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.
What You're Proposing
Status Quo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just once or twice, and not disclosin'
And not disclosin' how we're really really feelin'
What you're proposin' the other night
As I was leavin', I looks left and right
And not believin'
And not believin' that I'd finally be leavin'
What you're proposin', now get it right
Be runny nosin'
I might be runny runny runny runny nosin'
But you're supposin'
Don't be so sure, and just supposin'
We yell for more, and compromisin'
And compromisin' leads to really really feelin'
And just supposin', don't get me wrong
I'm only dreamin', it can't be long
I must be dreamin'
I must be dreamin', dreamin', only only dreamin'
Am I just supposin'?
It sounds so nice, what you're proposin'
Just once or twice, and not disclosin'
And not disclosin' how we're really really feelin'
What you're proposin' the other night
As I was leavin', I looks left and right
And not believin'
And not believin' that I'd finally be leavin'
What you're proposin'
And not believin' that I'd finally be leavin'
What you're proposin'
And not believin' that I'd finally be leavin'
What you're proposin'
The lyrics of "What You're Proposing" by Status Quo speak about a proposition made by someone to the singer, which sounds enticing but is not fully disclosed. The singer expresses doubts about whether they should go along with it, noting that following through could lead to feelings they are not yet prepared for. The proposition is so tempting that the singer wonders if they are only dreaming, and ultimately decides to consider it further.
The lyrics underscore the theme of temptation and uncertainty, suggesting that sometimes it is hard to resist the allure of something new even when there is risk involved. The song's upbeat tempo and bright instrumentation add to the sense of energy and excitement surrounding the proposition, making it sound even more irresistible.
Overall, "What You're Proposing" is a song about the push and pull of conflicting emotions when faced with a decision that could change everything. It captures the tension, excitement, and uncertainty of that moment, ultimately leaving the listener to decide whether they would accept the proposal being made.
Line by Line Meaning
It sounds so nice, what you're proposin'
The suggestion you've made seems appealing and intriguing to me.
Just once or twice, and not disclosin'
I'm open to trying your proposal a few times, but not committing to anything long-term or serious. And I won't tell anyone about this.
And not disclosin' how we're really really feelin'
Keeping our true emotions hidden and only focusing on the physical aspect of the proposal.
What you're proposin' the other night
Reflecting on the proposal you made the other night.
As I was leavin', I looks left and right
Feeling uncertain and looking around to make sure no one saw me leaving.
And not believin'
I can hardly believe that I am actually considering your proposal.
And not believin' that I'd finally be leavin'
Surprised that I am actually walking away from a situation that I was hesitant to leave before.
What you're proposin', now get it right
Clarifying the details and expectations of the proposal to avoid any misunderstandings.
If I'm composin', but then I might
I might be hesitant and unsure about accepting your proposal, but I am willing to consider it.
Be runny nosin'
I may cry or have tears running down my face.
But you're supposin'
You're assuming that I am fully on board with your proposal, but that's not necessarily the case.
Don't be so sure, and just supposin'
Don't assume that I am fully committed to your proposal, as I am still unsure about it. Keep an open mind.
We yell for more, and compromisin'
We may eventually want more than what this proposal currently offers, and will need to compromise if we want to pursue that.
And compromisin' leads to really really feelin'
Through compromising and working together, we can develop stronger emotions and feelings for each other.
And just supposin', don't get me wrong
I don't want you to misunderstand me, but I am still just considering and exploring this proposal.
I'm only dreamin', it can't be long
I still can't believe that this proposal is a reality and not just a dream. But I know that it won't last forever.
I must be dreamin'
This proposal still feels like a surreal dream to me.
Am I just supposin'?
Am I only imagining or assuming things about this proposal, or is it actually happening?
And not believin' that I'd finally be leavin'
Still feeling surprised and almost in disbelief that I am walking away from this proposal.
What you're proposin'
Reflecting on the proposal being made and the mixed emotions and uncertainty it brings.
And not believin' that I'd finally be leavin'
Still feeling surprised and almost in disbelief that I am walking away from this proposal.
What you're proposin'
Reflecting further on the proposal being made and the emotions it elicits.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BERNARD JOHN FROST, FRANCIS ROSSI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Frank Vandaele
I can listen over and over again to this song, never getting tired of it :-)
Paul Eyles
Me 2. I love doing my self t0 🥁 kit sound affect impression 2 this Ace song. Ace song
Craig Such
One of the best bands Britain ever produced.Early Quo rocked the speakers
Paul Eyles
Next 2. The Buzzcocks, The Jam & my all time heroes ie The Human League. Who I've seen play live now 19 times in total and soon m8 2b 20 time's. Later this year in Lingfield Surrey.
harrietgate
Terrific song. I love the drum pattern at the start and finish. John C. Is outstanding.
PACO GALAN
Fenomenal música la de éste gran grupo y una gran pena la pérdida de Alan Lancaster, bajista y cofundador de Status Quo.
M
My father used to play Status Quo when I was very young, i grew up with this. And just now (Im 25 years old) im starting to love this song...
Adan Blaze
@Emma Dobson from México, status quo # one
Emma Dobson
My nana played these often I love these
Adan Blaze
Perfect men