Their peculiar brand of politically driven retro-pop made an impression on the British pop charts during 1981-1982. Their biggest hit was Our lips are sealed, a retread of Go-go's 1981 song, which was co-written by Terry Hall. Other well-known tracks include The Lunatics (Have Taken Over The Asylum) and T'ain't What You Do (Its The Way That You Do It), recorded with the fledgling all-girl group Bananarama.
Fun Boy Three's music draws on influences such as vintage soul, ska, reggae, muzak and kitsch movie soundtracks.
The band split-up in 1984, and Terry hall went on to perform solo and also form The Colourfield.
Our Lips Are Sealed
Fun Boy Three Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Talking about us
Telling lies
Well, that's no surprise
Can you see them?
See right through them
They have no shield
It doesn't matter what they say
No one's listening anyway
Our lips are sealed
There's a weapon
That we can use
In our defense
Silence
But just look at them
Look right through them
That's when they disappear
That's when we lose the fear
It doesn't matter what they say
In the jealous games people play
Our lips are sealed
It doesn't matter what they say
In the jealous games people play
Hush, my darling
Hush my darling
Don't you cry
Guardian angel?
Forget their lies
Can you hear them?
Talking about us
Telling lies
Well, that's no surprise
Can you see them?
See right through them
They have a shield
Nothing must be revealed
It doesn't matter what they say
No one's listening anyway (hush, my darling)
Our lips are sealed
It doesn't matter what they say
In the jealous games people play (hush, my darling)
Our lips are sealed (hush, my darling)
Our lips are sealed (hush, my darling)
Our lips are sealed
Our lips are sealed
Our lips are sealed
Our lips are sealed
Our lips are sealed
Our lips are sealed
Our lips are sealed
Our lips are sealed
Our lips are sealed
Our lips are sealed
Our lips are sealed
The lyrics of Fun Boy Three's song "Our Lips Are Sealed" are about ignoring and rising above the rumors and lies that people spread about others. The song speaks to the concept of gossip and how it is often fueled by jealousy and insecurity. The band is telling their listeners to be strong in the face of rumors and to know that whatever lies are being spread will never truly define them. The chorus, "It doesn't matter what they say, no one's listening anyway, our lips are sealed," emphasizes the idea that the best defense against gossip is silence. The lyrics suggest that by not feeding into other people's jealousy and rumors, happiness and freedom can be found.
The song also touches on the idea that those who spread rumors are often insecure and have nothing to back up their accusations. The lyrics, "They have no shield, nothing must be revealed," suggest that the rumors and lies are baseless and have no real evidence to support them. By ignoring these lies and staying silent, the band suggests that individuals can protect themselves and their reputations.
In the second half of the song, the band suggests that even if someone does believe the lies being spread, it is important to not let them get to you. The lyrics, "Hush, my darling, don't you cry, forget their lies," suggest that it is important to stay strong and not let the words of others define one's self-worth. Overall, "Our Lips Are Sealed" is a song about the power of self-confidence and the ability to rise above the negativity that surrounds us.
Line by Line Meaning
Can you hear them?
Are you able to hear the people around us talking about us?
Talking about us
Discussing and mentioning our personal lives.
Telling lies
Spreading false information about us.
Well, that's no surprise
Being talked about by others is not unexpected.
Can you see them?
Are you able to notice the people around us?
See right through them
We are able to read their true intentions easily.
They have no shield
They are not protecting themselves from being exposed.
Nothing must be revealed
We should not give away any of our secrets.
It doesn't matter what they say
Their words and rumors do not have any effect on us.
No one's listening anyway
They are not paying attention to what is being said.
Our lips are sealed
We will not disclose any private information to anyone.
There's a weapon
We have a secret weapon.
That we can use
We can use it to our advantage.
In our defense
To protect ourselves from any harm.
Silence
By staying quiet and not speaking we can keep ourselves safe.
But just look at them
Take a closer look at the people we're dealing with.
Look right through them
Understand their true motives easily.
That's when they disappear
They will lose interest in talking about us or trying to harm us.
That's when we lose the fear
Once we understand their motives we will no longer be afraid.
In the jealous games people play
In the competitive and petty behavior people exhibit towards one another.
Hush, my darling
Let's stay calm and quiet.
Don't you cry
Don't let them make you upset.
Guardian angel?
Is there a force watching over us?
Forget their lies
Let's ignore their false stories.
They have a shield
Now they are protecting themselves by not disclosing information.
Our lips are sealed
We will keep our own secrets as well.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Spirit Music Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jane Wiedlin, Terry Hall
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@trevorbrown6654
RIP Terry Hall, who died today. Another 80s legend who left us far too early. Hearing this great song reminds me what great music the youth of that time could make. Losing him and Jet Black from The Stranglers just a few days previously reminds me that whilst the 80s was in some ways an era of darkness it also brought about some fantastic groundbreaking music by a generation inspired by punk but with a lot more sophistication. I was at school during the 2 tone/ska revival of the early 80s and I remember the music being haunting and memorable. At his best Terry was a naturally talented singer and songwriter who overcame a horrific childhood trauma to make great music. He is also the third original member of the groundbreaking Coventry band, The Specials, to die (after John Bradbury and Rico Rodriguez).
@mindyharket6020
Beautifully expressed. Thank you.
@ikemreacts
I don't really have the strength to express what I feel. Thank you fo this.
@Lar308
Same age as me - sad day RIP.
@paulshorney3465
Another one of my heroes gone,very sad 😥
@actualbennett2245
All decades are in some way a dark era. Certainly anybody who truly remembers the '70s would say the same. And '80s music was inspired by ska and all sorts of other music, as well as being influenced by music technology pure inspiration of its musicians, just as in any other decade. You only need to listen to Terry's music. He was a genius.
@alandougan4534
Terry Hall, so chilled and what a group, still Great in 2024 R.I.P. Terry xxx
@onfoenemgrave
RIP Terry Hall, your legacy of great music will never be forgotten.
@patrickbyrne2738
Terry Hall wrote this when he was 21 with Jane Wiedlin. Compare that to the auto tuned Simon Cowell clones, and it's wonderful.
I'm shocked that he's died - far too soon. He affected so many of us, and the music stays with us.
Thank you Terry.
@sd1x455
Heartbroken ❤️