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
Eye to Eye
Go West Lyrics
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Outside no one would know
Danger close to edge of the knife
Safer not to let go
And while we miss chances
You can almost hear time slipping away
We close our eyes we never lose a game
We close our eyes to see the final frame
We close our eyes to time slipping away
No show Wednesday girl waits with the wine
She knows just what to say
While no one listens
You can almost hear time slipping away
We close our eyes we never lose a game
Imagination never lets us take the blame
We close our eyes to see the final frame
We close our eyes and
We can talk to strangers
We are burning with the spark
And we can walk on water
We are tigers in the dark
We are burning
We close our eyes
Heroes never give into the night
He knows how far he can run
And as he surrenders
You can almost hear time slipping away
We close our eyes we never lose a game
Imagination never lets us take the blame
We close our eyes to see the final frame
We close our eyes
"We Close Our Eyes" is a song by British pop band Go West, released in 1985. The song has a philosophical and introspective tone, exploring the idea of the human condition and how we cope with life's challenges. The song suggests that everyone has their own hidden desire that they keep inside, while projecting a different image on the outside. The lyrics describe the danger of living life close to the edge and the temptation to stay safe by not risking anything. The chorus emphasizes the power of imagination and how it helps us avoid taking the blame for our mistakes.
The second verse of the song depicts a girl waiting for someone to listen to her in a world where no one seems to care. The lyrics emphasize the importance of seizing opportunities before time slips away. The bridge speaks of our ability to connect with strangers and become inspired by their passion. The line "we are tigers in the dark" represents our innate strength and ability to face challenges head-on. The song concludes with a tribute to heroes who persevere in the face of adversity and never give up.
Overall, "We Close Our Eyes" is a sentimental and relatable ballad that invites the listener to reflect on their own life and the choices they make. Its catchy melody and infectious chorus make it a timeless classic that continues to resonate with audiences to this day.
Line by Line Meaning
Inside everyone hides one desire
Every person has a secret ambition or wish that they keep hidden inside themselves.
Outside no one would know
To the outside world, nobody would be aware of this desire.
Danger close to edge of the knife
This desire can be risky and precarious, like balancing on the edge of a sharp knife.
Safer not to let go
It is safer to keep the desire hidden and not take any risks by pursuing it.
And while we miss chances
Despite having opportunities, we often miss them.
You can almost hear time slipping away
There is a sense of urgency and time being wasted as opportunities slip away.
We close our eyes we never lose a game
By closing our eyes, we can imagine ourselves succeeding and never experiencing failure.
Imagination never lets us take the blame
Our imagination shields us from taking responsibility for our failures or mistakes.
We close our eyes to see the final frame
We use our imagination to visualize the desired end result.
We close our eyes to time slipping away
By using our imagination, we can stop dwelling on lost opportunities and focus on future possibilities.
No show Wednesday girl waits with the wine
A girl is waiting for someone who never shows up on Wednesdays, perhaps to drink away her sorrows.
She knows just what to say
She has the right words to console herself or others.
While no one listens
Despite her words of wisdom, nobody pays attention.
We can talk to strangers
We have the ability to communicate with unfamiliar people.
We are burning with the spark
We have a passion or drive to achieve our desires.
And we can walk on water
We have a confidence and fearlessness akin to walking on water.
We are tigers in the dark
We have a fierce and powerful nature that shines even in the darkness.
Heroes never give into the night
A hero never succumbs to their fears and keeps fighting until the end.
He knows how far he can run
The hero is aware of their own limits and abilities.
And as he surrenders
Even in defeat, the hero does not give up.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Peter Cox, Richard Drummie
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Gerard McCartney
on The King Is Dead
When you finally realise that all your life, you've been driven by ego, and the humiliating freedom that realisation affords