Go West are a British pop group. The duo formed in London, UK in 1982, with… Read Full Bio ↴Go West are a British pop group. The duo formed in London, UK in 1982, with Peter Cox and Richard Drummie.

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

Let's Build A Boat
Go West Lyrics

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Its abig world
Getting smaller every day
Here comes a big cloud
To wipe the smile off your face
Walking on fire now
Got to keep cool somehow
I'm on a volcano now
It's a sign of the times

I want to go sailing
Let's build a boat
All systems are failing
Let's build a boat

It's a time-bomb
It's a gun against my head
I need a foxhole
Somewhere i can play dead

Going a.w.o.l.
Running off the rails
Cut my lifelines
Let me set my sails…

Looking at seconds now
Stopping that clock somehow

I'm on a volcano now
I've seen a sign ofthe times

Overall Meaning

In the song "Let's Build A Boat" by Go West, the singer observes that the world is vast, yet it is getting smaller every day. This seeming paradox can be explained by the increasing interconnectedness and accessibility of different parts of the world due to advances in technology and transportation. The big cloud that arrives represents a literal or metaphorical obstacle that threatens to wipe away the singer's smile, which could symbolize happiness, hope, or positivity. The image of walking on fire and being on a volcano conveys a sense of danger and urgency that requires the singer to remain calm and level-headed. The volcano could also represent a larger societal or environmental issue that demands attention and action.

Against this backdrop, the chorus suggests a course of action: to build a boat and go sailing. This could represent a desire to escape the current situation, to explore new horizons, or to brave the unknown. The reference to all systems failing and the looming time bomb and gun create a sense of impending doom or crisis that requires a sense of urgency and proactivity. The foxhole represents a safe haven or refuge where the singer can temporarily hide from the dangers of the outside world. Going a.w.o.l. and running off the rails suggest a rejection or rebellion against traditional and established norms and expectations. Cutting lifelines and setting sails suggest a willingness to take risks and chart one's own course, even if it means leaving behind familiar and comfortable surroundings.

Overall, "Let's Build A Boat" is a song that expresses a desire for adventure, freedom, and self-determination in the face of uncertainty and adversity.

Line by Line Meaning

Its a big world
The world is vast and wide

Getting smaller every day
It feels as though the world is becoming smaller due to globalization

Here comes a big cloud
There is a looming problem or issue approaching

To wipe the smile off your face
The impending problem will cause happiness or excitement to subside

Walking on fire now
The current situation is challenging and difficult

Got to keep cool somehow
Despite the difficulty, one must remain calm and level-headed

I'm on a volcano now
The situation is dangerous and unpredictable

It's a sign of the times
The current situation is indicative of the larger societal issues at play

I want to go sailing
I desire to escape and explore

Let's build a boat
We should take action and create our own opportunities

All systems are failing
Things are falling apart and not working as they should