ABC
ABC (often spelled with three stars) is a New Wave band from Sheffield, Eng… Read Full Bio ↴ABC (often spelled with three stars) is a New Wave band from Sheffield, England fronted by singer-songwriter Martin Fry. One of the biggest acts of the new romantic boom for a time, they're best known for their critically and commercially acclaimed 1982 debut album 'The Lexicon of Love'. They charted ten U.K. and five U.S. Top 40 singles between 1981 and 1990. Their latest album, 'The Lexicon of Love II', was released in May 2016.
Martin Fry had some underground success as a music journalist with the fanzine 'Modern Drugs', interviewing various British pop and rock groups, before he decided to join a band himself. ABC has its roots in the group Vice Versa, a Sheffield electronic music outfit formed in 1977 by Stephen Singleton and Mark White. They founded their own label, 'Neutron Records', and released an EP. Fry started off with the act as a synthesizer player. By 1980, the band had evolved into ABC, with Fry becoming the lead vocalist.
The group's first single, "Tears Are Not Enough", made the U.K. Top 20 in 1981. Soon afterwards, David Robinson left the band and was replaced by drummer David Palmer. In 1982, the band released their debut album, 'The Lexicon of Love', which reached number one in the U.K. Albums Chart. Produced by Trevor Horn, it often featured in UK critics' lists of favourite albums: it ranked 42nd in The Observer Music Monthly's "Top 100 British Albums" (June 2004) and 40th in Q magazine's "100 Greatest British Albums" (June 2000). The band had three Top 10 hits during 1982: the singles "Poison Arrow", "The Look Of Love (Part 1)" and "All of My Heart" and shot high-concept music videos.
ABC found it difficult to follow up their debut. The second album, Beauty Stab, was released in November 1983. It performed poorly in comparison to its predecessor. Gary Langan, who had engineered The Lexicon of Love, produced the effort. The first single, "That Was Then but This Is Now", briefly appeared in the UK Top 20, followed by a Top 40 showing for "S.O.S.". The band eschewed remixes for the project, and the 12" single for "That Was Then but This Is Now" featured the disclaimer "This record is exactly the same as the 7" version. The choice is yours." Stephen Singleton retired from the band in 1984.
Now a duo of Fry and White, augmented by two non-performing band members, Fiona Russell-Powell (known as Eden) and David Yarritu, ABC's chart fortunes in the UK dwindled further with the 1985 album How To Be A Zillionaire. Keith LeBlanc from Tackhead programmed much of the beatbox work for the album. The group did score its first US Top 10 hit with "Be Near Me" (which also made the UK Top 30). The album also featured the singles "(How to Be a) Millionaire", "Vanity Kills" and "Ocean Blue". ABC was one of the first bands to do video scratching" for several videos from the How to Be a... Zillionaire album, including the video for "Be Near Me".
Following a hiatus. while Fry was treated for Hodgkin's disease, ABC returned with Alphabet City. Best known for "When Smokey Sings", a tribute to Smokey Robinson, the album also spawned "The Night You Murdered Love" and "King Without a Crown" as singles. All three tracks would make the CD version of the group's first anthology.
In 1989, the duo issued Up, their fifth and final PolyGram studio album. This time experimenting with house music, ABC scored a minor UK hit with the single "One Better World". They then released another single, "The Real Thing". During this period the group worked on a couple of outside productions aimed at the house music scene. One was Paul Rutherford's (Frankie Goes to Hollywood) solo album and first single release; the other was for Lizzie Tear on the group's own Neutron label.
In 1990, the band released a greatest hits compilation album, Absolutely. This covered all of ABC's albums up until 1990, and featured all of their singles. The compilation made the UK Top 10. A video package featuring promos was also released. One new song, "The Look Of Love (1990 Remix)", was released to promote the package.
The group then moved to the EMI label (and MCA in North America), where they recorded the 1991 LP Abracadabra. "Love Conquers All", the first single, barely placed in the UK chart, though Italian production team Black Box provided remixes of "Say It" which appeared in the US dance chart.
Fry resurrected the band's name in 1997 for the album Skyscraping, an homage to several of his musical heroes, including David Bowie, Roxy Music, and the Sex Pistols. A collaboration with Glenn Gregory of Heaven 17 and Keith Lowndes, the album again was met with critical approval rather than broad commercial success. However, three singles were released, "Rolling Sevens", "Skyscraping", and "Stranger Things", complete with extra B-sides.
