Over their career, the group has been very influential on American electropop and freestyle artists from both their music and their strident, colorful visuals, being best known for their 1988 self-titled album. The band was formed in Minneapolis in the early 80s, and they performed avant-garde electronic music with flourishes of hip-hop. In 1983, they independently released two albums, 'The InSoc EP' and 'Creatures Of Influence'. Two years later, they released "Running", their first single, which became a hit popular in New York City's Latino nightclubs and "put them on the map". That song, a 7-minute effort that touched on contemporary techno, was written and sung by Murat Konar, who left the band soon after. Their growing success led them from their native Minneapolis to NYC, and the ensuing revenues and contacts, as well as the addition of Amanda Kramer to the lineup, led them to record their proper debut album.
Their first major release album. 1988's 'Information Society', received critical acclaim, giving the group breakout commercial success as the album hiked up to #25 on the Billboard 200. In addition to "What's On Your Mind (Pure Energy)" (which hit #3 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart), the album also had other hits in "Walking Away" (#9 on that chart) and a cover of ABBA's "Lay All Your Love On Me" (#12 on the Hot Dance Music chart). The disc was one of the few to use CD+G, which included digital graphics on the compact disc version in addition to the music. The audio samples from Star Trek were authorized for use on the album partially thanks to the efforts of Adam Nimoy, a fan of the band and son of Star Trek's Leonard Nimoy.
The second release, Hack (1990), wasn't as successful, but had small hits with Think and How Long but still managed to sell quite well in the fall of 1990.
Kurt was also the owner of the heavily-modified The Road Warrior-inspired art car named "Vector" featured on the cover of Hack. The car sported a functioning ranging laser, among other unusual features. Vector was eventually given to a friend at Burning Man in the mid-1990s.
The third release, Peace & Love, Inc. (1992), proved to be more powerful and critically acclaimed, although their label failed to do much to promote them. Their first single Peace & Love, Inc. reached #1 on the 'Billboard Dance Chart'. A music video was produced for the track, but MTV declined to play it. The album is also notable for being perhaps the first album ever produced to contain a track of modem tones, which when played into a telephone connected to a computer resulted in a bonus text message from the band.
The fourth album, Don't Be Afraid (1997), written and performed by Kurt Harland alone and produced by Steven Seibold, was more industrial-driven. Cleopatra Records released the album, but - like Tommy Boy Records - did little to promote it. Harland's love of computer-related materials continued to be evident, as the album included a CD-ROM filled with bonus material, not yet a common occurrence in 1997.
There was also a carefully-orchestrated digital scavenger hunt culminating in the discovery of a bonus track called White Roses. The scavenger hunt began with decoding a modem's signal recorded at the end of the audio CD, resulting in a text message from Kurt which pointed the way to a website where the search began. There is also a cover included of Gary Numan's Are 'Friends' Electric?. Also included is Ozar Midrashim, a track which was later used as the main theme for the videogame Legacy of Kain - Soul Reaver.
During the course of those four albums and about a dozen remix singles from them, Information Society's sound went from more electronic pop music to a darker industrial type, though they will always be remembered for their first hit song and the cardboard guitars they wielded in its music video.
However, in 2006 Paul Robb and James Cassidy announced their intention to re-form Information Society, and began working on a new album. They also performed live at several venues across the US with Christopher Anton as lead vocalist. The Ep "Oscillator" was released in early 2007 followed by the album Synthesizer in late 2007. Christopher Anton provided the vocals on Oscillator, and Synthesizer and was the co-writer on several of the tracks as well.
http://informationsociety.us/
How Long
Information Society Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
the night that i first said i'm leaving
hoping
you would change my mind
i lay my head upon your knes and
whispered please but inside i was
leaving
i'm the leaving kind
this longing has no end
how long
'til you and i can be together
how long
until we see this through
how long
untill we know that this is forever
'til i say i love you
should i say i love you
can i say i love you
we've got to see this through
and when the burning leaves are falling
i can always hear you calling
fearing
that we are losing ground
but in our secret hearts we're knowing
our love is winter and it's snowing
falling
comfort coming down
i cut put you off forever
this longing has no end
advertising lasts a lifetime
if not now, then when?
The song "How Long" by Information Society is a melancholic reflection on a relationship that has reached a crossroads. The singer remembers a specific winter evening when they first mentioned leaving, hoping that their partner would change their mind. Despite pleading with them, the singer ultimately decides to end the relationship, believing that they are the "leaving kind." However, they are still consumed by a longing for their former partner, wondering how long it will take before they can be together again and questioning whether they should say "I love you" once more.
Throughout the song, there is a sense of uncertainty and hesitancy on the part of the singer. They are torn between their desire to be with their partner and a fear of committing to a relationship that may not last. Despite this tension, there is also a recognition that the love between them is strong and enduring, symbolized by the falling winter snow. The final line of the song, "advertising lasts a lifetime, if not now, then when?" suggests that the singer realizes that they can't wait forever to resolve their issues and express their feelings.
Overall, "How Long" is a poignant and introspective exploration of the complexities of love and relationships. It captures the conflicting emotions and doubts that can arise when two people try to navigate the challenges of staying together.
Line by Line Meaning
do you recall that winter evening
The singer is asking if the listener remembers a specific night in the past.
the night that i first said i'm leaving
On that night, the singer told the listener that they were leaving.
hoping you would change my mind
The singer shared their intentions of leaving with the hope of the other person changing their mind about it.
i lay my head upon your knes and whispered please but inside i was leaving
The artist physically begged the other person not to let them go, but mentally, they had already made up their mind to leave.
i'm the leaving kind
The artist recognizes that they have a tendency to leave in relationships.
i could put you off forever
this longing has no end
The singer could delay their departure indefinitely because their longing for the relationship has no end.
how long
til you and i can be together
how long
until we see this through
how long
untill we know that this is forever
til i say i love you
should i say i love you
can i say i love you
we've got to see this through
The singer wants to know how long it will take for them and the other person to be together, resolve their issues, be sure that their love is forever, and confess their love to each other. They ultimately feel that they need to work on this relationship and see it through to the end.
and when the burning leaves are falling
i can always hear you calling
fearing
that we are losing ground
but in our secret hearts we're knowing
our love is winter and it's snowing
falling
comfort coming down
During a difficult time in the relationship, the artist hears the other person's voice calling out to them. Although they fear they are losing their connection, they both know deep down that their love is present and strong enough to provide comfort even in a cold or challenging season.
advertising lasts a lifetime
if not now, then when?
The artist asks a rhetorical question about seizing opportunities while they have the chance. They are implying that they should take action in the present instead of waiting for the future because advertising, which represents missed opportunities, has a lasting impact.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@chitrumbo112
The roller skates, the Mad Max car, the samples....Hack is one of my favorites. 🖖
@supernaturalflavor
These songs should be re-released for the younger generations. This was one of the first albums I ever bought. I had an abusive and neglectful family but this album was one the things that made me feel like myself, like the world was full of awesome things that I'd experience one day. I also bought Roxette, INXS, and The Pet Shop Boys, and The Cars. The effect of the guys melodies over the elecctronic drums made it feel really special.
@Feluco
Tuesday, February 19, 2024. I just heard it on a radio station in Rio de Janeiro and I hadn't heard this song in about 20 years!
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terça-feira, 19 de fevereiro de 2024. Acabei de ouvir numa estação de rádio do Rio de Janeiro e fazia uns 20 anos que eu não ouvia essa música!
@juniorbachmann6245
Que saudades dessa época. Tempo bom que não volta mais. 1991. Os anos 80 e 90 deixaram muitas saudades
@birainsoc
This song was a big hit in Brazil in 1991. Thanks for posting, Tommy Boy.
@outsiderbr1
Graças à exaustiva exibição na MTV, sempre nos primeiros lugares do Disk e do Top 20, na época apresentados pela Astrid! Bons tempos! Não à toa tantos comentários em português.
@me_and_me_
https://youtu.be/oKES6Gjk4RM
@birainsoc
@@me_and_me_ ????????
@moisessoares5904
Bom pra caraleo
@fabiolacrispim5251
Verdade