In 1994 and 1995 they won the Brit Award for Best British Dance Act. In 1994, they won the Mercury Music Prize for the album Elegant Slumming. The victory sparked controversy as they beat Britpop band Blur, who were deemed by critics to be more 'worthy' than a mere dance band. With ten Top Ten UK singles, the band was one of the most consistent hit-makers of the 90s, and the album Bizarre Fruit stayed in the UK charts for two years.
In the United States, their biggest success was on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart, where they achieved five Top 5 singles, four of which hit number one.
With the closure by BMG of the deConstruction dance record label in the late 1990s, M People gained their own record label called M People Records to release their 1997 album Fresco.
After the release of The Best of M People in 1998, the band took a long break. Heather Small recorded a solo album and it seemed that the band had split, although a repackaged greatest hits album was released in 2005 and the band also embarked on a short tour of the UK. Small continued to pursue a solo career, as her song Proud was the soundtrack to the successful London 2012 Olympic Bid.
Fan Site: http://www.mpeople-heathersmall.co.uk
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Angel St
M People Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You'll never find the reason why,
Boy you know it's down to you.
Looking down, you'll only see your own two feet,
Mama used to say to me,
Take a walk down Angel Street.
So sweet thing, Have I got news for you,
So what have you got to lose?
Angel Street,
Stand on your own two feet,
'Cause baby can't you see?
If we're to stay alive
Only the strong survive.
Don't you know, if you can't respect yourself,
You'll be left on the shelf,
No one's gonna carry you.
Walkin' tall, dreamin' of love and pride
Reachin' up to the sky
Arms and eyes are open wide.
So come on, lets climb the stairs out of this,
Make a wish and steal a kiss,
Boy what have you got to lose?
Angel Street,
Stand on your own two feet,
'Cause baby can't you see?
If were to stay alive
Only the strong survive.
Angel Street,
Stand on your own two feet,
'Cause baby can't you see?
If were to stay alive
Only the strong survive.
(Take a walk, Take a walk, on Angel Street)
(Take a walk, Take a walk, on Angel Street)
(Take a walk, Take a walk, on Angel Street)
Only the strong survive,
Way way down
Angel Street,
Stand on your own two feet,
'Cause baby can't you see?
If were to stay alive
Only the strong survive.
Angel Street,
Stand on your own two feet,
'Cause baby can't you see?
If were to stay alive
Only the strong survive.
(Angel Street)
(Angel Street)
(Angel Street)
(Angel Street)
The song Angel St by M People has a message of self-reliance and the importance of standing on one's own two feet. The lyrics warn against expecting the world to owe you anything and encourage taking responsibility for oneself. The chorus repeats the phrase "Only the strong survive" and urges the listener to climb "the stairs out of this" and "reach up to the sky." The song's title, "Angel St," refers to a place that is meant to symbolize a journey towards self-discovery and empowerment.
The verses, on the other hand, draw on personal experiences and provide advice. The line "Looking down, you'll only see your own two feet" advises against getting too caught up in oneself and one's problems, and instead taking a step back to look at the bigger picture. The line "Don't you know, if you can't respect yourself, You'll be left on the shelf" is a warning against losing self-respect and the importance of valuing oneself. The final verse urges the listener to "make a wish and steal a kiss" and essentially take control of their own destiny.
Overall, the song's message is one of self-empowerment, resilience, and personal growth.
Line by Line Meaning
If you think, the world owes you a ride,
If you believe that you are entitled to success or good fortune without effort, you will never discover why you are not achieving it.
You'll never find the reason why,
You will never discover the true cause of your lack of success.
Boy you know it's down to you.
It is up to you to take responsibility for your own success and take action towards it.
Looking down, you'll only see your own two feet,
If you focus solely on yourself and do not look around you, you will miss opportunities and not see the bigger picture.
Mama used to say to me,
The artist is reflecting on words of wisdom their mother used to tell them.
Take a walk down Angel Street.
Go explore and find your way in the world to achieve success.
So sweet thing, Have I got news for you,
The singer has encouraging news for the listener.
Come and taste my soul food,
Experience and appreciate the artist's authentic, heartfelt advice and guidance.
So what have you got to lose?
The artist asks the listener to consider the potential benefits and take a chance.
If we're to stay alive
To survive and thrive:
Only the strong survive.
Only those who are resilient and able to adapt will succeed.
Don't you know, if you can't respect yourself,
If you don't have a positive self-image and self-love,
You'll be left on the shelf,
You will not be able to connect with others or achieve your goals and aspirations.
No one's gonna carry you.
You cannot depend on others to do the work for you or carry you when things get tough.
Walkin' tall, dreamin' of love and pride
Standing confidently and having hope and self-respect.
Reachin' up to the sky
Aiming high and striving towards one's aspirations.
Arms and eyes are open wide.
Being alert and receptive to opportunities and new experiences.
So come on, lets climb the stairs out of this,
Let's work together to improve our situation.
Make a wish and steal a kiss,
Hoping for success and enjoying life's pleasures along the way.
Boy what have you got to lose?
There is nothing to lose by taking a risk and trying for success.
Only the strong survive,
A repetition of the earlier message that resilience and strength are necessary for success.
Way way down
Far away and remote.
Stand on your own two feet,
Be independent and rely on yourself.
'Cause baby can't you see?
The artist is urging the listener to understand the importance of self-reliance and perseverance.
Angel Street,
Referring to the earlier advice to take a walk down Angel Street as a metaphor for finding one's way in the world.
If were to stay alive
To survive:
Only the strong survive.
Once again emphasizing the importance of resilience and strength.
(Take a walk, Take a walk, on Angel Street)
A repetition of the earlier advice to explore and find one's way in the world.
Angel Street,
Continuing to use the metaphor of Angel Street for finding success.
(Angel Street)
Another repetition of the earlier refrain.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MICHAEL PAUL HEARD, MIKE PICKERING, HEATHER SMALL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@DougHughes-rx4cd
Many thanks for sending me the song,Angel Street by M People
it has really nice lyrics that you can understand and a great beat.
Back in the day when M People were at their height I was probably
only listening to heavy rock stuff,I must be mellowing with age as
I just turned 70 in April this year,I'll still be listening to heavy and
alternative rock but I'll definitely be listening to more M People and
Heather Small.
Thank You Again !
Regards,
Doug Hughes
Williamstown
Australia😊
@jimmypinetwinchell2454
2023...Classic...
@tatyino3717
great great music and singer, so beautiful, miss you M-People
@xsonoshee8120
This song literally makes me well up. It's perfection. I grew up listening to bands like M people. I consider myself blessed.
@danii6752
Why this song is not worldwide no1?? Such a banger and quality catchy song. Maybe it is better that it is not!
@DougHughes-rx4cd
Another great song by M People whom I had never heard of before last night,now I'm going to download everyhthing they have ever done by themselves or with other artists,they take me back to another time when you could understand the lyrics.
Regards,
Doug Hughes
💗
@ZS-mx6qx
@DougHughes * Be prepared for a magical adventure! M People were amazing especially live, awesome group of human beings who genuinely cared about their audience. I wish you had discovered them sooner. Enjoy 🫶🏽💯*
@Mysticmimi7
This lady was in another league of her own ♥️
@DougHughes-rx4cd
Many thanks for sending me the song,Angel Street by M People
it has really nice lyrics that you can understand and a great beat.
Back in the day when M People were at their height I was probably
only listening to heavy rock stuff,I must be mellowing with age as
I just turned 70 in April this year,I'll still be listening to heavy and
alternative rock but I'll definitely be listening to more M People and
Heather Small.
Thank You Again !
Regards,
Doug Hughes
Williamstown
Australia😊
@keeplarge
I grew up listening to M People and it feels so nostalgic... I wish we could have good singers like this today... Heather Small is a great person and singer :)
@MarkLong-rg4ql
Me too. Elegant sluming was a wicked album. Don't look any further. X