In 1999, ABC released their first live album, The Lexicon of Live. The album covered most of their major hits. Although Fry was the only member left, he had a backing band and adorned the album cover in his trademark gold lamé suit.
Look of Love: The Very Best of ABC was released in 2001. Although essentially a reissue of greatest hits package Absolutely (from 1990), the album featured two new songs by Fry titled "Peace and Tranquility" and "Blame". A companion DVD, along with a bonus disc of remixes, was also released.
In 2004, the VH1 show Bands Reunited attempted to get the line-up of Fry, Palmer, Singleton and White together for a reunion concert. Fry and Palmer appeared and played together (with help from Nick Beggs of Kajagoogoo) for the first time in over twenty years. Singleton and White opted not to participate.
Following a tour of the United States in May and June 2006, Fry and Palmer, together with keyboardist Chuck Kentis, put together a new ABC album, Traffic. It was released on 28 April 2008. Gary Langan, who worked on The Lexicon of Love and Beauty Stab, mixed and produced the album. The first single, "The Very First Time", debuted on BBC Radio 2 in January, was added to the station's "A" playlist for the week beginning 29 March, and was released as a download track on 1 April. ABC performed two songs from Traffic during the 2008 Regeneration Tour of the US; "Ride" and "The Very First Time".
On 1 September 2007, ABC performed a set with other 1980s acts at Retrofest at Culzean Castle in Ayrshire, Scotland. This appearance included a rendition of "Addicted to Love", with Tony Hadley of Spandau Ballet and Peter Cox of Go West.
In the summer of 2008, ABC toured the US as part of the 2008 Regeneration Tour, which also featured The Human League, Belinda Carlisle, A Flock of Seagulls, and Naked Eyes.
In April 2009, ABC performed the Lexicon Of Love album live at the Royal Albert Hall, accompanied by the BBC Concert Orchestra. Anne Dudley of Art of Noise, who arranged and played keyboards on the original record, conducted the performance. A music review in the 13 April 2009 edition of The Independent newspaper, described the performance as a "glorious night that has placed one of the Eighties' most perfectly constructed albums back near the top of the pop pantheon".
In 2009 ABC toured the US as the headliner of the 2009 'Regeneration Tour', which also featured Terri Nunn of Berlin, Wang Chung, and the Cutting Crew.
Another Artist:
ABC also known as Grupa ABC was a Polish band playing funk, r&b and blues. It was formed in 1969 in Warsaw and disbanded in 1973.
Martin Fry had some underground success as a music journalist with the fanzine 'Modern Drugs', interviewing various British pop and rock groups, before he decided to join a band himself. ABC has its roots in the group Vice Versa, a Sheffield electronic music outfit formed in 1977 by Stephen Singleton and Mark White. They founded their own label, 'Neutron Records', and released an EP. Fry started off with the act as a synthesizer player. By 1980, the band had evolved into ABC, with Fry becoming the lead vocalist.
The group's first single, "Tears Are Not Enough", made the U.K. Top 20 in 1981. Soon afterwards, David Robinson left the band and was replaced by drummer David Palmer. In 1982, the band released their debut album, 'The Lexicon of Love', which reached number one in the U.K. Albums Chart. Produced by Trevor Horn, it often featured in UK critics' lists of favourite albums: it ranked 42nd in The Observer Music Monthly's "Top 100 British Albums" (June 2004) and 40th in Q magazine's "100 Greatest British Albums" (June 2000). The band had three Top 10 hits during 1982: the singles "Poison Arrow", "The Look Of Love (Part 1)" and "All of My Heart" and shot high-concept music videos.
ABC found it difficult to follow up their debut. The second album, Beauty Stab, was released in November 1983. It performed poorly in comparison to its predecessor. Gary Langan, who had engineered The Lexicon of Love, produced the effort. The first single, "That Was Then but This Is Now", briefly appeared in the UK Top 20, followed by a Top 40 showing for "S.O.S.". The band eschewed remixes for the project, and the 12" single for "That Was Then but This Is Now" featured the disclaimer "This record is exactly the same as the 7" version. The choice is yours." Stephen Singleton retired from the band in 1984.
