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.
Burn Bright
Marc Almond Lyrics
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And place it in my heart
Watch it grow into a galaxy
A universe of starlight
Burning bright
Turn on the moon
And let me see it smile
And like a link child
Light my pathway home
Now I'm alone
Pull down a star
Let it burn within my heart
Burning as the brightest day
Burn bright
Until we fade away
In the blue hour
Between twilight and night
We're waiting for a moment
That we can alight
Illuminate and ignite
We're gonna ignite
Burn bright burn bright tonight
We're gonna explode
And alight
Burn bright burn bright tonight
Pull down a star
Let it burn within my heart
Burning as the brightest day
Burn bright
Until we fade away
The lyrics of the song "Burn Bright" by Marc Almond speak of a longing for a guiding light that will lead the singer home, through the dark path that they find themselves on. Pulling down a star and placing it in their heart, the singer hopes that it will grow into a galaxy, lighting up their world and illuminating their path. The song is filled with imagery of stars and burning bright, conveying a sense of hope and possibility, as if anything is possible as long as there is light to guide the way. The chorus itself has an uplifting quality, with the repetition of the words "burn bright" and the promise that they will not fade away.
The second verse adds to the theme of illumination, with the singer speaking of the blue hour between twilight and night, a moment when they are waiting for a chance to ignite and explode. The song has an almost spiritual quality to it, speaking of the presence of light within us all and reminding us to seek it out and allow it to shine out into the world. The lyrics are simple yet profound, and lend themselves to multiple interpretations, making them a powerful meditation on the human spirit.
Overall, "Burn Bright" is a song about hope and the power of light to guide us through even the darkest moments of our lives. It is a reminder that there is always a way forward, even when we cannot see it, and that we can always find light within ourselves and others to help us along the way.
Line by Line Meaning
Pull down a star
I want to capture something beautiful and unique to keep with me.
And place it in my heart
I want to internalize the beauty and make it a part of who I am.
Watch it grow into a galaxy
I want to let this beauty expand and take over my whole being.
A universe of starlight
I want this beauty to shine and radiate through every part of me.
Burning bright
This beauty inside me will never fade, it will always be vibrant and shining.
Turn on the moon
I need some light and guidance to find my way.
And let me see it smile
I want the moon to give me comfort and reassurance on my journey.
The way is dark tonight
I am lost and alone in the darkness, seeking the light.
And like a link child
I am vulnerable and dependent on the kindness of others to guide me.
Light my pathway home
I need someone or something to show me the way back to where I belong.
Now I'm alone
Despite having guidance, ultimately I must face my journey alone.
In the blue hour
The time between daylight and darkness is melancholy and reflective.
Between twilight and night
The two states symbolize the fleeting nature of life and the transition from the familiar to the unknown.
We're waiting for a moment
We are holding our breath for an opportunity to create something special.
That we can alight
We want to be inspired and to inspire others with our creativity and passion.
Illuminate and ignite
We want to shine a light on the world and set everything ablaze with our energy and enthusiasm.
We're gonna ignite
We are determined to make something amazing happen, no matter the obstacles.
Burn bright burn bright tonight
We will shine brighter than ever and light up the darkness around us.
We're gonna explode
Our passion and creativity will burst forth like an explosion, impossible to ignore.
And alight
We will set fire to the world around us and inspire others to do the same.
Burn bright burn bright tonight
Our light will be a beacon for all to see, burning bright until the end.
Pull down a star
I still seek to capture something beautiful and unique, to carry with me always.
Let it burn within my heart
I want to keep this beauty close and let it continue to bring joy and inspiration.
Burning as the brightest day
This beauty will continue to shine as bright and warm as the midday sun.
Burn bright
This beauty inside me will always be a shining light, never dimming or fading.
Until we fade away
This shining light within me will never die, even as I myself fade from existence.
Contributed by Claire W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Bill C
Marc, I have loved your music for 31 years! Thanks for sharing your talent! This song is amazing and so are you :)
Chris Romero
Great song marc.
Paul Lewis
classic almond, great vocals, awesome song, love it.
Ronaldo Barbi
Beautiful,linda musica!!!
karlos kastanheira
What can i say *** Marc is superb always**** great great song !!!
Rodney Lockwood
Ever since I heard Tainted Love on that second grade playground around 30 or so years ago, I have been a constant fan of Soft Cell and Marc solo. Burn Bright is another gem that Marc continues to give the world. Such beauty.
Charlie Magri
He's not just a singer with a view good tunes; he rivals George Michael and can create anything- absolutely, which we can't possibly even dream about!
Vanessa Burrows
Marc Almond my favourite male vocalist, he has an amazing voice have many dvd's and cd's of his and also his previous band Soft Cell.
Lorna C-F
Love it, amazing new song Marc :)
scottsmillie
Excellent once again from Marc.