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.
Something's Going On In My Head
Status Quo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Disturbing the way I feel
I don't know what you're about
I only know the way that I feel
I'm holding it here in my mind
So please don't be unkind
Don't talk just let me unwind
''cause something's going on in my head Yeah, something's going on in my head
I can see the rain outside
It's falling on everything
It's making such a noise out there
But my ears they don't hear a thing
I'm trying to get it over to you
Just what I want you to do
Don't know what I'm going through
''cause something's going on in my head
Yeah, something's going on in my head
And I'm not quite sure what you said
Something you're saying now
Disturbing the way I feel
I don't know what you're about
I only know the way I feel
I'm holding it here in my mind
So please don't be unkind
Don't talk just let me unwind
''cause something's going on in my head Yeah, something's going on in my head
And I'm not quite sure what you said
The lyrics of "Something's Going On In My Head" by Status Quo express the confusion and frustration that arise when one cannot comprehend the words or actions of someone they care about. The singer is experiencing an internal struggle as they are unsure of what is being said to them, and this is causing them distress. The repetition of the phrase "something's going on in my head" illustrates the singer's internal turmoil and confusion.
The singer is trying to communicate their feelings to their lover, but they are struggling. They are so wrapped up in their own thoughts and emotions that they are unable to properly articulate what they want to say. The lines "I'm trying to get it over to you/Just what I want you to do/Don't know what I'm going through" represent this struggle.
The song ends with the singer asking their lover to be patient with them and allow them to work through their thoughts and feelings in their own time. They ask them to refrain from talking and simply let them unwind. The repetition of the phrase "something's going on in my head" at the end of the song suggests that the singer is still struggling to process what has happened, but they are hopeful that they will be able to work through it in time.
Line by Line Meaning
Something you're saying now
The words you're speaking are causing a disturbance in my emotions.
Disturbing the way I feel
Your words are making me feel uneasy and uncomfortable.
I don't know what you're about
I am uncertain what your intentions or motives are.
I only know the way that I feel
My emotions are the only thing I am certain about in this situation.
I'm holding it here in my mind
I am keeping my thoughts and feelings to myself, without expressing them.
So please don't be unkind
I am asking you to be empathetic and respectful towards my feelings.
Don't talk just let me unwind
I need some time to calm down and process my thoughts and emotions.
'cause something's going on in my head
There is a lot of confusion and turmoil happening within me.
Yeah, something's going on in my head
I am having inner conflicts and struggles that I need to sort out.
And I'm not quite sure what you said
I am having difficulty comprehending or understanding what you are trying to convey.
I can see the rain outside
The weather is reflecting the chaotic state of my mind.
It's falling on everything
The rain is all-encompassing and all-inclusive, just like my inner turmoil.
It's making such a noise out there
The rain is loud and disruptive, just like my thoughts and emotions.
But my ears they don't hear a thing
Despite the external commotion, I am unable to focus on anything outside my own head.
I'm trying to get it over to you
I am attempting to communicate my inner struggles to you.
Just what I want you to do
I am asking for your help or support in getting through this difficult time.
Don't know what I'm going through
I am feeling lost, confused, and uncertain about my own emotions and thoughts.
'cause something's going on in my head
My thoughts and emotions are in a state of chaos and confusion.
Yeah, something's going on in my head
My inner turmoil is causing me a great deal of distress and discomfort.
And I'm not quite sure what you said
Your words are adding to my confusion and making it difficult for me to process my own thoughts.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: ALAN CHARLES LANCASTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Adelardo De Narbardi
LYRICS:
Something you're saying now
Disturbing the way I feel
I don't know what you're about
I only know the way that I feel
I'm holding it here in my mind
So please don't be unkind
Don't talk, just let me unwind
Cause something's going on in my head
Yeah, something's going on in my head
And I'm not quite sure what you said
I can see the rain outside
It's falling on everything
It's making such a noise out there
But my ears they don't hear a thing
I'm trying to get it over to you
Just what I want you to do
Don't know what I'm going through
Cause something's going on in my head
Yeah, something's going on in my head
And I'm not quite sure what you said
- (INSTRUMENTAL) -
Something you're saying now
Disturbing the way I feel
I don't know what you're about
I only know the way I feel
I'm holding it here in my mind
So please don't be unkind
Don't talk, just let me unwind
Cause something's going on in my head
Yeah, something's going on in my head
And I'm not quite sure what you said.
Låtskrivare: Alan Charles Lancaster.
maurice boyle
Absolutely love early Status Quo.
Adelardo De Narbardi
LYRICS:
Something you're saying now
Disturbing the way I feel
I don't know what you're about
I only know the way that I feel
I'm holding it here in my mind
So please don't be unkind
Don't talk, just let me unwind
Cause something's going on in my head
Yeah, something's going on in my head
And I'm not quite sure what you said
I can see the rain outside
It's falling on everything
It's making such a noise out there
But my ears they don't hear a thing
I'm trying to get it over to you
Just what I want you to do
Don't know what I'm going through
Cause something's going on in my head
Yeah, something's going on in my head
And I'm not quite sure what you said
- (INSTRUMENTAL) -
Something you're saying now
Disturbing the way I feel
I don't know what you're about
I only know the way I feel
I'm holding it here in my mind
So please don't be unkind
Don't talk, just let me unwind
Cause something's going on in my head
Yeah, something's going on in my head
And I'm not quite sure what you said.
Låtskrivare: Alan Charles Lancaster.
Amanda Fitzpatrick
love it 💜
christopher dawson
WOW!!!! Never heard this until today, and shame on me. Great song!!!! Late 60's early 70's amazing time for tunes, so many freakin gems I keep playing this over and over, time to check out the Quo's gems I may have missed.
Marty Searle
What a song !
Broncycolon 70
Quo at it's best....
alfa sheltie
One of their best..a forgotten classic
Marty Searle
One of the best album cover from the early 70s
Harry Pe
And one of the best Albums too
Michael John Foster
Love this intro.