Now a duo of Fry and White, augmented by two non-performing band members, Fiona Russell-Powell (known as Eden) and David Yarritu, ABC's chart fortunes in the UK dwindled further with the 1985 album How To Be A Zillionaire. Keith LeBlanc from Tackhead programmed much of the beatbox work for the album. The group did score its first US Top 10 hit with "Be Near Me" (which also made the UK Top 30). The album also featured the singles "(How to Be a) Millionaire", "Vanity Kills" and "Ocean Blue". ABC was one of the first bands to do video scratching" for several videos from the How to Be a... Zillionaire album, including the video for "Be Near Me".
Following a hiatus. while Fry was treated for Hodgkin's disease, ABC returned with Alphabet City. Best known for "When Smokey Sings", a tribute to Smokey Robinson, the album also spawned "The Night You Murdered Love" and "King Without a Crown" as singles. All three tracks would make the CD version of the group's first anthology.
In 1989, the duo issued Up, their fifth and final PolyGram studio album. This time experimenting with house music, ABC scored a minor UK hit with the single "One Better World". They then released another single, "The Real Thing". During this period the group worked on a couple of outside productions aimed at the house music scene. One was Paul Rutherford's (Frankie Goes to Hollywood) solo album and first single release; the other was for Lizzie Tear on the group's own Neutron label.
In 1990, the band released a greatest hits compilation album, Absolutely. This covered all of ABC's albums up until 1990, and featured all of their singles. The compilation made the UK Top 10. A video package featuring promos was also released. One new song, "The Look Of Love (1990 Remix)", was released to promote the package.
The group then moved to the EMI label (and MCA in North America), where they recorded the 1991 LP Abracadabra. "Love Conquers All", the first single, barely placed in the UK chart, though Italian production team Black Box provided remixes of "Say It" which appeared in the US dance chart.
Fry resurrected the band's name in 1997 for the album Skyscraping, an homage to several of his musical heroes, including David Bowie, Roxy Music, and the Sex Pistols. A collaboration with Glenn Gregory of Heaven 17 and Keith Lowndes, the album again was met with critical approval rather than broad commercial success. However, three singles were released, "Rolling Sevens", "Skyscraping", and "Stranger Things", complete with extra B-sides.
In 1999, ABC released their first live album, The Lexicon of Live. The album covered most of their major hits. Although Fry was the only member left, he had a backing band and adorned the album cover in his trademark gold lamé suit.
Look of Love: The Very Best of ABC was released in 2001. Although essentially a reissue of greatest hits package Absolutely (from 1990), the album featured two new songs by Fry titled "Peace and Tranquility" and "Blame". A companion DVD, along with a bonus disc of remixes, was also released.
In 2004, the VH1 show Bands Reunited attempted to get the line-up of Fry, Palmer, Singleton and White together for a reunion concert. Fry and Palmer appeared and played together (with help from Nick Beggs of Kajagoogoo) for the first time in over twenty years. Singleton and White opted not to participate.
Following a tour of the United States in May and June 2006, Fry and Palmer, together with keyboardist Chuck Kentis, put together a new ABC album, Traffic. It was released on 28 April 2008. Gary Langan, who worked on The Lexicon of Love and Beauty Stab, mixed and produced the album. The first single, "The Very First Time", debuted on BBC Radio 2 in January, was added to the station's "A" playlist for the week beginning 29 March, and was released as a download track on 1 April. ABC performed two songs from Traffic during the 2008 Regeneration Tour of the US; "Ride" and "The Very First Time".
On 1 September 2007, ABC performed a set with other 1980s acts at Retrofest at Culzean Castle in Ayrshire, Scotland. This appearance included a rendition of "Addicted to Love", with Tony Hadley of Spandau Ballet and Peter Cox of Go West.
In the summer of 2008, ABC toured the US as part of the 2008 Regeneration Tour, which also featured The Human League, Belinda Carlisle, A Flock of Seagulls, and Naked Eyes.
In April 2009, ABC performed the Lexicon Of Love album live at the Royal Albert Hall, accompanied by the BBC Concert Orchestra. Anne Dudley of Art of Noise, who arranged and played keyboards on the original record, conducted the performance. A music review in the 13 April 2009 edition of The Independent newspaper, described the performance as a "glorious night that has placed one of the Eighties' most perfectly constructed albums back near the top of the pop pantheon".
In 2009 ABC toured the US as the headliner of the 2009 'Regeneration Tour', which also featured Terri Nunn of Berlin, Wang Chung, and the Cutting Crew.
Another Artist:
ABC also known as Grupa ABC was a Polish band playing funk, r&b and blues. It was formed in 1969 in Warsaw and disbanded in 1973.
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ABC Lyrics
07. date stamp This heart`s up for sale Yeah, this heart`s on the stand Mix…
15 Storey Halo Blondes and beach boys Might marvel at the size But honey so…
4 Ever 2 Gether Speak no Evil You can`t tell me, how to run my life You…
A To Z Muszę się zobaczyć z tobą Jeszcze chociaż raz I nie gdzie in…
All of My Heart Once upon a time when we were friends I gave you…
All That Matters I believe that this world was made for everyone I can…
Answered Prayer Every problem has solutions Look inside your heart See what …
Ark-Angel Red ribbon rainbow A garland of gold for your hair Whereve…
Ashirbad Abar jigs shei charpotro peye Onushiloner majhe ritimoto bad…
Ask a Thousand Times When I`m high, you`re low When I`m up, you`re down And we`…
Avenue A 1- 2- 1-2-3…
Bad Blood Somehow... someway... somewhere Bad blood - When you speak y…
Be Near Me (Right...., that's right) (That's right) (That's right) (Tha…
Bettween You & Me So trouble comes strolling through the door But anything wo…
Between You And Me So trouble comes strolling through the door But anything wor…
Bite the Hand With a little faith we could raise the land With a…
Blame Politician puppets are preaching in high places Trying to hi…
Blâme Politician puppets a-preaching in high high place Trying to …
By Default By Design By default by design Time after time Maybe you earned it, Ma…
Chicago Chicago, Chicago Chicago, Chicago Chicago Chicago, Chicag…
Chicago Part 1 When your world is full of strange arrangements And gravity…
Dangerous Love's a dangerous language Survey the damage See what love …
Date Stamp This heart`s up for sale Yeah, this heart`s on the stand Mix…
Faraway What a state to be in It's a world of indecision So…
Fear Of The World There's so much panic in this world But we are living…
Heaven Knows I have tried To make it on my own And I have…
Hey Citizen! Here they come, Slumming their way outta the Jacuzzi, Well…
High & Dry Two jumps and a week I bet you think that′s pretty…
How To Be A Millionaire I've seen the future, I can't afford it Tell me…
How to Be a Zillionaire I've seen the future, i can't afford it Tell me the…
How To Be Millionaire I've seen the future, I can't afford it Tell me…
I Knifing my way through a diamond mine Dragging those rocks …
I believe in love I - I would swim the seven seas I - I…
If I Ever Thought You'd Be Lonely Hold a candle to a naked flame Ask the atheist his…
Jealous Lover To all of those who had their doubts Now those doubts...…
King Money Not what you are, But what you've earned Where Jack-Queen-Ki…
King Without A Crown Welcome to the great republic Guess I should show you…
Kiss Me Goodbye I never promised you eternity I never meant to be unkind A…
Life Shapes You you're gaining so much you're losing your spark swimming w…
Light Years [Chorus 1] Sitting watching stars exploding Building blocks …
Look Of Love When your world is full of strange arrangements And gravity…
Lose Yourself you're gaining so much you're losing your spark swimming w…
Love You think the world will melt if you whistle There's a…
Love & Dangerous Language Love's a dangerous language Survey the damage See what love …
Love Conquers All Making like a Romeo, making on a Juliet (she said)…
Love Is A Dangerous Language Love's a dangerous language Survey the damage See what love …
Love is it Like kisses from ices And Tiffany tokens Life's full of surp…
Love is it's Own Reward Like kisses from ices And Tiffany tokens Life's full of su…
Love Is Its Own Reward Like kisses from ices And Tiffany tokens Life's full of surp…
Love Is Strong More than ever I want to hold you in my…
Love's A Dangerous Game Love's a dangerous language Survey the damage See what love …
Many Happy Returns When I accepted this job I was resigned to my fate When…
Millionaire I've seen the future, I can't afford it Tell me…
Minneapolis minneapolis the sound born from the city of minneapolis…
Napisz proszę Napisz proszę chociaż krótki list Choć tak krótki jak noc Ni…
Never More Than Now I had dreams and crazy schemes Never felt this way before I…
Night You Murdered Love From an early age I was taught to respect That…
North Sun beats hard On Sunset Boulevard Much harder still In Nott…
Ocean Blue Well you took me home And you took me back…
One Better World Politicians preaching - on TV Saying nothing but - vote…
One Day Knifing my way through a diamond mine Dragging those rocks F…
