If you grew up in the ‘70s, odds are that “Frampton Comes Alive” in some way penetrated your existence – if not spinning hundreds of times your turntable, then certainly on the radio and TV. The double album came out of nowhere in 1976 and went on to be the best-selling live album of all time (at the time), and ultimately setting in motion the wheels that led to the English singer-songwriter being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last weekend.
Distinguished by his unique guitar-fuelled talk box, for which he became synonymous, the album produced three singles, “Show Me the Way,” “Baby I Love Your Way,” and “Do You Feel Like We Do,” and spent 10 weeks at number one on the charts.
Fun fact: The single version of “Do You Feel Like We Do” was edited to 7:19 from the original 14:15 album version, making it one of the longest singles to reach the top 40, surpassing “Hey Jude” at 7:11.
Frampton never matched the success of the album before or after (although his follow-up album “I’m in You” went platinum) – in part because his career was interrupted by serious injury in a car accident and an ill-fated acting turn in the disastrous film rendition of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band with the Bee Gees.
Still, to this day he has a continued a distinguished career (even appearing in an episode of The Simpsons) and is consistently rated as an underrated guitar virtuoso.
Here is Frampton in performing on the Midnight Special in 1975, just before superstardom called.
Lyrics
I wonder how you’re feeling
There’s ringing in my ears
And no one to relate to except the sea
Who can I believe in?
I’m kneeling on the floor
There has to be a force
Who do I phone?
The stars are out and shining
But all I really want to know
Oh, won’t you show me the way
I want you show me the way
Well, I can see no reason,
You living on your nerves
When someone drops a cup and I submerge
I’m swimming in a circle,
I feel I’m going down
There has to be a fool
To play my part
Someone thought of healing,
But all I really want to know
Oh, won’t you show me the way
I want you show me the way
I want you day after day
I wonder if I’m dreaming
I feel so unashamed
I can’t believe this is happening to me
I watch you when you’re sleeping
And then I want to take your love
Oh, won’t you show me the way
Oh, won’t you show me the way
I want you day after day
I want you day after day
Oh, won’t you show me the way
I want you day after day
If you enjoyed or found this story useful, we’d appreciate if you would forward it to a colleague or friend who may also enjoy it. If, on the other hand, a friend shared it with you, welcome! You can get all the latest travel news and reviews from Travel Industry by simply clicking HERE.