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.
Contenders
Heaven 17 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We build it up, you knock it down
If you go high then we'll go higher
Beyond the sky without a sound all around
We've won, we've lost, we've counted up the cost
And we've evened out the scores we are contenders
These words of truth come from above
In God we trust and he has told me
I need you now and I'm talking love
We want a piece of what you're selling
Put up your hands and face the wall
How much it costs there is no telling
How much it costs to walk so small, and we're so tall
In truth we dare, we people just don't care
We've got you running scared we are contenders
You're black, or white, Arab, Christian, Israelite
We are hiding in plain sight we are contenders
Don't bother asking for a favor
I always get all that I want
Though some are foolish we are braver
Than those who do not have a bomb
Forget the turning of the seasons
Let's escalate and never stop
And yes we've talked but for no reason
Let's start again right from the top, countdown
10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
Got the world on a string but it ain't got that swing
You speed it up we slow it down
A frontier wilder than the West ever was
No sheriff round this outlaw town
So Superman if you're listening
Help us out you're on the team
For truth and justice, the American way
The fight for right's not what it seems with laser beams
With gun and sword there is no reward
But we're fighting on we are contenders
We've won, we've lost and we've counted up the cost
And we've evened out the scores we are contenders
You're Black, or White, Arab, Christian, Israelite
We are hiding in plain sight we are contenders
No virgin birth is going to claim the earth
We know what you're worth we are contenders
The song "Contenders" by Heaven 17 reads like a group of people who are determined to take over the world. They talk about stopping the world from turning, going higher beyond the sky without a sound. They're not scared to take on anything or anyone, hence they're called "contenders." They believe they have won and lost and evened out the scores. They want a piece of what others are selling, stating that they're hiding in plain sight. In their minds, they're brave, brave enough to have a bomb.
The lines "In God we trust and he has told me I need you now and I'm talking love," suggest that they might just be a cult. They make reference to the American way, stating that the fight for right's not what it seems with laser beams. The lyrics are cryptic and somewhat confusing. They talk about ignoring natural phenomena such as the turning of seasons and escalating with no stop. They end on a note that no virgin birth is going to claim the earth, and they know what you're worth. As a whole, the song seems to be intended to create an ominous and sinister atmosphere.
Line by Line Meaning
We're going to stop this world from turning
We want to stop the world from changing, to maintain our power and control.
We build it up, you knock it down
We construct society with our own interests in mind, and others' attempts to change that threaten us.
If you go high then we'll go higher, Beyond the sky without a sound all around
We will always assert our dominance, even if it means going beyond what seems possible.
We've won, we've lost, we've counted up the cost, And we've evened out the scores we are contenders
We have faced challenges and losses in our quest for power, but we have persevered and consider ourselves top contenders for control.
I'm telling you so pay attention, These words of truth come from above, In God we trust and he has told me, I need you now and I'm talking love
We use religious rhetoric to legitimize our agenda and win over followers, but really what we want is their obedience in helping us maintain power.
We want a piece of what you're selling, Put up your hands and face the wall, How much it costs there is no telling, How much it costs to walk so small, and we're so tall
We demand access to others' resources and subservience to our needs, without concern for their well-being.
In truth we dare, we people just don't care, We've got you running scared we are contenders
We are willing to take risks and pursue our goals without regard for others, causing fear and intimidation.
You're black, or white, Arab, Christian, Israelite, We are hiding in plain sight we are contenders
We will manipulate and exploit people of any race, religion, or nationality to achieve our power, and our influence is often unnoticed or unrecognized.
Don't bother asking for a favor, I always get all that I want, Though some are foolish we are braver, Than those who do not have a bomb
We have no regard for others' needs, taking what we want regardless of consequences. We believe our access to weapons makes us brave and more prepared than others.
Forget the turning of the seasons, Let's escalate and never stop, And yes we've talked but for no reason, Let's start again right from the top, countdown
We want to continue to escalate conflicts and maintain a position of power, disregarding the natural order and all previous agreements.
Got the world on a string but it ain't got that swing, You speed it up we slow it down, A frontier wilder than the West ever was, No sheriff round this outlaw town
We believe we are in control of the world, but we resist any attempts to change it, and our rule is lawless and unrestricted.
So Superman if you're listening, Help us out you're on the team, For truth and justice, the American way, The fight for right's not what it seems with laser beams
We seek to align ourselves with powerful, heroic symbols to gain legitimacy and influence. In reality, our pursuit of right is violent and ruthless.
With gun and sword there is no reward, But we're fighting on we are contenders
We are willing to use any means necessary to maintain our power, even though our actions have no true benefit or end goal.
No virgin birth is going to claim the earth, We know what you're worth we are contenders
We reject the idea of any higher power or morality, only valuing our own authority and influence as the ultimate measure of worth.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: GLENN GREGORY, MARTYN WARE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind