Moyet was born to a French father and English mother. She grew up in Basildon, where she attended school. After leaving school at 16, she worked as a shop worker and a piano tuner. She was involved in a number of punk rock, pub rock and blues bands in the South East Essex area during the late 1970s and early 1980s, including The Vandals and the Screamin' Ab Dabs, The Vicars, The Vandals (UK 1978) and The Little Roosters.
Her mainstream pop career began in 1982 when she formed the electro-pop duo Yazoo with former Depeche Mode member Vince Clarke. The duo had several hits, including "Situation", "Only You", "Don't Go" and recorded two albums, "Upstairs At Eric's" and "You And Me Both". The group was notable for melding Clarke's trademark electronic sounds with Moyet's warm, soulful voice.
In 1983 Moyet and Clarke decided to disband Yazoo. While Clarke went on to form Erasure, Moyet signed to CBS (in part because it had been Janis Joplin's label), and began her solo career.
In 1984 she released her debut album "Alf" (titled after her punk-era nickname). Alf included contributions by popular producers/songwriters Swain and Jolley, as well as a song, "Invisible", written by Motown legend Lamont Dozier. The record was a hit in Britain, reaching number one in the album charts. Alf spawned 3 hit singles, "Love Resurrection", "Invisible" and "All Cried Out". In the US, "Invisible" was a Top 40 hit (something Yazoo had never achieved).
In 1985 Moyet performed at the historic Live Aid concert, alongside Paul Young. She also released a single not featured on "Alf", a cover of the standard "That Ole Devil Called Love." The single went to #2 on the UK singles chart. (At present, it remains Moyet's highest-charting UK single.)
In 1986 Moyet had another big UK hit with the single "Is This Love?," followed in 1987 by the album Raindancing. Raindancing spawned further hit singles, including a cover of Floy Joy's "Weak In The Presence of Beauty" and "Ordinary Girl". In 1987, she scored another cover hit with "Love Letters"; the video for the song featured comedy duo French & Saunders.
Following a period of personal and career evaluation Hoodoo was released in 1991. Hoodoo, which took several steps away from the glossy pop sheen of Raindancing and was a far earthier and more personal album. Compared to her earlier releases, Hoodoo received little label support and only minimal promotion. The album sold respectably in Britain, and was nominated for a Grammy for the single "It Won't Be Long." However, the release of Hoodoo marked the beginning of what was to become a long fight for Moyet to secure complete control of her artistic direction. Like many similar artists of Moyet's calibre (including Aimee Mann and the late Kirsty MacColl), Moyet was reluctant to record a radio-friendly "pop" album simply for the sake of creating chart hits.
Moyet's next album Essex (1994) was also a source of controversy for her; in order for the album to be released, her label (now Sony) insisted that certain Essex tracks be re-recorded and re-produced, and that there be additional material remixed to create a more 'commercial' package. The video for the single "Whispering Your Name" again featured Dawn French.
Following the release of Essex, Sony released a greatest-hits compilation of Moyet's work the following year. Singles entered the UK charts at number one. Following incredible CD success and a UK tour, Singles was re-issued as a double CD set which included "No Overdubs", a bonus live CD. Upon re-issue Singles again charted, this time in the top 20.
Due to prolonged litigation with Sony, Moyet did not record or release a new studio album for over eight years after the release of Essex. During this time, however, Moyet recorded vocals for Tricky, Sylk-130, Ocean Colour Scene, The Lightning Seeds and King Britt, and was featured on the British leg of the Lilith Fair tour. 2001 saw the release of The Essential Alison Moyet CD.
In August 2002, after years of holding out and refusing to compromise, Moyet was finally released from her Sony contract. Moyet signed to Sanctuary Records and released her first studio album in eight years, Hometime, an album which Sony had refused to release. Hometime was produced by the Insects, who had also produced works by Goldfrapp and Massive Attack. The release of the CD launched Moyet into the top five best-selling female UK artists of 2002 and resulted in a Brit nomination for Best Female Vocal as well as a nomination for the Mercury Music Prize.
Moyet's following CD, Voice, an eclectic collection of covers, was released on 6 September 2004 and entered the UK charts at number seven. The album was later re-issued with a bonus track, "Alfie." A companion DVD, One Blue Voice, was released in 2006.
After signing with the W14 Music label in late 2006, Moyet released the all-original The Turn in October 2007. As of this writing (15 Sept 2008), Moyet will be touring North America for the first time in 14 years after the huge success of the Yazoo Reconnected Tour of 2008.
www.alisonmoyet.com/
Footsteps
Alison Moyet Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's more to carry than a case or two
I come with a history
That I won't forget in a life with you
This man's been true to me
And I didn't come by him easy
Shame, shame crying shame
Don't let your footsteps falter
You're gonna get wet if you dip in the water
Be sure what you take me for
And I won't ever want for more
Don't let your footsteps fail me
You're gonna get sunk if you slip on the way
When I say that the time is right
Go walk this mother out of sight
I didn't plan to meet you
Now here I am on a roundabout
See the road where I lived my life
If I go with you there's no turning back
I'm tired and I ain't proud
But I want you more than I ever have
Tell me baby
Did you think about it?
It won't be young and pretty
Look around you, you know it
Ain't nothing new for me
I don't get fooled so easy
What's good ain't gonna be fine
Six months on down the line
You know shame, shame crying shame
Losing more than a family name
Don't let your footstep falter
You're gonna get wet if you dip in the water
Be sure what you take me for
And I won't ever want for more
Don't let your footsteps fail me
You're gonna get sunk if you slip on the way
When I say that the time is right
Go walk this mother out of sight
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Don't let your footsteps falter
You're gonna get wet if you dip in the water
Be sure what you take me for
And I won't ever want for more
Don't let your footsteps fail me
You're gonna get sunk if you slip on the way
When I say that the time is right
Go walk this mother out of sight
Oh, have you found it?
Did you find what you're looking for?
You know you change your mind
And it's a waste of time
And heaven only knows
You'll be on your own
Don't let your footsteps falter
You're gonna get wet if you dip in the water
Be sure what you take me for
And I won't ever want for more
Don't let your footsteps fail me
You're gonna get sunk if you slip on the way
When I say that the time is right
Go walk this mother out of sight
The opening lines of Alison Moyet's song "Footsteps" suggest a difficult journey ahead. The singer acknowledges that they come with a complicated history, one that they won't forget in a life with their partner. The second verse reveals that the singer has been hurt in the past ("losing more than a family name"), but they have found someone who has been true to them. However, they urge their partner not to falter in their footsteps as they navigate the challenges ahead, saying "you're gonna get wet if you dip in the water" and "you're gonna get sunk if you slip on the way." The chorus repeats this message, reminding the partner not to let their footsteps fail the singer.
The bridge of the song adds some ambiguity - the singer didn't plan to meet their partner, but now they're at a crossroads where they must decide whether to go with them or not. They acknowledge their weariness and lack of pride, but they still want their partner more than ever. The final verse suggests that the partner may be fickle ("you know you change your mind / and it's a waste of time") and could leave the singer on their own. But the chorus remains the same, with the singer urging their partner to stay strong and keep walking with them.
Overall, "Footsteps" is a song about the difficulties and uncertainties of navigating romantic relationships. The singer knows that their history and the challenges ahead will not make things easy, but they still want to try with their partner. They just need reassurance that their partner won't stray from the path they've set together.
Line by Line Meaning
It won't be clean and easy
This relationship will come with its difficulties.
There's more to carry than a case or two
The baggage from my past will be a heavy burden.
I come with a history
My past experiences have shaped me into the person I am now.
That I won't forget in a life with you
I will bring my past into this new life with you.
This man's been true to me
You have been honest with me.
And I didn't come by him easy
I had to work hard to earn your trust and affection.
Shame, shame crying shame
It is a pity and disappointment.
Losing more than a family name
I stand to lose more than just my name by being with you.
Don't let your footsteps falter
Don't hesitate on this journey with me.
You're gonna get wet if you dip in the water
There will be risks and uncertain outcomes if you commit to this relationship.
Be sure what you take me for
Make sure you understand who I am and what I bring to this union.
And I won't ever want for more
If you truly know and accept me, I will never ask for anything more.
Don't let your footsteps fail me
Don't betray my trust in this relationship.
You're gonna get sunk if you slip on the way
If you make a mistake, it could have significant consequences.
When I say that the time is right
I will let you know when I am ready for this relationship to progress.
Go walk this mother out of sight
Take me away from my past and into a new future with you.
I didn't plan to meet you
This relationship was unexpected.
Now here I am on a roundabout
I feel unsure and disoriented in this new situation.
See the road where I lived my life
My past is still a part of me and cannot be forgotten.
If I go with you there's no turning back
If I commit to this relationship, I understand that there is no going back to my old life.
I'm tired and I ain't proud
I am emotionally drained and ashamed of my past mistakes.
But I want you more than I ever have
Despite my struggles, I have a strong desire to be with you.
Tell me baby
I need to know from you.
Did you think about it?
Have you considered the risks and consequences of this relationship?
It won't be young and pretty
This relationship will not be perfect or easy.
Look around you, you know it
The reality of our situation is clear.
Ain't nothing new for me
I have been through difficult relationships in the past.
I don't get fooled so easy
I am cautious and do not fall for false promises easily.
What's good ain't gonna be fine
Even if things seem good now, there may be challenges in the future.
Six months on down the line
In six months' time.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Oh, have you found it?
Have you found what you are looking for in this relationship?
Did you find what you're looking for?
Did you find what you are looking for in this relationship?
You know you change your mind
You may have doubts or second thoughts in the future.
And it's a waste of time
Changing your mind will be counterproductive and hurtful.
And heaven only knows
Only time will tell what the future holds.
You'll be on your own
If you change your mind, you will have to face the consequences alone.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: A MOYET, P GLENISTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind