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.
Rock 'n' Roll 'n' You
Status Quo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is all I wanna do
All I every knew
Is rock 'n' roll 'n' you
No fancy plans
No dinner and dance
12 bar blues give me half a chance
Yeah yeah your looking at the right one
Yeah yeah it's got to be done
You know you really turn the lights on
This is gonna run and run
Rock 'n' roll 'n' you
Is all I wanna do
All I every knew
Is rock 'n' roll 'n' you
No fancy plans
No dinner and dance
12 bar blues give me half a chance
That'll do give me rock 'n' roll 'n' you
Yeah yeah your giving up the young boys
Yeah yeah your wifi's on
Tune in to a natual born good guy
Every loving mother's son
Rock 'n' roll 'n' you
Is all I wanna do
All I every knew
Is rock 'n' roll 'n' you
No jaguar no la de da
A hole in my shoe and my old guitar
No fancy plans
No dinner and dance
12 bar blues give me half a chance
Rock 'n' roll 'n' you
Is all I wanna do
All I every knew
Is rock 'n' roll 'n' you
Rock 'n' roll 'n' you
Is all I wanna do
All I every knew
Is rock 'n' roll 'n' you
Rock n roll
Rock n roll
Rock n roll
Rock 'n' roll 'n' you
Rock n roll
Rock n roll
Rock n roll
Rock 'n' roll 'n' you
The lyrics of "Rock 'n' Roll 'n' You" by Status Quo are an ode to the power of rock and roll music, and the way it can make you feel alive. The song's protagonist is a simple man who doesn't need fancy plans or material possessions to be happy, all he needs is his guitar and the ability to play 12 bar blues. He is content to live a life of simplicity, as long as he can continue to play rock and roll music.
The chorus of the song "Rock 'n' Roll 'n' you, Is all I wanna do, All I ever knew, Is rock 'n' roll 'n' you" encapsulates the entire message of the song. The singer's entire world revolves around rock and roll, and it's the only thing that truly matters to him. He is content to live his life playing music, and nothing else.
Line by Line Meaning
Rock 'n' roll 'n' you
The singer's main focus is on rock music and the people he/she shares it with.
Is all I wanna do
The only thing the singer desires is to play rock music.
All I every knew
The singer has always been devoted to rock music and nothing else.
No fancy plans
The singer has no desire for lavish or extravagant experiences.
No dinner and dance
The singer prefers simple and informal occasions over fancy ones.
12 bar blues give me half a chance
The singer enjoys the simplicity and familiarity of the 12-bar blues style.
That'll do give me rock 'n' roll 'n' you
The singer feels satisfied as long as they have rock music and the people who share their passion.
Yeah yeah your looking at the right one
The singer is confident in their abilities as a rock musician.
Yeah yeah it's got to be done
Playing rock music is the singer's calling and they must continue to do so.
You know you really turn the lights on
The singer feels energized and inspired when they play rock music.
This is gonna run and run
The singer believes that rock music will continue to thrive and last for a long time.
Yeah yeah your giving up the young boys
Other musicians are envious of the singer's talent and success.
Yeah yeah your wifi's on
The singer is always connected and up-to-date with the latest technology that helps them share their music.
Tune in to a natural born good guy
The singer is a likable and genuine person who people are drawn to.
Every loving mother's son
The singer's appeal extends to everyone, regardless of age, gender, or background.
No jaguar no la de da
The singer is down-to-earth and doesn't value material possessions or extravagance.
A hole in my shoe and my old guitar
The singer's simple tools are all they need to make great rock music.
Rock n roll
The singer's all-consuming passion is rock music.
Rock 'n' roll 'n' you
The singer's sense of self is tied to their love of rock music and the culture surrounding it.
