The band was founded in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire in 1979 as a four piece avant-garde instrumental group called Art Nouveau, with Nick Beggs on bass guitar, Steve Askew on lead guitar, Stuart Neale on keyboards and Jez Strode on drums. Art Nouveau released a track called "The Fear Machine". The single sold a few hundred copies, and was played on the John Peel show, but the band could not get a record deal.
In 1981, they advertised for and auditioned lead singers, and finally chose Christopher Hamill. He made his profile, and therefore that of the band, catchier by using an anagram of his surname for his stage name, becoming Limahl. The name of the band was then changed to Kajagoogoo. Writing out the phonetics of a baby's first sounds gave them "GagaGooGoo". With a little bit of "casual" alteration it became Kajagoogoo.
The band attracted the interest of three record labels (and Duran Duran's Nick Rhodes) while performing at the Embassy Club in London. The band was signed to EMI in July of 1982, and Rhodes was signed to produce their first album, White Feathers. The debut single "Too Shy" was released in January of 1983 and went to the top of the charts (before any of Duran Duran's singles had done so, Rhodes noted ruefully). Follow-up releases "Ooh to Be Ah" and "Hang on Now" both reached the UK top twenty as well.
The band fired Limahl in 1983 after a huge disagreement, with Beggs taking over as singer, but the hits dried up completely. They tried a relaunch as Kaja in 1985 which failed, and they broke up for good in 1986.
Limahl enjoyed a briefly successful solo career, scoring a hit with the movie theme song "Neverending Story" in 1984.
The band briefly joined forces again on VH1's Bands Reunited (26 January 2004, Season 1, Episode 6) and performed at the Scala club in London, England for the show.
In 2007, Nick Beggs, Steve Askew and Stuart Neale continued to play together as Kajagoogoo.
June 24th, 2007 saw the release of "Rocket Boy" the first Kajagoogoo single in 22 years. The single received airplay on Steve Wright's Radio 2 show in the UK.
In September 2007 Kajagoogoo performed the opening set with other 1980s acts at Retrofest at Culzean Castle in Ayrshire, Scotland.
Kajagoogoo is back!
They have since formally reunited. In February 2008, Kajagoogoo, under new manager Bradley Snelling, announced their reunion. on April 7, 2008 a new contract was signed with all of the original band members, Nick Beggs on bass guitar, Steve Askew on lead guitar, Stuart Neale on keyboards, Jez Strode on drums and Limahl on vocals bringing the band back together officially for the first time in 25 years.
Kajagoogoo are back! and a new website Kajagoogoo has been launched! An entire Free Album "Gone to the Moon" and tracks can be downloaded at their offical website, www.kajagoogoo.com
The website was created to mark the reformation of all original 5 band members, Nick, Limahl, Jez, Steve and Stuart.
Here you will find all the latest information on the band, live dates, band member info as well as some official Kajagoogoo goodies, mp3's, photos, downloads and more!
Frayo
Kajagoogoo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Stop!
Don't move!
He's got a gun on you.
Halt!
He's armed...
It's military rule.
Don't be frightened!
Don't be scared!
Everything is fair...
(VERSE 2)
You... will obey:
It's what the people want.
Speak... out of turn:
Well, you just simply can't.
(BRIDGE 2)
But you're equal...
And you share...
Everything is fair...
(CHORUS)
But we eh eh are frayo...!
We eh eh are frayo...!
We eh eh are frayo...!
(VERSE 3)
Work! For the land!
A much desired way.
You'd get more... on Mars...
And probably better pay...
(BRIDGE 1 REPEAT)
Don't be frightened!
Don't be scared!
Everything is fair...
(VERSE 4)
Here the choice...
It's ours!
Oh! How lucky we are...
To decide... for ourselves...
Or wishing on a star.
(BRIDGE 2 REPEAT)
But you're equal...
And you share...
Everything is fair...
(CHORUS 2)
But we eh eh are frayo...
We eh eh are frayo...
We eh eh are frayo...
We eh eh are frayo...
We eh eh are frayo...
We eh eh are frayo...
(INSTRUMENTAL MIDDLE BREAK)
(FINAL CHORUS)
We eh eh are frayo...
(REPEAT TO FADE)
The lyrics of Kajagoogoo's song 'Frayo' appear to be a commentary on the oppression of military rule and the loss of personal freedoms that come with it. The opening lines urge the listener to stop and be aware of the danger they are in, with a gun pointed at them. It then emphasizes the idea of military rule, where one must obey without question, and speaking out of turn is not permitted. The bridge reassures the listener that everything is fair and not to be frightened, but this feels like a hollow reassurance given the subject matter.
The third verse focuses on the idea of work for the land, but the promised benefits of working being more on Mars with a better pay seem to be a utopian ideal rather than something achievable under the current system. The final verse emphasizes the power of choice, with the lucky ones being able to make their own decisions rather than 'wishing on a star'. The chorus uses the term 'frayo' repeatedly, though it's unclear what this means specifically. It could be a made-up term or a reference to something cultural or political.
Overall, the lyrics of 'Frayo' seem to be making a statement about the dangers of military rule and the importance of personal freedoms and choice. While some of the lyrics feel somewhat vague or opaque, the overall message of the song is clear and poignant.
Line by Line Meaning
Stop!
Cease movement immediately!
Don't move!
Remain still and calm.
He's got a gun on you.
An individual with a firearm is present and aiming it towards you.
Halt!
Stop! Do not proceed any further.
He's armed...
The individual possesses weaponry.
It's military rule.
The laws and regulations in place are controlled by the military.
Don't be frightened!
There is no reason to be scared or alarmed.
Don't be scared!
There is no need to feel fear.
Everything is fair...
All is just and egalitarian.
You... will obey:
Submission is required of you.
It's what the people want.
The desires of the masses are prioritized.
Speak... out of turn:
Speaking in a manner not approved by authority figures is not permitted.
Well, you just simply can't.
It is not possible for you to do so.
But you're equal...
Everyone is equivalent in status and rights.
And you share...
Cooperation and community are valued.
Work! For the land!
Engage in labor for the benefit of the country.
A much desired way.
An occupation deemed desirable by society.
You'd get more... on Mars...
Wages and benefits would be superior on another planet.
And probably better pay...
These superior wages would likely be accompanied by increased salary.
Here the choice...
The decision is yours...
It's ours!
We possess autonomy over the situation.
Oh! How lucky we are...
What fortunate circumstances we find ourselves in...
To decide... for ourselves...
To select our own course based on our own beliefs...
Or wishing on a star.
To desire and yearn for the improbable or impossible.
We eh eh are frayo...
We are unique and individual, each with our own set of desires and goals.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CHRISTOPHER HAMILL, JEREMY STRODE, NICK BEGGS, STEPHEN ASKEW, STEVEN ASKEW, STUART CROXFORD NEALE, STUART JOHN NEALE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
bandit
Limahl was fired before the album "Islands"