Graham Parker is one of my all time favorite artists. I played this album over a hundred times when I was in high school! One of the greatest albums ever recorded!
I don't want to make this personal, but that is one of the poorest decisions regarding attending concerts I have ever heard. You have your reasons and I respect them if they are legit. I like Graham but no one plays guitar like Clapton, unless you're not into listening to one of the best of all time. BTW I saw that tour June 28th 1985 in Holmdel NJ - I went to see Graham and stayed to see Clapton. That's when I became more than a casual Clapton fan.
Probably one of the most under rated artists for 2 decades, talk about a killer band, man they just don't build them like this anymore. I discovered this record by accident on a radio program called "midnight album hour" I accidentally recorded it and then proceeded to wear out at least 2 vinyl versions of it.
Craig, just saw the movie on a plane, heading for Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Saigon. Lovely movie, a great deal of fun, the old Hollywood of hopes and dreams in a year of cynicism.
Surely also if there's a big difference, the sound of Parker is immediately recognizable, is consistent over the years, instead Joe play punk, rock, pop, new wave, jazz soul, r&b and much more, is completely unpredictable. Both very great artists.
I was lucky to be living in Chicago when Parker released the first album, Howlin Wind. The radio station I listened to gave it and his subsequent albums plenty of air play, so by the time this came out I was already a massive fan. GP is truly one of the most under rated artists I can think of. The Real Macaw has a bunch of great songs but I think his masterpiece is Human Soul from 1989. It's gorgeous. Mona Lisa is pretty brilliant also.
I can't think of any band who have been as under-recognised as these guys. Dashed out and bought this on hearing the brilliant "You Can't Be Too Strong". Saw them at Blackbushe, but City Hall, Newcastle March 1979 they were showcasing this album, and what a show they put on. At the time I couldn't think of a better, stronger album EVER, and playing it again a few times in the car reminded me of why I said that.
this and "Local Girls" got a TON of airplay in KC on old KY 102 when this LP came out and always had me reaching for the volume dial to turn it up to 11
More than any other albums, this one & Joe Jackson's "Look Sharp" got me near enough to punk to really start discovering The Clash, The Ramones, Fear, & all those great punk bands of the late '70's.
I'm really stunned that there aren't more views of this song, the strongest cut from a superb album... thanks for posting it. Parker was a rival to Elvis and Joe Jackson in those Angry Young Man days of the late 70s.
this song came into my head today, given all the heartache facing our bros and sis in Japan... felt good that it still meant something to me... my favorite line is... cant always be the right flavor.... so true...............so true........
And today, people would say, "Graham who?" I want to re-learn and perform his songs--his vocal style suits mine--and give him credit. When you're a kid--me, at heart these days--your heroes were the ones that kept ya' going. Any true artist remembers, is humbled, and gushes at time about those who inspired him or her, fame or no fame.
I was so happy when I bought, "Stick to Me" from the discount rack in the late Seventies (my copy had the stickers included). I still think it's great. In the age of the Internet though, I read that it's not considered one of his best.
Man, what a great song, and I just read that it almost wasn't recorded because the band didn't like it and Graham wasn't sure of it. The producer said it was good and that's how it got recorded.
I saw Graham Parker open for Eric Clapton in Philadelphia at the Spectrum... I went by myself ... I had no interest the headliner... Picked up a single ticket the last minute at the box office and landed a 4th row seat... I stood for Graham Parker... Everyone around me didn't understand my enthusiasm... Eric Clapton was boring in comparison :)
“I wonder how many people don't get the one they want, but end up with the one they're supposed to be with.” Fannie Flagg, Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe . . Will
I nearly wore this album out when I first got it, every tracks a gem, just the wrong timing, if it wasn't for Elvis Costello copying him this album would have been massive.
@UGot2Rollme So I am not the only one who thought of GP after the tsunami. Seeing a milion miles between their jokes and smiles.. Discovering Japan....The Earth is Nearly quacking..... Under the Nuclear Shadows, how prophetic, how prophetic. It doesn't matter which record of GP you listen to...they are all great!!!!
I cant believe nobody's mentioned the movie "This is 40". That film is going to introduce his music to millions of people. Not going into it, you'll just have to see it for yourself. He's in it a lot. I'd never even heard of him until I saw it, which I'm ALMOST embarrassed of since I'm a musician & really into music. I do like oldies, classic rock, etc..but I dont care much for punk/new wave. So maybe that's why I never ran across him on my "musical journey" in my life, if that makes any sense.
