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.
Valentine
ABC Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And Santa Claus don't come on a Christmas Day
That umbrella won't work on a rainy day
Don't ask me, I already know
When they find you beached on the barrier reef
And the only pleasure treasured is in map relief
The choice is yours, sure, saint or thief
Don't ask me I already know
Kept your eyes on rising prices,
Wound up winning booby prizes;
I'm sure you'd like to think you know what life is
Find destiny through magazines
Liplicking, unzipping
Harpers and Queens
From here to eternity,
Without in-betweens,
Don't ask me, I already know
With your heart on parade and your heart on parole
I hope you find a sucker to buy that mink stole
School for scandal,
Guess who's enrolled?
So ask me, I already know
When they find you beached on the barrier reef
When the postman don't call on Valentine's Day
When the only pleasure treasured is in map relief
When you don't tell the truth, that's the price you pay
When I'm shaking a hand, I'm clenching a fist
If you gave me a pound for the moments I missed
And I got dancing lessons for all the lips I shoulda kissed
I'd be a millionaire
I'd be a Fred Astaire
In "Valentine's Day," ABC lists a series of unfortunate events that occur when one's expectations are not met. The lyrics suggest that sometimes life falls short in romantic gestures such as receiving a Valentine's Day card or Christmas presents or experiencing a lack of utility in objects like an umbrella on a rainy day. In the next lines, ABC implies that one's life choices are critical and should be made consciously as they may have a significant impact on their destiny. The line "I'm sure you'd like to think you know what life is" implies the futility of making impulsive decisions without thinking thoroughly about their consequences. The song ends with an introspective scene in which ABC regrets missed opportunities in life, but if given the chance to rectify some past mistakes, they would be a millionaire and a Fred Astaire. The lyrics are open to interpretation, but the song's themes of missed opportunities and the importance of conscious decision-making are apparent.
Line by Line Meaning
When the postman don't call on Valentine's day
When you don't get a valentine from the one you love, it can be a lonely day.
And Santa Claus don't come on a Christmas Day
When you don't receive the gifts you were hoping for, it can be a disappointing day.
That umbrella won't work on a rainy day
Sometimes things that are supposed to help you won't work when you need them most.
Don't ask me, I already know
I've been there before and know what it feels like.
When they find you beached on the barrier reef
When you're stuck in a difficult situation that seems impossible to get out of.
And the only pleasure treasured is in map relief
When the only escape from your problems is through daydreaming and imagination.
The choice is yours, sure, saint or thief
You have the choice to either do the right thing or the wrong thing, but there are consequences either way.
When they baked your cake in little slices,
When life gives you small and insignificant rewards, rather than anything substantial.
Kept your eyes on rising prices,
When capitalism and the cost of living cause constant financial worry and stress.
Wound up winning booby prizes;
When life gives you something that seems like a reward, but turns out to be a disappointment or a trap.
I'm sure you'd like to think you know what life is
There's a lot about life that we don't understand and can't control, even if we pretend to.
Find destiny through magazines
Trying to figure out your life and the future through reading magazines and other media.
Liplicking, unzipping
Sexual imagery and innuendo used in advertising and media to sell products and ideas.
Harpers and Queens
Magazines and publications that focus on luxury, status, and wealth.
From here to eternity,
A metaphor for an infinite span of time and the inevitability of death.
Without in-betweens,
Without much variety or deviation from the norm.
With your heart on parade and your heart on parole
Allowing your own emotions to be exposed and vulnerable, but with the fear of getting hurt, or being held accountable for your actions.
I hope you find a sucker to buy that mink stole
I hope someone falls for your deceptions or tricks, even if they end up being foolish or costly.
School for scandal,
A reference to the play 'School for Scandal' which involves a lot of gossip and backstabbing.
Guess who's enrolled?
Hinting that the person being addressed is involved in some kind of scandal or drama.
When you don't tell the truth, that's the price you pay
If you are dishonest or deceptive, you will eventually face the consequences of your actions.
When I'm shaking a hand, I'm clenching a fist
Even when we're being friendly, we might have angry or violent thoughts that we keep hidden.
If you gave me a pound for the moments I missed
If you rewarded me for all the opportunities and experiences I let slip away or ignored, I would be very rich.
And I got dancing lessons for all the lips I shoulda kissed
Regretting the times when we failed to take a chance, make a move, or express our romantic feelings for someone.
I'd be a millionaire
If all of our missed opportunities and regrets were worth money, we would be very wealthy.
I'd be a Fred Astaire
A reference to the famous dancer and actor Fred Astaire, implying that if we had the courage to follow our dreams and take chances, we could achieve greatness.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Brian Warner, Jeordie White
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind