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
S.O.S.
Go West Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Across the street we share
Eyes on your shadow
You are unaware, unaware
Picture a stranger
Footsteps in gabardine
You sense the danger
Burning fires on your shore
Never opened any door
I'm wasting my time
You don't hear my S.O.S.
The perfect crime
To answer your S.O.S.
Leave you in silence
Change my identity
Second appearance
I will set you free
Burning fires on your shore
Never opened any door
Watching your window
Across the street we share
Eyes on your shadow
You are unaware
Burning fires on your shore
Never opened any door
In the Go West song "S.O.S.", the singer is observing someone from afar, possibly a neighbor, with whom he or she shares a street. The person doesn't seem to be aware of being watched, as expressed through the lyric "Eyes on your shadow, you are unaware." The second verse suggests that there is a sense of danger or something unforeseen, as the singer describes themselves as a stranger with footsteps in gabardine, a type of clothing that can suggest formality or an elevated status. However, there's a disconnect between the observer's perception of a threat and the person being watched, who seems unconcerned with "burning fires on [their] shore" and hasn't "opened any door" to invite any kind of confrontation.
The chorus of the song reveals the observer's frustration in attempting to communicate with the person they're watching. Despite sending out an S.O.S., they feel that their message is not being received, as the person is "unaware" of the danger they may be in. In the final verse, the observer decides to take action and "change [their] identity" in order to help the person. There's a suggestion of secrecy and subterfuge as they describe making a second appearance to "set [the person] free." The final repetition of the chorus underscores the observer's desperation and the distance they feel from the person they're trying to help.
Line by Line Meaning
Watching your window
I watch your every move from across the street, peering through your window
Across the street we share
We live very close to each other, separated only by the street
Eyes on your shadow
I keep a close eye on the silhouette of your figure
You are unaware, unaware
You have no idea that I am watching you
Picture a stranger
Imagine a person who is unfamiliar to you
Footsteps in gabardine
Hearing the sound of someone walking in a particular type of fabric
You sense the danger
You feel that something is not right
Something unforeseen
An event that was not predicted or expected
Burning fires on your shore
Trouble and chaos are happening close to your location
Never opened any door
You did not invite any of this, it is happening to you involuntarily
I'm wasting my time
My efforts are not making any impact
You don't hear my S.O.S.
You are not responding to my cry for help
The perfect crime
A situation where a criminal act may be carried out with minimal risk of being caught
To answer your S.O.S.
To reply to your plea for help and rescue you from a dangerous situation
Leave you in silence
If I don't rescue you and fulfill your S.O.S, I'll leave you in quiet and suffering
Change my identity
To assume a new personality, name or appearance so that my real identity cannot be traced back to me
Second appearance
I'll appear in front of you in a changed identity
I will set you free
I'll help you escape from the trouble and danger you're in
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: COX, DRUMMIE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Danny E. Loi
Alan Murphy's tone is so incredible. Rhythm tone just great and lead solo.... beautiful sound. I heard he was a real Fender guy. Preferred Fender guitars and amps. Well that was information from 35 years ago. Who knows if he were alive today what he would be playing.
Sara Richmond
One of the best 80s tracks - and albums! That bass just blows me away!! Gets my feet dancing.!!
nick Maclean
Man I love this track!
BerlinFan82
One of my favorite albums of the 80's.
Galway Ladeen
Is that bass done with an actual bass guitar or is it a synth. It's incredible. It's what makes the track
Joey DH
Wondered this myself so i came here, but im pretty sure it's a synth.
Roberto Rosendo Molina Castillo
Unforgetable memories from my nineteen old age away from my beloved Chile in a near country in 1986.
Fadi 007
That bass
jimmys fans and more
Badass song
Skye Darkclaw
So underrated, better than call me in my opinion