In 1984 the re-named Alphaville released their debut single "Big in Japan", followed by "Sounds Like a Melody" and "Forever Young", quickly followed by the album Forever Young. Despite its success Frank Mertens left the band in the same year and was replaced by Ricky Echolette (born Wolfgang Neuhaus, in Cologne, August 6, 1960) in January 1985.
"Big In Japan" was their biggest U.S. success, shooting to #1 on Billboard's Dance chart. While they never again had a Top 20 U.S. Dance hit, several of their releases went Top 40 and Top 30 on the Dance charts. They were less successful at mainstream U.S. radio, reflected by their showing on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles charts, where "Big" only reached #66. The first U.S. release of "Forever Young" failed to scale the charts. In 1985, amid reports pop star Laura Branigan was featuring the song on her next album, Hold Me, Alphaville's "Forever Young" was re-released as a single in the U.S., and again floundered in the lower recesses of the chart. Branigan's version, though promoted on stickers adorning the album, subsequently remained an album cut in the U.S., though it was released to radio in South America. She would go on to perform the song as an encore at nearly every concert she performed, from her 1985 tour until her death in 2004. The Alphaville version was released a third time in the U.S. in 1988, to promote Alphaville: The Singles Collection, and peaked this time at #65. Their highest U.S. Singles chart showing, it was also their last. International re-releases of Alphaville's "Forever Young" followed in 1989, 1996, and 2001. Several covers have been recorded and remixed, featuring male or female vocalists often erroneously attributed to be Alphaville's Marian Gold, or Laura Branigan.
In 1986 the second album Afternoons In Utopia was released, followed in 1989 by The Breathtaking Blue. As an alternative to individual music videos, the band enlisted nine producers, among them Godfrey Reggio (Koyaanisqatsi), to create a film entitled Songlines based on the album's tracks.
The next album, Prostitute, was not released until 1994. In 1996 Ricky Echolette left the band. Salvation followed in 1997. Stark Naked and Absolutely Live was released in 2000, followed by the remix album Forever Pop in 2001. A DVD was released in 2001 documenting two concerts performed in Salt Lake City, Utah. Two box-sets have also been released; rather than being collections of previously released album tracks they are actually 12 unique albums, several live, several rarities and outtakes, and several newly recorded. The first box, of eight discs, was released in 1999 (called Dreamscapes) and the second in 2003 (called CrazyShow or Dreamscapes 9-12). All the material in CrazyShow is newly recorded.
Bernhard Lloyd did not contribute to the CrazyShow album, and shortly after its release, on March 18, 2003 he officially left the group. The current core members of Alphaville are Marian Gold (vocals), Martin Lister (keyboards), David Goodes (guitars) and Pierson Grange (drums).
" Just a note to say Bernhard Lloyd is/has/recently played live with Alphaville. I saw him at the Esbjerg Rock Festival in June of this year. They sounded absoutely brilliant. Check out the Alphaville website, it's worth a look. Added by Fletchie, 02.11.07"
Marian Gold has released two solo albums (So Long Celeste, 1992 and United, 1996) alongside his work in the band. Bernhard Lloyd also worked on a project named Atlantic Popes with singer Max Holler. In 1996 Frank Mertens started on a musical project called Maelstrom which was a combination of ambient-style music, impressionistic and colorful art in the form of paintings and sculptures, and etheric poetry. This project seems now to have been by far abandoned, though, as Mertens has not been visibly active with it. In 2006 and 2007, Alphaville appeared on the "ELEKTRISCH" vol.1 and 2 album compilations with "From Germany With Love" and "Guardian Angel".
There is another artist with the same name:
2) A spanish Synthpop/dark/post punk group born in 1981 in Madrid by José Luis F. Abel (guitar & vocal), Mendi (bass), José Carlos ‘Charles’ Sánchez (keyboards), Jose Luis Orfanel (guitar) and Juan Antonio ‘Rep’ Nieto (drums).
The independent label DRO released their first EP in April 1982, "Paisajes nocturnos", which included four tracks. Their first hit arrived some months later with the 4-tracks 12'' "Palacio de invierno". In 1983 they released the album Despues De La Derrota.
