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.
Freak
Heaven 17 Lyrics
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There's a hole in me that's ten feet wide
There's a window come and look inside
Tell me everything you see
Because some very strange things have been happening to me
To he rhythm of the rain I'm exploring the pain
I slip and slide my own way through
Now I feel like I'm having a ball
I'm a ... freak
The people come and people say
Another day just thrown away
Freak
You listen up to what's been said
Shake those dreams from your sleep head
Freak
It's getting harder to be me
I feel like I'm a refugee
Freak
You're looking for someone to blame
That freak of nature's here again
I'm thrilled to discover there is a lot to forget
I've done so many things I'll never regret
The time has come to hesitate
I've got to make a move so I think I'll wait
I know I'm not stupid but I just can't see
Why everybody thinks there's something wrong with me.
There's nothing in this world can alter my direction
I need to be a freak for my own protection
Freak
The people come and people say
Another day just thrown away
Freak
You listen up to what's been said
Shake those dreams from your sleep head
Freak
It's getting harder to be me
I feel like I'm a refugee
Freak
You're looking for someone to blame
That freak of nature's here again
Listen now and listen to me
This is more or less the way it will be
You're an x and I'm a why
Just take a look up to the sky...
Around this planet shining bright
I'm just a lonely satellite
I'm as far away as far can be
I'm scared of the 21st century
Freak
The people come and people say
Another day just thrown away
Freak
You listen up to what's been said
Shake those dreams from your sleep head
Freak
It's getting harder to be me
I feel like I'm a refugee
Freak
You're looking for someone to blame
That freak of nature's here again
In the song "Freak" by Heaven 17, the singer is describing themselves as someone who is different, odd, and labeled as a freak by the society around them. The song talks about a hole that's ten feet wide and invites the listener to look inside and see the strange things happening. The singer is exploring their pain and slipping and sliding their own way through it. They feel like they're having a ball but have a head full of nothing at all. They feel like a freak, and people come and say that they have wasted another day. The singer is trying to shake the dreams from their sleep head and is finding it harder to be themselves. They feel like a refugee and are scared of the 21st century.
This song is an anthem for anyone who has ever felt like they don't fit in or are considered odd by society. It's a common feeling, and this song makes it feel okay to be different. The lyrics are relatable and speak to anyone who has ever felt out of place. The song has a catchy beat and an upbeat tone that contrasts with the darker message that it's trying to convey.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a hole in me that's ten feet wide
I feel incomplete and there's a void in my life
There's a window come and look inside
I invite you to get to know me better
Tell me everything you see
Please share your observations and insights with me
Because some very strange things have been happening to me
I've been experiencing some peculiar occurrences
To he rhythm of the rain I'm exploring the pain
In solitude, I'm examining my sorrows
I slip and slide my own way through
I navigate life in my unique manner
Now I feel like I'm having a ball
I'm enjoying myself at the moment
But I've got a head full of nothing at all
I'm confused and uncertain
I'm a ... freak
Society regards me as an anomaly
The people come and people say
I receive criticism from others
Another day just thrown away
I'm not making any progress
You listen up to what's been said
Pay attention to the words being spoken
Shake those dreams from your sleep head
Wake up and realize your aspirations
It's getting harder to be me
It's becoming increasingly difficult to be myself
I feel like I'm a refugee
I feel like an outsider in my own surroundings
You're looking for someone to blame
You're searching for a scapegoat
That freak of nature's here again
I'm here once more, much to your chagrin
I'm thrilled to discover there is a lot to forget
I'm relieved to acknowledge past mistakes can be left behind
I've done so many things I'll never regret
I've lived life to the fullest of my ability
The time has come to hesitate
It's essential to wait and reflect on my next move
I've got to make a move so I think I'll wait
I'm feeling an urge to act, but I should hold off
I know I'm not stupid but I just can't see
I'm self-aware and don't lack intelligence, but I'm perplexed
Why everybody thinks there's something wrong with me.
I don't comprehend why people see me as defective
There's nothing in this world can alter my direction
I'm resolute in my path and won't be swayed
I need to be a freak for my own protection
I embrace my uniqueness as armor in this hostile world
Listen now and listen to me
Pay attention to my words
This is more or less the way it will be
The future is somewhat predictable
You're an x and I'm a why
You're different from me
Just take a look up to the sky...
Consider the vastness of the universe
Around this planet shining bright
Reflect on the beauty that surrounds us
I'm just a lonely satellite
I feel isolated like a spaceship in orbit
I'm as far away as far can be
I'm distant and unapproachable
I'm scared of the 21st century
I'm anxious about the unpredictable future
You're looking for someone to blame
You're searching for a scapegoat once more
That freak of nature's here again
Here I am, trying to navigate my way as always
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: MARTIN WELZER, THOMAS BURCHIA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind