They released their debut Newbuild in 1988. Autechre and Aphex Twin have often cited the album as being enormously influential, and the group achieved some degree of chart success in the UK in the early 1990s with releases Pacific State, Cubik and In Yer Face.
Olympic the flip side of Cübik was remixed for Channel 4's 'After the Pub Television' show "The Word" (1990-95).
They were considered pioneers of the acid house sound, a staple and foundation of rave music. Martin Price, who owned a popular and legendary record store called Eastern Bloc and who founded the independent label Creed, joined up with producer and local musician Graham Massey. They teamed up with Gerald Simpson, who collaborated the effort. At this time, 808 State recorded the debut EP Newbuild, in 1988.
MC Tunes (real name Nicky Lockett) was a Manchester rapper, who worked with the band on the 1990 album, The North At Its Heights. The album was a moderate success, reaching #26 in the UK charts, and also saw European and Japanese release. It spawned three UK singles, The Only Rhyme That Bites (UK #10), Tunes Split The Atom (UK #18) and Primary Rhyming (UK #67). Tunes later returned in 1996 to work with on a new track, Pump, taken from their album Thermo Kings. It was due to be released as a single, but this never happened.
Simpson left the group in 1989 to form his own solo project, A Guy called Gerald; his biggest hit was Voodoo Ray. At this point, the remaining personnel enlisted Andrew Barker and Darren Partington (known as the Spinmasters) to record an EP called Quadrastate in 1989. A very popular hit on the club floors came forth from this effort, entitled Pacific. Their next album, Ninety, was well-received by the ever-growing rave culture at that time. There were other singles released, some of which ended up on the 1991 album Ex:El, which featured vocals from Bernard Sumner (New Order) and ex-Sugarcubes vocalist Björk. It is said that people crawled through the air shafts of the Hacienda to see them.
In 1992, Price left the group to do solo producing, eventually forming his own label, Sun Text. The remaining members released a fourth album called Gorgeous, and after that, did some remix work for David Bowie, Soundgarden, and other performers, before returning with the album entitled Don Solaris in 1996. They released a greatest-hits compilation named 808:88-98 in 1998. The band is still active, touring and performing DJ sets, and releasing albums and singles to the dance and rave scene.
In September 2011, ZTT released the compilation, Blueprint, featuring some re-recordings of several of their best songs.
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Spanish Heart
808 State Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And how your Spanish heart descends
It's not real
And it ain't what I bargained for
In a deal
I know will never end
if I thought that it would make you listen
Just to make you both aware
of this ever changing situation
I would stay up day and night
I would stay up day and night
When you're gone
I'll never be the same again
It's so strange
I saw it in the sky
If I could hold
the future in my open hand
I would heal
Your aching Spanish heart
I would stay up day and night
if I thought that it would make you listen
Just to make you both aware
of this ever changing situation
I would stay up day and night
I would stay up day and night
I feel so good
when I look at you
So good
When I look at you
I feel so good
When I look at you
I refuse to believe
There was ever a question
I feel so good
When I look at you
So good
When I look at you
I feel so good
When I look at you
I refuse to believe
There was ever a question
The lyrics to 808 State's song "Spanish Heart" contain a sense of longing for the past and a simple, idealistic love. The first line, "Time ain't doing what it used to do," sets the tone for the rest of the song. The singer feels like time is moving too quickly, and they can't hold onto what they once had. The line "And how your Spanish heart descends" evokes a sense of melancholy and nostalgia. The singer may be reflecting on a past relationship with someone who had a Spanish background, or they may be using the idea of a Spanish heart as a metaphor for a passionate, emotional heart.
The second stanza repeats the idea that what the singer has now is not what they want or need. They know it won't last, and they are trying to make the other person see that too. The repetition of "I would stay up day and night" emphasizes the singer's desperation to make a connection with the other person. The bridge of the song offers a brief moment of hope, with the singer wanting to "heal your aching Spanish heart." However, this moment is short-lived, and the singer returns to the idea that things will never be the same. The final section of the song offers a sense of resolution, with the singer feeling good when they look at the person they're singing to – a simple moment of happiness amidst the turmoil of the rest of the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Time ain't doing what it used to do
The concept of time doesn't feel the same as it did in the past
And how your Spanish heart descends
Your Spanish heart feels heavy and affected by something
It's not real
The situation isn't authentic or genuine
And it ain't what I bargained for
This isn't what I expected or hoped for
In a deal
In an agreement or arrangement
I know will never end
I am certain this situation will go on indefinitely
I would stay up day and night
I would sacrifice sleep and invest all my time and effort
if I thought that it would make you listen
If I believed that it would grab your attention and make you understand
Just to make you both aware
To ensure that both of you have knowledge of the situation
of this ever changing situation
About this continuously shifting state of things
When you're gone
Once you leave and I'm alone
I'll never be the same again
My experience of life will be forever impacted by this absence
It's so strange
It feels inexplicable and unusual
I saw it in the sky
I noticed and acknowledged it, as if it was written in the sky
If I could hold
If I was able to possess and control
the future in my open hand
The whole outcome and direction of the future is within my grasp
I would heal
I would fix and cure
Your aching Spanish heart
The pain and discomfort in your Spanish heart
I feel so good
I experience a sense of euphoria
when I look at you
When I see you and contemplate our connection
I refuse to believe
I reject any notion that
There was ever a question
Any uncertainty or ambiguity never existed
Writer(s): Bernard Copyright: Vitalturn Co. Ltd.
Contributed by Claire C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
C Miranda
RIP to 808 State's Andy Barker. Very saddened to hear of his passing. So many great, influential tunes.
David Appleton
Totally! Amen. RIP AB & I guess RIP 808state.
James Prichard
as i like bernard's singing or speaking voice more than any other on earth , this is most appreciated.
Sergio Sánchez
Disco que marcó mi vida. How many New Order followers are unaware of Bernard's cameo with my beloved 808 State :D
matttruefaith
i do love this song music and lyrics and i saw there in manchester anybodì should understand where the voice come from
Vaan
Este álbum es uno de mis favoritos y gracias a esta canción junto a Ooops <3
Tom Tropic (Electro...)
great song....perhaps one of the best ever made
alanhenery
Bernard at his best ❤️🎹
Ariel Arroyo
Que temon! impresionante base, mejor voz de Sumner para este tema imposible
Evan Williams
Listen to this album on a plane... Travel will never be the same!