Jet Set
Alphaville Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This is the time, now gimme that beat
Feel how the rhythm grips your feet
Kitty baby, take my hand
She's like a devil, heaven sent
I'm in her arms and she's in mine
Maybe we make the film on time
Oh baby, baby, I love you so
We are the jet set society
We are the jet set and that means liberty, liberty
The jet set society
We are the jet set set, we are the jet set set
Society
We're on the run, we know where to go
We got the tickets for the midnight show
These nights are burning out so fast
Hop on the beam, you won't be last
The Russians seem to be that way
We love them like we love D. Kaye
We need no money, we get it for free
We are the high-high-high society
We are the jet set society
We are the jet set and that means liberty, liberty
The jet set society
We are the jet set set, we are the jet set set
Society
We are the jet set, hop on the beam
We are the jet set, hop on the beam
We are the jet set, hop on the beam
We are the jet set, hop on the beam
Hop on the beam
Shine on, society, shine on, liberty
Shine on, luxury, shine on, society
Streets are full of love and fear
This could be the final year
Enrico's dead but still okay
We dance the streets, feeling well
If she's a liar, I'm her lover
If she's a priestess, I'm her cover
If she's a lady, I'm her man
If she's a man, I'll do what I can
We are the jet set society
We are the jet set and that means liberty, liberty
The jet set society
We are the jet set set, we are the jet set set
Society
Let's go to the moon
In Alphaville's "The Jet Set," the chorus declares "We are the jet set society/We are the jet set and that means liberty, liberty/The jet set society." The song is about the luxurious lifestyle of the 1980s' wealthy elites who have the financial freedom to literally "hop on the beam" and travel the world. The lyrics' tone is celebratory and boastful as they proclaim their societal status, and the song exhibits a rebellious spirit against conformity and societal norms.
Throughout the song, the lyrics capture the hedonistic spirit of the "jet set society." The singer describes a whirlwind romance with a devilish yet heavenly partner, and they are on their way to see a midnight film. The verses also include references to the Russian community, D. Kaye (Danny Kaye), and the high society where everything is available for free. The lyrics could be described as superficial, but the song's repetitive and catchy chorus provides a straightforward yet impactful message: indulging in luxurious lifestyles represents true freedom.
Overall, The Jet Set blends pop, new wave, electronic music, and glam rock, which were popular during the '80s. The song explores themes of indulgence, rebellion, and the rejection of societal values, making it a perfect anthem for the rebellious youth of the '80s.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah! Get ready for the show
Let's get excited for what's about to happen
This is the time, now gimme that beat
It's time to dance and enjoy the music
Feel how the rhythm grips your feet
The music is so good that it's impossible not to dance
Kitty baby, take my hand
Come with me and let's have a good time together
She's like a devil, heaven sent
She's got a wild side, but she's also perfect for me
I'm in her arms and she's in mine
We have a deep connection and we are inseparable
Maybe we make the film on time
We have plans to do something later and we hope we won't be late for it
Sitting in the 15th row
We have good seats and we're ready to enjoy the show
Oh baby, baby, I love you so
I have strong feelings for you and I want you to know
We are the jet set society
We belong to a group of people who are wealthy and love to travel
We are the jet set and that means liberty, liberty
Being part of the jet set gives us freedom to do what we want
The jet set society
We are part of an exclusive group of wealthy travelers
We are the jet set set, we are the jet set set
We are part of a specific subset of the jet set society
Society
We are part of a social class that is wealthy and influential
We're on the run, we know where to go
We have a plan and we're moving quickly to execute it
We got the tickets for the midnight show
We have tickets for a special event happening later tonight
These nights are burning out so fast
Time is passing by quickly and we're trying to enjoy every moment
Hop on the beam, you won't be last
Follow us and you'll be part of the fun, don't miss out
The Russians seem to be that way
We have an affinity for Russian culture and people
We love them like we love D. Kaye
We have a particular fondness for a well-known entertainer named D. Kaye
We need no money, we get it for free
We don't worry about money, everything comes easily to us
We are the high-high-high society
We belong to an upper-class group that has access to the best of everything
Shine on, society, shine on, liberty
We're proud of our social class and the freedom it gives us
Shine on, luxury, shine on, society
We enjoy and appreciate the finer things in life and we're proud to be part of our social class
Streets are full of love and fear
The world is unpredictable, and it can be both loving and scary
This could be the final year
There's a sense of urgency to live life to the fullest because anything could happen
Enrico's dead but still okay
Someone who was close to us has passed away, but we're trying to move on
We dance the streets, feeling well
We're happy and carefree, enjoying the moment
If she's a liar, I'm her lover
I'm willing to overlook her flaws and love her anyway
If she's a priestess, I'm her cover
I'm willing to protect her and her beliefs
If she's a lady, I'm her man
I'm here for her and I want to treat her like a lady
If she's a man, I'll do what I can
I'll support and stand by her no matter what
Let's go to the moon
Let's dream big and aim high
Lyrics © Budde Music Publishing GmbH
Written by: Marian Gold, Frank Mertens, Bernhard Lloyd
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@thecondiffs
This is the time
Now gimme that beat
Feel how the rhythm grips your feet.
