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.
If I were you
Heaven 17 Lyrics
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It seems so far away
When you and I were strangers moving close together
Sometimes it seems
It's almost like a dream
Driving across the country and the road is endless
Don't wait until tomorrow
I'd lead and wouldn't follow
Walk away - today
If I were you - please listen
Walk away - I'd say
If I were you 'go away'
The first of June
The summer came too soon
But from the day we met I knew you'd never go away
Sometimes I feel
The passion's not so real
Finding it strange to be together, not alone
If I were you
I'd smile and close the door
I'd never ask for more
Walk away - don't stay
If I were you - believe me
Walk away - I'd say
If I were you 'go away'
Fourth of July
With an independent sigh
I think the time's arrived to take what's going to happen
Wise men may say
It's easier to stay
But if you are there I'm only wasting time
If I were you
I know I'd want to hurt me
It wouldn't disconcert me
Walk away - I'd pray
If I were you - I'd leave me
Walk away - today
If I were you - please listen
Walk away - don't stay
If I were you - believe me
Walk away - I'd pray
If I were you - I'd leave me
Walk away
Walk away
Walk away
Walk away
I'd leave if I were you
The lyrics of Heaven 17's "If I Were You" tell a story of an unhealthy relationship that has lost its passion and is no longer fulfilling for either party. The song is segmented into three different dates, the tenth of May, the first of June, and the fourth of July, with each date representing a stage in the relationship.
The opening line, "The tenth of May, it seems so far away," symbolizes the beginning of the relationship, when the couple just met and was "moving close together." It's clear that the couple in this song was initially intrigued with each other, but quickly lost interest, which is represented in the lines, "Sometimes I feel the passion's not so real/ Finding it strange to be together, not alone."
The song's chorus, "If I were you, I'd walk away today," shows that the singer recognizes the toxicity of the relationship and encourages their partner to leave. The final verse, "If I were you, I know I'd want to hurt me/It wouldn't disconcert me/Walk away, I'd pray/If I were you, I'd leave me," represents the singer's acknowledgement that they are not good for their partner and encourages them to move on.
In summary, Heaven 17's "If I Were You" is a vivid portrayal of a stagnant relationship and the need for one of the partners to leave. The song's melancholic sound reflects the relationship's lack of passion and highlights the importance of recognizing when it's time to move on.
Line by Line Meaning
The tenth of may
Reflecting on a particular date in the past
It seems so far away
Although it was some time ago, it still feels distant
When you and I were strangers moving close together
Recalling a time when the singer and their lover were just getting to know each other
Sometimes it seems
Occasionally the artist has thoughts and feelings that contradict their current reality
It's almost like a dream
Everything the artist experienced back then is so different from their current situation that it feels like a dream or a distant memory
Driving across the country and the road is endless
Setting the scene of a long and seemingly never-ending journey
If I were you
Putting oneself in someone else's shoes
Don't wait until tomorrow
Making a plea to take action now and not put it off until later
I'd lead and wouldn't follow
If the artist were in their lover's position, they would be decisive and take charge
Walk away - today
Encouraging the listener to leave the situation immediately
If I were you - please listen
Reiterating that the singer has considered what the listener should do and is offering advice
Walk away - I'd say
Emphasizing the importance of leaving the situation
If I were you 'go away'
If the singer were their lover, they would tell themselves to leave
The first of June
Referring to a particular date in the past
The summer came too soon
Expressing surprise at how quickly the time has passed and how the seasons have changed
But from the day we met I knew you'd never go away
The artist felt a deep connection with their lover from the start and knew that they would be together for a long time
Sometimes I feel
The artist occasionally experiences certain emotions
The passion's not so real
The feeling of passion between the singer and their lover has diminished somewhat
Finding it strange to be together, not alone
It's taking some time for the singer to get used to being in a relationship instead of being alone
I'd smile and close the door
If the artist were their lover, they would smile and end the relationship
I'd never ask for more
The artist would not want anything to prolong or complicate the situation
Walk away - don't stay
Encouraging the listener to leave without hesitation
If I were you - believe me
The singer is confident in their advice and wants the listener to trust them
If I were you
Imagining oneself in someone else's position
I know I'd want to hurt me
If the singer were their lover, they would be angry and want to inflict pain on them
It wouldn't disconcert me
The singer would not be surprised or upset by their lover's desire for revenge
Walk away - I'd pray
Urging the listener to leave the situation and hoping that they will be safe
I'd leave if I were you
Advising the listener to follow their instincts and leave the situation as soon as possible
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: GLENN GREGORY, IAN MARSH, MARTYN WARE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind