Exclusive: Francis Rossi reveals favourite song from his career!

With a 60 year career containing 60 Top 40 singles in the UK, Status Quo legend Francis Rossi reveals to Vintage Rock Pod the one song he'd select from his own back catalogue that he would put forward as his legacy song, the one he'd offer for immortality. It may be a surprising choice for many!
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[@johnclunas5769]

4500 times, best song for me, even if Quo had done a 30 minute version, I wouldn't have tired of it. Never get enough.

[@wingchun-simplekungfu7584]

Yeh. Great song. Loved it on Hello. Then couldn’t get enough of it on the first live album . Even played it in a couple of bands.

[@sahhull]

Live 4500 times in the old days would go on for about 20 mins.

[@mcfcguvnors]

4500 opened a pathway - AC/DC copied it as did Iron Maiden with Phantom of the opera . Changing tempos mid song with no break became the must have thing in a set list

[@70AD-user45]

With 4500 Times, there was a 2nd version on the Rock Till You Drop album. I still prefer the original classic version.

[@renatoporcu3097]

26 dicembre Roma 👑 tanta salute x te Francis Rossi ✨✨✨

[@BB-qp9ri]

Great lead guitarist, did some fantastic solos imo , my favourite if I had to pick one would be Slow Train 😎

[@MrMjp58]

He must be one of the most natural and fluent of writers, players and singers in the rock world. He makes all that; plus public speaking and stardom, seem like the easiest things in the world. A genius, in my book.

[@stephenwatson4642]

My Legend and Musical Hero. Very underestimated guitarist. A very funny and lovely Human being. ❤

[@BB-qp9ri]

Rossi and Parfitt, what a combination, like gin n tonic ✌🏼

[@adamski101]

Caroline for me. I've always loved the songs on the Back To Back album too.

[@tattyshoesshigure5731]

I like Paper Plane, mainly for the somewhat surreal lyrics, and Caroline… particularly for that classic break just after “…together we can rock & roll”. Used to love playing it on the juke box at my local back in the early ‘70’s!

[@0utcastAussie]

As a (crap) guitarist myself, Paper Plane appears to b̶o̶r̶r̶o̶w̶ be inspired by Eddie Cochranes "Something Else" but the riff is in reverse and "Quoified" !! Yeah I stumbled on it t'other day when learning "Something Else" to jam with the Houndogs. (My daughters a close friend of them)

[@patrickmonaghan3434]

I was walking home from the Pub this morning around 1am and listening to the Piledriver album. It must be close to 50 years since it was released and it's still giving me eargasms 🤟

[@stevenrix7024]

The follow up, Hello!, was released on 28 September 1973, so it turns 50 a week or two from now.

[@carlosdeno]

The first album I purchased was On The Level, I was 13 years old. It changed my life forever and I still listen to Quo everyday. Personally for me, Ma Kelly’s to Quo Live is my go too, never ever will I get tired off listening to that era of The Frantic Four. We have been truly blessed. ❤️‍🩹✌️

[@QuoPaperPlane]

Buying a Quo album changed your life forever? Isn't that a teeny weeny bit over dramatised?

[@carlosdeno]

​@@QuoPaperPlaneNo Princess it isn't. It made me want to learn to play the guitar, which I now do. I also play the bass and saxophone. My first guitar was a Zenta Telecaster that my late mother purchased for me for £20. I'm now 60 and have enjoyed over 50 years of being a musician. Obviously you're a very ignorant individual and if you can't grasp the context of my comment I can't help you. Your IQ of 80 is really shining through though, a word of advice, if you haven't got anything nice or positive to say, keep your mouth shut.

[@Stpaulus101]

Mystery song full version not the single version I mean why did they allow it to be cut down?🤔

[@waynefletcher9569]

Roll over lay down would get in my top 100 songs of all time, a real catchy tune, a lot of songs just have a guitar break in the middle but in this song the solos tell a story, I've played the guitar for years myself and could easily learn the guitar parts but have always resisted as it would spoi it

[@70AD-user45]

What's the story in the Roll Over Lay Down guitar break?

[@tommyhamilton2107]

The way Quo performed they were all brilliant, thanks for the memories Francis.

[@AndyMartin401]

Tongue Tied is a brilliant song. You can hear the emotion in his voice during the chorus.

[@andydixon2980]

Funny fella Rossi. He remains youthfully laddish. Status Quo were a great band.

[@pieterbalk-ht7kq]

Still are!

[@danielryder42]

Yes still are!

[@pieterbalk-ht7kq]

@BlubberBrother1672 and that is what you had to answer……in the middle of the night….🥴

[@pieterbalk-ht7kq]

@BlubberBrother1672 that I don’t take people serious who reply in the middle of the night. Have a great weekend and spend it on something you enjoy instead of something you apperently do not enjoy anymore yet still follow and feel the need to reply to.

[@pieterbalk-ht7kq]

@BlubberBrother1672 proud “fanboy” since 77 you sour boy! You replied in an open conversation with multiple people here on KZbin. Then it is very likely someone replies to your remark. But all fine. If you think they are “shite”….I wonder why you still watch Quo videos. Just to annoy yourself and be angry about the fact you miss a long gone past? Or do you truely think because you chime in saying they are “shite” other people who still enjoy the mighty Quo think “oh, this Blubber Brother thinks they are shite so I guess they are” and re evaluate their fandom?

[@gt007a5979]

Totally agree Frame especially the Live at St Luke’s version, and before you Frantic fours start I LOVE all Quo stuff (seen all incarnations since the love affair started in 73 but Tongue tied is a fantastic tune

[@debdenraider]

Live at St Luke’s I find myself listening to over and over, such a great record.

[@michaelkarlsson5966]

I honestly love most of Status Quo's songs to death. They are my favorite band! :)

[@wingchun-simplekungfu7584]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@mandybeaton4678]

Same here ❤

[@GedTheRed]

Too many to mention. Softer Ride , Caroline , In My Chair live in glasgow , Dont Waste My Time , Down Down , Railroad, could go on and on❤

[@sveinmjeldheim8241]

4500 times. Best song ever. Of any category. Status Quo from the beginning to the end.

[@user-jz6to8md3c]

Francis rossi so cool.

[@michael5089]

What a great channel. Subbed! Love Francis so will listen to the full interview. Thank you!!!!👍🎸🎸🎸🎸

[@Peterthepainter66]

Backwater for me. A track that encapsulated Quo.

[@70AD-user45]

Brilliant guitar intro to Backwater.

[@user-nw8ws1qz7t]

Railroad & spinning wheel blues for me

[@matskarlsson3219]

One of my favorite songs. Status Quo & Brian May - Raining in My Heart. ❤

[@VRPRocks]

I've never heard their version before. Will go and give it a listen now!

[@matskarlsson3219]

The original version "Raining in My Heart" is recorded by Buddy Holly on October 21, 1958 at the Pythian Temple on West 70th Street in New York City, with the orchestral backing by Dick Jacobs.@@VRPRocks

[@MK-re6sf]

It's immense, Francis and Brian are locked in together on that one.

[@elainelakin4812]

Living on an island is one of my favourites too francis

[@aubindemontfalcon5967]

I absolutely love "Save me".

[@stephensmith6507]

4500 times or Slow Train with all those tempo changes ,got to be classics ?

[@mrmitch5054]

Love tongue tied on the on the in search of the fourth chord it's really thought provoking

[@Mariazellerbahn]

Down the Dustpipe / Paper Plane / Tune to the Music / Nothing at All / Gerdundula / ... any of those. Later stuff after the 70's isn't on my radar.

[@Chrischi1981]

What a Legend! Status Quo is the best Band :)

[@martinobrien4164]

Tongue Tied - great track.

[@NorsePJ]

For me, it would be too many to choose from, but I'd pick from 1973 and back. Those were the golden years for Status Quo (IMHO). Trying to think, no, I can't pick just one. So, respect to Francis for having a go. My favourite album, though, is 'Hello!' only because it was the first I was introduced to back in 1973. 😁

[@Stpaulus101]

Softer ride::::slow train:::blue eyed lady::

[@Knut-groseth]

Unspoken Words for me

[@skylineXpert]

Down down is my pick

[@VRPRocks]

Big number 1 in the UK!

[@EarthMagicBrno]

Nah mate - it would be something from Piledriver or Hello surely.

[@Stpaulus101]

Lonely man From the 1974 QOU album::::should have been a single 🤔

[@bm3738]

Umleitung roll over lay down 4500 times immense songs for me top tunes❤

[@jonathanpardoe8722]

Too catch Quo at their finest which is pre commercial era yet post Dog album and to catch Quo at the raw core centre of great timeless music there is really only one song that encapsulate forever the spirit and essence of Quo Rossi himself knows it , Rick certainly knew it and all those at Live aid knew it ........"Dont waste my time " from Piledriver . an album of colossal stature , up there with Led Zep 4 !

[@DigitalUnderground7]

IMO ‘Rock n Roll’ is my favourite….took me a while to decide because of all their great tracks but yeah…..wait 🤔’Ol Rag Blues’ yeah that’s it! 😁👍🏻………’Down Down’ 😎 ‘Rock til you drop’……sorry folks I don’t think I can choose a favourite. ‘Dirty Water’ that’s it!…………….

[@raymondbonington9355]

Mean girl .hit from 1973 .

[@Mat_Gomez23]

Down Down is my favorite Status Quo song

[@renatoporcu3097]

❤❤8 febbraio Roma

[@zonnyzunny]

The best song he wrote whichever one fans pick was almost certainly written with Mr Bob Young. Bob was a massive part of the Quo story.

[@savageberny]

The only good Quo songs were before they split up which is captured in the Frantic Four Reunion Tour

[@daniel-m]

There are so many good songs of Status Quo. It's dificult to choose one, ... but maybe mi favorite is "living on an island", or maybe "slow train", or maybe ... i don't now ! :o)

[@NapoleonSolo61]

Don't waste my time is my favourite

[@batphink2655]

Gotta love Frankie ermm Francis yes, he's just so down to Earth no Rockstar BS at all, much more talented guitarist than he thinks he is! RIP Rick and Alan!

[@VRPRocks]

He is very down to earth isn't he, a fascinating man to converse with, you can see his mind working at 100mph, flitting from this to that. Fun man to speak with for sure!

[@babylemonade2868]

Is there a better way is probably my favourite song and blue for you my favourite album

[@MsCaleb79]

Anybody ever heard the song tough time?

[@Traillblazer]

Every diehard Quo fan knows he loves them two tracks. 🙂

[@charleigh195]

So so many fabulous quo songs although not one of their own songs Wild Side Of Life is just one of my faves.

[@JamesBond-lq7bs]

I like that one

[@williamwyllie7072]

In my opinion the best Status Quo song is pictures of matchstick men!

[@VRPRocks]

That would definitely be near the top of my list too!

[@gavetgarcia6404]

What kind of love"""

[@user-co2vm5wt8w]

Got everything they have done my favourite whatever you want

[@thomasmartin5021]

down the dustpipe my fav quo song

[@desmondjamesleggett990]

i have every album, it's impossible to select one, i just can't choose there are too many that should be a "legacy song" so i'm resigning!

[@rickeap]

Tongue Tied is indeed a lovely song, though not typical Quo. 45 Hundred Times, Bad News, Oriental, Big Fat Mama, Down Down, Red Sky, Caroline, In My Chair, Dust to Gold, Paper Plane, Mystery Song...so many classics.

[@porkypile]

Amazed he's alive, cause he's drunk a.f here

[@wingchun-simplekungfu7584]

Mystery Song. Probably every song Rick was part of writing 👍🏻

[@MrRocker1958]

Tongue tied FFS

[@rollingthunder9579]

Blue Eyed Lady from the Hello album without a doubt is one candidare. Funny he mentions In The Army Now, as it's a cover version. Marguerita Time had potential but was ruined by how it was arranged, particularly by those awful screaming keyboards

[@user-jz7rn3gx3x]

He should pick a genuine quo track from the original 70s line up not the tribute act he turned them into

[@kenbrudenell921]

I couldn't agree more and when Pip Williams got involved it was downhill all the way!

[@JohnWilliams-ds1ue]

Need your love or railroad for me

[@user-xv3oc4jp3w]

Backwater, Big fat mama, Mystery song

[@damianwhite504]

He certainly ISN'T tongue tied

[@hgn2321]

He is all about the melodies, guess that's why it's none of the rockier tunes like Roll over etc. Besides the classics I must say he struck melody gold with Tallulah's waiting, pure class that tune.

[@robertjackson8199]

Any one want to buy a green tele replica autographed by Francis, Rick, Matt Letley and that bass player. I just can't be done with Rossi now.

[@michaelkarlsson5966]

His name is John "Rhino" Edwards. :)

[@joanhemingway1768]

Tipical just the newer stuff how he wanted it

[@stevieqman]

Tongue tied..i`m afraid this would not make my top 50.

[@twelvemeister]

i would like to sit down with francis and play.. in the army now then play "lonely man " or a "a year" or "all the reasons " or "over and done" and ask him are you seriously telling me "in the army now " is better , its a sick joke man .

[@paulkenney700]

all sound the same anyway :D

[@karmicselling4252]

DOWN DOWN ... PRICES ARE DOWN !

[@blindpink]

"Tongue tied"...........sorry that's the wrong answer Francis.

[@QuoPaperPlane]

Not surprised I haven't heard those titles simply because I hit Quo on the head in '81 as I tired from If You Can't Stand The Heat. At least I gave 'em the benefit of two more albums after that dreadful experiment.

[@fellovermydad]

Prefer hold ya back

[@davidglow3]

He really is losing it. bit sad really

[@michaelmarron8441]

Yes

[@michaelkarlsson5966]

what is he losing?

[@davidglow3]

@@michaelkarlsson5966 His Marbles

[@stu8240]

Shite after the removal of Lancaster and Coughlan.

[@pauljones9061]

Why would you want to be associated with any of those songs ,again he's in denial about the early part of his career.

[@robertjackson8199]

I used to love Francis, but Howay out of all the Proper Quo songs he picks tounge tied. Really!!, what a crock, it wouldn't and shouldn't even make an album filler. He really has lost it.

[@TaxingIsThieving]

Get over yourself.

[@al4904]

He refused to work with AL any more after the RAOTW album yet has spent almost 40yrs milking every last cent from touring and re-releasing songs that are mostly 70's Quo material. He's a two faced hypocrite who cares not one tiny little bit for what the FF did to help him achieve his dreams. He thinks Quo's success was entirely because of his own song writing talent but the truth is, without the other three and especially AL. He would not have become a successful musician and would have had to earn a living selling ice cream.

[@fellovermydad]

Tongue tied was awful

[@haglerminter]

not so sure about his selections tbh....

[@HorseRacingLegends]

Don’t waste my time.

[@lukasmarzell5598]

Can you dear status quo and francis rossi do someones learning for some time in your setlist?

[@bm3738]

2 hopes no hope and Bob hope😅

[@spookedhorse]

claudie!!!!!!!!!!!!!