In late 1968, Chappell and Lovich went to London, England to attend art school. It was there that Lovich first tied her hair into the plaits that later became a visual trademark, though at first she did it to keep her hair out of the clay when studying sculpture. Expressing a variety of artistic interests, she sought to find the best outlets for her work.
Over the following decade, Lovich attended several art schools, busked around the London Underground and appeared in cabaret clubs as an "Oriental" dancer. She also travelled to Spain, where she visited Salvador Dalí in his home. She played acoustic rock music around London, sang in the mass choir of a show called Quintessence at the Royal Albert Hall, played a soldier in Arthur Brown's show, worked as a "go-go" dancer with the Radio One Roadshow, toured Italy with a West Indian soul band, and played saxophone for Bob Flag's Balloon and Banana Band and for an all-girl cabaret trio, The Sensations. She recorded screams for horror films, adapted lyrics for French disco star Cerrone (including the sci-fi dance smash "Supernature," later recorded by Lovich in her own version) and worked with various fringe theatre groups. She was also one of thousands of people in the audience at the 1972 Lanchester Arts Festival when Chuck Berry recorded the risqué "My Ding-a-Ling" for Chess Records. As the audience was encouraged to sing-a-long technically this could be described as her first appearance on record. The record was a No. 1 hit in the U.K. and the U.S.A.
In 1975, Lene joined The Diversions, a funk group that put out five singles and an album on Polydor Records without success. In 1978, disc jockey and author Charlie Gillett presented her to Stiff Records boss, Dave Robinson, who quickly signed her to a contract. Her first single for Stiff was "I Think We're Alone Now", a cover of a song originally performed by Tommy James & The Shondells.
Invited to join the Be Stiff Route 78 Tour on 1978, Lovich quickly recorded her first album for Stiff, Stateless, which spawned the remixed hit singles "Lucky Number" and "Say When." Lovich's musical style combined ethnic influences with then current punk rock and new wave.
Maintaining her long term writing partnership with Les Chappell, Lovich recorded the albums Flex and No-Man's-Land for Stiff over the next few years, as well as an EP titled New Toy, the title cut penned by touring band member Thomas Dolby. She also recorded vocals for the track 'Picnic Boy' by The Residents. Following her departure from Stiff, Lovich released "Don't Kill The Animals," a single with Nina Hagen, with whom she had previously appeared in Cha Cha, a film that also starred Herman Brood; together, the three created the film's soundtrack.
In 1989, after an absence of several years, she recorded the album, March which was only moderately successful and was not released until nearly a year after the album's single "Wonderland" had been issued and become an American dance hit. Lovich continues to perform in much the same style she did back in the 1970s and 1980s, with Les Chappell still at her side. In 2005 she appeared on Hawkwind's Take Me to Your Leader CD, as well as appearing occasionally on stage with them.
Lovich's first album since March, entitled Shadows and Dust received a limited release on Mike Thorne's Stereo Society label on September 13, 2005.
Shadow Walk
Lene Lovich Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
From the land of no body
Well attuned to you—and everything you do
In perfect harmony
Better see me when the light is right
See me when you're all alone
So cleverly timed we coincide
You and I are very much a likeness
Two together one and all
But I depend on you to make me move
Shadow walk
One weightless shape—a blatant double take
Concurrent entity
Will follow you—and everything you do
In mobile symmetry
Better see me when the lightis right
See me when you're all alone
So close in kind we always rhyme
Wherever we may go
You and I are very much a likeness
Two together one and all
But I depend on you to make me move
Shadow walk
The song "Shadow Walk" by Lene Lovich tells a story of two individuals walking side by side in perfect harmony. The lyrics paint a picture of two people who walk in parallel, their steps synchronized to the point of being an "echo so correct." These individuals are so in tune with each other, that they have become one entity; a "likeness" that is inseparable. The use of the phrase "shadow walk" in the chorus of the song emphasizes the idea of a constant and unbreakable connection between these two individuals.
The lyrics suggest that one of the individuals is dependent on the other to make them move, creating a sense of codependency. It seems that this other person is the leader or guide for the "shadow walker." The song also hints at a deeper and possibly romantic connection between the two individuals, as they are described as being "better see me when you're all alone" and "so close in kind we always rhyme."
Overall, the song "Shadow Walk" by Lene Lovich is a beautiful and mysterious portrayal of a deep emotional connection between two individuals, their souls intertwined in perfect harmony.
Line by Line Meaning
Parallel in step—an echo so correct
Our movements are in sync like a perfectly timed echo.
From the land of no body
We are formless beings from an unknown place.
Well attuned to you—and everything you do
We are closely connected to you and your actions.
In perfect harmony
Our synchronization is flawless and seamless.
Better see me when the light is right
My presence is more visible in the right lighting conditions.
See me when you're all alone
I am more noticeable when there are no distractions around.
So cleverly timed we coincide
Our timing of appearances together is impeccably planned.
Wherever we may go
We appear together no matter where we travel.
You and I are very much a likeness
We are very similar in appearance and nature.
Two together one and all
We are two entities but function as one.
But I depend on you to make me move
I am powerless without your presence and actions to guide me.
Shadow walk
Our synchronized movements create a shadow, appearing to be one entity.
Contributed by Taylor Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Skeeter NYC
Great slide show. I love Lene but unfortunately that last album from a year or two ago I found to be very disappointing. I also love Chrissie, Siouxsie and Nina. Love the B&W shot from Creem magazine.
Stink Fistula
Once again. Bravo!!!
Gar Lowe
holy carp that was awesome!! someone called Lene the "grandmother of Goth" ... sooo delicious!! thank you for posting this!!
odyshape odyshape
Nina Hagen is no friend of Lene anymore since ages. Nina has stolen everything from Lene: The dress-styles, the quirky sound and the singing skills. Nina never mentions Lene anymore as major influence, although she was just her profiteer; she ignores Lene through & through. Lene makes still good music now, Nina never really did. (Pat, Switzerland)
5950155
luv
edmund184
Nina Hagen is as mad as a brush
solwolfpunk
@patcharisma I was not aware of that. I thought Lene and Nina were friends. I saw a recent interview in which Lene said that she would like to work with Nina Hagen again.
5950155
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