Marc Almond has had a long and varied career spanning circa 40 years. During this time, after a career with Soft Cell and Marc and the Mambas, he has collaborated with an extremely wide range of artists including Antony and The Johnsons, Jools Holland, Siouxsie Sioux, Nick Cave, P.J. Proby, Nico, Kelli Ali of the Sneaker Pimps, Neal X (on the albums Fantastic Star and Open All Night), Marie France, Agnes Bernelle, Lydia Lunch, Gene Pitney on the #1 UK single "Something's Gotten Hold of My Heart", Foetus (a.k.a. J. G. Thirlwell), Jimmy Somerville of The Communards and Bronski Beat, Psychic TV, Coil, Sally Timms of Mekons, King Roc, John Cale and David Johansen of The New York Dolls and German band Rosenstolz.
Almond initially shot to fame in the early 1980s as one half of synth duo Soft Cell, whose combination of drama and peep show sleaze set to an electronic beat gave them hits such as "Tainted Love" (UK #1), "Bedsitter" (UK #3), "Torch" (UK #2), "Say Hello Wave Goodbye" (UK #3), "Soul Inside" (UK # 16), "What?" (UK #3) and the club hit "Memorabilia". They were first spotted by David Oddie, boss of Wakefield based Ambergris Records in a Bradford club, who passed his enthusiasm onto Dead Good Records in Lincoln, famous for their Hicks From The Sticks compilation, who in turn approached Polygram, the newly formed amalgam of Polydor and Phonogram. Although Soft Cell disbanded in 1984 just before the release of fourth album, This Last Night In Sodom, the duo reunited in 2001 for live shows and in 2002 released a new album entitled Cruelty Without Beauty, from which the single "The Night" (UK #39) was taken.
His biggest UK hits as a solo artist have been cover versions; the aforementioned 1989 number one duet with Gene Pitney and another near chart-topper in 1991 with David McWilliams' "The Days of Pearly Spencer", which peaked at #4. In 1985, he duetted with Jimmy Somerville and Bronski Beat on a cover of Donna Summer's "I Feel Love (Medley)" and it hit #3. The highest UK positions his self-penned singles have reached so far have been "Stories of Johnny" (#23 in 1985), "Tears Run Rings" (#28 in 1988) and "Adored and Explored" (#25 in 1995).
Almond's work runs the gamut from electronica and dance music to French chanson, traditional piano ballads, and Russian romance songs, as exhibited on his 2003 album Heart on Snow. Influences include David Bowie, a childhood hero of his, as well as early 1960s Northern Soul and disco. Other major influences have been Scott Walker from Walker Brothers and Jacques Brel, 12 of whose songs Almond reworked in English for his 1989 album Jacques. Almond's own lyrics are a creative expression of what he sees and are not to be confused with his own life. He also operates a record label, Blue Star Music, on which he has released many of his solo and collaborative records in the UK.
Almond currently lives in the Bermondsey area of south east London. In his autobiography he describes previously living in Earl's Court, in a converted church in Fulham and most memorably in Soho's Berwick Street, where he lived in a flat overlooking the Raymond Revuebar.
Bitter Sweet
Marc Almond Lyrics
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A little sweet
That's how I like my life to be
I'll take it neat
Bitter sweet
That's how I see the world
I like the rain
I like the dark
The summer heat
Bitter sweet
That's how I see the world
Oh let's go
Let's go
To paradise, Jack
Paradise, Jack
Let's go
Let's go
To paradise, Jack
Paradise, Jack
I got the sorrow
I got the smile
I got a box under the stars
Shoes on my feet
Bitter sweet
That's how I see the world.
