A talented singer and bass guitarist, trained in classical piano and percussion, she joined her sisters in the 60s Detroit garage rock group The Pleasure Seekers whilst still in her teens and never looked back. By the early 70s, Suzi went off to England to work with producer Mickie Most, while her sister Patti joined the all-woman rock band Fanny. An underground following spread around Suzi's charisma and powerful singing.
Suzi found herself singing the material of songwriting duo Chinn & Chapman, musicians who were also having hits with Sweet. Combining shades of bubblegum pop with a hard rock spirit, similar to the power pop ethos of the era, Suzi embraced the glam sound. Under their tutelage, she had four top ten rock hits in the U.K., but she remained mostly unknown in the U.S.
However, her U.K. fame expanded through the 70s, with Suzi becoming a successful solo singer, bassist, and songwriter with a string of charting hits. Her appeal extended into the 80s while many of her contempoaries broke up. Notable songs of his period include "Can The Can", "Devil Gate Drive", "Tear Me Apart", and "The Wild One", among many others.
Suzi extended her career to television in 1979 when she guest starred for three seasons on the hit television series 'Happy Days'. She played the character Leather Tuscadero, who was the younger sister of Fonzie's love interest, Pinky Tuscadero. In 1979, at the height of the disco era, she finally made the U.S. Top Five with the track "Stumblin' In", a duet with Chris Norman.
In her musical career she has had 16 hit singles, sold over 45 million records and toured since 1964. She has also had guest appearances in the Runaways documentary "Edgeplay" and various UK television shows including Minder, Dempsey And Makepeace and Absolutely Fabulous.
In 1990, Suzi trod the boards in London's West End playing the lead in the musical Annie Get Your Gun and wrote and starred in a musical about Talullah Bankhead.
Suzi continues to write, perform and record her own original material and has a forthcoming new album Naked Under Leather. She also hosts an excellent show on BBC Radio 2.
Quatro's first single "Rolling Stone" did not achieve popularity anywhere except Portugal, where it made number one. Most introduced Quatro to the songwriting and production team Nicky Chinn/Mike Chapman. Her second single "Can the Can" (1973) was a number one hit throughout Europe and in Australia. It was followed up by three further hits: "48 Crash" (1973), "Daytona Demon" (1973) and "Devil Gate Drive" (1974) on RAK Records. Her first two albums were also European and Australian successes.
These recordings, however, met little success in her native U.S., despite tours in the mid-1970s supporting Alice Cooper, and, except in Australia, the popularity of Quatro's rocking glam rock declined from 1975. In the interim, she did enjoy success as a session player.
Quatro's fortunes did not change until 1978 when "If You Can't Give Me Love" became a hit in the UK and Australia. This did nothing to prompt Stateside success, but "Stumblin' In", a duet recorded that same year for RSO Records with Chris Norman of Smokie secured a #4 peak in the U.S. Both tracks featured on the "If You Knew Suzi" album. A year later, Quatro released "Suzi... And Other Four Letter Words". She called it her favourite album. This featured singles, such as "She's In Love With You", which made number 11 in the UK , "Mama's Boy" (34) and "I've Never Been In Love" (56). In 1980, her song "Rock Hard" was featured on the soundtrack of the cult film Times Square, along with some punk and new wave bands like Talking Heads, Ramones, XTC and The Pretenders. This success period proved brief however, and her last UK hit was "Heart of Stone" in late 1982. In 1985 Quatro collaborated with Bronski Beat and members of The Kinks, Eddie and the Hot Rods, and Dr Feelgood on the Mark Cunningham-produced version of David Bowie's classic "Heroes", released the following year as the 1986 BBC "Children In Need" single.
In December 2005, a documentary chronicling Quatro's life, "Naked under leather" directed by former Runaway Victory Tischler Blue appeared. In February 2006, Quatro released "Back To the Drive", produced by Sweet guitarist Andy Scott. The album's title track was penned by her former collaborator Mike Chapman.
