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.
Run To Mummy
Status Quo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And she really isn't bothered at all
She never hurt me really, maybe she's worth it
But it's rapidly becoming a bore
She says I mess around, take her for a ride
She thinks I gotta little bitty hidden on the side
But doesn't everybody have a little bitty hidden on the side?
I know it's silly but there, there isn't really
I get suspicious of all her loving kisses
Just before she goes a-missing for hours
She's messing me around, giving me a ride
I think she's got a little bitty hidden on the side
Why does ev'rybody keep a little bitty hidden on the side?
Maybe I'm crazy but I, I love my baby
Maybe baby's just a pain in the heart
She runs to mummy when she comes over funny
Screaming, Mummy, it's a-falling apart
Yeah yeah yeah yeah run to mummy run run
He's a-breaking my heart
Run to mummy run run, yeah yeah run to mummy
He's gonna take us apart
She runs to mummy when she comes over funny
And she really isn't bothered at all
She never hurt me really, maybe she's worth it
But it's rapidly becoming a bore
She says I mess around, take her for a ride
She thinks I gotta little bitty hidden on the side
But doesn't everybody have a little bitty hidden on the side?
Maybe I'm crazy but I, I love my baby
Maybe baby's just a pain in the heart
She runs to mummy when she comes over funny
Screaming, Mummy, it's a-falling apart
Yeah yeah yeah yeah run to mummy run run
He's a-breaking my heart
Run to mummy run run, yeah yeah run to mummy
He's gonna take us apart
Fooling with my feelings, messing with m
y head
But I can't seem to quit her, I might as well be dead
She's got a hold on me, like a ball and chain
And I know she's gonna drive me insane
The lyrics of "Run To Mummy" by Status Quo paint a picture of a tumultuous relationship where the singer is constantly accused of infidelity by his partner. The song highlights the frustration that the singer feels towards his partner's constant accusations, even though he claims that there is no truth to them. The chorus features the partner running to her mother whenever there is trouble in the relationship, which suggests that she is immature and unable to deal with conflict herself. Despite the singer questioning their relationship and whether his partner is worth the trouble, he admits that he still loves her.
Line by Line Meaning
She runs to mummy when she comes over funny
She seeks comfort with her mother when things get confusing
And she really isn't bothered at all
She doesn't care about my actions
She never hurt me really, maybe she's worth it
Despite her flaws, I may still value and love her
But it's rapidly becoming a bore
I am growing tired of her games and lies
She says I mess around, take her for a ride
She accuses me of cheating and leading her on
She thinks I gotta little bitty hidden on the side
She suspects me of having another lover
But doesn't everybody have a little bitty hidden on the side?
We all have our own lies and secrets to hide
I know it's silly but there, there isn't really
I understand that her accusations are baseless
Any truth in what she's saying at all
She is lying and manipulating me
I get suspicious of all her loving kisses
I am wary of her affections
Just before she goes a-missing for hours
She disappears for long periods of time
She's messing me around, giving me a ride
She is playing games with my emotions
Why does ev'rybody keep a little bitty hidden on the side?
We all have our own reasons for keeping secrets
Maybe I'm crazy but I, I love my baby
Despite our problems, I am still in love with her
Maybe baby's just a pain in the heart
Perhaps her behavior is causing me emotional distress
Screaming, Mummy, it's a-falling apart
She seeks help when our relationship is crumbling
He's a-breaking my heart
I am hurting her emotionally
He's gonna take us apart
Our relationship may not survive
Fooling with my feelings, messing with my head
She is toying with my emotions and causing me confusion
Claiming I'm unfaithful when I'm sleeping in my bed
She accuses me of cheating even when I am not
But doesn't everybody have a little bitty fib to counter
We all have our ways of justifying our lies
the ones we love, when the truth it's just too hard to accept?
We may lie to spare the feelings of those we care about
I can't quite trust her, not even with a kiss
I am unable to fully trust her, even with displays of affection
I never know when she'll disappear, making me feel like this
Her frequent disappearances leave me feeling uncertain
She's playing with fire, leading me on a ride
She is putting our relationship at risk with her behavior
It's time to face it, I'm stuck in this game
I am unable to break free of this tumultuous relationship
The allure of her love, driving me insane
Despite the chaos, I cannot resist my love for her
But deep down I know, she's got a hold on my heart.
Despite our problems, I am unable to let go of my feelings for her
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Paul Duffin
Personally I put this Quo as amongst their finest; it drives, superbly tight and together, tuneful! A Hit Single.probably not, but in the early years, like Led Zeppelin & Deep Purple etc, Quo were more an Albums Band rather than a Singles Band, so Quo's 'Weaker' Songs were more likely to be the Singles, not these Album Tracks.
'Just Supposing' is a "Strong' album for Quo; I personally love it!!
Michael John Foster
Bass work brilliant from Alan.
Beatrice Peter
Am I the only one listening !?
Love it , anyhow...
Alan Strom
1979/80/81 were three of QUO'S best albums.
I could rave on about all the great tracks on Just Supposin' like "Coming and Going etc
Never Too Late made Australia's Top 50 without any airplay.
It's just a shame that the record company chose the Singles, which aren't really a true representation of QUO>
sydbussie
one of the best albums
Heavy Herti
Yes! Absolutely! Always loved that special sound, kinda free an easy...don't know how to explain that excactly..
There's no life without Quo! Keep on Rockin'!
about the metal
John cocghlan and Alan Lancaster were so brilliant as a rhythm section, they had that proper rare chemistry that you find as a musician once, maybe twice in a lifetime, its a special relationship with a fellow musician where you are both able to mentally lock together in the songs and almost read minds and know what each person is going to do before doing it, I love being a drummer and the way playing makes me feel is better than any drug ever .
Colin Gage
Good come back for the lads
Ian Mart
Classic quo
about the metal
What year was this released?
Anyone listening in October 2020?