Their first album, Let Them Eat Bingo spawned the number one UK single Dub Be Good To Me, a re-working of the S.O.S. Band's hit "Just Be Good to Me", based around a sample of the bassline from The Clash's "Guns of Brixton" and featuring Layton on vocals.
The second Beats International album was 1991's Excursion on the Version, which featured a greater use of dub and reggae sounds, but failed to repeat the success of its predecessor. This was the last Beats International recording, with Cook next going on to form Freakpower.
For Spacious Lies
Beats International Lyrics
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You can lie with spacious lies for your own ends
Democracy is just a word its often used and seldom heard
And Freedom's just a song by Wham but we pretend
You can call your TV priests and be born again
The men with the ten gallon hats and the seven pint brains
McCarthy's ghosts won't help you now, as we struggle through our finest hour
Your army fights for money but we fight for peace
And you wont put out this flame
It burns so bright through any wind any rain
No you'll never put out the fire
The dream that will burn on and on.
You can kill, wheel, deal, steal if you believe
The end lies just 65 miles north of Tel Aviv
Whether coffee, missiles or cocaine,
Do you buy and sell lies just the same?
Your conscience is as foul as the lead that you breathe
And you wont put out this flame
It burns so bright through any wind any rain
No you'll never put out the fire
The dream that will burn on and on.
(Music interlude)
And you wont put out this flame
It burns so bright through any wind any rain
No you'll never put out the fire
The dream that will burn on and on.
And you wont put out this flame
It burns so bright through any wind any rain
No you'll never put out the fire
The dream that will burn on and on.
The song "For Spacious Lies" by Beats International is a commentary on the modern world and the various problems that plague it. The opening lyrics address the issue of fake friends and the manipulation of truth for personal gain. The lines "You can buy what money buys and call it friends, You can lie with spacious lies for your own ends" speak to the idea that in our consumerist society, people are more concerned with having material possessions and social status than forming genuine connections with others. The next two lines, "Democracy is just a word its often used and seldom heard, And Freedom's just a song by Wham but we pretend" criticize the way in which democracy and freedom are often touted as important values but are not truly upheld in society. The reference to Wham's song "Freedom" could suggest that these values are treated as pop culture trends rather than fundamental beliefs.
The song then touches on the topic of religion, specifically the idea of using it for personal gain. The line "You can call your TV priests and be born again" suggests that people are easily swayed by charismatic religious figures who promise them salvation. The following line "The men with the ten gallon hats and the seven pint brains" could be referring to political leaders who claim to be religious but do not truly understand the values they espouse. The song then switches to a more political theme as it criticizes the idea of war and the military-industrial complex. The line "Your army fights for money but we fight for peace" suggests that war is often waged for economic purposes rather than to promote peace and stability.
The chorus of the song repeats the lines "And you won't put out this flame, It burns so bright through any wind any rain, No you'll never put out the fire, The dream that will burn on and on." This could be interpreted as a call to action, encouraging listeners to continue fighting for their beliefs despite facing adversity. The final verse addresses the issue of corruption and the idea of the ends justifying the means. The line "Whether coffee, missiles or cocaine, do you buy and sell lies just the same?" suggests that people are willing to engage in unethical behavior as long as it benefits them. The song ends on the same uplifting note as the chorus encourages listeners not to give up on their dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
You can buy what money buys and call it friends,
It is possible to purchase what money can provide, and refer to them as friends
You can lie with spacious lies for your own ends
You have the capability of spreading extensive falsehoods for your own benefits
Democracy is just a word its often used and seldom heard
Democracy is a mere term, frequently mentioned but rarely practiced
And Freedom's just a song by Wham but we pretend
Freedom is nothing more than a tune from Wham, yet we feign its importance
You can call your TV priests and be born again
You can contact the TV evangelists and regenerate yourself
The men with the ten gallon hats and the seven pint brains
Individuals who wear the large hats, but have minuscule brains
McCarthy's ghosts won't help you now, as we struggle through our finest hour
McCarthy's spirits are of no use currently as we encounter our most challenging moments
Your army fights for money but we fight for peace
Your military battle for finances, whereas we combat for tranquility
And you wont put out this flame
You will be unable to extinguish this fire
It burns so bright through any wind any rain
It blazes incredibly vibrant through any challenging situation
No you'll never put out the fire
The fire will never be doused
The dream that will burn on and on.
The aspiration that subsists and continually burns
You can kill, wheel, deal, steal if you believe
If you have faith, you can take life, manipulate circumstances, make agreements, and commit larceny
The end lies just 65 miles north of Tel Aviv
The conclusion is only 65 miles to the north of Tel Aviv
Whether coffee, missiles or cocaine,
Whether coffee, missiles, or cocaine,
Do you buy and sell lies just the same?
Do you purchase and vend fabrications in the same manner?
Your conscience is as foul as the lead that you breathe
Your morality is as corrupt as the lead that you inhale
Contributed by Peyton G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.