1) Formed by Propaganda lead singer… Read Full Bio ↴At least 8 artists by this name:
1) Formed by Propaganda lead singer Claudia Brücken and synthesiser genius Thomas Leer. Act were signed to the iconic ZTT label. However, their intelligent continental pop was out of step with the dumbed -down times of the mid 80s and sales were disappointing.
2) French synth-pop band who released the "Ping-Pong" single. This has recently appeared on the "BIPPP" compilation.
3) Romanian Thrash/Groove metal band signed with Ballance Productions, CD Exact released 2008-12-22.
4) A Jazz trio based in Brooklyn, NY. http://www.bjurecords.com/ACT.html
5) a Japanese doujin hard rock/heavy metal artist
6) A Swedish Progressive Rock/Metal band.
7) A Norwegian rock band, who was known as The Act until they shortened their name to only Act by the time of the release of their only album September Field in 1986.
8) ACT is a collaboration of Ayu (あゆ, IOSYS), Coda (Antp \ COOL&CREAT) and t+pazolite (C.H.S \ HARDCORE TANO*C). ACT means Ayu + Coda + t+pazolite. First mini album called A+C+T was released on M3 2010 (31.10.2010).
A.C.T. is a very popular and well-known modern progressive rock band from Sweden, having released music since 1999. They have evolved into a respectable band that has had more than a decent impact; more impressive, however, it how their songwriting and style gets better with every album, their latest Silence being considered an incredible one. The band's musical style is eclectic, but also keen to a lot of influences, some (like QUEEN, SAGA, SUPERTRAMP, MUSE, RUSH, DREAM THEATER or ELO) being largely accepted, others (like IT BITES, ZAPPA or STYX) being more particular, and some (like GENESIS, KANSAS, JETHRO TULL, TOTO or the BEATLES) being much superficial.
The band, initially under Ola Andersson on guitars, Tomas Erlandsson on drums, Jens Appelgren on vocals and Jerry Sahlin on both keyboards and drums, was created out of friendly discussions and leisure musical sessions and was named FAIRYLAND. During the entire rehearsals and the eventful years of playing and discovering their outfit, the line-up saw some changes, Appelgren departing and three new musicians joining in: Simon Niklasson on bass and dynamic writing, later Peter Asp as guitarist/bassist, and Herman Saming as vocalist, often leading the charm and lucky good impression of A.C.T.'s clear crystal voice. In 1995, at the suggestion of Jerry Sahlin, FAIRYLAND finally changed into A.C.T., both in name and in perspective. Taking on a new musical direction, A.C.T. went all the way to a finale at a local competition, "Musik Direkt" - which gave them the opportunity to make some demos. The next year, they were favorites all the way to the grand finale in Stockholm, where losing the competition was a small setback compared to the fame and good spirit they've witnessed since.
A.C.T. are as good and exciting on stage as they are profound in the studio. They opened for a lot of good artists, like Yngwie Malsteem, FISH or SAGA. Their modern or progressive relation is stable both in a popular and well-supported way.
As for their music, A.C.T. themselves call it a mix of melodic, progressive rock, pomp or pop elements, but the evolution is straightforward maturity with every album. Being highly proud of their sound and their songs, the mutual feeling is making music of a noteworthy production and an intense popular complexity. Silence (released 2006) is, most specially, a very brave and complete album of the band's expression and work, comprising melodic or upbeat progressive rock, metal bits or classic rock interpretations, songwriting deluxe shape or complex rhythm arrangements. As already mentioned, the classic, popular or notoriously more easy progressive influences are a large idea, but A.C.T. also discovers its own skill mystery and individuality experience, most notably on Silence.
[From ProgArchives]
Snobbery And Decay
Act Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And watch them grow from rags to riches
Money to burn, money to give away
Lifestyles of the rich and famous
And look and them who can blame us
Lessons in the subject of decay
Guilt and sorrow, the price you have to pay
Snobbery and decay
Snobbery and decay
You’ve got yours, I’ve got mine
Obsession, just like Calvin Klein
Fantasy, ecstasy, designer dream, obscenity
Snobbery and decay
Snobbery and decay
Nothing to do, nothing to pay
Nothing but snobbery and decay
Land of the free
How can you tell?
