ARGENT-"HOLD YOUR HEAD UP" (W/LYRICS)

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• published: 04 Oct 2013
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A #5 hit in 1972 on the U.S. Billboard Charts. "Argent are an English rock band founded in 1969 by keyboardist Rod Argent, formerly of The Zombies. The first three demos from Argent, recorded in the autumn of 1968 featured Mac MacLeod on bass guitar though he was not meant to become a member of the group. Original members of the band were bassist Jim Rodford (Rod Argent's cousin and formerly with the Mike Cotton Sound), drummer Bob Henrit and guitarist/keyboardist Russ Ballard (both formerly with The Roulettes and Unit 4 + 2). Lead vocal duties were shared between Ballard, Rodford, and Argent. Rod Argent, Chris White (former Zombies bassist, producer, songwriter) and Russ Ballard were the group's songwriters. When Ballard left in 1974, he was replaced by guitarist/vocalist John Verity and guitarist John Grimaldi and there followed a period of intense recording, in which they produced two albums, and a film that was never released (though a clip is available to view on John Verity's website). The band's decision to come off the road late in 1976 has never been fully explained, though the decision might have been influenced by the declining health of one of its members. Rodford, Henrit and Verity briefly continued together under the name Phoenix before going their separate ways, with first Rodford and then Henrit becoming members of The Kinks. Meanwhile, Rod Argent went on to work with Andrew Lloyd-Webber, and to produce a couple of solo albums. He also opened a keyboard shop in the West End of London. The original Argent lineup reunited at the High Voltage Festival in Victoria Park, London on 25 July 2010, and undertook a short five date concert tour in December 2010, with gigs in Frome, Southampton, Wolverhampton, Leamington Spa and London. Argent's biggest hit was Rod Argent and Chris White's "Hold Your Head Up" from the All Together Now album, which, in a heavily-edited single form, reached No. 5 in the U.S. It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc. The sound of the band was a mix of rock and pop, but also covered more progressive rock territory in songs like "The Coming of Kohoutek," an instrumental from their Nexus album. When Ballard left the band after Encore, they took an even more progressive/fusion turn with their final Epic album Circus and then signed to a new record label (United Artists) for the final 1975 album Counterpoints. By 2005, all albums, including compilations, have been re-released on CD, except Counterpoints. Russ Ballard is most well known as the vocalist on Argent's smash "Hold Your Head Up". Ballard is a prolific songwriter. He wrote "You Can Do Magic" that was a big hit for the group ".America". (Wikipedia) LYRICS: And if it's bad, don't let it get you down, you can take it. And if it hurts, don't let them see you cry, you can make it. CHORUS ~ Hold your head up, woman, hold your head up, woman, hold your head up, woman hold your head high ~ repeat ~ And if they stare Just let them burn their eyes on you moving And if they shout Don't let it change a thing that you're doing chorus ~ Hold your head up woman Hold you head high (repeat 14 times) And if they stare Just let them burn their eyes on you moving And if they shout Don't let it change a thing that you're doing repeat chorus ~ (fade out)