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/
This Way Tonight
Information Society Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can think about you all day
I got a feeling that is taking over, mind is reeling
And I can't define the need but it's in my way
I got time to take what is mine
You are it, I know we can fit
There's nothing stopping me so come on baby can't you see
I got something to show you
I don't wanna know you
I just wanna feel this way tonight
I don't wanna play you
I go all the way too
I just wanna feel this way tonight
I'm not trying to play any game
You can call me by any name
It's not about the rest, it's only about being blessed
So just pretend that it's a test and don't be ashamed
I got something to show you
I don't wanna know you
I just wanna feel this way tonight
I don't wanna play you
I go all the way too
I just wanna feel this way tonight
I just wanna feel this way tonight
I go all the way
I just wanna feel
I got something to show you
I don't wanna know you
I just wanna feel this way tonight
I don't wanna play you
I go all the way too
I just wanna feel this way tonight
I got something to show you
I don't wanna know you
I got something to show you
I don't wanna know you
The lyrics to Information Society's song "This Way Tonight" are about a person who has developed feelings for someone they have seen "out round the way." They cannot stop thinking about this person and the feeling is taking over their mind, even though they cannot quite define it. The person has time to pursue this feeling and wants to make the other person theirs. They have a "fever" that is plaguing them and they need a fix.
The lyrics also describe the singer's intentions: they do not want to play games and they do not care about anyone else besides the person they are pursuing. The singer just wants to feel the way they do tonight, and they want the other person to feel the same. The lyrics also imply that the singer wants the other person to pretend it's a test and not feel ashamed.
Overall, the lyrics of "This Way Tonight" convey a sense of yearning and passion for another person, as well as a desire for a physical and emotional connection.
Line by Line Meaning
I have seen you out round the way
I have come across you in the neighborhood
I can think about you all day
I can't stop thinking about you, even for a moment
I got a feeling that is taking over, mind is reeling
I am overwhelmed by emotions and thoughts about you
And I can't define the need but it's in my way
I can't explain my desire for you, but it's hindering me
I got time to take what is mine
I have the opportunity to pursue what I want
You are it, I know we can fit
You are the one I want, and I think we could be together
There's nothing stopping me so come on baby can't you see
I am determined to make you mine, so please notice me
I got a fever plaguing me and I need a fix
I am consumed by a passion for you and I need to satisfy it
I got something to show you
I have something to offer you
I don't wanna know you
It's not important to me who you are, I just want this feeling
I just wanna feel this way tonight
I just want to experience these emotions for a brief moment
I don't wanna play you
I don't want to deceive or manipulate you
I go all the way too
I am willing to commit and do whatever it takes
I'm not trying to play any game
I am being genuine and sincere
You can call me by any name
I don't care how you refer to me, as long as you notice me
It's not about the rest, it's only about being blessed
It's not about anyone else, it's just about having the good fortune to be with you
So just pretend that it's a test and don't be ashamed
Just think of this as a challenge or opportunity, and don't feel embarrassed or hesitant
Contributed by Nolan Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.