Billy Squier – The Stroke

Billy Squier

Many point to Billy Squier as early-’80s rock personified — an era when he and many of his peers tempered hard rock with pop melodicism — and by adding just the right amount of posing and posturing for the newly constructed MTV set, he scored a string of arena rock anthems and power ballads. But Squier did not enjoy overnight success as it took many years and several failed bands before he hit paydirt as a solo artist. Born on May 12, 1950, in Wellesley Hills, MA, Squier began playing piano and guitar at an early age, but didn’t become serious with music until discovering Eric Clapton (via the renowned British guitarist’s stints with John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers and Cream) in the late ’60s and deciding to pursue music full-time. After playing in several local bands in the Boston area, Squier spent the early ’70s relocating back and forth between Boston and New York City, during which time he contributed to a troupe that combined music with poetry (called Magic Terry & the Universe), attended the Berklee College of Music, and played in a pair of rock groups (N.Y.C.’s Kicks, which included future New York Dolls drummer Jerry Nolan, and Boston’s the Sidewinders).

But it wasn’t until Squier’s next band, Piper, that the singer/guitarist fronted a group that inked a recording contract, issuing a pair of underappreciated albums for A&M (1976′s self-titled debut and 1977′s Can’t Wait), before splitting up. Undeterred, Squier soldiered on as a solo act, issuing his solo debut, Tale of the Tape, in 1980, which spawned a moderate rock radio hit with “You Should Be High Love,” setting the stage perfectly for his big commercial breakthrough. Looking to the bombastic rock of early Led Zeppelin for inspiration, Squier’s sophomore release, Don’t Say No, became a monster hit on the strength of the Zep carbon copy “The Stroke,” as well as such other rock radio staples as “In the Dark,” “My Kinda Lover,” and “Lonely Is the Night,” all of which enjoyed heavy rotation on the newly founded MTV, helping Squier expand his audience even further.

The Stroke

Now everybody – have you heard
If you’re in the game, then the stroke’s the word
Don’t take no rhythm – don’t take no style
Got a thirst for killing – grab your vile…

You put your right hand out…give a firm hand-shake
Talk to me about the one big break..
Spread the ear pollution both far and wide…
Keep your contributions by your side and stroke me, stroke me…

Could be a winner boy, you move quite well…
You got your number down…
Say you’re a winner boy – man you’re just a sinner now

You put your left foot out – keep it all in place
Work your way right into my case
First you try to bed me – you make my backbone slide…
But when you find you bled me – skip on by…
Keep on – stroke me, stroke me -

Give me the business all night long…
You’re so together boy…
Say you’re a winner but man you’re just a sinner now

Better listen now…(said) it ain’t no joke
Let your conscience fail ya…just do the stroke
Don’tcha take no chances…keep your eye on top
Do your fancy dances…you can’t stop, you just stroke
The Stroke- Billy Squier