John Parr

Released: September 13, 1996

Songwriter: John Parr

Producer: Alan Roy Scott Frank Langer

Oh I'm man enough, to rescue any agent, face reality
I’m alive for now, a prisoner of devotion, so throw away the key

I wear those chains like precious jewels
'Cause I'm man enough to offer no resistance, be detained by you

No one should be alone in the dark
Lay down your arms, call off the body guard
Don’t need no ball and chain, listen baby
I'm never gonna run away
Don't need no ball and chain, listen baby
I never will be free again

Are you strong enough to take someone who loves you, the way it's meant to be
With no strings attached, willingly surrender, unconditionally
With no regrets, no final flee

Are you strong enough, to finish my conviction, what's the verdict gonna be
Virtue is hung out to dry, it's up to you 'cause that's my alibi

Don’t need no ball and chain, listen baby
I’m never gonna run away
Don't need no ball and chain, listen baby
I never will be free again

Don’t need no ball and chain, listen baby
I'm never gonna run away
Don't need no ball and chain, listen baby
I never will be free again

No one should be alone in the dark
Lay down your arms, call off the body guard
Don't need no ball and chain, listen baby
I’m never gonna run away
Don't need no ball and chain, listen baby
I never will be free again

John Parr (born 18 November 1952) is a Grammy-nominated English musician, best known for his 1985 US #1 single “St. Elmo’s Fire (Man in Motion)” and for his 1984 single “Naughty Naughty” (US Rock #1). Parr was nominated for a Grammy award for “St Elmo’s Fire” in 1985.

Parr first entered the music scene when he was 12 years old and formed a band with two fellow schoolmates, which they named The Silence. The band had achieved some success. They eventually became professional and started to tour Europe. He then joined a band named Bitter Suite who were a huge success in the working men’s clubs in Yorkshire, he then formed a “Super Band” with musicians from other working men’s club bands, and named the band Ponders End , a band that set a new precedent for the bands in the north.

Parr secured a publishing deal with Carlin America in 1983 and in the same year Meat Loaf asked him to write some songs for his new album. It led to a fateful meeting with John Wolff, who was tour manager for The Who. Foreseeing the initial demise of The Who, Wolff was looking for a new venture and considered Parr to be a suitable partner. Parr first visited America in 1984 and worked with Meat Loaf on Bad Attitude. Meanwhile, Wolff secured Parr’s solo Atlantic recording deal in New York.

more tracks from the album

Under Parr

From the album

Under Parr (1996)

John Parr popular songs

Ball and ChainJohn Parr

John Parr

Under Parr