Only the Best Will Do Elegant faces Won`t you stand aside I`m only looking for t…
Open Your Heart Do you remember Sunday nights, summer time at Shoom? Joy big…
Paper Thin Rick and wealthy canvas Clustered up in jewels Finding all y…
Peace And Tranquility My pride my joy My chance to taste happiness My girl my…
Poison Arrow If I were to say to you, "can you keep…
Poison Arrow (Re-recorded / Remastered) If I were to say to you "Can you keep a…
Rage And Then Regret Was it rage or regret Or the love I was feeling In…
Real Thing It's real, yeah so real, yeah A mongoose can smile at…
Rolling Sevens I was tired of letting her Taking me for what she…
S. O. S So here we are Drifting on an open sea So here we…
S.O.S. So here we are Drifting on an open sea So…
Satori Pa-da, pa-pa-pa, pa-da Seeking your own satori Pa-da, pa-pa-…
Say It Oh, oh, oh, oh, yeah I was lost in paradise, I…
Seven Day Weekend See the girl in the cabriolet I'm gonna make her mine…
Show Me Once I needed your love But that was just one thing…
Sixteen Seconds To Choose Have you still got the card, made out of platinum? Still…
Skyscraping It`s four o`clock And the bells are ringing The sun is in…
So Hip It Hurts Do you remember when men wore skirts? So hip! In kipper…
Spellbound Boy got paparazi Rich lead to slum Let him think the grass…
Storey Halo Blondes and beach boys Might marvel at the size But honey so…
Stranger Things I would walk away from you If that`s what you wanted But…
Tears Are Not Enough Tears for souvenirs Tears are not enough Tears for shields …
That Was Then But This Is Now Why make the past your sacred cow? I guess you've changed,…
The Flames Of Desire Caesars have squandered jewels on you Empires they build on …
The Greatest Love Of All I believe that children are our future; Teach them well and…
The Look Of Love Ah, mm Whoa, whoa, whoa When your world is full of…
the look of love (part one When your world is full of strange arrangements And gravity…
The Look of Love (Part One) When your world is full of strange arrangements And gravity …
The Look of Love 2002 Ah, mm Whoa, whoa, whoa When your world is full of…
The Look Of Love Part Four When your world is full of strange arrangements And gravity…
The Look of Love Pt. 1 When your world is full of strange arrangements And gravity …
The Look Of Love Pt.1 Ah, mm Whoa, whoa, whoa When your world is full of…
The Love Inside The Love You think the world will melt if you whistle There's a…
The man I love When your world is full of strange arrangements And gravity…
The Night You Murdered Love From an early age I was taught to respect That…
The Power Of Persuasion Cock a snoot Loop the loop Hock the hula-hoop But now it yo-…
The Real Thing It's real, yeah so real, yeah A mongoose can smile at…
The Ship Of The Seasick Sailor Running to the empty spaces Of a love that we once…
Theme From "Mantrap" If I were to say to you, "can you keep…
Think Again Better call and collect Treat me with respect If you think o…
This Must Be Magic I held an iron fist in a velvet glove I was…
Tower Of London Let me take you to Trafalgar Square Let me take you…
United Kingdom There`s a gang I`ve just joined There`s a gang I`ve just…
Unlock The Secrets Of Your Heart Do you remember Sunday nights, summer time at Shoom? Joy big…
Unzip Love's just the gimmick A mime or a mimic That makes sex…
Valentine When the postman don't call on Valentine's day And Santa Cla…
Vanity Kills Have you heard the latest (You love you) Have you seen…
Viva Love You think the world will melt if you whistle There's a…
Volare penso che un sogno cosl, non ritorni mai piy mi…
Way Back When I saw you back in '59 You were booing Elvis Trying hard…
Welcome To The Real World I was a rich man I was a thief I was a…
What's Good About Goodbye Goodbye! Every face in the street, everyone that I meet I …
When Smokey Sings Debonair lullabies in melodies revealed In deep despair or l…
Where Is The Heaven Vandals in ermine Rip city skylines Dodge truth and virtue…
Where Is the Heaven? Vandals in ermine Rip city skylines Dodge truth and virtue W…
Who Can I Turn To If only I could stand On my own two feet Oh honey,…
Who Can I Turn To? If only I could stand On my own two feet Oh honey,…
You You're a great God yes you are You're a great God…
za dużo chcesz Za dużo od razu chcesz, za dużo na pierwszy raz Nie…
Za mną nie oglądaj się Za mną nie oglądaj się Nie patrz w oczy tak Gdy idę…