Tovey began his musical career after studying performance art at Leeds Polytechnic, but started recording upon his move back to his native London, UK. The songs of his early career (under the pseudonym) all feature synthesizers plus, sometimes, machine sounds like that of an electric razor or an electric drill. Almost all of his songs create a dark, mystical atmosphere, with Gadget's voice hovering monotonously over then unheard of, groundbreaking and still brilliant synthesizer sound effects. The lyrics are either very earnest, discussing subjects like guilt or life and death, or convey a black, sarcastic humour.
Initially, Fad Gadget was merely a moniker for Tovey, but as time went on a band was formed (although keeping Tovey as the main focal point). His longest-serving sidekick was drummer Nick Cash. Other members were keyboardist David Simmonds, bassist Peter Balmer, guitarist & bassist David Rogers and viola player & backing vocalist Joni Sackett
Singles included Back To Nature, Ricky's Hand and Collapsing New People. Fad Gadget was the first artist signed to the then-fledgling Mute label, on which he released four full length albums, Fireside Favourites (1980), Incontinent (1981), Under The Flag (1982) and Gag (1984). After 1984's Gag, Tovey released a compilation, (The Fad Gadget Singles), and recorded five more albums under his own name, whose styles ranged from semi-industrial electronic ballads to folk-oriented protest songs. He last appeared on a European tour supporting his latest album in 1993 and then virtually disappeared for some eight years.
In 2001 Tovey (and Cash) resurfaced with a comeback appearance and subsequently supported Depeche Mode on the Exciter tour later that year, again under his pseudonym Fad Gadget and backed by members of Temple X, whose album he had been producing. (Depeche Mode cite Tovey/Gadget as an icon and a paragon, and his influences can be heard in their music.) Tovey died of a heart attack on 3 April, 2002, aged 45, having suffered heart problems throughout his life.
King of the Flies
Fad Gadget Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I did the things I shouldn't have done
I'm between the devil and the deep blue sea
Now someone else looks after me
I stole every minute from time's locked doors
Add sold used souls in bargain stores
Without a conscience I was king of the flies
I laid in gutters and told you lies
Yellow light bulb
Light's go out at ten o'clock
Bolted steel door
This time they'll throw the key away
Cold grey floorstone
It feels like home now
Not another sleepless night
How do the flies get in and out
I changed the rules to suit myself
I swapped my heart for something else
Stuck between the devil and an overdose
I played hands tied with the Holy Ghost
Well I made some money on my way down
I dragged my friends into the ground
Get behind me Satan if you want your share
This cell is more than I can bear
Yellow light bulb
Light's go out at ten o'clock
Bolted steel door
This time they'll throw the key away
Cold grey floorstone
It feels like home now
Not another sleepless night
How do the flies get in and out
The lyrics of Fad Gadget's "King Of The Flies" speak about the singer's failures and regrets that have led him to his current state of imprisonment. The song speaks of opportunities lost and the singer's descent into a life of addiction and manipulation. From the beginning, the singer acknowledges his mistakes, noting that he has done things that he shouldn't have. He continues to describe himself as a manipulator, stealing time and souls, lying to those around him, and amassing money through illegal means.
The chorus features the singer in a seemingly hopeless situation, imprisoned with a bolted steel door and a cold grey floor stone. The yellow light bulb is indicative of a lack of hope or optimism, as if the singer is trapped with no way out. However, towards the end of the song, the singer speaks of being stuck between the devil and an overdose, indicating that his current situation is a result of trying to escape his problems through drug use. He also speaks of dragging his friends down with him, further cementing his feelings of regret and failure.
Overall, "King Of The Flies" is a powerful, soulful commentary on the struggles of addiction and the damaging effects of one's actions. It speaks to a sense of hopelessness and despair, while also acknowledging the humanity and complexity of those caught in the throes of addiction.
Line by Line Meaning
Right from the start I got it wrong
I messed up from the beginning
I did the things I shouldn't have done
I made bad choices
I'm between the devil and the deep blue sea
I'm stuck in a difficult situation
Now someone else looks after me
I'm being taken care of by someone else
I stole every minute from time's locked doors
I wasted time and opportunities
Add sold used souls in bargain stores
I made unethical deals for personal gain
Without a conscience I was king of the flies
I was heartless and manipulative
I laid in gutters and told you lies
I deceived and betrayed others
Yellow light bulb
Describing the setting
Light's go out at ten o'clock
Rules and restrictions
Bolted steel door
Feeling trapped
This time they'll throw the key away
Consequences of actions
Cold grey floorstone
Feeling hopeless
It feels like home now
Describing the state of mind
Not another sleepless night
Experiencing emotional distress
How do the flies get in and out
Questioning the situation and state of being
I changed the rules to suit myself
I acted in my own self-interests
I swapped my heart for something else
I lost my moral compass
Stuck between the devil and an overdose
I'm in a dangerous and life-threatening situation
I played hands tied with the Holy Ghost
I struggled with inner demons or guilt
Well I made some money on my way down
I profited from my own downfall
I dragged my friends into the ground
I hurt and betrayed those close to me
Get behind me Satan if you want your share
I'm making a deal with the devil
This cell is more than I can bear
I'm overwhelmed and unable to handle the consequences of my actions
Lyrics © Mute Song Limited
Written by: FRANK TOVEY, NICK CASH, PETER BALMER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jameswinters952
Right from the start I got it wrong
I did the things I shouldn't have done
I'm between the devil and the deep blue sea
Now someone else looks after me
I stole every minute from time's locked doors
And sold used souls in bargain stores
Without a conscience I was king of the flies
I laid in gutters and told you lies
Yellow light bulb
Light's go out at ten o'clock
Bolted steel door
This time they'll throw the key away
Cold grey floorstone
It feels like home now
Not another sleepless night
How do the flies get in and out
I changed the rules to suit myself
I swapped my heart for something else
Stuck between the devil and an overdose
I played hands tied with the Holy Ghost
Well I made some money on my way down
I dragged my friends into the ground
Get behind me Satan if you want your share
This cell is more than I can bear
Yellow light bulb
Light's go out at ten o'clock
Bolted steel door
This time they'll throw the key away
Cold grey floorstone
It feels like home now
Not another sleepless night
How do the flies get in and out
@jasoncampbell3955
Fad Gadget was a brilliant blend of synthetic and acoustic sounds. Quite genius, actually.
@mysterywhylay
I LOVED this at 15 years old........LOVE it MORE at 47 years old ;)
@badmen1550
the more I listen to Fad Gadget, the more I realize how great & also how overlooked this music really is
@Dulcimerist
Pure genius! The steel drum is very low-tech and raw, being made from a discarded oil drum. The ARP 2600 was the high-tech electronic synthesizer of its day. Fad Gadget blended the two, and then added a horn section on top of it. The lyrics are dark and brilliant as well!
My only disappointment is that I was born in 1974, and was never aware of this song or artist until 2019.
@terencerosenthal6693
This guy's frickin interesting, reminds me of Ashes to Ashes Bowie, and Japan
@ambermarie230
this was the ballad of my early 20s....
@chasman19651888
great song one of his best
@jigawhen
That bass line that keeps coming up is IDENTICAL to something else and its driving me MAD! I just listened to the flying lizards album cause the punchy bass but Im DYING. is it like Madness or The Clash? please help!!! OH MY GOD I THINK ITS THE MONKS somewhere in their Suspended in Animation album I will be right back!
@voodoodrew23
this is my favorite track from Mr. Tovey
@summerteeeth
I first heard this on a radio one evening show when I was 10. The cheery nature of the lyrics really stood out (probably the darkest lyrics I'd heard to date).