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.
Come Out
Marc Almond Lyrics
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I'll take a guess
You're sitting pretty
But an awful mess
Alone on earth
Unwanted guest
An ugly duckling
In a peacocks nest
Come out
Come out
Stop hiding in your shell
And dream aloud
Come out
Come out
Show your sparkling eyes
And part the clouds
Now don't despair
I'm on your side
A topsy turvy saviour
In the night
So follow me
The melody
Will turn you inside out
And set you free
Come out
Come out
Stop hiding in your shell
And dream aloud
Come out
Come out
Show your sparkling eyes
And part the clouds
What's in all this for me
Why should a stranger care
The sky would be a lonely place
Without a star in sight
I simply crave your lovely gaze
Star shine down on me
Hey handsome you
By now I guess
You're more than pretty pretty nothing less
Queen of the earth
The honoured guest
A night in shining armour on a quest
Come out
Come out
Stop hiding in your shell
And dream aloud
Come out
Come out
Show your sparkling eyes
And part the clouds
Come out
Come out
Stop hiding in your shell
And dream aloud
Come out
Come out
Show your sparkling eyes
And part the clouds
Come out
Star shine down on me
Come out
Come out
Star shine down on me
Come out
Come out
Star shine down on me
Come out
Star shine down on me
Come out
Star shine down on me
Star shine down on me
The lyrics of "Come Out" by Marc Almond encourage someone who is hiding their true self to step out and be seen. The song has a positive and uplifting message about embracing and celebrating one's uniqueness. The opening lines paint a picture of someone who may seem outwardly attractive but feels undesirable and out of place in their surroundings. Almond sings, "Alone on earth, unwanted guest, an ugly duckling in a peacocks nest." He then proceeds to invite this person to "come out" of their shell and "show [their] sparkling eyes" to the world.
Despite the person's initial reluctance, the singer reassures them of his support and promises to lead them towards "the melody" that will set them free. The lyrics validate the person's value and express a desire for them to share their light with the world. Towards the end of the song, the person has transformed into a "queen of the earth" and a "knight in shining armor on a quest." The repetition of the phrase "star shine down on me" in the final lines highlights the idea that each person has something unique and valuable to offer the world.
Overall, "Come Out" is a call to action for anyone who may be hiding their true identity or feeling unseen and undervalued. The song encourages these individuals to step out of the shadows, embrace their uniqueness, and share their light with the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey handsome you
Addressing someone who appears to be doing well, but actually struggling.
I'll take a guess
The singer makes an assumption about the person's situation.
You're sitting pretty
The person seems to have it all together.
But an awful mess
But in reality, the person is struggling and feeling alone.
Alone on earth
Feeling isolated and disconnected from others.
Unwanted guest
Feeling like a burden, unwanted or rejected by others.
An ugly duckling
Feeling unattractive or undesirable, like the storybook character.
In a peacocks nest
Feeling out of place or inferior among the more attractive or successful people around them.
Come out
Encouraging the person to come out of their shell and be themselves.
Stop hiding in your shell
Encouraging the person to stop hiding and suppressing their true nature.
And dream aloud
Encouraging the person to express their dreams and aspirations.
Show your sparkling eyes
Encouraging the person to reveal their inner light and beauty.
And part the clouds
Encouraging the person to overcome obstacles and difficulties.
Now don't despair
Reassuring the person that they are not alone and not hopeless.
I'm on your side
Offering support and compassion to the person.
A topsy turvy saviour
The artist sees themselves as a chaotic, unconventional but helpful force for the person.
In the night
Symbolizing the darkness and negativity that the person is experiencing.
So follow me
Inviting the person to trust and follow the singer's lead.
The melody
Symbolizing the transformative power of music or art to heal and inspire.
Will turn you inside out
suggesting that the person will experience a profound change in their perspective or emotions from the music.
And set you free
Promising that the music and the artist's support will help the person overcome their fears and limitations.
What's in all this for me
The person is questioning why the artist is helping them and seeking some hidden motive.
Why should a stranger care
The person is suspicious of the singer's kindness and compassion.
The sky would be a lonely place
The artist suggests that the world and their own life would be poorer and darker without the person's presence and beauty.
Without a star in sight
Metaphorically representing the person's talent, charm or unique qualities.
I simply crave your lovely gaze
The singer is not seeking anything in return, but simply admires and appreciates the person's beauty and spirit.
Queen of the earth
After following the singer's encouragement, the person has transformed into a confident and successful person.
The honoured guest
Someone who is admired and respected by others, no longer unwanted or rejected.
A night in shining armour on a quest
The transformed person is like a fairy tale hero, brave and victorious.
Star shine down on me
The singer is asking for a blessing or reward from the universe, possibly after helping the person.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BRUCE MITCHELL, VINI REILLY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind