Despite releasing just one album over a decade together, Breakfast Club will always have a place in the history books as the band that featured two of Madonna's ex-boyfriends — drummer Stephen Bray and singer Dan Gilroy — as well as the Material Girl herself, for a short time in her pre-fame days. The New York-based group formed in the late '70s, around the core of Gilroy and his guitarist brother, Ed. By 1979, the lineup featured bassist Angie Schmit and Madonna on drums, but Madonna left after reportedly angling for the lead vocalist's job. She would next go on to form her own band, Emmy, with her old Michigan friend Bray as the drummer and Gary Burke (who was also playing at the same time with the Gilroys) on bass. Madonna eventually began marketing herself as a solo act in the early '80s, armed with songs she and Bray had co-written, and that spelled the end of Emmy. But after the group dissolved, Bray joined the Gilroys and Burke in Breakfast Club, and the quartet signed to Ze Records. Despite Madonna's escalating stardom and the obvious chance at some residual success for Breakfast Club, no recordings surfaced, however, and the group later signed with MCA. The band's eponymous first album was released in early 1987, preceded by the Top 40 hit "Right on Track." Dan Gilroy and Bray wrote most of the nine songs and Bray also added his production expertise to several of the catchy pop and R&B numbers, but his golden touch with Madonna (for whom he'd co-written and produced several hits) didn't quite carry over. Next single "Kiss and Tell" was a minor hit. Two further singles, "Never Be the Same" and a cover of the old Gamble-Huff composition "Expressway to Your Heart," dented the lower reaches of the charts. The band was nominated for a Best New Artist Grammy Award in 1987. They followed-up their Grammy nomination by recording a cover of The Beatles' "Drive My Car" for the soundtrack of "License To Drive." Again, it was a minor hit. The band's second album was never released and Breakfast Club broke up shortly afterward.
According to the Right On Track Songfacts, Dan Gilroy went on to an acting career, playing parts in children's shows such as 1990's Mother Goose Rock 'n' Rhyme and the 1990s TV series Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle. Both of these projects involved Jean Stapleton and Shelly Duvall.
The Czech band Breakfast Club is from Orlová and plays fast and chaotic hardcore.
Tongue Tied
Breakfast Club Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What I mean is that I
Every time I see you I'm tongue-tied
I try to tell you but I
What I mean is that I
When I see you
You've got me tongue-tied when you're near
I get so tongue-tied whenever you are here
I get so tongue-tied whenever you are here
Hey I...I wanna walk up and say
You know I've been thinking of you
But afraid that you'd run away
You know I've been keeping my distance from you
Oh I know there must be a way
To talk about it to your face
But what'll I do if you walk away
And what'll I do if you laugh on my face
You've got me tongue-tied when you're near
I get so tongue-tied whenever you are here
You've got me tongue-tied when you're near
I get so tongue-tied whenever you are here
Hey I...I thought of calling you up
'Cause you know I've been lying awake
But I thought about it so long
You know there's no way you'd still be awake
So I lie back and face the fact
And think about how to adapt
'Cause if I can't find the words to say
I'm gonna get to you a different way
You've got me tongue-tied when you're near
I get so tongue-tied whenever you are here
You've got me tongue-tied when you're near
I get so tongue-tied whenever you are here
Hey I...I spend a good part of my day
With my dictionary
Looking up words to say
Words that will tell you about it
And make it all so plain
Hey I...I'm not gonna worry about it
I'll take my time and decide what to say
But who knew that you were so near
And now I'm looking at your smiling face
Ooh I smile back...Oh I try anyway
But you don't have a thing to say
This is a different kind of game that We're playing
There is nothing that your smile doesn't say
You've got me tongue-tied when you're near
I get so tongue-tied whenever you are here
You've got me tongue-tied when you're near
I get so tongue-tied whenever you are here
You've got me tongue-tied when you're near
I get so tongue-tied whenever you are here
The lyrics to Breakfast Club's song Tongue Tied describe the feeling of being rendered speechless and unable to articulate one's thoughts or feelings in the presence of someone they are romantically interested in. The singer of the song is constantly struggling to find the words to express their feelings, and instead becomes "tongue-tied" and unable to speak coherently in the presence of their crush. They describe trying to summon the courage to approach their crush, through calling them or finding the right words, but ultimately feeling overwhelmed and apprehensive.
The lyrics also describe a sense of frustration and futility in trying to communicate with their crush, as despite their efforts, they are unable to find the right words or find the right moment to express themselves. The song captures the anxiety, doubt, and longing that comes with grappling with unrequited love and the fear of rejection. The repetition of the line "You've got me tongue-tied when you're near" emphasizes the overwhelming nature of the singer's feelings and the debilitating effect they have on their ability to communicate.
Line by Line Meaning
I try to tell you but I
I attempt to express my thoughts and feelings to you, but I struggle.
What I mean is that I
In other words, what I want to convey is...
Every time I see you I'm tongue-tied
It seems that whenever I encounter you, I become inarticulate and can't speak properly.
You've got me tongue-tied when you're near
When you are close to me, I become nervous and can't speak fluently.
I get so tongue-tied whenever you are here
I become very tongue-tied when you are near me.
Hey I...I wanna walk up and say
I have the desire to approach you and speak my mind.
You know I've been thinking of you
I have been contemplating about you frequently.
But afraid that you'd run away
However, I am hesitant because I am anxious that you might refuse and depart.
You've got me tongue-tied when you're near
Your presence makes me feel inarticulate and uncomfortable.
Oh, I know there must be a way
I am certain that there is undoubtedly a solution.
To talk about it to your face
To be straightforward and honest with you about my feelings.
But what'll I do if you walk away
However, my fear is that you might leave me behind.
And what'll I do if you laugh on my face
Additionally, I am concerned that you might mock me for sharing my emotions.
Hey I...I thought of calling you up
I considered phoning you because I could not sleep due to thoughts of you.
But I thought about it so long
Regrettably, I contemplated it for so long that it is now too late to call you.
You know there's no way you'd still be awake
I am certain that you would be sleeping by now, so there is no use calling you.
So I lie back and face the fact
I acknowledge the reality that I missed my chance to call you.
And think about how to adapt
As a result, I must think about a new approach to get closer to you.
Cause if I can't find the words to say
Because I am struggling to express myself verbally,
I'm gonna get to you a different way
I will have to find another method to communicate my feelings to you.
I spend a good part of my day
I spend a significant amount of time each day
With my dictionary
Using a dictionary to find the right words to express myself.
Looking up words to say
Searching for the appropriate terminology to convey my thoughts.
Words that will tell you about it
Words that will describe my emotions to you entirely.
And make it all so plain
And put everything into perspective for you.
I'm not gonna worry about it
I refuse to become anxious and stressed over this situation.
I'll take my time and decide what to say
I will not rush myself and instead take my time to choose the right words to say.
But who knew that you were so near
I was unaware that you were in such close proximity.
And now I'm looking at your smiling face
And at this moment, I am looking at your happy and contented expression.
Ooh I smile back...Oh I try anyway
I attempt to smile back, although I am feeling shy and nervous.
But you don't have a thing to say
You do not respond to me or say anything.
This is a different kind of game that We're playing
Our dynamic has changed from talking to each other to nonverbal communication.
There is nothing that your smile doesn't say
Your smile speaks volumes without the need for words.
Contributed by Sophie R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.