Dave's Reaction: Status Quo - Mystery Song

[@orbytl2799]

Quo love them or hate them they are one of them bands when they play one of their tunes on the radio at work the volume gets turned up and everyone got a smile on their face 😁 as soon as you hear the opening riff to Down Down up goes the volume

[@MichaelCampin]

RIP Rick Parfitt and Alan Lancaster. Gone but not forgotten . Quo Army will Rock on and on and on........

[@GutterBallet]

Great rockin’ tune. Glad you introduced me to this band. Looking forward to more. Thanks guys.

[@sos2907]

Quo did 5 fantastic albums in the 70's."Piledriver","Hello","Quo","On The Level" and "Blue For You".They are well worth a listen.

[@PaulWilliams-xz3mz]

I agree...I also like the *Dog of two head* album and *ma kelly's greasy spoon* album too

[@daveshaw7953]

Wow Quo was the first album I ever bought back in the early 80’s. It was a greatest hits album called 12 Gold Bars and I was about 7 years old. I’d heard a recent Status Quo song so picked them as my first record. It had all their earlier 70’s rockers on it and I was instantly hooked on their music.

[@gordyhydro5774]

The greatest live band from that era. Bollocks to Zep,Sabbath, or floyd. Long live the QUO!!!

[@markburleyemmerson1373]

Status Quo toured the States during in the mid 70s (their last visit was in 2003) During this time singles & albums were released. Unfortunately for whatever reason they received very little publicity or radio play. Even so they’ve gone on to sell 130m records worldwide, collected over 200 gold records & sold over 30m concert tickets. Massive across the UK, Europe & Asia. Nice to see them getting some long overdue exposure in the States. Quo are one of the greatest live bands ever to come out of the UK. Check out live performances from Milton Keynes bowl 1984 & Download 2014.

[@rodricselbie35]

Consider this, Quo tickets are now starting to come out for the 2024 European tour and all 15 venues in Germany are sold out, the UK tickets go on sale next week, a band that started in the early '60s and have toured every year from the beginning, what other band could match that.

[@Signofevil_Smile4theCam]

You forgot to mention that they performed well over 6000 gigs!

[@RoyBigBoy]

Seen quo live over 50 times fantastic

[@jennycampbell8539]

I seen QUO 56 times I'm going to gigs since 1980

[@Qualityoflifematters101]

Thank you for showing Dave the track I recommended - it’s great to watch it with him. So glad that he liked it too! Yes Francis put speed in Ricks tea. When this was recorded they were really high and it was played faster than ever. When they sung it for the first time, as they didn’t know what Rick had called it, they had written ‘mystery song’ at the top of the sheet to check with him later what he wanted to call it…. But the name mystery song stuck.

[@j0hnf_uk]

'Mystery Song', was released as a single back in 1976, from their, 'Blue For You', album. This is the single version, (of course), that accompanied the music video. The album version runs for a bit longer and has an interesting intro and outro to the main part of the song that's played here. The story to the creation of this song involves Rick Parfitt, (he of the blonde hair and fluffed line part of the way through the video), and a teaspoon of, 'Columbian marching power', placed into a cup of tea, (as a joke), by another band member, during a recording session. He was left in the studio to work out a tune he had in mind, whilst everyone else went home for the evening. When they returned the next morning, Rick was still there, having worked through the night, with the resultant, 'Mystery Song.' Reading/listening to the lyrics, it doesn't take too long to work out what the mystery is about. This was when Quo were at the height of their success. Things plateaued for a number of years, but they were generally quite consistent, bar one of two occasions, with their output up until the mid to late 80's.

[@leo1314ok]

Here's a fun fact for you Dave, Status Quo are one of the biggest selling rock bands of all time with over 120 million sales worldwide despite very little exposure in America. To put that into perspective, some of the biggest acts, well known in America, have the following sales: Kiss 100m, The Who 100m, Led Zeppelin 100m, Deep Purple 100m, Journey 100m, Whitesnake 100m, Neil Young 85m (inc CSNY & CSY) Black Sabbath 75m, Judas Priest 50m, CCR 50m, Rush 40m, Heart 35m, Lynyrd Skynyrd 28m

[@morp947]

Typically the best way to explore Quo on KZbin is through live versions of songs in my opinion, their live performances have always been, and still are, full of energy in a way which is sometimes, but not always, lacking on record. The current incarnation of the band have a full rack of shows planned for 2024 across Europe, but this could be their last road trip with Francis turning 75 this year. Francis is the band leader and has always been the front man and lead guitarist, though in the original incarnation there was more joint decision making I think than in the second incarnation (1986 onwards). I would recommend ‘Caroline’ from the Download Festival 2014 to get a flavour of the energy from the current incarnation (though this is admittedly 4/5 of the current band) but is a good indicator of how they are still a force of nature live despite their age.

[@pauljones9061]

I agree most of Quos live versions are better, but the live versions of Mystery song are always played too fast, the drug years.

[@morp947]

@@pauljones9061 I think in the late 80s and 90s yes. But I would say Mystery Song from the London 02 Arena in December 2012 could be, in my opinion, the definitive live version of Mystery Song. It's not the full track, they've never done that, but it is standalone instead of being part of a broader medley and is played at a slower pace. Slower in this context meaning a normal speed, as opposed to insane 90s speed! That version is also in high quality audio as the show was professionally recorded as part of the 'Live Here Now' series, which always helps!

[@terrortorn]

You know, my Dad had very few claims to fame but among them are famous people he shared a lift with and in 1980 he shared a lift with Francis Rossi. He bought "12 Gold Bars" on the strength of that.

[@Signofevil_Smile4theCam]

The only band back in the 70s to turn their backs to the spectators and survivibg it, yet even thrive the fans by it.

[@iangillon6981]

For Gods sake. Please check the Album Full Version :)

[@Tangles02]

Great song now try give their song “ Caroline” live at Download festival 2014 a spin it’s their opening song . Cheers

[@cabdriveruk]

What are 'STs' in Mystery Song? (Status Quo) Rick Pafitt was asked this question by someone on the mailing list: it means 'Stocking Tops,' apparently. The song itself is actually about a prostitute, as confirmed by Francis Rossi at Reading in December 1997. Blue For You - Status Quo’s 1976 Album. The 1976 “Mystery Song”, co-written with Bob Young, was composed after Rossi had laced Parfitt’s tea with amphetamine sulphate during the sessions for the Blue for You album. Rossi later said: “He was playing the riff when we left the studio, and he was still playing it when we came back the next day!”

[@betbuk]

EVERYTHING in the 70's was a "...meets Chuck Berry" vibe. And I mean EVERYTHING! I was shocked a few years back when I did some full album listens and with almost 50 years removed from the scene the amount of Berry-ism found on the deeper cuts was astonishing! Didn't even notice back in the day!

[@MichaelCampin]

Thats the live version not the album track off of Blue for You . The 1976 album

[@stephenoverthrow2463]

Seen Quo around 30 times since the mid 70's. Always top entertainment live, and yes the 70's & 80's were the best years,, but still great now. Mystery Song absolutely blew me away when it was released when I was a greasy 16 year old. Absolute masterpiece of rhythm guitar 🎸 playing by Rick on that track. Miss the cheeky sod, and Alan.

[@oli19]

I really didn't take to these as a kid in the 80s, then last month I found "Pictures of Matchstick Men" which inspired a Death in Vegas song that Liam Gallagher sang on called "Scorpio Rising" A while before their 4 chord double denim era they were a bit Psychedelic.

[@paulmccann76]

Down down must be next

[@245bennyboy]

I'm so happy!😂 Brilliant reaction to my all time favourite Quo song. Inappropriate fade out is due to it fitting in on radio back then the live version is 8 minutes and is unbelievable live.👋👋👋👋👋

[@Diseased_Mr_T]

"Oh Francis, you rascal..." 😂

[@iangillon6981]

😇

[@paulrutson5405]

They did a killer version of Johnny B Goode called Bye Bye Johnny, well worth a listen

[@michaelkarlsson5966]

Johnny B Goode and Bye Bye Johnny are two actual and separate songs made by Chuck Berry. They aren't the same song. Status Quo did a cover of Bye bye Johnny, yes but haven't done a cover of Johnny B Goode.

[@leo1314ok]

The "young man" was the guitarist singing the song!

[@guitarmuscle6968]

Always Choose any Status Quo Video or Song from before 1985, preferably Status Quo from the 1970's the Classic Quo at their Best, anything after the early 80's is Basically a Tribute Band to the original line up

[@michaelkarlsson5966]

grow up with the nostalgia will you! They've done some fantastic stuff from the 80s up until today. The albums (and most of the songs from) Under the Influence, Heavy Traffic, The Party Ain't Over Yet, In Search of the Fourth Chord and Quid Pro Quo are really great!

[@guitarmuscle6968]

@@michaelkarlsson5966 if you say so 😄 Admittedly there's the odd song here and there from the 80's and 90's, but even according to many interviews with Rick he said most of what they did was Rubbish

[@thegoose126]

Love you guys are doing the quo, they became a band that people would look down on. As you can see they were just a fun rock n roll band. Please do down down and matchstick men next! ❤

[@samechick]

Matchstick Men reaction tomorrow!

[@tangoarab]

Check out the full album version. From Blue From You

[@philmus1]

In their 70s pomp there were few bands to match Status Quo. And they were loud, very loud

[@pauldonaldson6203]

Hi guys First time here, love the Quo and your reactions and thoughts. May I suggest the Stranglers with Down in the sewer, thank you and enjoy.

[@samechick]

Welcome =)

[@Escapee5931]

I love Down In The Sewer - it's a real journey.

[@FenderTele]

The mighty quo in full flight! Give paper plane a listen from 1972 live at the marquee and then try backwater. For a touch of quos country vibe give their version of The Wild Side Of Life a listen the one to check out is the promo video from 1976. Another fun promo is something bout you baby I like.

[@Duncan.Terrace]

I was about 14 when this was my favourite .

[@MrsMillwall]

Live is always best 🌟

[@stephenk5112]

Love it ❤

[@billbrindley7355]

Try The Quo version of chuck Berry's o Carol. They really gave that the full Quo treatment. Rocked it up superbly. Takes alot to improve a Chuck Berry song but boy did they do a number on that....have a listen and decide for yourself.

[@crinbob]

Apparently they provided “refreshments” to everyone during the recording of the Band Aid Christmas single. And they never forgot who owes them some kzbin.info/www/bejne/pIfQhnhmoZmWfpYsi=jAYUds0pD7bR5el8

[@adamhearne2825]

I wonder would Dave like a bitta Irish folk music. If so I’d recommend a bit of Luke Kelly maybe the Auld Triangle or Black Velvet Band

[@susanmccall736]

Andy Bown is still very much alive and kicking only Rick and Alan are no longer with us.

[@j0hnf_uk]

I thought they might be referencing Roy Lynes, who was the keyboard player in the late 60's - early 70's, but he's still alive at 80 years old. The only other keyboard players with them, historically, is Jess Jaworski, who passed away in 2014.

[@samechick]

I was referencing Jess Jaworski.

[@leo1314ok]

Tuuuuuuune!!!

[@245bennyboy]

You should search for Francis Rossi and Noel Gallagher as Francis said he thought Liam always looked miserable and Noel wasn't happy! Thing is Liam does look miserable most of the time😂

[@samechick]

To me Liam looks like he keeps his head on a swivel and he's always ready for a fight.

[@stephenk5112]

@@samechick mad fer it 🤣

[@245bennyboy]

Shecky he's not over keen on journalists that he meets in the street😂

[@johndodds5431]

Quo and piledriver the best album

[@245bennyboy]

Enjoy your coffee I would have bought you tea as Dave mentioned it but it'll have to be coffee. More Quo please but NOT the Marks and Spencer advert! Rick and Alan will be spinning in their graves but maybe poor Francis needs the dosh? NOT!😂

[@cadelepski5161]

Yeah, cos Rick always turned down all the promos & stunts. NOT!

[@superchargenurse]

Down down next please

[@JustSupposin1]

Do you know what st Showing

[@Qualityoflifematters101]

If you want one final recommendation for Quo hard rock from me, where they’re really tight together, try this track too. Paper plane kzbin.info/www/bejne/aoK3oWuiid-ki6ssi=lVysaGx4pIhgX_yn

[@Ingens_Scherz]

Great song.

[@Qualityoflifematters101]

@@Ingens_Scherz it is mate, sheer hard, tight rock. Have a sound all of their own. The frantic four at their very best.

[@comickaraoke]

Good tune. dug the guitar/bass groove. Speaking of old classics, here's a classic cut from the band Badfinger which Dave may not be familiar with and may like to react to. It has real cool changeups in style from their classic rock/powerpop material. I just sampled it for the first time on the YT and reallydug it. It's the tune, "In THe Meantime/Some Other Time" Sort of their answer to The Beatles Day In The Life I suppose. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZKulZKih8qZqK8

[@paulrutson5405]

Why o why play the radio version and not the album version and you would probably understand the reason for the mystery song name!

[@samechick]

Because this was the version that was suggested.

[@leo1314ok]

Brilliant single from one of their best and biggest selling albums, Blue For You. The album version is better

[@JustSupposin1]

NO the keyboard playr was the early one not in the 70's quo

[@JustSupposin1]

Huge i Europe and Australia ignored in the USA

[@johncarr2806]

It is pronounced "Stay-tus" Quo.

[@gordyhydro5774]

Eric snooze fest Clapton couldn't rock like the QUO!!!

[@paulhorgan6152]

Its pronounced staytus