lyrics, “Making Waves” is a relatable portrayal of the pain and confusion that can arise when love goes wrong.
Line by Line Meaning
When I was a young boy, nothing much mattered to me
As a child, I didn't really care about anything in particular
You were a girl and a half and you saw yourself a mystery
You were an enigma to me, a complex and intriguing figure
We got together for a while, I did every thing you wanted me too
We had a relationship, and I went out of my way to please you
Well I tried and you lied, I was left here back in the blue
Despite my efforts, you deceived me and left me feeling sad and alone
If your gonna run, are you gonna run today?
If you're planning on leaving, will you do it now?
Is it because I'm out on the road?
Are you leaving because I'm not around enough?
You never had it good, you never had it anyway
You didn't have a good life, and you don't have it now either
More more more making waves
You're eager to cause trouble and stir up drama
I was always right there when you wanted to play
Whenever you wanted to have fun, I was always available
You were living in a scene from a dream every night and day
You were lost in your own world, day and night, like a surreal dream
And I never found a way to make it better for you
I couldn't figure out how to improve your situation
Oh I tried, and I tried, but you left me back in the blue
Despite my efforts, you left me sad and depressed
What you gonna do now? nothing left, nothing to say
Now that everything's said and done, what's your next move?
Well I must have been a fool to believe in you anyway
I was foolish to trust and rely on you
When I tried to find a way or something that I could do
When I looked for a solution or a way to help
You threw it all in my face and you left me back in the blue
You rejected my efforts and left me feeling sad and helpless
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Martin Walthert
Nice Song!Status Quo!RIP Rick..🎸🕯
status quo-all
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Heavy Herti
Such a catchy tune! From a great album.
Colemann76
Their most underrated album in my opinion
Margaret simmons
love it - I heard it years ago and thought he sang make him wait :D
Ian Crockert
Great Album.
Kev goes Wandering
Brilliant song rip rick
James Thompson
Superb song love it
Andrus Roes
Great!
status quo-all
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