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.
Spellbound
Abc Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Rich lead to slum
Let him think the grass is greener
It always is for someone
Pilgrims and penitents saying it's the end of the world
Let them wallow in their sorrow
I want to live like there's no tomorrow, with you, girl
Spins 'round (spins 'round)
Goes 'round, and around, and around, and around
I'm spellbound
All day (all day)
All night (all night)
Shake it down, shake it down, shake it down, shake it down
I'm spellbound
Sun probes and moon shots explore the universe
Outer space must be a great place
Yet we're stranded here on Earth
With tit for tat killers, junkie gurus
Let them wallow in their sorrow
I want to live like there's no tomorrow, just with you
(I want to live, just with you)
World turns (world turns)
Spins 'round (spins 'round)
Goes 'round, and around, and around, and around
I'm spellbound
All day (all day)
All night (all night)
Shake it down, shake it down, shake it down, shake it down
I'm spellbound (I'm spellbound)
Spellbound
World turns (world turns)
Spins 'round (spins 'round)
Goes 'round, and around, and around, and around
I'm spellbound
All day (all day)
All night (all night)
Shake it down, shake it down, shake it down, shake it down
I'm spellbound
When we gonna learn?
When we gonna learn to turn?
When we gonna learn to turn this world around?
When we gonna learn?
When we gonna learn to turn?
When we gonna learn to turn this world around?
(When we... when we gonna learn? Show me; show me when)
When we gonna learn?
When we gonna learn to turn?
When we gonna learn to turn this world around?
The opening lines of Spellbound reveal a commentary on the human desire for something out of reach. The singer feels trapped and disillusioned by his surroundings, and while he acknowledges the blemishes of his own reality, he still dreams of something better. The lines "let him think the grass is greener, it always is for someone" is a cynical perspective on the human tendency to constantly strive for what appears to be beyond our reach.
The second verse is a commentary on the state of the world, with the mention of "tit for tat killers" and "junkie gurus." The singer acknowledges that despite the technological advancements and space exploration that humans have accomplished, there is still much grief and destruction on Earth. The chorus, with the repetition of "World turns, spins 'round," emphasizes how everything is cyclical and continues to repeat itself.
The bridge expresses a desire for change and progress. The repetition of "When we gonna learn?" highlights frustration with the status quo and a longing for a better future. The singer wants a world where people stop being trapped in the cycle of sorrow and can live life to the fullest with their loved ones.
Line by Line Meaning
Boy got paparazzi
The boy is constantly in the public eye and is followed by paparazzi.
Rich lead to slum
The wealthy often disregard the struggles of the poor.
Let him think the grass is greener, it always is for someone
People tend to think others have it better and idealize their situations, even though it's not always the case.
Pilgrims and penitents saying it's the end of the world, let them wallow in their sorrow
People who believe that the world is coming to an end should be left alone to express their sadness, but it shouldn't make us despair too.
I want to live like there's no tomorrow, with you, girl
The artist wants to live life to the fullest, appreciating every moment with their loved one.
World turns (world turns) Spins 'round (spins 'round) Goes 'round, and around, and around, and around I'm spellbound
The world keeps spinning and repeating, but the singer is captivated by it all.
All day (all day) All night (all night) Shake it down, shake it down, shake it down, shake it down I'm spellbound
The singer is mesmerized by the world around them, day and night.
Sun probes and moon shots explore the universe, outer space must be a great place, yet we're stranded here on Earth
Although the universe seems vast and intriguing, we are stuck on Earth dealing with problems like violence and addiction.
With tit for tat killers, junkie gurus, let them wallow in their sorrow, I want to live like there's no tomorrow, just with you (I want to live, just with you)
People who engage in violence and drug use should not dampen the artist's desire to live freely with their loved one.
When we gonna learn? When we gonna learn to turn? When we gonna learn to turn this world around?
The artist ponders why we haven't yet learned how to turn the world around and make it a better place.
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GANNON CHAFFEE HALL, SCOTT ANDREW HOLDERBY, ARTHUR LEONARD LIBOON, JIM TAFFER, WILLIAM DANIEL WHITE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Damien's Number 1 Fan
Been a fan since 82 this is definetly their best album a total masterpiece
vgt6000
"let them wallow in their sorrow - I want to live like there's no tomorrow..." the best album ever recorded.
Damien's Number 1 Fan
vgt6000 totally agree
Cornel Bratila
This is a fantastic track of one of the best pop albums EVER recorded!
ted norton
Pilgrims and Penitents saying it's the end of the world... Dec. 21 2012 Been an ABC fan forever but somehow always missed this album until last week. This is one of the best produced tracks I've ever heard. The extra effort on the vocal tracking pays off exponentially. THIS IS F*CKING GORGEOUS !
Carl Cookson
one of their best albums,without a doubt,
STUDIO BENCIVENGA Marcus Bencivenga
i bet money on the fact that you will not find a voice with more class - Fry sings crystal clear
Patricio Vásquez
Underated album... perfect 10 points
caleb rush
after all the crazy (but great) material that they created, they reached a more mellow place.
Jhonata Figueira
Essa som é foda demais *__*