Wishbone Ash can trace its origins back to Torquay, Devon, England, a seaside resort in the southwest of the country. It was there that Martin Turner and Steve Upton first performed together; Turner on bass, Upton on drums, before moving to London in 1969 to seek fame and fortune. In the capital the decision was made to place an advertisement for a keyboard player and a lead guitarist. The resulting audition threw up two guitar leads, but nobody could decide who to choose and the trademark twin-lead sound of Wishbone Ash was born.
Ted (David) Turner and Andy Powell soon went through the poverty and growing pains of a new band, but were fortunate that Miles Copeland was championing their cause and a fairly rapid progression was achieved. The first Album, Wishbone Ash, was released in December 1970 and their second, Pilgrimage, surfaced just six months later to reach #6 in the NME charts. Great things were just 11 months away with the release of Argus (1972) -- possibly the band's best album; certainly their most commercially successful -- which reached #2 in the UK charts and went gold. Argus is considered to be one of the great rock classics of all time. The next album, Wishbone Four, only 12 months later, went silver.
After these early highs, Ted Turner decided that he had had enough, and left the band to be replaced by Laurie Wisefield. Although Laurie’s style was not to everyone’s taste, he was generally well liked by the fans and brought a slightly harder edge to the folk-tinged progressive rock that was the Wishbone Ash formula. Wisefield was a dynamic player and became an excellent partner to Andy -- they were to play together for a very successful 11 years and the MKII version of the band is very well thought of for most of its output. About this time the band became more influenced by America and would eventually move there.
The next album, There's The Rub (1974), was recorded in Florida and produced by Eagles producer Bill Szymczyk. Once again it was to do well, achieving silver disc status. There's the Rub included the instrumental piece F.U.B.B. Steve Upton was arrested in New Zealand for announcing at a concert it's full title. In New Zealand, swearing in public is a criminal offense, and when Upton announced the title at an outdoor concert, a woman sunbathing in her garden nearby complained to the mayor. Upton spent the night in jail, and the album reached #3 in New Zealand due to the publicity.
It was inevitable that a turkey was due and to fans Locked In (1976) fit this bill. This record was not released -- it escaped! Fortunately things were much better with the quality of the following albums and although the high chart positions were gone, the fans were enjoying some competent, well-crafted output.
After 11 years in the band, Martin Turner decided to leave. This move began a period of frequent changes of bass player with the likes of John Wetton and Trevor Bolder being two of the better known; however, Wishbone Ash always has attracted musicians of the highest order. A much more controversial move was the introduction of Clair Hamill to fill in some of the vocal talent Martin had taken away with him. Clair was not popular with the fans which was perhaps a little unfair. She had contributed backing vocals on Just Testing (Turner's last album (1980), which he had also produced) and had co-written the excellent Living Proof, which is still a crowd favourite today. Her stay was short-lived with Andy Powell taking on more vocal duties. Wisefield left in late 1985 and the band continued to tour with various replacements, but were very much in limbo until 1987 when a miracle occurred. Miles Copland persuaded the original lineup to reform for a project for a music charity that he was helping, and a Hammersmith Odeon concert which the BBC recorded resulted. The project produced an instrumental album Nouveau Calls (1987), which was very well received. Even better received was the fact that three years of the original lineup were to follow.
Just when things were going so well, Steve Upton decided to quit the business entirely in 1990, to be replaced by Ray Weston. Martin Turner carried on for another year before leaving to pursue a solo career, and Ted left two years later. The next five years saw lots of personnel changes, but eventually resulted in a good period of stability with Ray Weston returning and Bob Skeet joining on bass in 1998.
The new millennium has also seen stability in respect of Andy's guitar partner, with the last 6 years being filled by Ben Granfelt and subsequently Muddy Manninen, both of whom come from Finland. 2005 saw Wishbone Ash celebrate their 35th year. 2006 heralded the new album Clan Destiny (the first featuring Muddy as guitarist). 2007 saw the exit of long-term drummer Ray Weston, due to the increasingly hectic pace of band life. Joe Crabtree (formerly of The David Cross band) stepped up to fill his place. With regard to new releases, 2007 saw First Light, which features original recordings of the songs featured on their debut album, as well as some outtakes. Also released that year was the new album The Power of Eternity (partly featuring Joe Crabtree on drums), which coincided with the Autumn tour.
Wishbone Ash are still performing 150 gigs a year in the U.S. and Europe. They get very supportive crowds with good numbers turning out all over Europe -- the U.S. tends to attract smaller audiences, but very committed fans. If you want to hear classic Wishbone Ash, get ahold of Argus. Visit their web site www.wishboneash.com, where tour dates and albums, etc. can be obtained.
You
Wishbone Ash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Were looking for somebody new.
You
Were looking for someone to help yourself to,
In the sunset of your long, illustrious career.
You
The way you played so hard to get.
You
What you were looking for - a star,
And this was the best one so far.
Now you found your sugar daddy,
You found your sugar pop.
We applaud the way you pulled it off,
The way you came out on top.
You
Got more than you had bargained for.
Catch 22 that as you opened
You closed the door.
They all thought you were digging for gold and more.
You
Moved in your bags and said,"I'm here to stay".
Gossip everywhere about how hard you earned your pay.
But I just laughed at you and your style
I hope you're happy for a while.
You
Oh, I love you for what you are.
You
You give it everything
It's you who are the star
Of this song.
Don't get me wrong
Just stay the way you are.
You.
The song "You" by Wishbone Ash is a reflective and honest portrayal of a person who has gained success and fame. The lyrics describe how the person was looking for someone to help themselves to, but eventually found their sugar daddy and became a star. The song starts with the person singing to themselves, acknowledging that they were looking for somebody new and someone to help themselves to. The lyrics then describe how they played hard to get, but they never forgot what they were looking for. Eventually, they found their sugar daddy and became a star.
The lyrics of "You" go on to describe how the person got more than they had bargained for. As they moved in and settled into their new found success, gossip and rumors began to circle around them, but the person just laughed it off. The song ends with the person expressing their love for who they are and their ability to give everything, which is what makes them a star. The message of the song is ambiguous, but it can be perceived as both appreciation and skepticism of the lifestyle that fame can bring.
Overall, the lyrics of "You" are a clear and honest portrait of the ups and downs that come with fame and success. The songwriters do a good job of painting a picture of what it's like to be in the public eye, with all the good and bad that it entails.
Line by Line Meaning
You were looking for somebody new.
You were in search of someone different to help yourself to.
You were looking for someone to help yourself to, in the sunset of your long, illustrious career.
You were seeking someone to exploit towards the end of your successful career.
The way you played so hard to get.
The way you tried to appear unattainable.
So funny to watch, but you did not forget what you were looking for - a star, and this was the best one so far.
Amusing to observe, but nevertheless, you were persistent in pursuing a celebrity, and this particular one was the most impressive so far.
Now you found your sugar daddy, You found your sugar pop. We applaud the way you pulled it off, The way you came out on top.
You have managed to secure a benefactor and we admire the way you accomplished it, emerging victorious.
You got more than you had bargained for. Catch 22 that as you opened You closed the door. They all thought you were digging for gold and more.
You received more than what you had anticipated. It is ironic that as you gained, you simultaneously lost. Everyone believed that you were in the pursuit of wealth and other material possessions.
Moved in your bags and said,"I'm here to stay". Gossip everywhere about how hard you earned your pay. But I just laughed at you and your style I hope you're happy for a while.
You settled in with your belongings and declared your permanence. There were rumors about how much effort you put in to earn your salary. However, I merely chuckled at you and your ways, and I wish you happiness, at least for a short duration.
Oh, I love you for what you are. You give it everything It's you who are the star Of this song. Don't get me wrong Just stay the way you are.
I genuinely admire you for who you are. You put in your all, and it is you who shines in this melody. Do not misunderstand me, just maintain your current uniqueness.
You.
You are the center of attention.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: RANDY EDELMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
rockrabbitt
When a days work is done
And you're down on the ground
You come home just to find
That she's not around.
You see red, you see red,
When she takes you for a fool.
You see red, you see red
Read the writing on the wall.
What you give is what you get
When it comes to loving.
If you lie, make her cry,
She will leave you alone.
You see red, you see red,
When she takes you for a fool.
You see red, you see red
Read the writing on the wall.
So you drink your gin,
And drown your sorrows,
Don't expect a tomorrow.
Wasting away ain't now way to say
That you're sorry,…
So you drink your gin,
And drown your sorrows,
Don't expect a tomorrow.
Wasting away ain't now way to say
That you're sorry, for what you have done.
When a days work is done
And you're down on the ground
You come home just to find
That she's not around.
You see red, you see red,
When she takes you for a fool.
You see red, you see red
Read the writing on the wall.
Harris Gmts
2:48: It is ludicrous and against the "rock'n'roll nature" how underrated this band is.
Foivos Legrand
Θεϊκό τραγούδι !
Bernie Brio'con
The riffs here are so exciting they leap out at you taking mighty musical leaps and bound so infectious all the way! Awesome!
elizabeth hughes
My husband bought me the 12inch single when we were courting and i just couldnt stop playing it.i still love it.
Omar Salmeron
Temazo y gran disco al máximo nivel aún pasado el tiempo de su 1er disco
Mark
One of my favorite songs period 😍
MAGA 2020
Wishbone Ash and Sweet: The two most under-rated bands everrrrrrr!!!!!
MrTeulu
Another of my forgotten albums.Bought this when it first came out but for some reason couldn't get into it don't know why.Went to see Andy Powells Wishbone Ash last week and they did a great version of You See Red.Came home and rescued the album from the box in the cellar where it has resided for years and it hasn't been off the turntable since.Superb
Jogesh Sikka
We can ManojCan
Peter Qvarnström
Just saying. This were so great music. Never dies. Timeless. Thank you Wishbone Ash.