Top Ten Status Quo Songs

Have you ever heard of a rock band called Status Quo? 

This band is almost exactly as old as I am, being formed in London in the year that I was born. They are actually still making music but the line up has changed with only Francis Rossi being the only constant member of the band. 

From the late 1960's to the late 1980’s they constantly had singles in the UK charts. In the UK, we had a show called “Top of the Pops”, which had acts who were currently riding high in the charts and gave us the top 40 countdown every week. Many really famous artists have appeared on this show but the band that has the record number of appearances is Status Quo. 

They have played in front of King Charles III (when he was Prince Charles) and in July 1985, they opened Live Aid at Wembley stadium. They also featured on the accompanying song “Do They Know It’s Christmas” as part of Band Aid. They are (or were) a big deal in the UK but as far as I know, they didn’t really make the transition to the United States. 

I grew up with this band and from the age of about twelve until probably my thirtieth birthday, their music was a big part of my life. 

In their early days, the 1960’s, they started off as a psychedelic band and evolved in the 1970’s into a  sort of boogie rock band, with elements of hard rock occasionally. They were famous for dressing in denim and playing really catchy rock songs. They weren’t a heavy metal band at all and their music was much closer to pop music. 

They have been prolific and have released a total of 33 albums, their last one in 2019. That’s quite astounding really. When it comes to singles, their last chart hit was in 2008. 

I have only seen them live once but that was a memorable gig because they were supporting Queen at a huge concert at Knebworth Park in 1986 and this was Freddy Mercury’s last ever appearance on stage. 

You can read about that gig here

There were 120,000 people there – and I was one of them. I loved Status Quo and Queen so this was a win/win for me. 

While I was walking this morning, a Status Quo song popped up on my playlist and I thought it would be a good idea to post my favourite ten songs by the band. For those of you who have heard of the band (which will be most of the UK, some of Europe and possibly Australia) I hope this brings back memories of what a great band they are. If you are American, perhaps this serves as an overdue introduction to a British institution. 

I hope you like the songs.

10. Paper Plane (from Piledriver 1972)

"Paper Plane" is one of the first songs by Status Quo that I heard and many will say that this is a quintessential song by the band. The bands detractors used to say that a lot of their songs sound very similar, a sentiment that I can see but don’t agree with. For me, I liked that boogie sound and while it is a theme, I think the band is much deeper than such critics imply. I was ten years old when this was released and it was one of the first times I was exposed to what you may broadly term “rock music”. 

9. Down Down (from On the Level – 1975)

Status Quo had over 60 chart hits in the UK with 22 of them reaching the top ten. However "Down Down" was the only one that reached number 1, which is surprising considering their prolific output. 

8. Don’t Drive My Car (from Just Supposin’ – 1980)

"Just Supposin’" is my favourite album by the band and this may be helped by it coinciding with a key part of my life. The album was released just after my eighteenth birthday and I was in my final year of school and just discovering the glory of beer. My best mate at the time owned a car and we used to listen to it non-stop when driving around. It brings back brilliant memories. I lost touch with him after university, sadly. And, no, he wouldn’t let me drive his car (I couldn’t drive to be fair). 

7. Rain (from Blue for You – 1976)

When I first heard this, I thought the chorus was “I can’t live without Lorraine” and even now when I hear it, part of me wants to sing that lyric for fun. Of course, the lyrics are “I can’t live without the rain” and sometimes it pops up on my playlist as I walk around the rainy streets of Manchester. I don’t think that they had this in mind when they wrote it back in 1976.

6. Over the Edge (from Just Supposin’ – 1980)

The second song in the list from Just Supposin’ is one of two songs that weren’t singles. Personally, I think it should have been but then who am I to choose? I just love the song and it was a firm favourite of my old mate’s as we drove around in 1980 nodding our heads in time to the music with huge grins on our faces and singing “You’re driving me crazy!”

5. Livin’ on an Island (from Whatever You Want – 1979)

This song is not typical of the band at all, sacrificing that boogie rock sound for a more mellow rock ballad style. I think it’s quite beautiful actually and I occasionally listen to it when I’m sitting on my own on a beach watching the sea. The guy singing the song is Rick Parfitt, one of the founder members of the band who sadly passed away in 2016. Rest in peace Rick. 

4. Roll Over Lay Down (from Hello – 1973)

I love this song and after mentioning Rick Parfitt already it is only fair to mention Francis Rossi, the guy singing this one. He is the only person remaining from the original band and is still going strong at the tender age of 76. 

3. Mystery Song (from Blue for You – 1973)

If you listen to the lyrics this song isn’t a mystery at all. It is about a young man’s encounter with a “lady of the night”, which is probably why they decided to name it in the vague way that they did without it getting banned. It didn’t get banned and despite the subject matter, it is a very good song.  

2. Forty Five Hundred Times (from Hello – 1973)

Forty Five Hundred Times wasn’t a single. For one, it is too long, clocking in at almost ten minutes. It is probably the closest to a progressive rock song that the band ever came to. I first heard the song when Status Quo did a live show in front of Prince Charles in 1982 for the Princes Trust, which was broadcast on a radio programme I used to listen to called “The Friday Rock Show”. The live version was unbelievably brilliant because the band just let rip and had fun. 

It is one of those songs that is just so much better live. Sadly, I can’t find the version from NEC but here is a version from two years later in Milton Keynes, which shows them having great fun playing a version that clocks in at 17 minutes and having tremendous fun in front of a huge crowd.

1. What You’re Proposin’ (from Just Supposin’ – 1980)

This is a very simple song and the reason it is my favourite is because it reminds me of when I was 18 years old. A lot happened that year and this song was played absolutely everywhere. The mate I mentioned above always used to put this song on the jukebox when we walked into a pub called The New Inn in Walsall town centre on a Saturday night. It has a special meaning to me and is one of those time machine songs, i.e. when I hear it, I am immediately taken back to the New Inn. Sadly that pub doesn’t exist anymore – apart from in my mind with this song as a soundtrack to me drinking half a pint of lager and lime. 

Top Ten Queen Songs

Queen were one of those bands that I was a fan of when I was a spotty teenager and they remained so until the untimely death of their enigmatic frontman Freddy Mercury. I loved them before they became a global phenomenon. 

I would estimate that I first heard music by them way back in 1974, when their second album, the blandly named “Queen II”, was released. It was a big hit amongst my friends at school and I didn’t really take notice of them until I heard a song called “Killer Queen” from their third album, with a much more interesting name – “Sheer Heart Attack”.

From that point I was hooked. At that point they were more of a rock band and it was only after this release that their style evolved into something more, crossing several musical boundaries, ranging from pure pop to progressive rock, from art rock to electronic disco with added symphonic rock and even operatic and orchestral tendencies in places. 

Their style was kind of unique in that anything was on the table. And being a fan of progressive music, that really resonated with me. 

My love of Queen peaked when I was lucky enough to see them perform live at Knebworth in 1986, which was the year after their legendary performance at Live Aid in 1985 and, sadly, was the very last live performance of their wonderful front man, Freddy Mercury. I was honoured to be there.

Freddy was diagnosed with AIDS in 1987, and kept it quiet for four years before revealing his diagnosis publicly. Tragically, he died shortly afterwards and that was then end of Queen for me. 

The band still exists in a sense because Brian May and Roger Taylor still perform as Queen but with a guest vocalist. That, to me at least, isn’t Queen and the bass player John Deacon also agrees because he retired when Freddy died. People still go to their shows but not me. It’s not the same without Freddy. 

I enjoyed the movie “Bohemian Rhapsody” and can tolerate the inaccuracies that I know weren’t true, for example, Freddy being diagnosed with AIDS before Live Aid. I think Rami Malek’s portrayal of Freddy was incredible and he deserved his Oscar and all of the other accolades he received. 

Such is their appeal that even Mrs PM loves them and she is not traditionally a lover of rock music. We have several of their songs on our joint playlist. 

I have decided to present to you, dear reader, my favourite ten Queen songs. Again, with such a vast catalogue, many Queen fans may disagree with my choice. To be honest, that doesn’t bother me. Such is their range that I would imagine every Queen fan will select a different top ten.

And it’s really difficult. Ask me another time and I will pick a different ten.

