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 Thing
Heaven 17 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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 chain dance
Brothers, sisters shoot your best
We don't need this fascist groove thang
Brothers, sisters, we don't need the fascist groove thang
Brothers, sisters, we don't need the 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 the fascist groove thang
Brothers, sisters, we don't need the 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
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
Brothers, sisters, we don't need the fascist groove thang
Brothers, sisters, we don't need the fascist groove thang
Brothers, sisters, we don't need the fascist groove thang
Brothers, sisters, we don't need the fascist groove thang
Brothers, sisters, we don't need the fascist groove thang
Brothers, sisters, we don't need the fascist groove thang
Brothers, sisters, we don't need the fascist groove thang
Brothers, sisters, we don't need the fascist groove thang
Brothers, sisters, we don't need the fascist groove thang
Brothers, sisters, we don't need the fascist groove thang
Brothers, sisters, we don't need the fascist groove thang
Brothers, sisters, we don't need the fascist groove thang
Brothers, sisters, we don't need the fascist groove thang
Brothers, sisters, we don't need the fascist groove thang
Brothers, sisters, we don't need the fascist groove thang
The lyrics of Heaven 17's song "Fascist Groove Thing" protest against the rise of fascist and racist movements across the world. The opening lines encourage people to dance and move in the rhythm to prove a point. However, the song quickly shifts to a somber atmosphere, as the lyrics describe the spread of evil men with racist views across the land. The song makes a call to action, urging people not to sit on their "ass" but to take action against the fascist groove thing. The lyrics note that history is repeating itself, and that we are nearing a crisis point.
The song also references contemporary political themes, mentioning Reagan's presidency and the fact that Democrats are out of power. Overall, the song warns against complacency, suggests that a counterforce will do no good, and encourages leaning on one another, even increasing our population to combat the rising fascist groove thing. The lyrics make a final call to throw the fascist groove thang into the ocean and dance through the night to shake off the negativity associated with it.
Overall, the song seems to encourage a sense of unity and proactive individual and collective action against fascist movements. It encourages people to be vigilant, stay informed and to work together towards creating an inclusive society that doesn't allow racism and fascism to take root.
Line by Line Meaning
Everybody move to prove the groove
Encouraging everyone to dance to prove the strength of their unity
Have you heard it on the news about this fascist groove thang
Awareness of a fascist movement spreading through society
Evil men with racist views spreading all across the land
Highlighting the harmful nature of the fascist ideology
Don't just sit there on your ass, unlock that funky chain dance
Urging action to oppose the fascist movement in a fun and creative way
Brothers, sisters shoot your best we don't need this fascist groove thang
Calling upon people to use their best efforts to stop the spread of fascism
History will repeat itself, crisis point we're near the hour
Warning that the fascist movement is reminiscent of past historical events and requires immediate attention
Counterforce will do no good, hot you ass, I feel your power
The opposing forces are not strong enough to stop the fascist ideology
Hitler proves that funky stuff is not for you and me, girl
Referencing the past atrocities committed by Hitler fueled by fascist ideology
Europe's an unhappy land, they've had their fascist groove thang
Europe has experienced the destructive nature of fascist ideology in the past and should not allow it to happen again
Democrats are out of power, across that great wide ocean, Reagan's president elect fascist god in motion
Expressing concern over the rise of a leader with fascist tendencies in a powerful country
Generals tell him what to do, stop your good time dancing
The fascist leader is controlled by military leaders and is not concerned with people having fun
Train their guns on me and you fascist thang advancing
The growth of the fascist movement is a threat to everyone's safety
Sisters, brothers lend a hand increase our population
Encouraging people to spread awareness of the dangers of fascism and increase support for the opposition
Grab that groove thang by the throat and throw it in the ocean
A call to take action and completely eliminate the destructive influence of fascism
You're real tonight, you move my soul, let's cruise out of the dance war
Dancing is a way to express unity and move towards a better future
Come out your house and dance your dance, shake that fascist groove thang shake it
Inviting everyone to come out and dance in opposition to the fascist movement
Brothers, sisters, we don't need the fascist groove thang
The chorus repeats the message that fascism is harmful and must be opposed
Contributed by Lucas V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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