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.
Rockin`On
Status Quo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All aboard and we're hitting the road
Here we go, rockin' all over the world
Ah giddy-up and giddy-up and get away
We're going crazy and we're going today
Here we go, rockin' all over the world
I li-li-like it, li-li-li
Here we go, rockin' all over the world
I'm gonna tell your mama what you're gonna do
Come on out with your dancing shoes
Here we go, rockin' all over the world
And I like it, I like it, I like it, I like it
I li-li-like it, li-li-li
Here we go, rockin' all over the world
And I like it, I like it, I like it, I like it
I li-li-like it, li-li-li
Here we go, rockin' all over the world
And I like it, I like it, I like it, I like it
I li-li-like it, li-li-li
Here we go, rockin' all over the world
And I like it, I like it, I like it, I like it
I li-li-like it, li-li-li
Here we go, rockin' all over the world
The song "Rockin' All Over The World" by Status Quo is a classic rock anthem that captures the excitement and energy of being on the road and performing for audiences all around the world. The opening lines of the song, "Oh here we are and here we are and here we go, all aboard and we're hitting the road," set the tone for the rest of the song, which is filled with references to travel, dancing, and the joy of making music.
The chorus of the song, which is repeated several times throughout, emphasizes the universality of rock and roll music, and the way that it can unite people from all over the world. "Here we go, rockin' all over the world" is a simple but powerful message, conveying the idea that music has the power to transcend borders, cultures, and languages.
Throughout the song, there is a sense of momentum and excitement, as the band describes the thrill of performing live and playing for a crowd. There is also a sense of camaraderie and friendship, as the band members urge their listeners to come out and join the party, whether through dancing, singing along, or simply enjoying the music.
In summary, "Rockin' All Over the World" is an upbeat and joyful tribute to the power of rock and roll music, and the sense of community and connection that it can create.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh here we are and here we are and here we go
We've arrived at our destination and it's time to embark on our journey.
All aboard and we're hitting the road
Everyone is welcome to join us as we start our adventure.
Here we go, rockin' all over the world
We're excited to spread joy and energy everywhere we go.
Ah giddy-up and giddy-up and get away
Let's get a move on and leave our worries behind.
We're going crazy and we're going today
We're ready to let loose and enjoy ourselves to the fullest now.
And I like it, I like it, I like it, I like it
I'm having a great time and I can't help but express my enjoyment.
I li-li-like it, li-li-li
I'm really, really enjoying myself here.
I'm gonna tell your mama what you're gonna do
We're having such a good time that we want to share it with everyone we know.
Come on out with your dancing shoes
We want you to join us on the dance floor and have fun with us.
Here we go, rockin' all over the world
Let's keep spreading our infectious energy and happiness to every corner of the earth.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: John Fogerty
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
fnaf_edits❤️
One of their best albums! And one of my all time favorites in general. 1981... was about 15 back then, still playing them at 54. The Quo 4ever!!!
status quo-all
https://www.facebook.com/groups/489354311102647
Praha Dejvice
Super song 🎸🎸👍👍
Heinz Blues
Great music..my alltime favourite Band since 1973..13 Years old...😎👍..keep on rockin...
Heinz Blues
my alltime favourite Band since 1973..😎👍..keep on rockin..
Heinz Blues
@C05ME completely agree..I dont understand that..
C05ME
@Heinz Blues And the most amazing thing is that the Status Quo is contemporary with other british bands like Queen, The Who, Beatles, Pink Floyd and the Stones, I would like to understand why the Status Quo did not have the same degree of prominence as the bands mentioned
Heinz Blues
@C05ME completely agree...
C05ME
Why these guys are so 'underated'?Because when some people talks about british rock bands,they remember Beatles, Stones... and the Status Quo? These guys deserve more recoginition
Alejandro Martinez
Una de tantas super rolas de los maestros del rock, STATUS QUO