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.
Sleeping Beauty
Lene Lovich Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mould me - fold me, shape my body
You can improve me
Rebuild a new me
Heat up or cool me
But don't forget to wake me in time
You know I had a lot on my mind
I wonder what the future will bring
Fix me - mix me
Re-arrange me - change my body
Make it so pretty
They can't resist me
Queue up to kiss me
But don't forget to wake me in time
You know I got to be first in line
This sensitive child is changing her style
The ugly duck is starting to smile
Open up your eyes, you sleeping beauties must arise
You're shaping up just fine
So climb inside a brand new life
Instrumental verse
But don't forget to wake me in time
You know I had a lot on my mind
These tired old eyes await a surprise
I wonder what the future will bring
This twilight seems like an eternity
The changes I go thru are hurting me
Do we become what we deserve to be?
Open up your eyes - you sleeping beauties must arise
You're shaping up just fine
So climb inside a brand new life
In Lene Lovich’s song Sleeping Beauty, the singer appears to be searching for a fresh start and is willing to undergo significant changes to improve themselves. The song seems to express a desire for transformation, whether it be physical or emotional. The lyrics suggest a willingness to be moulded or rebuilt, with the lines “take me - make me” and “fix me - mix me”. The singer is seeking a new version of themselves, one that will be more attractive and appealing to others.
There is a sense of anticipation throughout the song, as the singer wonders what the future will bring for this new, improved version of themselves. They express a desire to be first in line and to be irresistible to others, wanting their transformation to be noticed and admired. There is also a sense of urgency as the singer reminds their listener not to forget to wake them in time, indicating that they don’t want to miss out on any opportunities that might come their way.
Towards the end of the song, the singer expresses some doubts about the transformative journey they’re on. They ask if we become what we deserve to be and suggest that the changes they’re undergoing are hurting them. Despite this, the song ends on a hopeful note, with the singer encouraging themselves and others to open up their eyes and take advantage of the new opportunities that come with a brand new life.
Line by Line Meaning
Take me - make me
Give me direction and purpose in life, mold me into the person you want me to be
Mould me - fold me, shape my body
Mold and shape my physical form to make me more appealing and attractive
You can improve me
I am open to suggestions for self-improvement and personal growth
Rebuild a new me
Help me transform into a better version of myself
Heat up or cool me
Emotionally stimulate me, keep me engaged and interested
But don't forget to wake me in time
Don't let me stagnate or become complacent, remind me to stay alert and active
You know I had a lot on my mind
I am preoccupied with my own thoughts and concerns
These tired old eyes await a surprise
I am looking for something new and exciting to happen in my life
I wonder what the future will bring
I am curious and optimistic about what lies ahead
Fix me - mix me
Guide me through changes and improvements, mix and match different parts to create a better version of me
Re-arrange me - change my body
Rearrange the way I think, feel, and behave to create a new and improved version of myself
Make it so pretty
Help me enhance my physical appearance to become more attractive and desirable
They can't resist me
With your help, I will become so appealing that others can't resist me
Queue up to kiss me
Everyone will want to be with me and shower me with affection
This sensitive child is changing her style
I am a sensitive person who is open to trying new things and changing my habits and style
The ugly duck is starting to smile
My transformation has helped me become more confident and happy with myself
Open up your eyes, you sleeping beauties must arise
Wake up and start living your life to the fullest, don't let it pass you by
You're shaping up just fine
You are making progress towards becoming the best version of yourself
So climb inside a brand new life
Embrace the changes happening in your life and start living it to the fullest
This twilight seems like an eternity
The current state of my life feels like it will never end
The changes I go thru are hurting me
The process of change and self-improvement can be painful and difficult
Do we become what we deserve to be?
Are we in control of our own destiny or is it predetermined?
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY
Written by: CHAPPELL LOVICH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
MysticMan
Won of my all time favorites by Lene! Thanks for bringing back the memories!
Kevin Sissons
Genius in its simplicity.
smeltriver09
Stunning! Totally stunning to hear this, after so many years!
Nigel Rowbotham
I feel 18 again. Love you Lene Lovich!
Spacious_Recroom
I had such a crush on her when I was 12. Listened to this album constantly. :-)
Fauntleroy
My parents had this record. Epic, haunting song. #iconic
EfiKefi
This is great!!!
Jon V. Thorsteinsson
So much talent, so much art, nothing comes close even today.
arcudos
The album was released in 1978 .
EfiKefi
Brilliant!