•
Rating: My approach to Status Quo was somewhat slow and gradual. Perhaps influenced by that "hit" called "Whatever you want " which in my teenage years became that rock anthem played in clubs to announce the half-hour rock revival session. Also influenced by certain reviews and print media jokes of the '70s, which came to define them as one of the worst rock bands in existence.
Perhaps, all this going AGAINST made them likable and deserving of a listening test for me. Taking advantage of the offer of their entire remastered catalog with bonus tracks, I started with the purchase of this "Rockin' all over the world," also because I was attracted by the eponymous title track, a cover of the great John Fogerty. Scorned and never considered by rock aficionados and critics, Status Quo can boast an infinity of number ones in the UK sales charts in the seventies, early eighties. Albums sold thanks to the power of music alone! Rock'n'Roll Boogie sometimes played in a simple and melodic way, other times more robust and hard. One thing must be said right away and perhaps the reason that makes them likable and worth listening to: they never sold out, making consistency their flag, which still flies forty years after their birth (where some have the Pooh, in England they have them). Although becoming rock stars in the UK, they never succumbed to excesses, preferring music, especially live, to speak for them. Ultimately, when everyone in the '70s appeared glam adorned with dazzling clothes and platform shoes, they already wore those jeans and t-shirts they still wear today.
This album, released in 1977, in the midst of the punk revolution, confirms what the Quo had expressed in the previous six albums. The simplicity of execution was to accompany memorable melodies, all seasoned with the Hard-Blues-Boogie guitar strumming of the leading duo formed by Francis Rossi and Richard Parfit (the only two survivors who still carry the band's name). Driven by "Rockin' all over the world" by ex-Creedence John Fogerty, the album flows pleasantly like a nice drive on a deserted highway. There are no hitches or surprises. From the mid-tempo tracks like "Hard Time", "Hold you back" to faster Hard-boogies like "Can't give you more" and "Rockers rollin'", to the shuffle-blues of "Let's ride", the pure blues of "Who am I?", to the more catchy "Baby boy" and "Dirty water" up to the west coast-scented ballad like "For you".
In short, everything seems in place to disappoint those who seek technique and experimentation in rock (note that Francis and Rossi are both excellent guitarists) and to satisfy those who also look for that fun and laid-back attitude in Rock, which other contemporary groups to Status Quo, like AC/DC, have pursued with consistency. So it's okay to listen to Bowie, Genesis, ELP, and so on, but sometimes you can indulge in a bit of healthy, unpretentious Rock'n'roll except to enjoy a sing-along, a beer, or something else...
Tracklist and Lyrics
02 Can't Give You More (04:15)
Now you know this ain’t the kind of life for you
It’s not the way you thought that it would be
If I could change my way to you
If I could change, it wouldn’t be me
And you see
I know I never tried the things I should have done
Oh and time is always passing by
I want to do the things I never done before
So I do try not to tell a lie
When I’m so low, when I’m so high
Yet you cry when I say I can’t give you more
First you said you’d never try to slow me down
That ev’rything would work out really fine
But as those walls closed in on us
Your words just fell right out of line
And behind
I know I never tried the things I should have done
And time is always passing by
I want to do the things I never done before
So I do try not to tell a lie
When I’m so low, when I’m so high
Yet you cry when I say I can’t give you more
Oh, oh, oh, can’t give you more
Can’t give any more
Oh, oh, oh, can’t give you more
Ain’t got any more
Did you figure ours would be an easy thing
Like lazy days of lying in the sun
I told you if you wanted me
That ev’ry day just wouldn’t be fun
Now it’s done
I know I never tried the thing I should have done
And time is always passing by
I want to do the things I never done before
So I do try not to tell a lie
When I’m so low, when I’m so high
Yet you cry when I say I can’t give you more
Oh, oh, oh, can’t give you more
Can’t give you more
Oh, oh, oh, can’t give you more
I ain’t got any more
Oh, oh, oh, I ain’t got any more
I ain’t got any more
Oh, oh, oh, can’t give you more
I ain’t got any more
07 Rockin' All Over the World (03:36)
Oh here we are and here we are and here we go
All aboard and we're hittin' the road
Here we go
Rockin' all over the world
Well gidy up gidy up and get away
We're goin' crazy and we're goin' today
Here we go
Rockin' all over the world
And I like it, I like it, I like it, I like it
I li-li-like it, li-li-li
Here we go
Rockin' all over the world
I'm gonna tell your mama what you're gonna do
So come on out with your dancing shoes
Here we go
Rockin' all over the world
And I like it, I like it, I like it, I like it
I li-li-like it, li-li-li
Here we go
Rockin' all over the world
And I like it, I like it, I like it, I like it
I li-li-like it, li-li-li
Here we go
Rockin' all over the world
And I like it, I like it, I like it, I like it
I li-li-like it, li-li-li-
Here we go
Rockin' all over the world
And I like it, I like it, I like it, I like it
I li-li-like it, li-li-li
Here we go
Rockin' all over the world
08 Who Am I? (04:30)
Am I to you a lover or a brother?
Am I the one you can rely upon?
Am I the one you can take home to your mother
And am I the one who is singing you this song?
Who am I? Who am I?
Who am I to you?
Am I the one who lies here in your bed?
Am I the one you made to dry out?
And am I the one who yesterday said
Am I the one you'd be better off without?
Who am I? Who am I?
Who am I to you?
Am I the chain that keeps you from falling?
Am I the thoughts going round in your head?
Am I the night-time? Am I the morning?
Am I a fool that you wish for dead?
Yes I am your lover and your brother
I am the one who lies here in your bed
I am the one who never did you wrong
I am the fool that you wish were dead
Who am I? Who am I?
Who am I to you?
11 Dirty Water (03:51)
O-o-o-oh the water's getting deep
And I can't swim because it's dirty, dirty water
O-o-o-oh, o-o-o-oh
Many's the time I've asked you to say
Why do you feel so bad day to day?
Could it be you're wrong to push yourself alone
I'd say it's not a guess, you make yourself a mess
And get yourself in deeper water
Why do you think it's all wrong for you?
Maybe it's in some things that you do
Baby, it's alright to stay out every night
If I could change your mind I'd bring you back in line
To do the things you really oughtta
O-o-o-oh, the water's getting deep
And I can't swim, if I could then I'd come in
O-o-o-oh, the water's getting deep
And I can't swim, because it's dirty, dirty water
Oh-o-o-oh, o-o-o-oh
Why do you think it's all wrong for you?
Maybe it's in some things that you do
Baby, it's alright to stay out every night
If I could change your mind I'd bring you back in line
To do the things you really oughtta
O-o-o-oh, the water's getting deep
And I can't swim, if I could then I'd come in
O-o-o-oh the water's getting deep
And I can't swim because it's dirty, dirty water
O-o-o-oh, the water's getting deep.....
12 Hold You Back (04:30)
How d'you know the music when you don't know the score
Do you think that you can make it when you don't need no more
Is it really the reason when it is not a need
Are you trying hard to write it before you can read
Hold you back, hold you back, and slow you down
Hold you back, hold you back, slow you down
Hold you back, hold you back, slow you down
Slow you down, you've gotta try
Does the clock that you're watching ever tell you 'bout the time
Does the song that you're singing sound to you like a rhyme
Will there be an answer when you stop asking why
All because of the jigsaw that makes up a lie
Hold you back, hold you back, slow you down
Hold you back, hold you back, slow you down
Hold you back, hold you back, slow you down
Slow you down, you've gotta try
How d'you know the music when you don't know the score
Do you think that you can make it when you don't need no more
Is it really the reason when it is not a need
Are you trying hard to write it before you can read
Hold you back, hold you back, slow you down
Hold you back, hold you back, slow you down
Hold you back, hold you back, slow you down
Slow you down, you've gotta try
Hold you back, hold you back, slow you down
Hold you back, hold you back, slow you down
Hold you back, hold you back, slow you down, slow you down
Hold you back, hold you back, slow you down
Loading comments slowly
