Shortly after, they recruited their good friend and photographer Glenn Gregory on vocals to complete their lineup for Heaven 17. Contrary to popular belief, they were not 'New Romantics' per se and had different visual characteristics than groups such as Spandau Ballet and the Culture Club. Like The Human League, Heaven 17 heavily used synthesizers and drum machines while taking influence from the minimalist electronica music of the 70s.
They had a few minor hits in their early days, including the song "Play To Win" that featured on the album 'Penthouse and Pavement'. Their debut single '(We Don't Need This) Fascist Groove Thang' from the same album attracted some attention, became a left-wing anthem for a while, and was banned by the BBC because of its overtly political lyrics, but it still reached number 45 in the UK singles chart.
Major chart success eluded them until the single 'Temptation' (in which they were augmented by the vocalist Carol Kenyon) reached number 2 in the UK charts in summer 1983. Other songs from the same album, The Luxury Gap, also charted though not as high - 'Come Live With Me' reached number 5 in the UK, 'Crushed By The Wheels Of Industry' reached number 17, and 'Let Me Go', reaching 41 in November 1982. The album itself charted at their best ever position, number four.
At the end of 1983, the band helped re-launch Tina Turner's solo career, producing and providing backing vocals on her debut hit 'Let's Stay Together'. 1984 featured the release of the moderately successful How Men Are, which reached number 12.
The band also worked on the Band Aid single at the end of 1984, with Gregory supplying vocals alongside Midge Ure and Sting. However, they did not perform at Live Aid the following year.
Pleasure One (featuring the single 'Trouble') appeared in 1986 and it was followed up in 1988 with Teddy Bear, Duke & Psycho (featuring the single 'Train Of Love In Motion'). The early 90's were a quiet period for the band and they wouldn't work together as Heaven 17 until 1996's Bigger Than America. In the preceding years, Marsh and Ware produced a second B.E.F. album to 1981's original Music of Quality and Distinction and Gregory formed the band Ugly. Ware became an in-demand producer, working for the likes of Terence Trent D'Arby, Alison Moyet and Erasure. 2005 saw the release of the long-awaited Before After; the album having a much more contemporary dance sound compared to previous albums.
Fascist Groove Thang
Heaven 17 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Have you heard it on the news
About this fascist groove thang
Evil men with racist views
Spreading all across the land
Don't just sit there on your ass
Unlock that funky chaindance
Brothers, sisters shoot your best
Brothers, sisters, we don't need this fascist groove thang
History will repeat itself
Crisis point we're near the hour
Counterforce will do no good
Hot you ass I feel your power
Hitler proves that funky stuff
Is not for you and me girl
Europe's an unhappy land
They've had their fascist groove thang
Brothers, sisters, we don't need this fascist groove thang
Democrats are out of power
Across that great wide ocean
Reagan's president elect
Fascist god in motion
Generals tell him what to do
Stop your good time dancing
Train their guns on me and you
Fascist thang advancing
Brothers, sisters, we don't need this fascist groove thang
Sisters, brothers lend a hand
Increase our population
Grab that groove thang by the throat
And throw it in the ocean
You're real tonight you move my soul
Let's cruise out of the dance war
Come out your house and dance your dance
Shake that fascist groove thang
(Shake it!)
The song "Fascist Groove Thang" by Heaven 17 is a commentary on the rise of fascist ideologies in Europe and America during the late 1970s and early 1980s. The lyrics urge listeners to reject the hateful and racist views of fascist groups and to embrace the power of music and dance as a force for social change. The song also touches on the political context of the time, referencing the election of Ronald Reagan as US president and the increased militarization of society.
The opening lines of the song encourage people to "prove the groove" and get up and dance, but quickly turn to the dark subject matter of fascism. The chorus repeats the phrase "Brothers, sisters, we don't need this fascist groove thang" as a rallying cry against hate and intolerance. The verses describe the historical context of fascism, referencing the rise of Hitler and the unhappy state of Europe during World War II. The song culminates in a call to action, asking listeners to increase the population and throw the fascists into the ocean, suggesting a rejection of their hateful views.
Line by Line Meaning
Everybody move to prove the groove
Let's dance and show our solidarity
Have you heard it on the news
There are news reports about
About this fascist groove thang
A dangerous trend of fascism
Evil men with racist views
Those propagating such an ideology
Spreading all across the land
Are spreading it everywhere
Don't just sit there on your ass
Take action and don't be passive
Unlock that funky chaindance
Dance to break free from the chains of fascism
Brothers, sisters shoot your best
Fight with all your strength and skills
We don't need this fascist groove thang
We must resist and reject fascism
History will repeat itself
The past might happen again
Crisis point we're near the hour
We're close to a critical moment
Counterforce will do no good
Fighting won't solve the problem
Hot you ass I feel your power
You have the energy to make a difference
Hitler proves that funky stuff
Even Hitler loved music
Is not for you and me girl
But that doesn't mean we should support his ideas
Europe's an unhappy land
Europe is not immune to fascism
They've had their fascist groove thang
They've experienced their share of fascism
Democrats are out of power
The political tide has shifted
Across that great wide ocean
Even in distant lands
Reagan's president elect
Ronald Reagan has been elected president
Fascist god in motion
The rise of a fascist leader is underway
Generals tell him what to do
Military leaders are exerting influence
Stop your good time dancing
The good times are over, we must act
Train their guns on me and you
We're the targets of fascist violence
Fascist thang advancing
The fascist movement is growing stronger
Sisters, brothers lend a hand
We need each other's support
Increase our population
We must fight back and grow our numbers
Grab that groove thang by the throat
Let's take control of the situation
And throw it in the ocean
And get rid of fascism once and for all
You're real tonight you move my soul
Your dance tonight inspires me
Let's cruise out of the dance war
Let's end this fight on the dance floor
Come out your house and dance your dance
Don't stay isolated, join the fight
Shake that fascist groove thang
Dance to reject fascism and its ideology
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Glenn Gregory, Ian Marsh, Martyn Ware
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Olivia 73captain73
[Intro]
(Everybody move to prove the groove)
(Everybody move to prove the groove)
(Everybody move to prove the groove)
(Everybody move to prove the groove)
(Everybody move to prove the groove)
(Everybody move to prove the groove)
(Everybody move to prove the groove)
[Verse 1]
Have you heard it on the news
About this fascist groove thang?
Evil men with racist views
Spreadin' all across the land
Don't just sit there on your ass
Unlock that funky chaindance
Brothers, sisters, shoot your best
We don't need this fascist groove thang
[Chorus]
Brothers, sisters
We don't need that fascist groove thang
Brothers, sisters
We don't need the fascist groove thang
[Verse 2]
History will repeat itself
Crisis point, we're near the hour
Counterforce will do no good
Hot U.S. I feel your power
Hitler proves that funky stuff
It's not for you and me, girl (no, no no)
Europe's an unhappy land
They've had their fascist groove thang
[Chorus]
Brothers, sisters
We don't need that fascist groove thang
Brothers, sisters
We don't need the fascist groove thang
[Verse 3]
Democrats are out of power
Across that great wide ocean
Reagan's president elect
Fascist God in motion
Generals tell him what to do
Stop your good time dancing
Train their guns on me and you
Fascist thing advancing
Sisters, brothers lend a hand
Increase our population
Grab that groove thang by the throat
And throw it in the ocean
You're real tonight, you move my soul
Let's cruise out on the dance floor
Come out your house and dance your dance
Shake that fascist groove thang (shake it)
[Chorus]
Brothers, sisters
We don't need that fascist groove thang
Brothers, sisters
We don't need the fascist groove thang
Brothers, sisters
We don't need that fascist groove thang
Brothers, sisters
We don't need the fascist groove thang
Brothers, sisters
We don't need that fascist groove thang
Brothers, sisters
We don't need the fascist groove thang
Brothers, sisters
We don't need that fascist groove thang
Brothers, sisters
We don't need the fascist groove thang
Brothers, sisters
We don't need that fascist groove thang
Brothers, sisters
We don't need the fascist groove thang
Brothers, sisters
We don't need that fascist groove thang
Brothers, sisters
We don't need the fascist groove thang
Brothers, sisters
We don't need that fascist groove thang
Brothers, sisters
We don't need the fascist groove thang
Kev Maslin
The real talent in the original Human League. I mean, Phil had a great voice but Craig-Marsh and Ware were the backbone of the outfit.
Pleased Pete
Definately
OFFICIAL VIDEOS
The bassline is so sick. Love the lyrics.
William Jud Weiksnar
How about the sax?
WedgePee
The original, credited to BEF, is even better.
Patrice Le Coz
@WedgePee BEF?
Rob McIntyre
Very well produced track!! This band was very much under-rated in the 80’s.....whenever played in the clubs, this track would always slay them!!! 😁😁😁
freakbeatagogo
What a track - proper dancefloor filler in Snobs, Edwards and Kalaidescope in Brum - great to see them still touring in 2023 ❤
Diane Matthews
Seeing them in Wolves in November!! 😊😊
Wilfred Wilde
I think I’ll go see them