Here’s mine:

(10)  Somebody To Love (from A Day At The Races - 1976)

The vocals on this song are exquisite and not just the harmonies. Freddie’s voice is superb throughout. I was even impressed with the version that George Michael performed at the Freddie Mercury tribute concert – although it is quite clear, comparing the two, that Freddie was a much better vocalist.

(9) Was It All Worth It? (from The Miracle - 1989)

I remember sitting in a pizza restaurant in Birmingham when for some reason this song came on as background music. I instantly recognised Freddie Mercury’s dulcet tones and assumed that it was their new single. I hadn’t heard it before and the following week I realised that they had a new album, which I promptly bought on the strength of this song alone. 

The video shows a pocket history of the bad up to the album “The Miracle”.

(8) Radio Ga Ga (from The Works – 1984)

This is a special song because it reminds me of my third and final year at university. It is also a return to form for Queen after the disappointing "Hot Space" album. I remember when they performed this at Knebworth in 1986, Freddy Mercury had the entire crowd in the palm of his hand and we all sang the chorus with him and I had a huge smile on my face. 

(7) Play The Game (from The Game – 1980)

This may surprise people but I love the melody of this song and once more Freddy’s voice is excellent. I particularly like when it veers off-piste at about the 2 minute mark. 

(6) Princes of the Universe (from A Kind of Magic - 1986)

Air guitar time. The first Highlander film was fantastic – the rest were garbage. "Princes of the Universe" is an ideal accompaniment to the first movie. It is a great rock song with brilliant guitar and pounding drums. This is a great Queen song.

(5) Gimme The Prize  (from A Kind of Magic - 1986)

Keep out your air guitar and crank up the heaviness "Gimme the Prize" is also used in the soundtrack to Highlander and shows Queen at their heaviest, which is understandable since it is the bad guy's theme. Turn up the volume and enjoy.

(4) Now I’m Here (from Sheer Heart Attack – 1974)

I love this song and it gives a taste of what’s to come in terms of the band harmonising and playing with vocals in a similar way to Bohemian Rhapsody. You can see how the band was evolving. 

(3)  Brighton Rock (from Sheer Heart Attack – 1974)

"Brighton Rock" wasn’t a single and comes from Queen’s third album "Sheer Heart Attack". While you may not regard this as chart material, it appeals to me, firstly because it is a great slice of classic rock and secondly because it shows just what an incredible guitarist Brian May is. It’s edgy, raw and brilliant. Keep your air guitar out again, dear reader – you’re gonna need it. 

If you like the song, check out the live version – it’s even better.

(2) Bohemian Rhapsody (from A Night at the Opera - 1975)

It took a while for me to like this song and I think most of the world thought the same. It was a bizarre choice for a single and a risk because nobody had done anything like it before. After hearing it a few times, I began to appreciate what a masterpiece it really is. It was probably the first progressive rock song I heard – a mini opera complete with wonderful harmonies. 

You can’t deny it is a classic and has been used to great effect in the movie "Wayne’s World": 

And also the version by the Muppets – this is funny:

(1)  The Prophet’s Song   (from A Night at the Opera - 1975)

If you like "Bohemian Rhapsody", you will absolutely love this less commercial offering from the same album. "The Prophet’s Song" is a progressive masterpiece, coming in at a cool eight minutes with incredible vocal harmonies. Sit back and enjoy the perfect Queen song.

That’s it, dear reader. 

Feel free to let me know your favourite song by Queen. 

Finally, if you like the heavier side of Queen, have a listen to this metal masterpiece from Brian May with the magnificent and legendary drummer Cozy Powell pounding hell out of the drums. It's called "Resurrection".

 

Top Ten ELO Songs

The other day, I was flicking through the TV channels when I stumbled across a time machine. The TV programme was coverage of the Glastonbury Festival, an annual music event in the UK where generations of music fans stand in the mud and rain in front of a giant stage shaped like a pyramid and listen to many different bands covering many different styles of music.

And there on stage stood my very first musical hero.

That man is Jeff Lynne, the creator and genius behind the very first band I fell in love with, The Electric Light Orchestra or simply ELO for short.

I was instantly transported back to the 1970’s as a young teenage boy.

At that point in my life I hadn’t discovered the glory of heavy metal or rock music. I liked pop music but by far and away my favourite band at the time. I spent my hard earned paper round money on their albums. Given the ratio of my income then to the amount I spent on music, this was a big deal. I had to negotiate with my dad to let me have time on his music centre (usually when he was out). I played the albums to death and I still have them in my attic until now.

