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.
Whatever You Want
Status Quo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Whatever you like
Whatever you say
You pay your money
You take your choice
Whatever you need
Whatever you use
Whatever you lose
You're showing off
You're showing out
You look for trouble
Turn around, give me a shout
I take it all
You squeeze me dry
And now today
You couldn't even say goodbye
I could take you home
On the midnight train again
I could make an offer you can't refuse
Whatever you want
Whatever you like
Whatever you say
You pay your money
You take your choice
Whatever you need
Whatever you use
Whatever you win
Whatever you lose
You're showing off
You're showing out
You look for trouble
Turn around, give me a shout
I take it all
You squeeze me dry
And now today
You couldn't even say goodbye
I could take you home
On the midnight train again
I could make an offer you can't refuse
Whatever you want
Whatever you like
Whatever you say
You pay your money
You take your choice
Whatever you need
Whatever you use
Whatever you win
Whatever you lose
Whatever you want
Whatever you want
The Status Quo song "Whatever You Want" is a defiant and empowering anthem about standing up for yourself and being unapologetic about getting what you want in life, no matter the cost. The lyrics make it clear that the person singing is willing to do whatever it takes to get what they want, and that they won't let anyone stand in their way. The chorus, with its repetition of the phrase "Whatever you want, whatever you like, whatever you say," emphasizes this message of uncompromising determination.
The verses also touch on the relationship between the singer and another person, who seems to be trying to take advantage of them. The lines "You're showing off, you're showing out, you look for trouble" suggest that this other person is trying to provoke a conflict or a fight. However, the singer remains resolute, taking everything that is thrown at them and refusing to be pushed around.
Overall, "Whatever You Want" is a song that encourages listeners to be bold, confident, and unafraid to pursue their goals, even when faced with obstacles or opposition. It is a celebration of individuality and self-assurance, and a reminder that sometimes, in order to get what you want, you have to be willing to take risks and make tough choices.
Line by Line Meaning
Whatever you want
The singer is giving complete control and power to the listener to make decisions regarding their life choices.
Whatever you like
The listener has complete freedom to choose what they enjoy in life, without judgment or criticism.
Whatever you say
The singer is willing to listen and respect the listener's opinions and thoughts, even if they differ from their own.
You pay your money
The listener is responsible for the consequences and costs of their decisions and actions.
You take your choice
The listener has the freedom to choose their path and direction in life, but must accept the consequences of their choices.
Whatever you need
The listener has the right to fulfill their needs and desires in life, regardless of what others may think or say.
Whatever you use
The listener has the right to use or consume whatever resources or tools they need to achieve their goals and desires in life.
Whatever you win
The listener has the right to achieve success and prosperity in life, but must accept the responsibility that comes with it.
Whatever you lose
The listener must accept and learn from their failures and losses, and use them as opportunities for growth and change.
You're showing off
The listener is displaying their achievements or possessions to impress others, often to compensate for deeper insecurities or fears.
You're showing out
The listener is drawing attention to themselves in a way that is perceived as attention-seeking, showy, or over-the-top.
You look for trouble
The listener is actively trying to provoke or instigate conflict or chaos, possibly out of boredom or a desire for excitement.
Turn around, give me a shout
The singer is asking the listener to redirect their energy and attention towards something more positive or constructive.
I take it all
The singer is willing to endure and accept whatever the listener throws their way, out of a sense of loyalty or devotion.
You squeeze me dry
The listener is taking advantage of the singer's generosity or kindness, leaving them with nothing in return.
And now today
You couldn't even say goodbye
The listener has cut off all ties or communication with the artist, without giving them a proper explanation or closure.
I could take you home
On the midnight train again
The artist is offering the listener a chance to start over or escape their problems, possibly through a symbolic journey or change of scenery.
I could make an offer you can't refuse
The singer is making a tempting or enticing offer to the listener, possibly with the intention of manipulating or pressuring them.
Lyrics ยฉ Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: RICK PARFITT, ANDY BOWN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Spooked Horse
Last year, I did a poll in one of my facebook groups on who had the best intro.
The choices I offered were this song, Stairway to heaven, Takin Care of Business, Aqualung, Hells Bells and, Time, from Pink Floyd.
User added dozens of their own selections, too.
Quo won with 87,000 votes.
Zepp had 22K+
BTO had 13k+
Tull had 33k+
ACDC had 45k+
Floyd had 27k+
Gleison Ferreira
Whatever you want
Whatever you like
Whatever you say
You pay your money
You take your choice
Whatever you need
Whatever you use
Whatever you win
Whatever you lose
You're showing off
You're showing out
You look for trouble
Turn around, give me a shout
I take it all
You squeeze me dry
And now today
You couldn't even say goodbye
I could take you home
On the midnight train again
I could make an offer you can't refuse
Whatever you want
Whatever you like
Whatever you say
You pay your money
You take your choice
Whatever you need
Whatever you use
Whatever you win
Whatever you lose
You're showing off
You're showing out
You look for trouble
Turn around, give me a shout
I take it all
You squeeze me dry
And now today
You couldn't even say goodbye
I could take you home
On the midnight train again
I could make an offer you can't refuse
Whatever you want
Whatever you like
Whatever you say
You pay your money
You take your choice
Whatever you need
Whatever you use
Whatever you win
Whatever you lose
Whatever you want
๐ง๐ท
linda Spooner
Saw Status in a pub before they became famous - great band
Spooked Horse
Blasting this at 5:06am PST, Washington State, USA.
Miss ya, boys!!!!!!!!!
Rest in peace Alan and Rick.
Chris roberts
Greatest intro ever, never gets old.
Spooked Horse
Last year, I did a poll in one of my facebook groups on who had the best intro.
The choices I offered were this song, Stairway to heaven, Takin Care of Business, Aqualung, Hells Bells and, Time, from Pink Floyd.
User added dozens of their own selections, too.
Quo won with 87,000 votes.
Zepp had 22K+
BTO had 13k+
Tull had 33k+
ACDC had 45k+
Floyd had 27k+
Pablo Ferrero
"The Intro"
simon warner
@CeeBs chambers Let me correct you- It's THE best
CeeBs chambers
IF not, one of the best๐ค๐ผ๐ค๐ผ
Emergingloki1
December 2022. Still rockin'.
Railwayman01
One of the GREATEST pieces of music to emerge from the 70's.
I'd go so far as to say it's "timeless classic rock" from the era, a GREAT time to be alive....๐
Carmen cornelia Nastase
Very true....๐ถ๐ฆ๐