He adopted his stage name (an anagram of his surname) at the time he was recruited by the existing members of Kajagoogoo. An advert was placed in a music magazine asking for a 'front man who could sing and look good'. Soon after he had joined, the group released their first single "Too Shy" which went to number one in the UK charts and the top five on the Billboard Hot 100.
However, Limahl never enjoyed good relationships with the rest of the band, and later in 1983, the others in the band fired him after an acrimonious dispute. Defenders of Limahl claim that the band struggled with fame and Limahl's popularity was proving too much of a diversion from the music. Limahl accused the others of being jealous and told the press that "I've been betrayed!" and that "I was sacked for making them a success."
After leaving the band, Limahl launched a solo career, achieving hits with "Only For Love" and the title theme to the film The NeverEnding Story. He hit hard times after 1984, although he could enjoy a sense of schadenfreude from the low profile of Kajagoogoo after he had left. In the late 1980s, he was photographed coming out of a job centre. The pictures were published in a Sunday newspaper, highlighting a story of how the once mighty can fall.
When the boom for 80s nostalgia began, Limahl began to wear an orange wig identical to his original Kajagoogoo hairstyle and started playing gigs, performing the hits he had with the band and by himself. His willingness to send himself and the whole era up gained him plenty of respect, and other declined acts of the 1980s followed him back on to the stage.
In 2004, Limahl took part as a contender in musical reality show Comeback on German TV (Pro7). A year later, he appeared in a similar UK show Hit Me Baby One More Time (ITV).
Limahl shared a flat with disc jockey Paul Gambaccini during his heyday, leading to rumours in the tabloid press that the two were lovers, a claim which both denied.
Some more great links to mention here:
http://www.myspace.com/limahl
Only for Love
Limahl Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You will find itself decieving love can be unsure.
Keep a level head maintain'your pride
Then you can face the situation straight in the eye.
And especially when she comes on strong
When she smiles that smile that leads you on
Ny to see it through playing out your part
Making certain when you give your heart - it's
Only for love
Only for love.
Love was never planned ever before.
Some have spent their whole life searching cold and insecure
But as suddenly as that love will arrive
And you'll recognize the feeling
Your on fire.
And especially when she moves in close
When she moves that move there's no suppose
You'll find your hurting when you're apart
But when you give your heart - it's
Only for love
Only for love
Only for love.
When you give your heart it should be
Only for love
Only for love
Only for love.
Only for love
Only for love
Only for love. . . .
The lyrics of Limahl's song "Only for Love" talk about the complexities of love and how it can be uncertain, deceiving and insecure. The singer advises the listener to maintain a level head and keep their pride intact so that they can face any situation that arises. The lyrics also talk about the uncontrollable feelings of love that can arrive suddenly and make one feel like they are on fire. When someone moves in close to the singer, there is a recognition of feelings that are difficult to ignore. The chorus repeatedly emphasizes that when one decides to give their heart, it should be only for love.
The song seems to caution the listener about not falling in love too easily and holding back until they are sure. The lyrics are full of emotional depth, demonstrating how love can be both beautiful and challenging. The line, "Love was never planned ever before," suggests that love is unpredictable and can arrive at any moment without warning. The melancholic nature of the lyrics, coupled with Limahl's rich and emotive voice, make this song a heartfelt ballad that speaks to the listener's heart.
Line by Line Meaning
If that's your problem don't let it show
If you have any reservations, it's better to keep them to yourself because love can be unpredictable and mislead you.
You will find itself decieving love can be unsure.
Love can deceive you, and it's not easy to discern which way it will turn.
Keep a level head maintain'your pride
Stay calm, and don't let your emotions get the better of you.
Then you can face the situation straight in the eye.
You'll be able to confront any challenge or difficulty that comes your way.
And especially when she comes on strong
Be particularly careful when a woman is particularly forward or comes on too strong.
When she smiles that smile that leads you on
Be cautious when a woman uses a certain kind of manipulative smile that entices you.
Ny to see it through playing out your part
You must see your role in the relationship through to the end.
Making certain when you give your heart - it's Only for love
Be sure that you're giving your heart only to someone you truly love.
Love was never planned ever before.
Love is unpredictable, and you can never plan when it will happen to you.
Some have spent their whole life searching cold and insecure
Some people spend their entire lives looking for love and feeling disconnected and unfulfilled.
But as suddenly as that love will arrive
However, love can come suddenly and unexpectedly.
And you'll recognize the feeling
When love does come, you'll know it right away.
Your on fire.
You'll feel a strong passion burning within you.
And especially when she moves in close
Be careful when a woman gets too close to you physically.
When she moves that move there's no suppose
If a woman makes a specific kind of move, you'll know that she's serious and not just playing around.
You'll find your hurting when you're apart
When you're not with the person you love, you'll feel pain.
But when you give your heart - it's Only for love
So when you do give someone your heart, make sure it's because you truly love them.
When you give your heart it should be Only for love
You should only give your heart to someone if you love them with your whole being.
Only for love
Love is too important to be taken lightly or used for any other purpose.
Only for love
If you're going to love someone, do it right and give it your all.
Only for love. . . .
Don't waste your time or anyone else's if you're not ready for true love.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CHRISTOPHER HAMILL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@SpookyElectric319
It’s an 80s gem. There is two versions, this one is the UK version, which stars Limahls sister, Caroline as the ‘fashion model’, and Daniel Peacock from Only Fools and Horses as his ‘sidekick Toby’. The US version features an 80s Miami Vice style video. Limahl is still active on social media.
The production pedigree is as follows:
Engineer – Tim Palmer.
Engineer [Assistant Engineer] – Jon Holness.
Music By, Lyrics By – Limahl.
Other [Hair By] – Michael John.
Photography By – Brian Aris. Producer – Dee Harris*, Tim Palmer.
Sleeve [Sleeve Produced] – Assorted Images, KB*.
@Charlotte-hq3xh
Lyrics:
If that's your problem,
don't let it show
You will find itself deceiving
Love can be unsure
Keep a level head maintain your pride
Then you can face the situation straight in the eye
And especially as she comes on strong
When she smiles that smile that leads you on
Try to see it through playing out your part
Making certain when you give your heart - it's
Only for love (oooh)
Only for love (oooh)
Only for love~
Love was never planned ever before
Some have spent their whole life searching, c-old and insecure
But as suddenly as that love will arrive
And you'll recognize the feeling
Ooh~You're on fire♡
And especially as she moves in close
When she moves that move there's no suppose
You'll find you're hurting when you're apart
But when you give your heart - it's
Only for love (oooh)
Only for love (oooh)
Only for love~
▪▪▪▪▪▪▪{music interlude}
When you give your heart it should be~
Only for love
(when you give your heart only for love)
Only for love
(when you give your heart only for love)
Only for love
Only for love
Only for love
Only for love
Etc~
@MECANICA_NA_GARAGEM
Limahl ....
The first foreign singer I heard on the brand new stereo that my father bought in 1985.
My mother bought me a magnetic tape (K7) two days later in a market that they did monthly, I chose the one with the Limahl cover, because unusual hairstyle.
In this cassette came a song by the rolling stones - undercover of the night.
In a remote part of the city, on a dirt road and with half a dozen houses, I was the only boy in my age on the street... he used to do the party when i came home from school. so the neighbors knew I was home.
In 1985 my father pay 350€ (money from today) for a RISING monoblock sound system with a turntable with adjustable arm and two living room speakers with a power of 80 watts each.... it was already very good for a low class family.
It still plays today... and well, the turntable works too and the tape reader works too!
this song by Limahl and the one by Rolling, were in the ear from the first time.
I never get tired of listening.
@colinsmith4268
After 40 years I have finally tracked this down. This will always remind me of school when I was 11 years old. The chorus its Only for love kept buzzing around my head. I can now rest as IO have found it. Great song with great keyboards
@SpookyElectric319
It’s an 80s gem. There is two versions, this one is the UK version, which stars Limahls sister, Caroline as the ‘fashion model’, and Daniel Peacock from Only Fools and Horses as his ‘sidekick Toby’. The US version features an 80s Miami Vice style video. Limahl is still active on social media.
The production pedigree is as follows:
Engineer – Tim Palmer.
Engineer [Assistant Engineer] – Jon Holness.
Music By, Lyrics By – Limahl.
Other [Hair By] – Michael John.
Photography By – Brian Aris. Producer – Dee Harris*, Tim Palmer.
Sleeve [Sleeve Produced] – Assorted Images, KB*.
@Charlotte-hq3xh
Lyrics:
If that's your problem,
don't let it show
You will find itself deceiving
Love can be unsure
Keep a level head maintain your pride
Then you can face the situation straight in the eye
And especially as she comes on strong
When she smiles that smile that leads you on
Try to see it through playing out your part
Making certain when you give your heart - it's
Only for love (oooh)
Only for love (oooh)
Only for love~
Love was never planned ever before
Some have spent their whole life searching, c-old and insecure
But as suddenly as that love will arrive
And you'll recognize the feeling
Ooh~You're on fire♡
And especially as she moves in close
When she moves that move there's no suppose
You'll find you're hurting when you're apart
But when you give your heart - it's
Only for love (oooh)
Only for love (oooh)
Only for love~
▪▪▪▪▪▪▪{music interlude}
When you give your heart it should be~
Only for love
(when you give your heart only for love)
Only for love
(when you give your heart only for love)
Only for love
Only for love
Only for love
Only for love
Etc~
@widbear3703
Utterly bonkers, 80s-tastic video, drums you can feel in your rib cage, a catchy chorus - I love it!
@gogofofo9111
Great comment 👌👍👍👍 😎😎🆒
@MilkAndCornbreadd
I love Limahl with Kajagoogoo, but his solo material was best with his first album. This single should have gotten more recognition, in my opinion.
@MrGuypeters
Still made the top 20 which was no mean feat back in '83 :-)
@RocStarr913
It was actually chosen as the follow-up single to “Never Ending Story” in America in 1985 which was actually Limahl’s first solo single released there, despite “Only For Love” having had been by then essentially almost a two year old recording by the time it was finally released as a single in America.
@ashemobaby
This was one of my favorites songs when I was 18. I’m 31 now and still love it!
@MilkAndCornbreadd
@Ashley Thornton I love hearing or reading when someone of the younger generations loves 1980s music.