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.
The Tunnel of Love
Fun Boy Three Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
broken noses altered faces
my ego altered altered egos
wherever i go so does me go
walk through the fields where the flowers are growing
carve out your names on the first tree you see
there are 22 catches when you strike your matches
and get down on your knees
in the tunnel of love - the tunnel of love
you fall in feet first - in the tunnel of love
you think of yourselves as really good friends
but you know how it always ends
in the tunnel of love
so you get engaged have a party
only 17 when the wedding bells changer
a room with a view and a kid on the way
hope you make it to the church on time
cause the wedding list is getting longer
the bottom drawer is getting fuller
and you're not getting any younger
can things get any better
in the tunnel of love - the tunnel of love
you fall in feet first - in the tunnel of love
and think of yourselves as really good friends
but you know how it always ends
in the tunnel of love, the tunnel of love
so consequences altered cases
you tried honeymoons in far away places
but the trial separation worked and
ended up in a divorce case
you gave up your friends for a new way of life
and both ended up as ex husband and wife
there were 22 catches when you struck your matches
and threw away your life in the tunnel of love
the tunnel of love you fell i feet first
in the tunnel of love and thought of yourselves as really good friends
but you know how it had to end in the tunnel of love
the tunnel of love, the tunnel of love
the tunnel of love, the tunnel of love
the tunnel of love, in the tunnel of love
The lyrics of Fun Boy Three's song The Tunnel of Love tell the story of a relationship that starts with excitement and ends in heartbreak, set in the context of an amusement park ride. The first verse describes how the characters' egos are altered by their experiences, and how they are inevitably bound together ("wherever I go so does me go"). The second verse describes the joy and anticipation of getting engaged and starting a life together, but hints at the difficulties that may lie ahead ("hope you make it to the church on time...can things get any better?"). The third verse describes the breakdown of the relationship and the bitter divorce that follows.
The chorus, "in the tunnel of love", refers to the amusement park ride that is the backdrop for the story. The "tunnel of love" is a classic ride that takes couples through a darkened tunnel on a boat or a train, with various romantic scenes and decorations along the way. The lyrics use the ride as a metaphor for the ups and downs of a romantic relationship, with its twists, turns, and sudden drops. The song captures both the excitement and the danger of the ride, and the way in which it mirrors the ups and downs of love.
Overall, The Tunnel of Love is a poignant and insightful commentary on love and relationships, told in Fun Boy Three's characteristic mix of catchy melodies and soulful lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
consequences altered cases
There are different outcomes when taking different paths in life.
broken noses altered faces
Physical injuries lead to lasting changes in appearance.
my ego altered altered egos
My sense of self has changed over time.
wherever i go so does me go
I cannot escape myself no matter where I go.
walk through the fields where the flowers are growing
Enjoy the simple pleasures in life.
carve out your names on the first tree you see
Leave your mark on the world.
there are 22 catches when you strike your matches
There are always consequences to our actions.
and get down on your knees
Be humble and acknowledge your mistakes.
you fall in feet first - in the tunnel of love
Love sweeps you up suddenly and completely.
you think of yourselves as really good friends
Love often starts with a strong friendship.
but you know how it always ends
You are aware of the potential for heartbreak.
so you get engaged have a party
People celebrate their engagement with a party.
only 17 when the wedding bells change
Marriage often happens at a young age.
a room with a view and a kid on the way
Starting a family can bring joy and fulfillment.
hope you make it to the church on time
Weddings are often stressful and full of expectations.
cause the wedding list is getting longer
Weddings are often expensive and require planning.
the bottom drawer is getting fuller
Couples accumulate more possessions and responsibilities over time.
and you're not getting any younger
Time passes quickly and we age.
you tried honeymoons in far away places
Couples try to rekindle their love by traveling.
but the trial separation worked and
Sometimes couples need to separate in order to realize their love for each other.
ended up in a divorce case
The marriage ultimately ended in a divorce.
you gave up your friends for a new way of life
Couples sometimes prioritize their partner and neglect their friendships.
and both ended up as ex husband and wife
The couple got divorced and are no longer married.
the tunnel of love you fell i feet first
Love takes over and sweeps you off your feet.
and thought of yourselves as really good friends
The relationship started with a strong foundation of friendship.
but you know how it had to end in the tunnel of love
The relationship inevitably ended in heartbreak.
the tunnel of love, the tunnel of love
The tunnel of love represents the experience of falling in love.
the tunnel of love, in the tunnel of love
Individuals experience the tunnel of love in their own way.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GENE SIMMONS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@meisterlymanu5214
Its not the materialism, the clothes, the music nor the sunny days of innocent youth we miss. And certainly not the schools. It is the sense that we were safe from the speed of change. Time eased its way around our watches, and they were the only bit of tech we owned. How sad kids today will never experience even a fleeting glance at a world without fear.
@fulltiltgonzales
Your comment is so profound I can't even begin to express how much I appreciate and agree with it!
@djbethell
We had Walkmans and ghetto blasters too and the fear of nuclear war was a daily constant.
@andrewyoung5429
This takes me back to the Happy 80s 53 now but I'm sure many 50 plus remember them Happy Days Never to Be Repeated
@craigthornton1971
It really was a golden era of music, so many different styles
@andrewyoung5429
@@craigthornton1971 sure was my friend👍
@markbunce3405
With you brother 👍💪🇬🇧
@markbunce3405
@@craigthornton1971 absolutely and they wrote their own lyrics 👍 🙏 respect
@MarkSutphin
Truth mate!
@ehrichweiss
RIP Terry. Been a fan since 1982. Fun Boy Three was a life-changing group for 12 year old me in Kentucky.