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 Our Sealed
Fun Boy Three Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They talk 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
In the jealous games people play
Our lips are sealed
Careless talk
Through paper walls
We can't stop them
Only laugh at them
Spreading rumors
So far from true
Dragged up from the underworld
Just like some precious pearl
It doesn't matter what they say
In the jealous games people play
Our lips are sealed
Pay no mind to what they say
It doesn't matter anyway
Our lips are sealed
There's a weapon
We must use
In our defense
Silence
When you look at them
Look right through them
That's when they'll disappear
That's when you'll be feared
Hush, my darling
Don't you cry
Quiet, angel
Forget their lies
The song "Our Lips Are Sealed" by Fun Boy Three talks about the power of not letting the words and lies of others affect us. The opening lyrics encourage us to listen to what others say about us and realize that their words mean nothing as they are just spreading lies. The verse talks about how we can see right through them and that they have no secrets to reveal because it is all just careless talk through paper walls. The chorus repeats that our lips are sealed, conveying the message that no matter what others say or do, we should not give it power over our lives.
The second verse highlights the fact that people often spread rumors and lies which are so far from the truth. It compares it to something that is dragged up from the underworld like a precious pearl. The chorus repeats again, emphasizing the fact that we should not pay any attention to what others say because our lips are sealed. The bridge of the song talks about the weapon that we must use in our defense, which is silence. When we look at them, we should look right through them, and that's when they will disappear. It ends by saying that we should hush and be quiet, forget their lies, and not cry about them.
Overall, the song encourages us to be confident and not let the words and lies of others affect us. We should hold our heads high and know that our lips are sealed, giving us the power to ignore and rise above any negative things that others say.
Line by Line Meaning
Can you hear them
Are you aware of the people who are talking about us
They talk about us
Their topic of discussion is us
Telling lies
They are spreading falsehood about us
Well that's no surprise
It is not shocking because people tend to gossip
Can you see them
Can you look through them
See right through them
You can see their true intentions
They have no shield
They have no protection against the truth
No secrets to reveal
They have nothing hidden that is worth disclosing
It doesn't matter what they say
Their words do not have any significant effect
In the jealous games people play
People tend to be competitive and envious of others
Our lips are sealed
We will not share any secrets or information that could harm us or others
Careless talk
Speaking without regard for the consequences
Through paper walls
Their words do not have any weight
We can't stop them
We cannot control them
Only laugh at them
The only recourse we have is to laugh at their lies
Spreading rumors
They are intentionally spreading false stories
So far from true
The rumors are not at all factual
Dragged up from the underworld
The rumors were started by unreliable sources
Just like some precious pearl
They are trying to make something valuable out of worthless stories
Pay no mind to what they say
Do not pay attention to their lies
It doesn't matter anyway
Their words are insignificant and do not matter
There's a weapon
We have a powerful weapon at our disposal
We must use
We ought to utilize
In our defense
As a means to protect ourselves
Silence
Not speaking up or revealing anything
When you look at them
When you observe them keenly
Look right through them
You will be able to see their true colors
That's when they'll disappear
When they realize that you can see through them, they will avoid you
That's when you'll be feared
They will be afraid of your perceptiveness
Hush, my darling
Be quiet, my dear
Don't you cry
Do not let their lies affect you emotionally
Quiet, angel
Stay calm and composed
Forget their lies
Do not keep their lies in mind
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: 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 ❤️