Quo (Status Quo album)

Quo is the seventh studio album by the British rock band Status Quo. Issued in May 1974, it reached #2 in the UK. Like its predecessor Hello!, it consisted entirely of songs written or co-written by the group. The album features guest musicians Bob Young and Tom Parker, who played harmonica and piano respectively on "Break the Rules".

The album is regarded as one of their heaviest, possibly due to the influence of bassist Alan Lancaster, who co-wrote six of the eight tracks. "When we wrote 'Drifting Away'," recalled Rick Parfitt, "it sounded so, so heavy. That rhythm was constant, right in your face. It was just such a turn-on. That's where my head was at back then. You know: just let it fucking rock."^[3]

The UK LP contained a gatefold insert with a picture of the band playing live on one side, and the lyrics on the other. The sleeve art was by British artist Dave Field.

The band believed the opening "Backwater" to be the most suitable candidate for a single. However, the only track released as a single was "Break the Rules", in April 1974. It peaked in the UK at #8. The B-side of the single was "Lonely Night", which was not on an album until it became a bonus track on the 2005 reissue. Two years after release, "Lonely Night" was plagiarised by Australian band the Angels in their song "Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again", for which Status Quo subsequently received royalties.^[4]