@RolandWieffering1 I would not get too into Graham's so-called prophetic statements which he made in 1980s compared to now. We loved Parker back in the in NYC area. This song is actually not what you might think it be.
@hilfri1 It's a good companion to the Clash's Straight to Hell a few years later, about the Amerasian kids left after the war(s), rejected as "half-breed" by both cultures. "Let me tell ya 'bout your blood, bamboo kid. it ain't Coca Cola, it's rice..."
@10newjersey Never thought of Graham as an Prophet. Not seriously anyway. It was just that days news wich brought the song back into my head. That's all
The sound became immediately dated, annoying and affected, vocally and instrumentally. It it is still painful. However, the songs and the songwriting shine through, still, even more so, today. One of the best, still. Just an awkward time musically. When REM, the Smiths showed how it was Ok , not to be pop-funk whip lash snare and Be restrained, melodic and atmospheric was too late.
Graham Parker is one of my all time favorite artists. I played this album over a hundred times when I was in high school! One of the greatest albums ever recorded!
Saw him in flint Michigan he opened for Journey. I left when journey came on.
I read your comment about Graham Parker. You, sir, are my hero. Music matters.
Many thanks!
I did the same thing when he opened for Clapton .
I don't want to make this personal, but that is one of the poorest decisions regarding attending concerts I have ever heard. You have your reasons and I respect them if they are legit. I like Graham but no one plays guitar like Clapton, unless you're not into listening to one of the best of all time. BTW I saw that tour June 28th 1985 in Holmdel NJ - I went to see Graham and stayed to see Clapton. That's when I became more than a casual Clapton fan.
Adam Carolla brought me here.
One of the best and most commercially underrated albums since 1955
Absolutely true!
Did you see him live?
Exactly!
Tu sabes de lo que hablas👍
bullshit .. This one did really well for Graham ... Maybe under played but not under rated .
Probably one of the most under rated artists for 2 decades, talk about a killer band, man they just don't build them like this anymore. I discovered this record by accident on a radio program called "midnight album hour" I accidentally recorded it and then proceeded to wear out at least 2 vinyl versions of it.
Bullshit !!
This album brought me to tears when i first heard it. This is parkers masterpiece.
As near perfect a rock album as I have ever heard.
The whole album is a wonderful blend of rock music and poetry
Craig, just saw the movie on a plane, heading for Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Saigon. Lovely movie, a great deal of fun, the old Hollywood of hopes and dreams in a year of cynicism.
still loving this one and most of Graham's others
Great album, great song! Saw him for 99 cents in Seattle 1979--first time I saw pogo dancing.
One of the best albums ever.
Love this song, love this album, love this man!
One of the best rock songs ever
Been a fan for over 30 years.Great to hear so many appreciate his music.
It is hard for me to stop at one song on any Graham Parker album. I find myself listening to the entire album.
One of those mornings where you need the ENTIRE album at full blast to feel human again!
I saw him open for Cheap Trick in '79. (Indy) He was awesome.
Saw him on the same tour in Montreal. Didn't know much of his material, but I remember the song Mercury Poisoning to this day!
One of parkers best songs hands down.i never tire of the images and situations he puts in your mind from a females prospective.classic.
hands up
Great Album, one of the best of the decade! Personally i think Parker better than either Joe Jackson or Elvis Costello although i also like them both.
Surely also if there's a big difference, the sound of Parker is immediately recognizable, is consistent over the years, instead Joe play punk, rock, pop, new wave, jazz soul, r&b and much more, is completely unpredictable. Both very great artists.
I was lucky to be living in Chicago when Parker released the first album, Howlin Wind. The radio station I listened to gave it and his subsequent albums plenty of air play, so by the time this came out I was already a massive fan.
GP is truly one of the most under rated artists I can think of. The Real Macaw has a bunch of great songs but I think his masterpiece is Human Soul from 1989. It's gorgeous. Mona Lisa is pretty brilliant also.
My Dad brought me up with this album and this is one of the best songs on it.
I can't think of any band who have been as under-recognised as these guys. Dashed out and bought this on hearing the brilliant "You Can't Be Too Strong". Saw them at Blackbushe, but City Hall, Newcastle March 1979 they were showcasing this album, and what a show they put on. At the time I couldn't think of a better, stronger album EVER, and playing it again a few times in the car reminded me of why I said that.
It clicked with me immediately . I like him better than Elvis Costello ! ha . This album is his best yes !
Spooky! Same venue 1979 with the boys from Levis North Shields saw the wonderful Elvis and the band. Do prefer that earlier stuff I have to say.
Phenomenal track, his best in my opinion. Absolutely killer guitar and bass tone. Should have been a single.
this and "Local Girls" got a TON of airplay in KC on old KY 102 when this LP came out and always had me reaching for the volume dial to turn it up to 11
Another one of those PERFECT SONGS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is one of my favorite songs of all time.
More than any other albums, this one & Joe Jackson's "Look Sharp" got me near enough to punk to really start discovering The Clash, The Ramones, Fear, & all those great punk bands of the late '70's.
Elvis Costello and Graham Parker both helped me much in the same way (a few years earlier Lou Reed and Iggy Pop laid the groundwork).
Graham and the Rumour had the punk "edge" but could write and play. Brinsley=brilliant
Interesting...
I'm really stunned that there aren't more views of this song, the strongest cut from a superb album... thanks for posting it. Parker was a rival to Elvis and Joe Jackson in those Angry Young Man days of the late 70s.
14 years ago ! your comment , omg we need more fans
Perfect album start to finish...desert album for sure
Great seeing the Geep in 2023
Grew up during this period and not a big fan of his but what a wonderful, great song.
One of my most favorite albums.. Im guessing it was about 1980-1982 that I started listening to my older brothers stash
Avevo 22 anni e trasmettevo alla radio......e questo cantante mi piaceva da morire,avevo tutti i suoi album!!
I had this on a cassette in .... 1977?1978? The tape wore out in 5 or so years, my memories of it never did!
the best song he ever did!!!!
this song came into my head today, given all the heartache facing our bros and sis in Japan... felt good that it still meant something to me... my favorite line is... cant always be the right flavor.... so true...............so true........
I haven't heard this in 45 years.
This album along with Darkness on the edge of town by Bruce Springsteen had a huge influence on me.
Absolutely! Two albums I wore smooth back in the day.
Agreed. Loved 'Candy's Room' sooo much...
I love Darkness....my favourite Springsteen album....maybe a tie with Born to Run!
Best albums ever heard. Hyvä GP.
The angriest man no doubt. Album came out year I graduated high school. Blew me away. He has an edge the other two angries can't touch.
Absolutely Awesome ....
And today, people would say, "Graham who?" I want to re-learn and perform his songs--his vocal style suits mine--and give him credit. When you're a kid--me, at heart these days--your heroes were the ones that kept ya' going. Any true artist remembers, is humbled, and gushes at time about those who inspired him or her, fame or no fame.
Do it man! Very few come out as true originals...if you emulate someone Graham and the Rumour would be a great choice.
Awesome stuff. Used to love Graham Parker, a real hard rocker with R & B overtones, highly underrated.
Hard rocker? Huh?
the magic is still there
I remember seeing him when I was very young. He's still good.
His Serene Highness Graham Parker.
GP takes me to japan. Saves the trip. Brilliant.
1979, The ultimate example of how pop can be high.
Graham Parker. Proper lad.
Graham Parker. Full-on Geezer.
Perfect.
KILLER ALBUM......''IT'S FATAL . AND IT DON'T GET BETTER......'
He's touring in September 16. Have tickets for the show in Islington...
Love the song and Brinsley Schwarz guitar riffs
まだノっていた頃の
Ｇ.パーカー
なかなかのいい曲
今じゃ出ない音。
His masterpiece. I thought of Sayonora it didn't mean goodbye. Challenging Costello. That's midnight to you.
This would be killer if it was remastered, sounds tinny to my ear but then again it always has.
It sounds absolutely fine to me.
Tinny production is what kept many a killer tune off the radio back then. A true shame!
I was so happy when I bought, "Stick to Me" from the discount rack in the late Seventies (my copy had the stickers included). I still think it's great. In the age of the Internet though, I read that it's not considered one of his best.
this song brings back memories----thanks for posting
Man, what a great song, and I just read that it almost wasn't recorded because the band didn't like it and Graham wasn't sure of it. The producer said it was good and that's how it got recorded.
fabulous singer and songwriter-....Howling Wind is the best album I have ever heard
Love this guy! Discovered him when I happened to be in Japan when I first heard this song. LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT! AWESOME. Thank you for posting!
Learned the truth of this song the hard way.
I saw Graham Parker open for Eric Clapton in Philadelphia at the Spectrum... I went by myself ... I had no interest the headliner... Picked up a single ticket the last minute at the box office and landed a 4th row seat... I stood for Graham Parker... Everyone around me didn't understand my enthusiasm... Eric Clapton was boring in comparison :)
“I wonder how many people don't get the one they want, but end up with the one they're supposed to be with.” Fannie Flagg, Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe
.
.
Will
wow I have not heard this in like 20 years!! Awesome!
A great song !
I nearly wore this album out when I first got it, every tracks a gem, just the wrong timing, if it wasn't for Elvis Costello copying him this album would have been massive.
@UGot2Rollme So I am not the only one who thought of GP after the tsunami.
Seeing a milion miles between their jokes and smiles..
Discovering Japan....The Earth is Nearly quacking..... Under the Nuclear Shadows, how prophetic, how prophetic.
It doesn't matter which record of GP you listen to...they are all great!!!!
Late to the party, I hope this isn’t blasphemous, but he reminds me of early Elvis Costello, urgent, angry and melodic.
Wonder why we all danced in the 80's.
I cant believe nobody's mentioned the movie "This is 40". That film is going to introduce his music to millions of people. Not going into it, you'll just have to see it for yourself. He's in it a lot. I'd never even heard of him until I saw it, which I'm ALMOST embarrassed of since I'm a musician & really into music. I do like oldies, classic rock, etc..but I dont care much for punk/new wave. So maybe that's why I never ran across him on my "musical journey" in my life, if that makes any sense.
i played the shit out this album..nearly perfect record.
unheard of great stuff
I've heard about Graham Parker fro Smithereens Rarities. Earthquake, SEISMOLOGY - Rumours different from Tremors. Most of all he's so CHIC!
Those were the days... a vinyl life-line...
good stuff
Un vrai bon ( Excellent même) album de rock!
Good old time...
Dude Rocks!
I wonder what discovering Japan must have been like through this great man's eyes?
Top top track. Long shot I know, but does anyone know why it doesn't appear on the Spotify version of the album?
It's a polished studio album, but they kept a raw edge.
Well? There you go!
@RolandWieffering1
I would not get too into Graham's so-called prophetic statements which he made in 1980s compared to now. We loved Parker back in the in NYC area. This song is actually not what you might think it be.
@hilfri1 It's a good companion to the Clash's Straight to Hell a few years later, about the Amerasian kids left after the war(s), rejected as "half-breed" by both cultures. "Let me tell ya 'bout your blood, bamboo kid. it ain't Coca Cola, it's rice..."
One of the most intelligent songwriters of my dumbass generation (I shout out Sayanonaha
@mjraffe - 'Howlin' Wind' changed my life...
tks for this jewel. greetings from costa@rome.italy
@10newjersey Never thought of Graham as an Prophet. Not seriously anyway. It was just that days news wich brought the song back into my head.
That's all
GP's natural charm brought me here.
Doesn't matter when I land its always 8:02 but midnight to you
agree vastly under recognised
Bret Easton Ellis-core
For a while I thought of Graham like "Elvis Costello, but without the annoying ego"
A triple A album
Who stopped listening?
Diet or regular?
who are you accusing?
Brilliant....sadly he was no Joe jackson or Elvis Costello
+Thomas Andersen
Thank God.
Bret Easton Ellis brought me here.
The sound became immediately dated, annoying and affected, vocally and instrumentally. It it is still painful. However, the songs and the songwriting shine through, still, even more so, today. One of the best, still. Just an awkward time musically. When REM, the Smiths showed how it was Ok , not to be pop-funk whip lash snare and Be restrained, melodic and atmospheric was too late.
No. I'm more of a fan than you.
He was pretty good but, he was no Joe Jackson.
who???
Pffft
Stephen Lazauskas Sorry to say it, but you are not the man :/
claybeach117 Do you still play with your poop? Get off page.
One of the greatest albums ever.
GoldShower1 Absolutely, and nobody knows it .
Stephen Lazauskas You got that right,eh!!!!!