Palmer Looks Upon Success As Side Effect

Robert Palmer's music career has been a case of now you see him, now you don't. He has made a habit, since his debut with Sneakin' Sally Through The Alley in 1974, of topping the charts and then suddenly disappearing from the public eye for several years. Prior to 1985, Palmer's last hit album was 1980's Clues in which he teamed up with Gary Numan and Chris Frantz of Talking Heads.

However, 1985 has been a banner year for Palmer. He has just released his ninth solo album, Riptide, which is following in the footsteps of his work earlier in the year with The Power Station.

Advert for the album Riptide (1985)

The Power Station, of course, was the superstar group which featured bassist John Taylor and guitarist Andy Taylor of Duran Duran, Tony Thompson and Palmer on vocals. The combination of a fresh, energetic rock style and Duran Duran's faithful following helped the record to become a smash, selling close to 200,000 copies in Canada alone.

That success has now rubbed off on his own solo album. Palmer is on top again, but taking his renewed notoriety in stride.

"Power Station was just a side-step for me musically. It was like taking a holiday weekend. I do find the whole reaction to the project a bit confusing, though obviously the combination of people involved is news. I just find there's been an inappropriate significance attached to it," says Palmer.

The Power Station (1985)

"Success is a side effect rather than my main goal. It has happened that I've caught the public ear and I can enjoy that for a while, as ridiculous as it can be. But I've been fortunate to have been given more than enough creative rope to hang myself, if I want to. Whenever I've seen things beginning to threaten the music, which is my priority, I know how to back away and keep myself straight."

"I know when to experiment and when to come up with something more accessible," says Palmer, who has constantly balanced accessible albums with more experimental works.

"As a listener, I've found I've always enjoyed locking into an atmosphere, a mood," says Palmer, whose favorite disc right now is a CD of Marvin Gaye's greatest hits. "I like going from the music to the lyrics and looking for other qualities. But the musical atmosphere is what allows you to go further into a song."

RP: "The most important thing in anyone's life is keeping your romance going" (1985)

Lyrically, Palmer admits he's fairly straight-ahead. He likes writing about love, with a few twists thrown in to keep the listener's attention. But overall he aims for honesty and integrity in his lyrics.

"My new single, Discipline Of Love, reminds me very much of Johnny And Mary (a 1980 hit) in that I'm saying the most important thing in anyone's life is keeping your romance going. You can fool around with a lot of things, but you can't afford to flirt with something as important as a good relationship."

Advert for the single 'Discipline Of Love' (1985)

Palmer is the first to admit not every song he writes is a classic. But he's been pleased with his track record to date. "My music publisher told me that because of The Power Station my catalogue is moving very well. So, I went back and listened to my old albums and I was delighted that there were at least two songs on every record that I loved."

"However, the only album in which I feel I put it all together was Pride," says Palmer, referring to his 1983 work which was critically praised but didn't sell. "But if you ask me what my best album is, I will always say it's the one in my head."

James Muretich (The Calgary Herald - Dec. 1985)