Contributed by Adalyn B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Guillermo Alberto Garcia perez
Rock 'n' roll 'n' you
Is all I wanna do
All I every knew
Is rock 'n' roll 'n' you
No fancy plans
No dinner and dance
12 bar blues give me half a chance
That'll do give me rock 'n' roll 'n' you
Yeah yeah your looking at the right one
Yeah yeah it's got to be done
You know you really turn the lights on
This is gonna run and run
Rock 'n' roll 'n' you
Is all I wanna do
All I every knew
Is rock 'n' roll 'n' you
No fancy plans
No dinner and dance
12 bar blues give me half a chance
That'll do give me rock 'n' roll 'n' you
Yeah yeah your giving up the young boys
Yeah yeah your wifi's on
Tune in to a natual born good guy
Every loving mother's son
Rock 'n' roll 'n' you
Is all I wanna do
All I every knew
Is rock 'n' roll 'n' you
No jaguar no la de da
A hole in my shoe and my old guitar
No fancy plans
No dinner and dance
12 bar blues give me half a chance
Rock 'n' roll 'n' you
Is all I wanna do
All I every knew
Is rock 'n' roll 'n' you
Rock 'n' roll 'n' you
Is all I wanna do
All I every knew
Is rock 'n' roll 'n' you
Rock n roll
Rock n roll
Rock n roll
Rock 'n' roll 'n' you
Rock n roll
Rock n roll
Rock n roll
Rock 'n' roll 'n' you :D
Real Music Experience
"Rock 'n' Roll 'n' You"
Rock 'n' roll 'n' you
Is all I wanna do
All I every knew
Is rock 'n' roll 'n' you
No fancy plans
No dinner and dance
12 bar blues give me half a chance
That'll do give me rock 'n' roll 'n' you
Yeah yeah your looking at the right one
Yeah yeah it's got to be done
You know you really turn the lights on
This is gonna run and run
Rock 'n' roll 'n' you
Is all I wanna do
All I every knew
Is rock 'n' roll 'n' you
No fancy plans
No dinner and dance
12 bar blues give me half a chance
That'll do give me rock 'n' roll 'n' you
Yeah yeah your giving up the young boys
Yeah yeah your wifi's on
Tune in to a natual born good guy
Every loving mother's son
Rock 'n' roll 'n' you
Is all I wanna do
All I every knew
Is rock 'n' roll 'n' you
No jaguar no la de da
A hole in my shoe and my old guitar
No fancy plans
No dinner and dance
12 bar blues give me half a chance
Rock 'n' roll 'n' you
Is all I wanna do
All I every knew
Is rock 'n' roll 'n' you
Rock 'n' roll 'n' you
Is all I wanna do
All I every knew
Is rock 'n' roll 'n' you
Rock n roll
Rock n roll
Rock n roll
Rock 'n' roll 'n' you
Rock n roll
Rock n roll
Rock n roll
Rock 'n' roll 'n' you
Writers: Andrew Steven Bown / Francis Rossi
Jonathan
Absolutely fabulous! Enjoy listening to these and watching them enjoy themselves. What a fantastic treat! Thanks guys
Dietmar Steiner
I was 15 years old as I heard Status Quo on the radio. It was amazing! Now I'm 50 and I still listen to Quo and they are still makin' records! Don't need more to say! Of course I miss Rick!
rogelio3200
No me canso de escuchar a los maestros Status Quo 🎸🎸🎶🎶🎶
redman19491
They may be getting on in years but they sure can bring out great albums still.Keep on rockin guys
nosferatu49
Beautiful... Great song, and great bunch of guys... Nice atmosphere!!! In this world full of hate, Status Quo is our island. And this line up kicks out the jam!!
Pugsleyrulz
they still look like they're having a real blast! which is what quo is all about! pure rock and roll with a whole load of fun! keep rocking guys and ill see you in december!!
Paris Cortez
LONG LIVE STATUS QUO! -THE BEST ROCK BAND EVER!
Rick Parfitt - The best rhythm guitarist ever and boogie king!
YOUE ARE MY FIRST HERO!
Rest in peace, Rick!
Play your boogie in heaven!
Adam Nemeth
Same here!
Erwin Sauter
All right!
Franz Meister
You`re right