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.
Crushed By The Wheels Of Industry
Heaven 17 Lyrics
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We'll watch TV and analyse the weather
Before we go to work we'll have planned the day ahead
We'll while away the working day together
Work all day or work all night it's all the same
If you want to play
Some are nurses
Some steal purses
Some are not
It is time for a party
Liberation for the nation now!
Crushed by the wheels of industry
There's a party going on that's going to change the way we live
but how do we know we've even been invited
Now the invitation's waiting and the table is reserved
So just play it cool and don't get excited
Work all day or work all night it's all the same
Will we ever change
It's vocation or vacation
Some are workers
some are not
It is time for a party
Syncopation for the nation now
Crushed by the wheels of industry
Breaking in the future just before the week is up
They can do it but it's going to take some money
Have what you desire if and when you see the fact
They will lead us to the land of milk and honey
Work all day or work all night it's all the same
If you want the pay
Some drive tankers
Some are bankers
Some are workers
Some are not
It is time for a party
Liberation for the nation now!
The lyrics of Heaven 17's song "Crushed By the Wheels of Industry" suggest a commentary on the nature of work and its impact on individuals and society as a whole. The song paints a picture of a world in which work is all-consuming, with a bleak outlook that transcends class and profession. The opening lines of the song, "Call me in the morning just before the breakfast show / We'll watch TV and analyze the weather," depict a routine of daily life that is rooted in mundane tasks without a clear sense of purpose. Despite the monotony, the song implies that there is still a deeper desire for connection, as the singer and their companion "while away the working day together."
As the song progresses, the lyrics take on a more hopeful tone, as they suggest that a party is going on, "that's going to change the way we live." However, the singer also questions whether they are truly invited, or if this sense of liberation is just a cruel illusion. The song asks whether we will ever be able to escape the crushing cycle of work, and if so, what that means for us as individuals and as a society.
Overall, "Crushed By the Wheels of Industry" is a poignant reflection on the impact of work on our lives, and the hope for something more meaningful beyond the drudgery of the daily grind.
Line by Line Meaning
Call me in the morning just before the breakfast show
Let's start our day together by discussing things before going to work
We'll watch TV and analyse the weather
Before going to our respective jobs, we'll spend some time relaxing and discussing the day's weather
Before we go to work we'll have planned the day ahead
We'll prepare ourselves and plan our day ahead before actually starting the work
We'll while away the working day together
We'll make the most of our time at work by spending it together
Work all day or work all night it's all the same
The nature of work doesn't matter, as it can be done at any time
If you want to play
If you want to do something enjoyable and recreational
Some are nurses
Some people work as nurses
Some steal purses
Some people engage in criminal activities
Some are workers
Some people work for a living
Some are not
Some people are not involved in any kind of work
It is time for a party
It's time to celebrate and have some fun
Liberation for the nation now!
It's time to free ourselves from the monotonous routines of life and celebrate together
Crushed by the wheels of industry
We are oppressed and burdened by the constant demands and expectations of the industrial world
There's a party going on that's going to change the way we live
There's a revolution taking place that will bring about a change in society
but how do we know we've even been invited
We are unsure whether we are a part of this revolution or not
Now the invitation's waiting and the table is reserved
We have been invited and the opportunity to participate is waiting for us
So just play it cool and don't get excited
We need to approach this revolution in a calm and collected manner to ensure its success
It's vocation or vacation
We need to decide whether we want to live a life full of work or fun
Syncopation for the nation now
Let's synchronize and work together for the betterment of our society
Breaking in the future just before the week is up
We need to work hard today to secure a better future before the end of the week
They can do it but it's going to take some money
We have the ability to change the world, but it requires some investment
Have what you desire if and when you see the fact
We need to recognize the opportunities and seize them in order to achieve our goals
They will lead us to the land of milk and honey
The rewards of our hard work and dedication will be plentiful and satisfying
Some drive tankers
Some people are employed as drivers of commercial vehicles
Some are bankers
Some people work in financial institutions as bankers
It is time for a party
It's time to celebrate and have some fun
Liberation for the nation now!
It's time to free ourselves from the monotonous routines of life and celebrate together
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GLEN GREGORY, IAN MARSH, MARTYN WARE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind