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.
Show Me
ABC Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But that was just one thing left on my mind
Then I needed to feel you near me
You said: "Don't have the time."
The cowboys at the rodeo
The rhine-stones on that Romeo
Your theme tune on the radio
Show me, show me
Show me that your mine
Show me, show me
Give me just one sign
Show me, show me
Second that emotion
Show me, show me love
Since we're skimming the surface darling
Now's time to get in deep
You've opened up the envelope
But there's still one secret you keep
A pirate station or the late night show
A sunken ship with a rich cargo
Buried treasure that the four winds blow
Wind and rain it only goes to
Show me, show me
Show me that your mine
Show me, show me
Give me just one sign
Show me, show me
Second that emotion
Show me, show me love
Some things are hidden
Some things you`ll see
Make me know
Signal to me
Nine out of ten, in every case
She might look pretty but there`s make up on her face
Show me, show me love
And you can be free
And you could be free. Free. Free.
Where are the diamonds?
Where are the curls?
Where are the things that you took from this world?
These are the diamonds
These are the curls
These are the things that you took from this world
The first verse of "Show Me" by ABC talks about a past relationship where the singer needed the love of their partner but was denied that love because the partner claimed to not have time. The chorus declares the singer's need for evidence of love and affection, asking for just one sign to confirm that they belong to each other. The second verse expresses the need to go beyond surface-level interactions and get to know each other deeply, and the desire to have all secrets shared with one another. The last verse discusses the superficial aspects of society such as makeup, material possessions, and wealth, and questions their relevance in the grand scheme of things. It suggests that the true value of life comes from the intangible aspects of love and connection.
The lyrics of "Show Me" are ambiguous in their message, as they can be interpreted in several different ways. One interpretation is that the song is about the desire for a committed, fulfilling relationship that goes beyond physical attraction and material possessions. The repetition of the chorus emphasizes the need for proof of love and affection to progress towards that kind of relationship. Another way to look at the song is that it's about the search for deeper meaning in life rather than the superficial pleasures that society often prizes.
Line by Line Meaning
Once I needed your love
At one point in time, I was in need of your love
But that was just one thing left on my mind
However, this was just one of the many things on my mind
Then I needed to feel you near me
Eventually, I began to crave your presence near me
You said: "Don't have the time."
But you told me you didn't have the time for me
The cowboys at the rodeo
The scene of cowboys participating in rodeos
The rhine-stones on that Romeo
The rhinestones on the outfit of a character, known as Romeo
Your theme tune on the radio
The melody that identifies you on the radio
Souvenirs that only go to
The few items that serve as reminders
Show me, show me
Make me see
Show me that your mine
Prove to me that you belong to me
Give me just one sign
Provide me with just one signal
Second that emotion
Agree with that feeling
Show me love
Display your affection towards me
Since we're skimming the surface darling
As we are only looking at the superficial aspects, my dear
Now's time to get in deep
This is the appropriate time to delve deeper
You've opened up the envelope
You have started to disclose something to me
But there's still one secret you keep
But there is still one thing that you are hiding
A pirate station or the late-night show
The attractive elements of illegal radio stations or late-night television programs
A sunken ship with a rich cargo
The riches carried by a ship that has sunk
Buried treasure that the four winds blow
Valuable items that are so hidden, they will be revealed only if the winds from all four directions blow
Wind and rain it only goes to
The only way to uncover these items is by experiencing the powerful forces of wind and rain
Some things are hidden
Some things are not visible, they are concealed
Some things you'll see
Other things will be made visible to you
Make me know
Inform me
Signal to me
Give me a sign
Nine out of ten, in every case
Almost always, in almost every scenario
She might look pretty but there's makeup on her face
She may appear pretty, but in reality, she's wearing makeup
Show me love
Display your affection towards me
And you can be free
And you will be liberated
And you could be free. Free. Free.
And you could be free. Free. Free.
Where are the diamonds?
Where are the valuable treasures?
Where are the curls?
Where are the curly hairs?
Where are the things that you took from this world?
Where are the possessions that you carried away from this world?
These are the diamonds
These are the valuable treasures
These are the curls
These are the curly hairs
These are the things that you took from this world
These are the possessions that you carried away from this world
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CLINTON JAMES VINCENT, KIMBERLEY KENNETH BENZIE, LUKE WILLIAMS, LUKE JAMES PALMER, STEWART ALEXANDER HILL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind