From their debut album, Love, Life, and Pain, which showed up in 1986, they scored four consecutive hits: "Jealousy" (essentially a rewrite of and response to Timex Social Club's hit "Rumours"), "Situation #9", a remake of Bill Withers' "Lean on Me", and "Why You Treat Me So Bad". The latter two both made it to #2 on the R&B charts the next year, with "Lean On Me" becoming a huge pop hit.
Foster and McElroy soon left to form their own group and focus on producing other acts, and Pratter eventually left as well. The replacements were David Agent and Kevin Irving. The group's next albums - beginning with Listen To The Message - were laced with an evolving social consciousness, though they weren't as successful commercially as the debut. Notable recordings include a dancehall-influenced version of the gospel classic "Oh Happy Day" from the album A New Beginning.
Albums
Life, Love and Pain (1986) #2 R&B, #6 Pop
Listen To The Message (1988) #44 R&B, #98 Pop
Under A Nouveau Groove (1989) #39 R&B
A New Beginning (1992) #80 R&B
Singles
"Jealousy" (1986) #8 R&B
"Situation #9" (1986) #4 R&B
"Lean On Me" (1987) #1 Pop, #2 R&B
"Why You Treat Me So Bad" (1987) #39 Pop, #2 R&B
"Heavy On My Mind" (1988) #42 R&B
"No Friend Of Mine" (1989) #12 R&B
"Oh Happy Day" (1992) #45 R&B
Situation
Club Nouveau Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ooh, I don't know what to do
And I haven't got a friend in the world
No, no, no, baby, not even you
But situation number two ain't bad
But number nine ain't good
But I thought I was riding really high
Boy, I hate to tell you
But you really need to check yourself
The life that you're living is gonna catch up to you
Boy, I think you need some help, oh, yeah
Situation number nine
Blowing my mind
Situation number nine
Blowing my mind
Rumors circulating round about me
And my lavish lifestyle
But situation number nine sets me free
From my tour for awhile
(Well, well, well, well)
I hear somebody knocking at my door
Who, I wonder, who could it be?
(I wonder who it is)
Some people say that I'm paranoid
But they don't really know me, no
Boy, I hate to tell you
But you really need to check yourself
(You really need to check yourself now)
The life that you're living is gonna catch up to you
Boy, I think you need some help, hey, yeah
Situation number nine
Blowing my mind
Situation number nine
Blowing my mind
Situation number nine
Blowing my mind
Situation number nine
Blowing my mind
Ooh, I don't know what to do
I can't take it no more
Somebody's knocking at my door
Who could it be that's coming here for me?
I wish that you'd just go away, hey, yeah
I tried so hard to do what's right
But it seems it's just not enough
Situation number nine
Is just blowing my mind
Situation number nine
Blowing my mind
Situation number nine
Blowing my mind
Situation number nine
Blowing my mind
Situation number nine
Blowing my mind
Situation number nine
Blowing my mind
In Club Nouveau's song "Situation #9," the singer finds themselves stuck in a rut and without any friends, not even their significant other. While they are living a lavish lifestyle and are physically located in Hollywood, they are plagued by rumors and paranoia, symbolized by the constant knocking at their door. They acknowledge that their situation (#9) is not good, in contrast to situation #2, but they are still blown away by the stress and uncertainty of the situation they find themselves in. Despite their efforts to do the right thing, they feel as though it is not enough to change their circumstances, leaving them feeling unsure of what to do and questioning their own sanity.
The lyrics in "Situation #9" address themes of isolation, paranoia, and the pressure to maintain a certain lifestyle. The singer's feelings of being trapped in their own circumstances, despite their success and the external trappings of luxury, can resonate with listeners who have experienced similar feelings. The song's commentary on the cost of success and the toll it can take on individuals' mental health is still strikingly relevant today.
Line by Line Meaning
Here I am, stuck in this rut again
I am feeling trapped and unable to move forward in my life
Ooh, I don't know what to do
I am feeling confused and overwhelmed
And I haven't got a friend in the world
I feel very alone and unsupported
No, no, no, baby, not even you
I don't even feel like I can turn to my partner for help
But situation number two ain't bad
There are some things in my life that are going well
But number nine ain't good
There is a situation in my life that is causing me a lot of stress and worry
But I thought I was riding really high
I was feeling confident and successful
'Cause I'm here hanging in Hollywood
I am in the entertainment industry and living in a glamorous location
Boy, I hate to tell you
I don't want to hurt your feelings
But you really need to check yourself
You need to take a closer look at your life and your choices
The life that you're living is gonna catch up to you
Your current lifestyle is not sustainable and will eventually have negative consequences
Boy, I think you need some help, oh, yeah
I believe you could benefit from outside assistance and support
Situation number nine
The specific stressful situation in my life
Blowing my mind
Causing me a lot of mental and emotional distress
Rumors circulating round about me
There are untrue stories being spread about me
And my lavish lifestyle
People are talking about my expensive and extravagant way of living
But situation number nine sets me free
Despite the rumors, this situation is providing me with a brief break from my usual routine
From my tour for awhile
I am taking a break from my entertainment industry obligations
(Well, well, well, well)
A musical interjection
I hear somebody knocking at my door
I am hearing a literal knock on my door
Who, I wonder, who could it be?
I am curious about who is paying me a visit
(I wonder who it is)
Reiterating my curiosity
Some people say that I'm paranoid
Others have accused me of being overly suspicious and fearful
But they don't really know me, no
They are not fully aware of what I am going through
(You really need to check yourself now)
Further emphasizing the need for self-reflection
Situation number nine
Repeating the focus of the song's stress
Is just blowing my mind
Reinforcing the idea that this situation is causing a lot of mental and emotional distress
I can't take it no more
I feel like I am at my breaking point
Somebody's knocking at my door
Stating the physical presence of an unknown visitor
Who could it be that's coming here for me?
Wondering about the identity and intentions of the person at the door
I wish that you'd just go away, hey, yeah
Feeling overwhelmed and wanting to be left alone
I tried so hard to do what's right
I have been making an effort to make good choices and behave ethically
But it seems it's just not enough
Despite my efforts, I am still struggling with this difficult situation
Situation number nine
Repeating the focus of the song
Blowing my mind
Reiterating how much stress and anxiety this situation is causing
Lyrics © MUSIC & MEDIA INT'L, INC., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DENZIL FOSTER, JAY A KING, THOMAS DERRICK MC ELROY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ms.queengrusheiaedmondson5157
It's 2021: THIS is Real music, real R&B groups, real era, a real feeling & all worth it & truly missed💜😔
@tommy4237
Just seen them live last week May 2021 in Fullerton CA about to Cherelle June 2021
@crackert5176
Yes ma'am MS. QueenG these youngsters don't no a Thang bout this here won't ever be anything like growing up in the 80s!
@ms.queengrusheiaedmondson5157
@@crackert5176 amen
@diannedunlap8907
P
@mk2738
STILL BUMPIN' ALL THE DAY LONG!!
AMEN!
@sjcbless0228
Ahh! When bands played instruments, wrote their own music and really sang.
@RockySaimpre
2023 still bumping!!! They don't make music like this anymore. And I was born in 1983.
@claudemirfernandes7017
Hail the 80's there's no one able to make music as good as like that.
@downsouthn.o.1537
💯💯💯💯💯💯💯👍🏾😊😊👍🏾👍🏾