Astrid invented the name Animotion to convey energy and emotion. They recruited former L.A. Red Zone band members Frenchy O’Brien (drums), Paul Antonelli (keyboards) and Charles Ottavio (bass). Larry Ross (manager) quit CBS records to become their full time manager and he brought in Bill Wadhams (lead vocals + guitar) to front the band with Astrid. Another keyboard player was brought on board that same year when Greg Smith joined the band, together with lead guitarist Don Kirkpatrick. In March 1984 they did a showcase for Russ Regan of Polygram Records and inked the deal soon after. KROQ in Los Angeles, put Obsession on heavy rotation in December 1984.
Frenchy O’Brien left the band before the recording of Strange Behavior and was replaced by Jim Blair. In the midst of recording their third album Animotion went through personnel changes as all three of the remaining founding members (Bill Wadhams, Astrid Plane and Charles Ottavio) departed. Following their departure, Ottavio and Plane married. Actress/dancer/singer Cynthia Rhodes, known for her performance as the character "Penny Johnson" in the 1987 film Dirty Dancing, replaced Plane as female lead singer. Former solo artist/Device member Paul Engemann replaced Wadhams as the male lead for Animotion's second self-titled album. When their third record did not live up to the chart expectations, the band split in 1990.
In 2001 by special request from Alex Hart of KNRK in Portland, Oregon and with mega-effort from Bill, Animotion - once again with Astrid on lead vocals - reunited. In a display combining energy, emotion and intensity they played to a sold-out crowd. The band all agreed that it felt like magic to be onstage together again and Animotion Version 2001 was launched with Astrid Plane (lead vocals), Bill Wadhams (lead vocals + guitar), Charles Ottavio (drums), Don Kirkpatrick (lead guitar), Greg Smith (keyboards) and Kevin Rankin (drums).
For more info please visit the official website: www.AnimotionLive.com OR http://www.facebook.com/pages/Animotion/159155150791076
I Engineer
Animotion Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I engineer on every move we make from here.
I'll take the lead
you take the pain
You see
I engineer this gain!
Who do you think you fool when you talk about us?
There must be a reason why you put my life in ovexdrive.
I'm up to here with push and shove
From here on in - I've had enough -
Don't count on me -
I'll leave it all behind in a cloud of dust
There's an even chance I'll shine or bust.
On my own I've got the time
There's a light ahead at the end of the line.
Seein' you leaves me no doubt
I'll take the wheel - from here all out -
Don't count on me - . . .
On my own I've got the time
Oh
there's a light ahead at the end of the line.
Seein' you leaves me no doubt
I'll take the wheel - from here all out -
Don't count on me - (3x)
The lyrics to Animotion's "I Engineer" are about taking control of one's own life and not allowing others to hold the reins. The singer asserts their authority by declaring that they engineer every move they make from here on out, and that they'll take the lead while others take the pain. The line "there must be a reason why you put my life in overdrive" suggests that someone else has been trying to control the singer's life, but they are now taking back that control. The chorus repeats the phrase "don't count on me," emphasizing the singer's newfound independence.
The second verse questions why someone is talking about the singer and walking on glass, suggesting that this person wants to control or manipulate the singer. The singer is fed up with the pushing and shoving and declares that they've had enough. The final verse repeats the themes of independence and empowerment, with the singer saying they have the time to go it alone and see the light at the end of the line. They will take the wheel and not be counted on by anyone else.
Overall, the lyrics to "I Engineer" are about asserting one's own agency and taking control of one's own life. The singer is tired of being pushed around and wants to pave their own path forward.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't count on me
I'm not dependable and shouldn't be relied on for future actions
I engineer on every move we make from here.
I am responsible for making all necessary plans for future actions.
I'll take the lead, you take the pain
I'll be in charge and you will suffer the consequences of the action we take.
You see, I engineer this gain!
I am responsible for making a profit or gain for us.
Who do you think you fool when you talk about us?
It's pointless for you to talk about us in a misleading way because it doesn't benefit anyone.
Why do you walk on glass when you know it cuts?
Why take a risky move when it's already known to be dangerous?
There must be a reason why you put my life in overdrive.
You have some kind of motivation for taking a quick and risky action.
I'm up to here with push and shove.
I'm tired of constantly being pressured into taking action.
From here on in - I've had enough -
I refuse to keep going on this path and I'm choosing a new way forward.
I'll leave it all behind in a cloud of dust
I will move on and forget about all the difficulties.
There's an even chance I'll shine or bust.
I have an equal chance of either succeeding or failing.
On my own I've got the time
I am independent and have enough time to make decisions for myself.
There's a light ahead at the end of the line.
There's hope for the future.
Seein' you leaves me no doubt
After seeing you, I'm confident in my ability to take charge.
I'll take the wheel - from here all out -
I am now in control of the situation and will lead from now on.
Don't count on me - (3x)
I reiterate that I am not dependable and should not be relied on for future actions.
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: HOLLY KNIGHT, MIKE CHAPMAN, BERNARD TAUPIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@terokuittinen947
Only Germans appreciated the engineering genius of this song - not even Top 50 in America, Number 2 in Germany
@10.11.9
"Obsession" received around-the-clock airplay on FM radio stations in the U.S., "I Engineer" did not.
@tod1way
I'm Norwegian and LOVE this song! I have a download of this, along with "Holiday" by The Other Ones.
I really love the stuff Americans don't!
@EmerDram
And as a German I know why... We don't understand the lyrics. I only understand "I am an emgineer" or "I do engineer" and this give the song a positive sympathic feeling :-)
@John-dh1gh
It's an absolute anthem, better than obsession, but I never heard it either.
@italioot
I didn.t also not work in Holland. Totally unknown here. Brilliant song
@nabihayousuf
It’s 2023 - and I am loving this track. ❤
@wewuzwolves4428
The people in this video are so aesthetically angular. I love it. I miss the 80s.
@andrecordova3220
Awesome song. Of course loved by people with good taste. Period.
@dntlss
Amen to that,Back in the 80s it seemed like a buddy always had a tape full of good music and most of the time it ended up in your car or whoever had the wheels,in 86 i was in High School and i ended up with one of the aforementioned tapes and this song was in it, loved it from day one,matter of fact i never cared much for their "obsession" song but this one is my favorite, dont get me wrong, obsession is a great tune but they played it to death,this one is a hidden gem.