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
Little Caesar
Go West Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To be born again
And stand as tall
As any other man
Now you're number one
On the wanted list
Oblivious
The contract's out on you
Your land of hope and glory
Is shooting in the dark
Don't let this be the end of little caesar
In the chair
At the old house
Trigger-happy philistines
Won't hear a word you say
Surrendering
To the blue crusade
Sing the song they want to hear
The hollywood nineteen
The lyrics of "Little Caesar" by Go West tell the story of a man who has crossed the sea to be reborn and to stand as tall as any other man. He is now number one on the wanted list and is oblivious to the contract that is out on him. The land of hope and glory that he has come to is shooting in the dark, and there is a fear that this could be the end for little Caesar. He finds himself in a situation where he is facing trigger-happy philistines who won't hear a word he says. In the face of the Blue crusade, he finds himself surrendering and singing the song that they want to hear - the Hollywood nineteen.
Line by Line Meaning
Across the sea
Traveling from one place to another, leaving behind the past and all that was built previously.
To be born again
Starting a new life, with new opportunities and a clean slate, leaving behind all the mistakes made earlier.
And stand as tall
Being proud of oneself, despite facing obstacles and challenges, and not giving up.
As any other man
Being equal to everyone else, regardless of their social status or race.
Now you're number one
Being at the top, achieving the ultimate goal in life.
On the wanted list
Being wanted by the authorities, for crimes committed in the past.
Oblivious
Not aware of the consequences of one's actions, and living in denial.
The contract's out on you
Being wanted by someone who has a contract out on you, to harm or hurt you in some way.
Your land of hope and glory
The place where you once felt safe and secure, where you belonged.
Is shooting in the dark
The people you once trusted are now lost, and you are alone in the dark, with no one to turn to.
Don't let this be the end of little caesar
Do not give up, no matter how dire the situation may seem, keep fighting and pushing forward.
In the chair
Being in a position of power, where you have control over others.
At the old house
Being in a familiar place, where you may have grown up or lived in the past.
Trigger-happy philistines
People who are quick to judge and take action, without proper understanding or knowledge of the situation.
Won't hear a word you say
Refusing to acknowledge or listen to someone else's point of view or opinion.
Surrendering
Giving up, and accepting defeat.
To the blue crusade
Giving in to authority, and accepting the status quo, without question.
Sing the song they want to hear
Complying with the authority's wishes, and not expressing one's true beliefs or opinions.
The hollywood nineteen
Refers to the Hollywood Ten, a group of individuals that were blacklisted from Hollywood, due to their alleged association with Communism.
Contributed by Andrew L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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