Back to the present, Jeff Lynne, now aged 68, was standing in front of the now called Jeff Lynne’s ELO belting out my favourite songs as if he were still in his 20’s. And amazingly the guy doesn’t look his age at all. What’s more, he’s from Birmingham – just a few miles down the road from where I was born.

Seeing Jeff bang out a load of old favourites  gave me an idea for this post and I am sadly going to inflict it on you, dear reader.

Here are my favourite ELO songs. I hope you enjoy them.

10. Here Is The News

The first song is actually a later one from the early 1980’s when I had actually started university. ELO sacrificed the orchestral side a little in favour of synthesiser but that distinctive ELO sound is still there. 

9. The Diary of Horace Wimp

At the time I heard this song for the first time, I was a weird spotty little seventeen year old with an attitude and girl problems – i.e. I didn’t have one. In many respects I was Horace Wimp, the hero of the song and the song told my story."Well he just stood there mumbling and fumbling"  was a little too close to home.. However, I loved the optimism of the song particularly when Horace finally asks a girl for a date and his amazement when she says “Yes!”. In some ways, this gave me a little bit of courage – if Horace Wimp could get the girl then so could I.

8. One Summer Dream

This is a beautiful song from 1975 and yanks violently on my heart strings. I’ve always loved the way that ELO fuse guitars and drums with violins and cellos simply because it makes a simple song sound more epic and all embracing. When I hear this song, I feel like I’m floating over the English countryside on a beautiful sunny day.

7. Rockaria!

The fusion of styles between orchestral instruments and rock guitar is probably most evident on a song about fusing opera with rock and roll. One of ELO’s most famous songs is about an opera singer, raised on Beethoven and Puccini who is persuaded to apply her vocal talents to good old fashioned rock and roll and is the quintessential ELO song.



6. Do Ya

The very first ELO album I bought was A New World Record, containing the previous song, Rockaria! as well as this one, my favourite song on the album. Sadly Do Ya wasn’t released as a single, much to my surprise. Perhaps it’s a little too much of a rock song for the tastes of the 1976 youth. That’s a shame.

5. Ticket To The Moon

This is another beautiful song from the early 1980’s with a hint of melancholy that shows just how good a songwriter Jeff Lynne is. Again, when I hear the song, I feel my tear ducts starting to work again. I simply love this tune – I can’t say more than that.

4. Turn To Stone

I am so sad that I actually learned the fast bit of this song so that I could impress my two sisters who, in typical sibling style, were no impressed at all and completely took the piss. Listen out for it:

Yes
I'm turning to stone
'Cause you ain't comin' home
Why ain't you comin' home
If i'm turning to stone
You've been gone for so long
And I can't carry on
Yes I'm turning
I'm turning

The sad thing is I can still do it – and Mrs PM is not impressed either.

3. Mr Blue Sky

After the sadness of the last song, let’s hear an uplifting tune. Mr Blue Sky is probably the band’s most well-known hit and I can see why. For me in particular, it reminds me of walking the streets of Walsall with a huge bag of newspapers, forcing them through letterboxes that were sometimes too small. At those early hours, the streets were empty and in summer, it was eerie because the sun would rise well before 6am yielding a beautiful blue sky with few people around to witness it, apart from me and a few cats. This song will make even the most miserable person feel positive.

2. Fire On High

Imagine you are walking through a haunted house in pitch black. How scary would that be? The opening of this fantastic song is quite spooky and if I were creeping through such a house and heard this I think I would quite literally shit bricks. After the spookiness, it evolves into a progressive masterpiece and is one of my most played ELO songs, even today.

1. Don’t Bring Me Down

Ultimately I love a good rock song and ELO can do that too. Don’t Bring Me Down has a fantastic drum beat and came at the time I had discovered rock music causing me to embrace it with the hope this was a future direction for the band. Sadly it wasn’t but I still love the song today.

And Finally...

I hope you liked that little collection. ELO still has a place in my heart and it is good to see Jeff Lynne still enjoying himself.

Do you remember ELO, dear reader?
Do you have a favourite song by the band?