Their first album, Broadcast, released in 1986, was the first U.S. number one album for Richard Branson's Virgin Records. It included "(I Just) Died in Your Arms", their most popular single, which reached number one in the U.S., and number four in the UK; the album also yielded an additional U.S. top-ten hit with "I've Been in Love Before". The band received a Grammy nomination in 1987, for "Best New Artist".
After the band broke up in 1993, guitarist Kevin MacMichael joined forces with Robert Plant, and played on his critically acclaimed Fate of Nations album. MacMichael died of lung cancer on New Year's Eve 2002, at his home in Nova Scotia, at the age of 51.
The band was reformed in 2006 by Nick Van Eede, with a completely new line-up. They have released one album, Grinning Souls, in February 2006 on the Hypertension record label. The new band toured Germany early the same year and are currently planning tours in the UK and Denmark.
Reach For The Sky
Cutting Crew Lyrics
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Make it to heaven
Before your dreams grow old
Reach for the sky babe
It's over your shoulder
Reach for your dawn's own light
I don't believe in miracles
And I do believe it's calling your name
Don't depend on lucky breaks
If luck is on your side
It's just the joker playing in your game
You can see the chances coming
But you look the other way
At the risk of sounding helpless girl
That's where we went wrong
Reach for the sky babe
Make it to heaven
Before your dreams grow old
No one's so blind girl
It's over your shoulder
Reach for your dawn's own light
Don't tell me you're not satisfied
Don't tell me you can't wait to find
A reason for the rocks upon your road
Educate your appetite
With a capital "A"
Learn to let me help you share the load
But you keep me at your distance
As the tears begin to show
So I really hope you make it girl
Before I go
Reach for the sky babe
Make it to heaven
Before your dreams grow old
No one's so blind girl
It's over your shoulder
Reach for your dawn's own light
(It's all up to you)
The lyrics of Cutting Crew's "Reach For The Sky" are an encouraging message to someone who is experiencing the struggles of realizing their dreams. The opening line, "Reach for the sky babe", implies that the singer believes in the potential of the person they are addressing and encourages them to strive for nothing less than greatness. They further suggest that this person needs to take action before it is too late: "Make it to heaven before your dreams grow old."
The song goes on to suggest that it is not enough to rely solely on the kindness of fate. The line "don't depend on lucky breaks" implies that the person being addressed must make the decision to take control of their destiny instead of waiting for a chance opportunity to present itself. The use of the word "joker" in the line "It's just the joker playing in your game" further emphasizes that luck can be fickle and unreliable.
The lyrics also suggest that the person being addressed is hesitant or resistant to help. They implore them to "let me help you share the load" and "educate your appetite", emphasizing that sharing the journey with someone else can make all the difference. The final line, "It's all up to you", emphasizes the importance of taking action in order to achieve one's goals.
Overall, "Reach For The Sky" is a powerful message of encouragement to anyone who may feel like their dreams are out of reach. It reminds us that success is not just a matter of luck, but of hard work, determination, and the willingness to accept help when it is offered.
Line by Line Meaning
Reach for the sky babe
A call to strive for your aspirations and put in your best effort
Make it to heaven
A metaphorical representation of achieving great success and satisfaction
Before your dreams grow old
An encouragement to pursue your dreams before the opportunity passes by
No one's so blind girl
No one is incapable of recognizing their own potential and achieving success
It's over your shoulder
The opportunities are present and available, right behind you
Reach for your dawn's own light
The first light of dawn symbolizing a new beginning, encourage to strive for a bright future
I don't believe in miracles
An acknowledgement of the importance of hard work and effort in achieving success, in place of relying on luck or fate.
But I do believe in fate
However, the belief that there are certain opportunities and possibilities that are destined for you.
And I do believe it's calling your name
That you are meant to do something great, and you should strive to find and pursue that path.
Don't depend on lucky breaks
Discouraging dependency on luck, emphasizing the need to work hard and create your own opportunities
If luck is on your side
But still acknowledging that luck can play a role in success
It's just the joker playing in your game
Compare luck to an unpredictable and unreliable factor, contrasting it with the skills and dedication required for success
You can see the chances coming
Opportunities are present and visible
But you look the other way
But it is easy to ignore or overlook those opportunities, especially when it means stepping out of one's comfort zone
At the risk of sounding helpless girl
Acknowledging the potential vulnerability and uncertainty surrounding the pursuit of one's dreams and passions
That's where we went wrong
Reflecting on past mistakes and missed opportunities
Don't tell me you're not satisfied
Challenging complacency and mediocrity, encouraging progression and growth
Don't tell me you can't wait to find
Discouraging a lack of patience and perseverance in achieving one's aspirations
A reason for the rocks upon your road
Not letting obstacles and setbacks be a hindrance to progress, encouraging resilience and determination
Educate your appetite
Encouraging to broaden one's horizons and learn new things
With a capital "A"
Emphasizing the importance of education and self-improvement
Learn to let me help you share the load
Inviting support and collaboration in achieving success
But you keep me at your distance
Withdrawal from help and support might slow down one's progress and potential success
As the tears begin to show
A cry for help or support can be seen in one's vulnerability and emotional state
So I really hope you make it girl
A hopeful sentiment for success and accomplishment
Before I go
A sense of urgency, meaning before the opportunity or support is no longer available
(It's all up to you)
A final reminder that success is a result of individual effort and dedication.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: EEDE, FARLEY, MACMICHAEL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind