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.
Swallow It
Fad Gadget Lyrics
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Scented roses
One for the sake of it
Keep to small doses
Swallow it
Like a good girl
Swallow it
Swallow it
Like a good boy
Swallow it
Like the fool you are
You believe in anything
Put in front of your face
Watch the mass be served more trash
Up to my neck in garbage
Swallow it
Like a good girl
Swallow it
Like the fool you are
Swallow it
Like a good boy
Swallow it
Like the fool you are
Poisoned personalities
Talking in household names
The package is the prize
That's sure to catch your eye
And the contents taste the same
Swallow it
Like a good girl
Swallow it
Like the fool you are
Swallow it
Like a good boy
Swallow it
Like the fool you are
Like the fool you are
Like the fool you are
The lyrics of Fad Gadget's song Swallow It are a commentary on consumerism and blind obedience to authority. The song begins with the lines "Take your medicine, scented roses, one for the sake of it, keep to small doses," which evoke the idea of taking something painful or bitter with a pleasant or soothing accompaniment. The idea of taking medicine can also represent societal pressures to conform and obey, with the roses representing the reward or comfort that comes with following the rules. The phrase "keep to small doses" suggests that blind obedience can be toxic and potentially dangerous.
The chorus of the song repeatedly commands the listener to "swallow it" like a "good girl" or "good boy," emphasizing the idea of following orders without question. The phrase "like the fool you are" adds a note of sarcasm, suggesting that blindly following authority makes one foolish or naive. Lines like "you believe in anything put in front of your face" and "up to my neck in garbage" further underscore the idea of blindly consuming whatever mass media and consumer culture presents.
The final stanza of the song speaks to the idea of packaged personality and the illusion of choice. "Poisoned personalities talking in household names" suggest that famous figures and products that are heavily marketed can have a negative or even harmful impact. The last line, "and the contents taste the same," reinforces the idea that even with a wide variety of options available, everything ultimately ends up conforming to the same sanitized and soulless standards.
Overall, Swallow It is a biting critique of conformity and the dangers of blindly accepting authority and mass culture.
Line by Line Meaning
Take your medicine
Follow what you are being told, even if you don't fully agree with it
Scented roses
You are being fooled by something that appears pleasant, but has a poisonous side
One for the sake of it
Just accept it without questioning why
Keep to small doses
Be careful not to take too much of something that could be harmful
Swallow it
Do what you're told without question
Like a good girl
Do it obediently and without protest
Like the fool you are
Do it despite its faults and potential harm
You believe in anything
You accept things at face value without questioning their truth
Put in front of your face
You are presented with something without an opportunity to scrutinize it
Watch the mass be served more trash
The masses accept low-quality things without objection because they believe it's what they want and that it's best for them
Up to my neck in garbage
The singer is surrounded by superficial and low-quality things, and is struggling to escape them
Poisoned personalities
There are people who have ill-intent, dishonesty or hypocrisy, who will cause harm
Talking in household names
These people use familiar and well-known phrases, perhaps to gain trust or manipulate people
The package is the prize
The presentation is more important than the inner contents
That's sure to catch your eye
These types of presentations are designed to grab your attention
And the contents taste the same
Despite how appealing and good something may seem at first, it could end up being unfulfilling or even harmful
Like the fool you are
Despite acknowledging certain situations have the potential to be harmful or unfulfilling, you still go along with them
Like the fool you are
You continue to make foolish decisions without learning from your mistakes
Lyrics © Mute Song Limited
Written by: DAVID SIMMONDS, FRANK TOVEY, PETER BALMER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind