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.
Lose Yourself
ABC Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
you're losing your spark
swimming with dolphins
slumming with sharks
either way the city
drives you crazy
after dark
you don't have to die
before you live
lose yourself
to find yourself sometimes
confuse yourself
and blind yourself sometimes
you're gaining so much
so scared you might drown
all your prized possessions
are bringing you down
either ways not pretty
going crazy in this town
tell it like it is
you don't have to die
before you live
lose yourself
to find yourself sometimes
confuse yourself
and blind yourself sometimes
yeah sometimes
lose yourself
to find yourself sometimes
confuse yourself
and blind yourself sometimes
lose yourself
to find yourself sometimes
fool yourself
blind yourself
sometimes
sometimes
sometimes
sometimes
sometimes
The lyrics of ABC's song "Lose Yourself" talks about the challenges and complexities of city life. The artist speaks about how someone can be gaining so much in life but still feel like they are losing their spark, swimming with dolphins while also slumming with sharks. These lines can be interpreted to mean that life can be a mix of good and bad experiences. The city can drive a person crazy after dark, and they can become scared that they might drown in it all.
The chorus of the song tells the listener to tell it like it is and not wait to die before they start to live. They should lose themselves to find themselves, confuse themselves and blind themselves sometimes. This line can be interpreted to mean that people need to take risks, try new things, and not be afraid of making mistakes. They should not be afraid to get lost in the process of finding themselves.
The next verse speaks about how having too many prized possessions can bring a person down, and it's not pretty either way. The city can drive anyone crazy. The chorus then repeats, reminding the listener once again to lose themselves, blind themselves, and fool themselves sometimes.
Overall, this song tells us that sometimes, we need to get out of our comfort zones and try something new, even if it means confusing ourselves along the way. The song encourages people to embrace their mistakes, learn from them and not be afraid to take risks.
Line by Line Meaning
you’re gaining so much
You are achieving so much success in life.
you’re losing your spark
However, you're feeling like you're losing your passion or what makes you unique due to the pressure of success.
swimming with dolphins
You're experiencing the pleasures of life and enjoying the good things it has to offer.
slumming with sharks
But at the same time, you're also dealing with the dangers and deceit of those who are envious of your success.
either way the city
Regardless of which path you take, success or failure, the city (and the world) can drive you crazy.
drives you crazy after dark
Especially at night, when your mind contemplates on all the stress and pressure of the day.
tell it like it is
Be honest with yourself and others.
you don’t have to die before you live
You don't have to wait until it's too late to enjoy life or pursue your dreams.
lose yourself to find yourself sometimes
Sometimes, you need to forget about societal expectations and personal limitations to truly discover your true self.
confuse yourself and blind yourself sometimes
It's normal to experience confusion and temporary blindness when exploring your self-identity and purpose in life.
so scared, you might drown
Despite the successes, you're also afraid of drowning under the pressures of maintaining that success.
all your prized possessions are bringing you down
The material possessions that you've worked so hard to obtain might be weighing you down and distracting you from what's truly important in life.
either way’s not pretty, going crazy in this town
Regardless of success or failure, the city (or world) can take a toll on your mental health and well-being.
fool yourself
Sometimes, you can deceive yourself with false beliefs or expectations.
sometimes
Life is not always predictable, and it's okay to be uncertain.
Contributed by Evelyn T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Patrick Stocks
You're gaining so much
You're losing your spark
Swimming with dolphins
Slumming with sharks
Either way the city
Drives you crazy
After dark
Tell it like it is
You don't have to die
Before you live
Lose yourself
To find yourself sometimes
Confuse yourself
And blind yourself sometimes
You're gaining so much
So scared you might drown
All your prized possessions
Are bringing you down
Either ways not pretty
Going crazy in this town
Tell it like it is
You don't have to die
Before you live
Lose yourself
To find yourself sometimes
Confuse yourself
And blind yourself sometimes
Yeah sometimes
Lose yourself
To find yourself sometimes
Confuse yourself
And blind yourself sometimes
Lose yourself
To find yourself sometimes
Fool yourself
Blind yourself
Sometimes
Sometimes
Sometimes
Sometimes
Sometimes
BlueblackHussar
Thanks for uploading this, what a tune. Great album!
J S
Wow Thanks sooo much for uploading ..Awesome