Go West quickly had a publishing deal and possessed a portastudio, but lacked a band or recording company. Peter and Richard decided, with support from John Glover, their manager, to find a musical producer, and record just two of their songs. The tracks We Close Our Eyes and Call Me found Go West developing a record deal with Chrysalis Records. The songwriting duo specialised in radio friendly, white soul sounds.
The band's debut single, We Close Our Eyes, was released in 1985 and managed to achieve the number 5 position on the UK Singles charts, #5 on the US Dance Club Play chart and also managed to reach #41 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart. The video for the song became an early favorite on MTV. This helped them to be voted the "Best Newcomers" at the 1986, BRIT Awards.
The duo's self-titled album also featured 2 more Hot 100 entries; "Call Me" (1984 - #54) and "Eye To Eye" (1985 - #73). The album also featured "Don't Look Down", which would serve as the prequel to what would be the band's first Top 40 hit in the US. The album hit #8 in the UK Album charts and #60 on Billboard 200 Album chart.
In 1987, they released their follow-up, "Dancing On The Couch", which peaked at #19 on UK Album chart but only got as high as #172 in the US. Ironically, that album yielded Go West with their first US Top 40 hit, "Don't Look Down - The Sequel", squeaking into the Top 40 peaking at #39. That song was a continuation to "Don't Look Down" from their debut album. However, "Don't Look Down - The Sequel" was excluded from the UK versions of the CD, which instead included the track, "Let's Build A Boat", which coincidentally became the B-Side of the US release of "Don't Look Down - The Sequel".
Later in 1990, Go West scored a top 10 US hit with the song King of Wishful Thinking from the movie Pretty Woman. An instrumental version of the song's chorus is also alleged to be heard in the production logo for Gracie Films (seen at the end of The Simpsons).
Go West website: www.gowest.org.uk
Don't Look Down
Go West Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
First night stage fright always hypnotizes
Leading ladies never think about it
Live without it
Try to hide your fear of falling
Keep your eyes on me, I'm calling
You know you're holding aces
Don't look down girl
Don't give the game away
One more heartbeat and you walk the wire
Why wait? Ooh, it's too late to put out the fire
Almost strangers, can you stop deceiving
Start believing
Try to hide your fear of falling
Keep your eyes on me, I'm calling
Don't look down girl
You know you're holding aces
Don't look down girl
Don't give the game away, 'cause baby
Oh, even when you feel you can't go on
Laughing at the rain you fool no one
If you don't wanna lose what you have found
Then don't look down
Changing partners is just substitution
It's no solution
Try to hide your fear of falling
Keep your eyes on me, I'm calling
Don't look down girl
You know you're holding aces
Don't look down girl
Don't give the game away
Don't look down girl
You know you're holding aces
Don't look down girl
Don't give the game away
Don't look down
Don't look down
Don't look down
...
The lyrics to Go West's song Don't Look Down speak about a person who is experiencing the fear of falling while they are on a tightrope. The song is metaphorical, and the lyrics reflect on how this fear of taking a risk or failing can affect a person's life. The lyrics suggest that the fear of falling is only temporary, and it should not stop someone from pursuing their dreams or taking a risk.
The first verse opens with a question about how much longer it will take before the person is ready to take the risk. The fear of taking a risk is compared to stage fright, which is common in leading ladies. The leading ladies are not afraid of taking risks and live without the fear of falling. The chorus of the song advises not to look down and reveal the fear of falling by giving the game away. The fear of falling is replaced with the image of holding aces, which has a positive connotation.
The second verse talks about how it can be too late to put out the fire once someone decides they want to take the risk. The need to stop deceiving and start believing in oneself is emphasized. The chorus repeats the advice not to look down and reveal the fear of falling. The bridge of the song talks about how changing partners is not a solution to the fear of falling. The song ends with the repeated refrain of not looking down.
Line by Line Meaning
How much longer 'til the curtain rises?
As the anticipation builds up before the show, you feel time dragging on.
First night stage fright always hypnotizes
The fear of performing for the first time can be overwhelming and can cause you to lose control of yourself.
Leading ladies never think about it
When the spotlight is on, the leading ladies remain confident even if they have stage fright.
Live without it
Despite the fear of performing, it's a necessary part of having a career in the entertainment industry.
Try to hide your fear of falling
Keep your anxieties to yourself and try to suppress your fear.
Keep your eyes on me, I'm calling
Focus on yourself and what you're doing without worrying about being watched.
Don't look down girl
Avoid distracting yourself from your performance by not looking down or being intimidated.
You know you're holding aces
You are well-prepared and confident, as if you have a winning hand in poker.
Don't give the game away
Don't let others see through your facade and know that you're scared or inexperienced.
One more heartbeat and you walk the wire
The moment before you perform can be nerve-wracking, as if you're walking a tightrope.
Why wait? Ooh, it's too late to put out the fire
As the moment of truth approaches, it's too late to go back or change your mind.
Almost strangers, can you stop deceiving
Despite just meeting, can you put on a convincing act and fool the audience?
Start believing
Believe in yourself and your abilities to deliver a great performance.
Changing partners is just substitution
Switching things up and trying new things is not always the solution to your problems.
It's no solution
Switching things up and trying new things is not always the solution to your problems.
Oh, even when you feel you can't go on
Sometimes you'll feel like giving up during a performance, but you need to push through it.
Laughing at the rain you fool no one
Putting on a facade and pretending you're fine when in reality you're not.
If you don't wanna lose what you have found
If you're not willing to lose your opportunity, you will do whatever it takes to succeed.
Then don't look down
Stay focused and don't let external factors distract you from your goal.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHN COX, CHRIS COOKE, DAVID TERRY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@luckyluck28
Lyrics
How much longer 'til the curtain rises?
First night stage fright always hypnotizes
Leading ladies never think about it
Live without it
Try to hide your fear of falling
Keep your eyes on me, I'm calling
Don't look down girl
You know you're holding aces
Don't look down girl
Don't give the game away
One more heartbeat and you walk the wire
Why wait? Ooh, it's too late to put out the fire
Almost strangers, can you stop deceiving
Start believing
Try to hide your fear of falling
Keep your eyes on me, I'm calling
Don't look down girl
You know you're holding aces
Don't look down girl
Don't give the game away, 'cause baby
Oh, even when you feel you can't go on
Laughing at the rain you fool no one
If you don't wanna lose what you have found
Then don't look down
Changing partners is just substitution
It's no solution
Try to hide your fear of falling
Keep your eyes on me, I'm calling
Don't look down girl
You know you're holding aces
Don't look down girl
Don't give the game away
Don't look down girl
You know you're holding aces
Don't look down girl
Don't give the game away
Don't look down
Don't look down
Don't look down
...
@suspensiondude
Who else wishes this era of music was still around?
@davidg5629
Yeah, me. Even though I play and obsess over guitar, It was great having bass and keys back up front. Guitar is the icing on the cake.
@JCNippert1
Everyone from every era poses the same question. Such is life.. As to this song, my question is why was / is it not more popular? It is well written , decent lyrics, good vocals and nice instrumentation. More importantly, the melody and chorus work.
@michmunroe.9196
I do✌️
@hazelrush
I do!
@AshAhmed-no9hc
Just saw them live yesterday, what talented musicians.....they still have the magic in 2023 as in 1985...thanks guys for a lovely concert, I was too young to see you in 1985!
@BerlinFan82
Their debut album is still one of my all time favorites.
@eggy1962
mine too, innocence one of my favourite tracks
@BerlinFan82
@@eggy1962 My favorite also.
@FunkyCarla
Yaaaaaaaaassss❣🎙🎶🎼💜‼️ OMG they are ah-mazing & always have been!!!