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.
Vanity Kills
ABC Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Have you seen who just walked in (Vain vain vain vain)
(Uh huh You love you) Right over there
She's so vain vain vain vain
Vain vain vain vain
I'm glad you found some one who loves you
But sad to say that some one is you
Guess that makes two just you and you
Someone who cares so much about you
But does that some one have to be you
Bom bom bom bom bom bom bom bom yeah
Bom bom bom bom bom bom bom bom yeah
Vanity kills it don't pay bills
Vanity kills you love you
Vanity kills it don't pay bills
Vanity kills it kills
Do glad I found you glancing in the mirror
Gazing deeply at love's patron saint
Admire the frame survey the scenery
Or are you just inspecting the paint
Temptation's high modesty's so weak
High on yourself humble you ain't
Bom bom bom bom bom bom bom bom yeah
Bom bom bom bom bom bom bom bom yeah
Vanity kills it don't pay bills
Vanity kills you love you
Vanity kills it don't pay bills
Vanity kills you love you
Vanity kills it don't pay bills (No way)
Vanity kills you love you
Vanity kills it don't pay bills
Vanity kills it kills
So vain vain vain vain
You love you (yeah)
Give it give it us give it us
So Vain so vain so vain
Vanity kills it don't pay bills
Vanity kills you love you
Vanity kills it don't pay bills
Vanity kills you love you
Vanity kills it don't pay bills
Vanity kills you love you
Vanity kills if the blast don't get you
Then the fallout will
You love you
The song Vanity Kills by ABC is a satirical critique of vanity and self-obsession. The lyrics sarcastically celebrate the singer's self-love while simultaneously pointing out their shallowness and the dangers that come with excessive pride. The lyrics are filled with clever wordplay and catchy hooks, making the song fun and danceable while conveying a message about the folly of self-obsession.
The first stanza introduces the listener to a character who has fallen in love with themselves. They are so vain that they can't even see beyond their own reflection in the mirror. The lyrics suggest that this character has found someone who loves them, but it turns out that person is just a mirror image of themselves. The second stanza continues this theme, with the singer admiring their own reflection and reveling in their self-esteem.
The chorus warns of the dangers of vanity, stating that it "doesn't pay bills" and "kills". The lyrics suggest that if you are too focused on yourself, you will miss out on other important things in life. The bridge offers a clever twist on this message, warning that even if you survive the initial blast of vanity, the fallout will ultimately catch up with you.
Overall, Vanity Kills is a witty and memorable song that critiques the dangers of excessive self-obsession. While the lyrics are tongue-in-cheek, they also offer a serious warning about the need to stay grounded and focused on what is truly important in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Have you heard the latest (You love you)
Did you hear? You're all that you care about.
Have you seen who just walked in (Vain vain vain vain)
Take a look at yourself, your vanity is off the charts.
(Uh huh You love you) Right over there
Yup, that's you, all self-absorbed and vain.
She's so vain vain vain vain
There’s nobody more obsessed with themselves than you.
I'm glad you found some one who loves you
I guess it's great that you love yourself so much.
But sad to say that some one is you
However, it's pathetic that you're the only one you care about.
And now perhaps you'll both be happy
Maybe you and your vanity can live happily ever after.
Guess that makes two just you and you
You're your own best friend and worst enemy, all at once.
Someone who cares so much about you
There is indeed someone who cares about you so much.
But does that some one have to be you
But why does it have to be you? Why can't it be someone else?
Vanity kills it don't pay bills
Being vain will get you nowhere and won't pay the bills.
Vanity kills you love you
Your vanity is going to destroy you, but you love yourself too much to care.
Do glad I found you glancing in the mirror
When I found you, you were busy staring at yourself in the mirror.
Gazing deeply at love's patron saint
Seems like vanity is the religion you worship.
Admire the frame survey the scenery
You're amazed by your own looks and love to admire yourself.
Or are you just inspecting the paint
However, what good is the paint if there's nothing beneath it?
Temptation's high modesty's so weak
You can't resist the urge to indulge in your own vanity and don't care about modesty.
High on yourself humble you ain't
You're too busy being high on yourself to be humble.
So vain vain vain vain
All you care about is yourself, so vain, so vain, so vain.
Vanity kills if the blast don't get you
Your vanity is so lethal, it'll kill you if nothing else does.
Then the fallout will
If you're lucky enough to escape the blast, the fallout of your vanity will still get you.
Give it give it us give it us
Maybe if you shared it with the world, it wouldn't be so toxic and dangerous.
Vanity kills it don't pay bills (No way)
Don't fool yourself by thinking that being vain will get you anywhere, it won't.
Vanity kills it kills
Your vanity is killing you slowly, but you don't seem to care.
Vanity kills it don't pay bills
Being self-obsessed won't buy you a single thing.
Vanity kills you love you
Your inner vanity is going to destroy you, but you continue to love yourself regardless.
Vanity kills it don't pay bills
Your self-obsession won't get you anywhere, it won't pay the bills.
Vanity kills you love you
Your vanity is going to destroy you, but you don't seem to care, you still love yourself.
Vanity kills it don't pay bills
Your vanity is only going to make things worse for you, it will never pay the bills.
Vanity kills you love you
Your love for yourself is slowly but surely killing you, but you still choose to be vain and self-obsessed.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: MARK WHITE, MARTIN FRY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@walterkovacs4069
How is it in 2016 i can refer to a "Flock Of Seagulls" haircut, and everyone knows exactly what i mean,
Yet terms like "the ABC bangs wave" or "the ABC Dairy Queen swirl" never caught on?
):
This music is a hundred times better than anything A Flock Of Seagulls came out with.
(Even though that song is about seeing a UFO)
@Oliviacaptain
So glad i found you glancing in the mirror
Gazing deeply at love's patron saint
Admire the frame, survey the scenery
Or are you just inspecting the paint
Temptation's strong modesty's so weak
High on yourself humble you ain't
Vanity kills, it don't pay bills
Vanity kills, you love you
Vanity kills, it don't pay bills
Vanity kills, you love you
Vanity kills, it don't pay bills (no way)
Vanity kills, you love you
Vanity kills, it don't pay bills
Vanity kills, it kills
So vain, vain vain vain
You love you (yeah)
Give it, give it us, give it us
So vain, so vain, so vain
Vanity kills, it don't pay bills
Vanity kills, you love you
Vanity kills, it don't pay bills
Vanity kills, you love you
Vanity kills, it don't pay bills
Vanity kills, you love you
Vanity kills, if the blast don't get you
Then the fallout will
You love you
@maha77
In 1985 I went to the Dance Club called 'Studio 9' it was THE spot in San Diego, they played this and all the ABC hits, the crowd always went wild. Loved dancing to them, especially the remixes.
@Dilberto88
Tio Leo’s near Hotel Circle was another kickass dance club, in 1985!
@Eric-qh2ps
Modesty 1st
@joezen1693
2023, day before yesterday..ABC dawned a return to Sf's Bimbo's club for yet another amazing performance..been decades and getting our souls to move yet again to those amazing grooves! Vanity kills, but age kicks in its own whopping.. Ouch, still sore from dancing..
@harryfox9572
ABC have a tour in 2023 and have ONE and ONE only US date, for some strange reason in Solana Beach, CA. If you still live in the area this would be an amazing opportunity to see them live, in your home town in an intimate venue. Not that expensive, local, intimate venue, massive 80's band, unbelievable. I've got my tickets, no doubt.
@dukee-baby9771
The most under rated groups of the eighties! You love you hoooo!
@jean-pauldesenfants2749
Great song.So true!
@gerrykp
I remember them being VERY Popular, not underrated at all in my opinion.
@Toast0808
They were not underrated at all. In fact, their first album “The Lexicon of Love”, was highly praised, and is considered one of the “landmark albums of British pop” during the 80’s.
@MultiVrooom
the best album, indeed