The bigger they come the harder they sell
Here’s to you
Here’s to me
A future aristocracy
Property, poverty,
An unstable economy
And decay
And decay
Snobbery and decay
Snobbery and decay
Come tomorrow, the dream might blow away
Guilt and sorrow, the price you have to pay
Snobbery and decay
Snobbery and decay
Champagne and caviar
Snobbery and decay
I am the repertoire
Snobbery and decay
The lyrics of Act's song "Snobbery and Decay" explore the world of the wealthy and powerful with a tone of criticism and satire. The opening lines "Champagne dreams, caviar wishes, and watch them grow from rags to riches" express the idea of people striving for success and wealth, even if it means leaving behind their humble beginnings. However, as the song progresses, it becomes clear that the pursuit of money and status results in a lifestyle characterized by "snobbery and decay." The lyrics suggest that there is a high price to pay for living the high life, and that material wealth comes at the cost of moral decay and a lack of fulfillment.
The chorus of "Snobbery and Decay" reinforces this theme, with its repetition of the phrase "snobbery and decay." The lyrics reference the popular television show "Lifestyles of the rich and famous," which presents the extravagant lives of wealthy people as something to be envied. However, the song questions this narrative, suggesting that the lifestyles of the rich are not as glamorous as they seem. The lyrics also mention guilt and sorrow, suggesting that even those who accomplish their dreams may not be content with what they have achieved.
In all, "Snobbery and Decay" is a critique of the obsession with wealth and status in modern society. The song suggests that the pursuit of material success is ultimately fruitless, as it leads only to "snobbery and decay."
Line by Line Meaning
Champagne dreams, caviar wishes
Aspirations for wealth and luxury.
And watch them grow from rags to riches
To witness the transformation from poverty to affluence.
Money to burn, money to give away
An abundance of disposable income.
Lifestyles of the rich and famous
A lavish and extravagant existence.
And look and them who can blame us
It's no wonder we aspire to such a life.
Lessons in the subject of decay
A commentary on the eventual decline of material possessions.
Come tomorrow, the dream might blow away
The fleeting nature of wealth and success.
Guilt and sorrow, the price you have to pay
The emotional cost often associated with wealth.
Snobbery and decay
A commentary on the pitfalls of luxury and materialism.
You’ve got yours, I’ve got mine
Indifference towards others' situation.
Obsession, just like Calvin Klein
A consumerist culture that values designer brands.
Fantasy, ecstasy, designer dream, obscenity
The allure of a life of luxury and excess.
Nothing to do, nothing to pay
Freedom from responsibility and financial burden.
Nothing but snobbery and decay
A critical view of a life spent chasing material goods.
Land of the free
A reference to America as the land of opportunity.
How can you tell?
A suggestion that perhaps the American Dream is not as attainable as advertised.
The bigger they come the harder they sell
A cynical take on the marketing strategies of the wealthy.
Here’s to you
A toast to those who have achieved success.
Here’s to me
A celebration of one's own success.
A future aristocracy
A suggestion that society is stratifying into an elite class and an underclass.
Property, poverty, An unstable economy
A criticism of the negative social and economic impacts of capitalism.
And decay
A continuation of the theme of decline.
Champagne and caviar
A luxurious and indulgent lifestyle.
I am the repertoire
A statement of pride in one's own material possessions.
Contributed by Sadie W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@luxeford9208
The press were really rude about ACT at the time, which is ironic because they were being ironic about the very core of pop culture journalism.
The notion that the future upper classes would, in the future be movie and pop-stars.
Apart from they couldn't predict the Internet and all its ramifications, they were really a before their times.
Thomas and Claudia were integral to my formative years and I'm really loving it!.
My IQ is tbes5s28
Still loving this and I laugh with them to this because the jokes on you, and it never really always was.
@YuQissu
@@aidanclarke6106 Let me hook you up too:
Haruomi Hosono - Hochono House (Full Album)
Frankie Goes to Hollywood - Relax - Extended.
Guesch Patti - Etienne (Rare Promo version )
Don Ellis - Turkish Bath
GRACE JONES. "Slave to the rhythm". 1985. vinyl 12" extended version
Frankie Goes To Hollywood - Rage hard (1986 Extended)
I've been bingeing so many tunes; I had to share lol
@richardmacken9410
One of the best songs ever,And Claudia Bruckens voice is from Heaven.
@fairlightmusic
It‘s not only her voice, its her style, her grace and behaviour. The whole project Act was totally misunderstood at its time. It was incredible complex arranged and produced music in outstanding quality. Thomas and Claudia where two Personalities in its business. All in opposit to the Zeitgeist.
@sexugly303
Satirizing the 1980s as early as 1987. And its still relevent today.
@ajs41
The Pet Shops Boys were already satirising the 80s in 1985 with Lots Of Money.
@aidanclarke6106
This is one of my top ten songs ever !!
@michaelludesse3400
The Barbara Stanwyck of pop!
@midtownjohn
That whole Act album is sooo good.
@JohnH108
Agreed
@ajs41
Is that Robert Leer?
@johnoliver7321
@@ajs41
I think it is Thomas Lang.