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.
Play to Win
Heaven 17 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Empty house, no audience
Smiles of fortune, no man master
Play to win and break the bank
Play to win
Turn professional, know your job
Be up to every trick
Make a breakthrough, strain your eyes
Play to win
Have no secrets, hear no lies
One needs a great deal more than this
Make-up master plan
Tension mars the prettiest face
Sex in fairyland
Play to win
How can you improve your life,
Obtain the unobtainable?
Boost your health, a giant refreshed
Treat rough, get tough, 10-10!
Play to win
Did you take a backseat
When your kids were small?
Suit the movement to the word
Reverse and check the action
Play to win
Suit the action to the word
Make every minute count
Match in cunning, see the cars
Step on the heels of chance
Play to win
Have no secrets, hear no lies
The lyrics to Heaven 17’s “Play to Win” can be interpreted as a call to action, encouraging listeners to seize opportunities and strive for success in every aspect of their lives. The song touches on various settings, from high-energy nightclubs to deserted homes, emphasizing that achieving one’s goals requires commitment and focus, regardless of the circumstances. The crux of the song is conveyed through the catchy chorus, which reinforces the message of the importance of playing to win and going all out.
The lyrics also suggest that success is not just about luck, but requires a willingness to learn, adapt, and work hard. Lines like “Turn professional, know your job,” and “Make every minute count” drive home the message that success comes from being prepared, diligent, and always striving for improvement. The reference to sex in fairyland adds a touch of fantasy and hedonism to the song, further emphasizing that life is about taking risks, embracing pleasure, and not being afraid of the unknown.
All in all, “Play to Win” can be seen as a motivating anthem for those seeking guidance and inspiration in their quest for success, reminding listeners to stay focused, work hard, and always strive for their dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
City clubland, theatre, dockland
Exploring the different landscapes of the city where people come from different backgrounds such as clubland, theatre, and dockland.
Empty house, no audience
Nobody around to watch or listen to your performance or speech, creating a sense of emptiness.
Smiles of fortune, no man master
Having a sense of control over one's fortune that no one can take away and not needing anyone to boss them around.
Play to win and break the bank
Take risks and play with the intention of winning big, even if it means losing everything.
Play to win
Reiterating the importance of playing to win in every aspect of life.
Turn professional, know your job
Being an expert in what you do and taking it seriously, just like a professional.
Be up to every trick
Be aware of all the tactics and strategies to outsmart your opponents.
Make a breakthrough, strain your eyes
Pushing yourself to the limit and going beyond your expectations to make progress or achieve success.
Have no secrets, hear no lies
Being honest with yourself and others, and avoiding people who lie.
One needs a great deal more than this
Challenging the notion that success or happiness can be achieved through superficial means alone.
Make-up master plan
Creating a detailed plan or strategy for achieving a goal.
Tension mars the prettiest face
Even the best-looking people can be affected by stress and anxiety.
Sex in fairyland
A reference to the idea of a perfect or idealized world, often in a romantic or sexual context.
Play to win
Again emphasizing the importance of playing to win.
How can you improve your life, Obtain the unobtainable?
Posing a question about how to achieve the impossible or make significant progress in one's life.
Boost your health, a giant refreshed
Making a significant change to improve one's physical or mental wellbeing and feeling reinvigorated as a result.
Treat rough, get tough, 10-10!
Being strong and resilient in the face of adversity, no matter how difficult the situation is.
Did you take a backseat When your kids were small?
Asking a rhetorical question that highlights the importance of prioritizing responsibilities, especially when it comes to raising children.
Suit the movement to the word
Aligning your behavior and actions to your words and intentions.
Reverse and check the action
Taking a step back to review and analyze your actions to make sure they align with your objectives.
Play to win
Reiterating the importance of playing to win in all aspects of life.
Suit the action to the word
Matching your actions to your intentions and making sure they align.
Make every minute count
Using your time wisely and making the most of every opportunity.
Match in cunning, see the cars
Being clever and strategic, and anticipating what others are going to do before they do it.
Step on the heels of chance
Taking advantage of opportunities when they arise, and being ready to seize them at any moment.
Play to win
Ending the song by emphasizing the importance of playing to win in every aspect of life.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GLENN GREGORY, IAN MARSH, MARTYN WARE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind