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.
The Ship Of The Seasick Sailor
ABC Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Of a love that we once shared
In between the lipstick traces
To a time that we once had
You mistook me for a man, that I once knew
You caught me unprepared
That′s why on the tide of an ocean of failure
Bring me the ship of the seasick sailor
Bring me the keys of the sleeping jailor
Bring me the guns of the war torn soldier
Bury the flag slung over his shoulder
Maybe you could love me again
Maybe you could love me again
Then and only then
Because it hurts to be your friend
I've been to all the lonely places
We fought once to defend
I′d hate to be your enemy
Because it hurts to be your friend
You mistook me for a man, that I once knew
You caught me unprepared
That's why on the tide of an ocean of failure
An ocean of love in my heart
Bring me the ship of the seasick sailor
Bring me the keys of the sleeping jailor
Bring me the guns of the war torn soldier
Bury the flag slung over his shoulder
Maybe you could love me again
Maybe you could love me again
Then and only then
Because it hurts to be your friend
The sea is calm
The door is locked
We're safe from harm
The ship is docked
The battle′s over
The war is won
Screen fades to black
In a setting sun
Bring me the ship of the seasick sailor
Bring me the keys of the sleeping jailor
Bring me the guns of the war torn soldier
Bury the flag slung over his shoulder
Maybe you could love me again (All I can do is ... Love)
Maybe you could love me again (All I can do is ... Love)
Then and only then
Because it hurts to be your friend
The lyrics of ABC's song "The Ship Of The Seasick Sailor" convey a sense of longing and nostalgia for a past love. The singer is reflecting on a relationship that has ended, reminiscing about the love they once shared. The opening lines speak of running to the empty spaces, representing the yearning for a love that has faded away. The mention of "lipstick traces" alludes to the memories and remnants of their time together.
The singer addresses their former lover, expressing how their mistaken identity of being someone else from their past took them by surprise. This suggests that the singer did not live up to the expectations or memories that the ex-lover had of them. The ocean becomes a powerful metaphor, representing both failure and love that reside in the singer's heart. It symbolizes the depth of their emotions and the struggles they face in moving on.
The chorus brings forth a plea for a second chance at love. The singer longs for their ex-lover to love them again, emphasizing the pain they feel in being just a friend. The repetition of the line "Maybe you could love me again" reflects the hope and vulnerability in their plea.
The final verse shifts to a more settled state, where the sea is calm and the battles are over. It suggests a resolution and acceptance of the situation. The closing lines, "Bring me the ship of the seasick sailor... bury the flag slung over his shoulder," can be interpreted as a desire to let go of the past and move forward, leaving behind the emotional baggage.
Line by Line Meaning
Running to the empty spaces
Seeking refuge in the voids left by our lost love
Of a love that we once shared
Of the affection we once experienced together
In between the lipstick traces
Amidst the remnants of our passionate encounters
To a time that we once had
To the period in which our love thrived
You mistook me for a man, that I once knew
You confused me with a person from my past
You caught me unprepared
You surprised me, leaving me vulnerable
That's why on the tide of an ocean of failure
Hence, I'm carried by the waves of numerous disappointments
An ocean of love in my heart
But at the core of it all, my heart is still filled with love
Bring me the ship of the seasick sailor
Retrieve for me the vessel of someone lost and suffering
Bring me the keys of the sleeping jailor
Bring me the means to liberate the unconscious keeper
Bring me the guns of the war torn soldier
Provide me with the weapons of a soldier scarred by battle
Bury the flag slung over his shoulder
Put to rest the symbol held tightly by his weary arm
Maybe you could love me again
Perhaps you may rekindle your affection towards me
Then and only then
Only under those circumstances
Because it hurts to be your friend
As being your friend brings me pain
I've been to all the lonely places
I have visited every desolate location
We fought once to defend
Places we once fought to protect
I'd hate to be your enemy
I would resent becoming your adversary
Because it hurts to be your friend
Because being your friend is painful
The sea is calm
The ocean remains peaceful
The door is locked
Access is denied
We're safe from harm
We are shielded from danger
The ship is docked
The vessel is anchored
The battle's over
The conflict has concluded
The war is won
The war has been victorious
Screen fades to black
The screen gradually darkens
In a setting sun
Underneath the descending sun
Maybe you could love me again (All I can do is ... Love)
Perhaps you might rediscover affection for me (All I am capable of is... Love)
Maybe you could love me again (All I can do is ... Love)
Perhaps you might rediscover affection for me (All I am capable of is... Love)
Then and only then
Under those specific conditions
Because it hurts to be your friend
As being your friend causes me pain
Writer(s): Rob Fusari, Martin David Fry
Contributed by Carson B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.