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
Man On Fire
Go West Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I was rolling like a stone
A heart without a home
I saw cities all the same
Full of faces with no names
I was searching for the flame inside
A flame that almost died..
Man on fire
Whatever you do takes me higher
I'm shot up with desire
Man on fire
Set sail on the ocean wide
I was driftwood on the tide
Reaching for the other side
Crossed the desert through the night
Between the shadows and the light
I was waiting for the sun to rise
I saw it in your eyes..
Just one touch from you
Man on fire
Whatever you do takes me higher
Out of a lonely blue sky
I'm shot up with desire
Man on fire
Now i'm somebody else
A stranger to myself
I've never felt this way before
You gotta give me more
'cause one touch from you
Man on fire
Whatever you do takes me higher
Out of a lonely blue sky
Just one touch from you
Man on fire
Now i feel
alive
The lyrics to Go West's song Man On Fire describe the journey of a person who has been wandering through the world without much direction or purpose until they meet someone who ignites a spark within them. In the beginning, the lyrics suggest that the singer has been alone for some time, feeling detached from the world around them, and without a home. They have traveled to many different cities but have not found what they are looking for until they meet someone who reignites the flame inside them. This person represents a transformative force in their life and gives them a sense of direction and passion. The lyrics suggest that this person has made them feel alive again, and they are no longer a stranger to themselves.
The lyrics of the chorus emphasize the transformative power of this person in the singer's life. The touch of this person sets the singer on fire, and they feel like they are soaring higher than ever before. They are shot up with desire and passion, and they feel like they are a new person. The singer is no longer adrift in the world but has found a sense of purpose and excitement in life. The end of the song emphasizes how much the singer has changed, concluding that they have never felt this way before and asking for more.
Line by Line Meaning
I walked the world alone
I have traveled through life without a real companion or sense of belonging.
I was rolling like a stone
I was aimlessly wandering and not anchored to anything.
A heart without a home
I had no emotional grounding or roots anywhere.
I saw cities all the same
I have seen many different places, but they all seemed mundane and ordinary.
Full of faces with no names
The people I come across on my journey are strangers without any personal connection to me.
I was searching for the flame inside
I was seeking a passion or sense of purpose in my life.
A flame that almost died..
I felt close to losing my drive and motivation to keep going.
But one touch from you
When I met you, my life changed for the better.
Man on fire
You ignited a passion in me and made me feel alive.
Whatever you do takes me higher
You have the power to uplift and inspire me.
I'm shot up with desire
I feel a strong urge to be with you and feel your touch.
Set sail on the ocean wide
I was exploring the vast possibilities and unknowns of life.
I was driftwood on the tide
I was being pushed and pulled by the forces outside of my control.
Reaching for the other side
I was trying to overcome obstacles to get to a better place in life.
Crossed the desert through the night
I endured hardships and struggles without any guidance or companionship.
Between the shadows and the light
I was navigating the blurred line between right and wrong, good and bad.
I was waiting for the sun to rise
I was looking forward to a brighter future and better days ahead.
I saw it in your eyes..
When I met you, I sensed a glimmer of hope and happiness in your presence.
Out of a lonely blue sky
You came into my life unexpectedly during a time when I felt lonely and directionless.
Now i'm somebody else
After meeting you, I feel like a changed person, almost like a new version of myself.
A stranger to myself
I'm adapting and adjusting to these newfound feelings and changes in my life.
I've never felt this way before
I'm experiencing a depth of emotion and happiness that I've never known.
You gotta give me more
I crave your affection, love, and attention because of the positive effect it has had on my life.
Contributed by Jasmine M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ian Leitch
I love Go West but when a band loses its style and changes completely it's not the same. Their first 3 albums will always be their true ones 💗
E.G. Systems
This is so genius. And for all the doubters, if you can't hear the original Go West ethos in this, then go listen to some C&W so you don't tax your brain.
Antonello Del Mastro
Great ! From the first notes of the guitar i like it ! Thank you Go West !!!!👏
Stiffd1
Anyone recommend a Peter Cox cd pls. Similar to early Go West output? : D
claudio miglio
Go west fantastic ✌️✌️✌️
shir gaming20
Good