Kitty-Baby
Take my hand
She's like a devil heaven sent.
I'm in her arms and she's in mine
Maybe we'll make the film on time.
Sitting in the 15th row
Oh baby
I love you so.
We are the jet set society
We are the jet set
And this means liberty
Liberty.
We are the jet set society
We are the jet set
We are the jet set-set society.
We're on the run
We know where to go
We've got the tickets for the midnight show.
Nights are buniing out so fast
Hop on the beam
You won't be last.
The Russians seem to be that way
We love 'em like we love D. Kaye.
We need no money
We got it free
We are the jet set society
We are the jet set
And this means liberty
Liberty.
We are the jet set society
We are the jet set
We are the jet set-set society.
We are the jet set
Hop on the beam
We are the jet set
Hop on the beam.
We are the jet set
Hop on the beam
We are the jet set
Hop on the beam.
Shine on society
Shine on liberty
Shine on luxury
Shine on society.
Streets are full of love and fear
This could be the final year.
Enrico's dead but still o. k
We dance the streets
Feeling well.
If she's a lady
I'm her man
If she's a man
I'll do what I can.
Let's go to the moon
Let's go to the moon
Come and join the institution
Let's go to the moon.
Let's go to the moon
Let's go to the moon
Set that taste of liberty and let's go to the moon.
Let's go to the jet set - let's go to the moon = society.
We are the jet set - let's go to the moon - liberty.
We are the jet set - let's go to the moon - society.
We are the jet set - let's go to the moon - liberty.
Jet set - let's go to the moon - society.
We are the jet set - let's go to the moon - liberty
@momo-chanthegerbil6205
Alphaville deserves more recognition
@luisvalc2187
Deberías escuchar el álbum completo, una belleza de canciones.
@gardelaorey4326
These guys dont need more recognition they are great. Alphaville needed more support from WEA to reach the recognition you are talking about ( CHARTS) however for all of us watching this video in 2023 means something these guys are talented and great. This album in particular in my opinion is a masterpiece.
@vinz1861
yea
@mgparis
I can't even describe how lucky I feel to have been a teenager in the 80s...
About this specific song, just when you think it can't get any cooler, "Shine on..." comes in... and later "Let's go to the moon!"
@Omegajunior2658
It's probably one of the most underrated 1980s songs of all time but it's still a great song.
@gardelaorey4326
Same as my reply above this band is not underrated, they have a huge fan base people who enjoy their music. The fact that the song did not chart is meaningless for the fans. The charts were manipulated by the record labels, more investment better chance to reach the top 10. Thats my opinion.
@TheRealWinsletFan
Such a great album. Always lifts my spirits
@AstroRex
Top 20 albums ever recorded, that's a fact, not an opinion.
@yossarian6799
Alphaville were HUGE in South Africa with four back-to-back top 10 hits! This track didn't make the "Official" top 20 chart but got a good bit of airplay -- at least on 5FM and Good Hope FM in Cape Town.