Living On An Island by Status Quo

Album: Whatever You Want (1979)

Charted: 16

License This Song

lyrics

artistfacts

Songfacts®:

Although they are typecast as a no-nonsense rock band, Status Quo have produced quite a variety of songs over the years. Running to 3 minutes 54 seconds, "Living On An Island" is a ballad grounded firmly in reality. In the 1960s and on into the '70s, UK tax rates for high-earning musicians and actors were so extortionate that many became tax exiles. Among the first were James Bond author Ian Fleming and the multitalented Noël Coward, who both took up residence in Jamaica; the Woking-born Rick Parfitt chose an island paradise much closer to home, Jersey. Parfitt, who supplied the lead vocal, co-wrote "Living On An Island" with Bob Young.
The Cruxie referred to in the song is band manager Alan Crux; curiously his name was replaced in a later recording by "Someone." The reference to Rick getting high when his friend comes needs no explaining here.
"Living On An Island" was track 5 on the 1979 Whatever You Want album; the single was released on the Vertigo label in November 1979 backed by "Runaway." >>>
Suggestion credit:
Alexander Baron - London, England, for above 3

Comments: 2

Colin from Greater London'Cruxie' was replaced by 'Someone' due to the allegation of embezzlement by members of the Status Quo management team.
David from Carlin How, North Yorkshire The first verse deals with fame and the public's perception v. the reality and the resulting depression, due to loneliness.

-The second verse is more optimistic, with Parfitt, not sounding depressed, but bored.

-The third verse however, is positive; talking about the fun the two men are currently having. Although the storyteller indicates that he knows that this will be short lived, as his friend won't stay long.

see more comments

More Songfacts:

Black WidowIggy Azalea

Katy Perry co-wrote Iggy Azalea's hit single "Black Widow." Perry was originally going to sing on the track, but she couldn't fit it into her schedule, so Rita Ora provided the sung vocals instead.

IronicAlanis Morissette

The events described in Alanis Morissette's song "Ironic," like rain on your wedding day, are not examples of irony. Irony is the use of words to convey the opposite of their literal meaning.

StayShakespears Sister

"Stay" by Shakespears Sister is based on a 1953 B-movie called Cat-Women Of The Moon.

KashmirLed Zeppelin

"Kashmir" is the only Led Zeppelin song to use outside musicians, as it needed strings and horns.

Bob Seger's "Against The Wind" has the famous mind-bending line, "Wish I didn't know now what I didn't know then." Seger was going to cut it, but his Eagles buddies Glenn Frey and Don Henley told him it was the best line in the song.

Wrecking BallMiley Cyrus

Miley Cyrus didn't write "Wrecking Ball" but could very much relate to it. She was having problems in her relationship with Liam Hemsworth, so the theme of giving your love only to have it wrecked really resonated with her.