March 2007 saw Quatro release a version of The Eagles' "Desperado", followed by the publication of her autobiography, "Unzipped".
Suzi Quatro has sold over 45 million records.
http://www.suziquatro.com
American Lady
Suzi Quatro Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Good old American child
American lady
Good old American child
I've been around every single town, London to Tokyo
I've seen the world from inside out
And what i want to know
Where can we play our rock 'n' roll
I am going home again
Stateside is where i'm bound
American lady
Good old American child
American lady
Your arms are open so wide
I want you, America
I need you, America
I miss, America
Left to find a golden rainbow
I flew across the sea
We would play staccato ballads
My band of boys and me
Now I've got everything i wanted
But there's one thing more
I hear them calling me
And I'm coming home
American lady
Good old American child
I hear you calling wildly
And I'm coming home
Home to, America
I need you, America
I miss, America
I want you, America
I need you, America
I miss, America
I want you, America
I need you, America
I miss, America
I want you, America
I need you, America
I miss, America
I want you, America
I need you, America
I miss, America
In the song "American Lady" by Suzi Quatro, the singer reflects on her experiences of touring around the world and ultimately longing to return home to America. The lyrics suggest a sense of nostalgia and yearning for the country that she identifies with. Suzi has traveled to various cities around the globe, ranging from London to Tokyo, and has made her presence known through her music. She has seen the world from inside out but still feels a strong connection to America. She wants to know where all the good times have gone and where she can play her rock 'n' roll music in a place that feels like home.
The song captures the essence of Suzi's cultural identity as an American lady. She refers to herself as a "good old American child" and seeks comfort in the open arms of the country she loves. Suzi's international success and fame have not dampened her love for her country, and the lyrics express a desire to return to her roots. The song also highlights the loneliness of being on the road as a musician, despite having everything she could have wished for.
Line by Line Meaning
American lady
Referring to the United States as a female personification
Good old American child
Referring to the country as an innocent, youthful entity
I've been around every single town, London to Tokyo
Having traveled the world extensively and experienced different cultures
I've seen the world from inside out
Having an extensive knowledge of the world and its workings
And what i want to know
Inquisitive about a specific topic
Where did all those good times go
Reflecting on an era in the past where things were better
Where can we play our rock 'n' roll
Wondering where one can still experience pure, unadulterated rock music
I am going home again
Returning to the United States
Stateside is where i'm bound
Going to the American mainland
Your arms are open so wide
The United States is welcoming with warmth and hospitality
Left to find a golden rainbow
Having pursued the ultimate goal in life
I flew across the sea
Having traveled long distances to achieve a dream
We would play staccato ballads
Having played a specific type of music with a particular rhythm
My band of boys and me
Referring to a group of male musicians who played together
Now I've got everything i wanted
Having achieved a high level of success and satisfaction
But there's one thing more
Despite everything, there is still something missing
I hear them calling me
Feeling drawn back to the United States
And I'm coming home
Returning to the United States
I hear you calling wildly
Feeling the pull of the United States strongly
Home to, America
Returning to the homeland
I need you, America
Feeling a profound emotional longing for the United States
I miss, America
Experiencing nostalgia for the United States
I want you, America
Desiring a return to the United States
I miss, America
Experiencing nostalgia for the United States
I want you, America
Desiring a return to the United States
I miss, America
Experiencing nostalgia for the United States
I want you, America
Desiring a return to the United States
I need you, America
Feeling a profound emotional longing for the United States
I miss, America
Experiencing nostalgia for the United States
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LEN TUCKEY, SUZIE QUATRO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Scott Literacylabyrinth
Beautiful - love when she sung this live.
Robert Cubinelli
American Lady !!!
Mark F
For some reason this is completely unavailable on itunes or amazon. [or i cant find it] WHY?
Kayhy Hermes
They are very Rare, I'll give u names of all cds, I have everything she ever wrote
Kayhy Hermes
YouTube or send over seas 4 rare Cds.
Shortly I'll give u the names of some of them
Kayhy Hermes
Ok, I'll will send live