In 1983 they released their debut EP Moans on the Sly on the New Dance Label. This began their on-going affiliation with producer Daniel B., a member of the seminal Front 242.
The following year they released Man in a Trance on Front 242's label Mask including the pulsating track The Net. Continuing with more EPs their first true sign of recognition came when the A-Side from their Strange World 12" was included on the definitive compilation album This is Electronic Body Music in 1987, giving way to their only full length album, and only record issued on CD, entitled Cut Up (1988).
To help them out afterward, Front 242 brought the brothers in to collaborate on the songwriting for their 1993 album Up Evil.
"Rosary", the second album of Parade Ground will feature 15 brand new tracks, each preceded by a musical overture. While their previous record was produced by Daniel B. (Front 242) and Colin Newman (Wire) it is now Patrick Codenys (Front 242) who was in charge.
Moans
Parade Ground Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Then only life is to blame
Your mind is a cold world
Faces may change
Different names
It's the same words
The same gestures
Eye to eye, face to face, lips to lips and tongue to tongue
It's such a cold world
The words that you say
Aren't just a game that you play
Your choice is sincere
But the feelings you show
Make no difference at all
To those
You call the creatures
Eye to eye, face to face, lips to lips and tongue to tongue
It's such a cold world
You call it the communism
Call it the communism
Call it the communism of love
In "Moans," Parade Ground explores the nature of relationships in a cold, impersonal world. The singer suggests that while it may seem like love and connection are possible, in reality, our minds are constantly working against us. When the singer says "you say it's a shame, then only life is to blame," they are highlighting the fact that we often look outward when things go wrong. We blame the world, or society, or other people, when in fact, the real problem is within ourselves.
The chorus of the song is particularly powerful, as the singer describes the way that people interact with one another: "eye to eye, face to face, lips to lips and tongue to tongue." While this may seem like a description of intimacy and connection, the repeated phrase "it's such a cold world" suggests that even these moments of physical closeness are hollow and ultimately unfulfilling. This is further emphasized by the final line of the song, where the singer refers to "the communism of love." By using this term, Parade Ground is suggesting that even the most intimate, personal experiences are ultimately dictated by larger societal forces that we cannot control.
Overall, "Moans" is a powerful exploration of the way that our minds and societal expectations can limit our ability to truly connect with one another. The lyrics are rich with symbolism and metaphor, and the powerful chorus hooks the listener in and forces them to confront the uncomfortable truths that the song is presenting.
Line by Line Meaning
You say it's a shame
You express disappointment or disapproval
Then only life is to blame
You believe life is responsible for the situation
Your mind is a cold world
You have negative thoughts and emotions
Faces may change
People come and go
Different names
They have different identities
It's the same words
They use the same expressions
The same gestures
They use the same body language
Eye to eye, face to face, lips to lips and tongue to tongue
They communicate in various ways
It's such a cold world
They feel the world is cruel and unfeeling
The words that you say
You speak sincerely
Aren't just a game that you play
You're not joking or pretending
Your choice is sincere
You're being honest
But the feelings you show
Your emotions are not genuine
Make no difference at all
Your behavior has no impact
To those
The people around you
You call the creatures
You refer to them as animals
Call it the communism
It's like an ideology
Call it the communism
It's like an ideology
Call it the communism of love
It's like sharing and equal distribution of love
Contributed by Maria Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.