I got the joke
I got the twist
I got a lazy afternoon
I'm a man over the moon
Man of the world
Oh let's go
Let's go
To paradise, Jack
Paradise, Jack
Let's go
Let's go
To paradise, Jack
Paradise, Jack
Chain me to a tree
Watch me
I'll set myself free
Escape from situations
Houdini would be proud of me
I'll lie around like Byron
And write verses to the moon
I'm the crime and I'm the siren
I'm a fighter in the ring of life
I've got the medals
I've got the scars
I've got a pocket full of hope
I got the beat
Bitter sweet
That's how I see the world
And the moon is in my head
The moon is in my head
The moon is in my head
The chorus of the song, "A little bitter, a little sweet, that's how I like my life to be, I'll take it neat, bitter sweet, that's how I see the world" sets the tone and main message of the song. The idea that life is a mixture of good and bad, bitter and sweet moments, and that is what makes it beautiful. Marc Almond talks about his love for the rain, dark, and even mornings in the park, and how they add to his bitter and sweet perspective on life. It can also be interpreted as a call to embrace life in all its forms, including the struggles and hardships, because that is what ultimately makes it worthwhile.
The verses provide more specific examples of the bitter and sweet moments Almond experiences in life. He mentions having "sorrow" but also "smiling," having a "lazy afternoon" and shoes on his feet. The line "Chain me to a tree, watch me, I'll set myself free" gives a hint of his rebellious streak, and "I'm a fighter in the ring of life" further underscores the idea of tackling challenges head-on.
Overall, the song is a reminder that life is precious and fleeting, and that we should cherish not only the good but also the challenging moments, as they shape who we are.
Line by Line Meaning
A little bitter
A small amount of bitterness that adds a unique flavor to life.
A little sweet
A small amount of sweetness that makes life enjoyable.
That's how I like my life to be
The combination of bittersweetness suits the singer's taste in life.
I'll take it neat
The artist prefers the unadulterated version of life's ups and downs.
Bitter sweet
The contradictory nature of life that blends bitterness and sweetness.
That's how I see the world
The worldview of the singer is one where life is bittersweet.
I like the rain
The singer enjoys the refreshing aspect of rain.
I like the dark
The artist appreciates the mystery and beauty of darkness.
I like the mornings in the park
The artist enjoys the peacefulness of mornings and natural surroundings of a park.
The summer heat
The artist enjoys the intense warmth of summer.
Oh let's go
A plea to embark on a journey.
To paradise, Jack
The destination of the journey is a place or state of ultimate happiness.
I got the sorrow
The singer experiences sadness.
I got the smile
The singer experiences happiness.
I got a box under the stars
The singer has a place to lay down outside and gaze at the night sky.
Shoes on my feet
The artist has suitable footwear for life's journeys.
I got the joke
The artist has a sense of humor.
I got the twist
The singer understands the complexities of life.
I got a lazy afternoon
The singer values the importance of relaxation.
I'm a man over the moon
The artist is elated.
Man of the world
The artist sees themselves as experienced and worldly.
Chain me to a tree
The artist is willing to be restrained by nature.
Watch me
The singer wants to be observed breaking free from said restraint.
I'll set myself free
The artist has the power to liberate themselves from any bondage.
Escape from situations
A desire to avoid stressful circumstances.
Houdini would be proud of me
An allusion to the renowned escapologist Houdini, the singer prides themselves on their ability to elude difficult situations.
I'll lie around like Byron
The singer allows themselves the luxury of introspective thought and creativity, with reference to Lord Byron, the famed poet.
And write verses to the moon
The artist channels curative energy by creating lyrical verse.
I'm the crime and I'm the siren
The artist compares themselves to something that is both alluring and dangerous.
I'm a fighter in the ring of life
The singer is resilient and perseveres through adversity.
I've got the medals
The singer has earned recognition and rewards for their achievements.
I've got the scars
The artist has visible or invisible signs of the battles fought.
I've got a pocket full of hope
The artist has faith in future possibilities.
I got the beat
The artist has rhythm in their veins, a skill to deal with difficult situations.
And the moon is in my head
The singer has an indomitable spirit, regardless of everything for the moon guides and soothes them.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MARC ALMOND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind