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.
Dancer
Marc Almond Lyrics
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You know you're never gonna be forgiven
Chancer so many near misses
I'm still tripping on your absinthe kisses
Intoxicating and exotic
Dancer you're my sweet narcotic
You're burning in my primitive heart
You're burning in my primitive heart
Dancing to the rhythm of my falling tears
Dancing to the beating of my broken heart
So sweet the pain and pleasure
Move for move measure for measure
Dark horse so surreal satanic
Dancer dreamer you're a free spirit
You're burning in my primitive heart
Dancer
You're burning in my primitive heart
Dancer you gave me a wicked path to follow
Dark thrills but bitter pills to swallow
Strange one I don't know what to believe
Are you a nail in my coffin
Or a card up my sleeve
You're burning in my primitive heart
Dancer
You're burning in my primitive heart
So dancer lights camera action
You're gonna be my main attraction
You've gotta keep me coming back for more
Dancer just another encore
Dancer
(burning in my primitive heart)
You're a dancer
(burning in my primitive heart)
You're a chancer
(burning in my primitive heart)
You're a dancer
(burning in my primitive heart)
You're gonna burn burn burn burn burn
Burn burn burn burn burn
(burning in my primitive heart)
You're a dancer
(burning in my primitive heart)
Romancer
(Burn burn burn burn burn)
A dancer
(burning in my primitive heart)
Dancer
Burning in my primitive heart
The song "Dancer" by Marc Almond tells the story of a reckless and dangerous woman. The singer is captivated by her intoxicating and exotic nature, yet he knows he will never be forgiven for being enamored by such a risky lover. Despite the many near misses that he experiences while being with her, he is unable to resist her absinthe kisses, which leave him intoxicated and addicted. The woman is described as a free spirit and a dreamer, whose moves are surreal and satanic. She represents both pleasure and pain for the singer, and he is torn between the thrill of being with her and the bitter pills he has to swallow because of her.
The chorus, "You're burning in my primitive heart, dancer," is a metaphor for the singer's passion and obsession for the woman. He feels like he is consumed by her fiery and dangerous nature, which ignites something primal and ancient within him. The woman is described as a "dark horse," which adds to her mysterious and unpredictable personality. The singer doesn't know whether she is a nail in his coffin or a card up his sleeve, which shows the conflicting emotions he has for her.
Overall, the song is a beautiful portrayal of the magnetism and allure of danger, and how it can spark passion and obsession in someone. It's a cautionary tale for falling under the spell of someone who is risky and unpredictable.
Line by Line Meaning
Dancer to a dangerous rhythm
The person being referred to is a dancer who moves to a dangerous rhythm.
You know you're never gonna be forgiven
The dancer has done something unforgivable, and they are aware that they will never be pardoned.
Chancer so many near misses
The dancer takes a lot of risks and has come close to danger many times.
I'm still tripping on your absinthe kisses
The artist is still enchanted by the dancer's intense and intoxicating kisses.
Intoxicating and exotic
The dancer is intoxicating and exotic, likely due to their unique style of dancing.
Dancer you're my sweet narcotic
The singer is addicted to the dancer, viewing them as a sweet drug.
You're burning in my primitive heart
The singer's intense feelings for the dancer are burning in their heart, right down to their primal instincts.
Dancing to the rhythm of my falling tears
The artist is crying while watching the dancer, and the dancer's movements match the rhythm of their tears.
Dancing to the beating of my broken heart
The artist is heartbroken, and the dancer's rhythm matches the painful beating of their heart.
So sweet the pain and pleasure
The feelings the artist experiences while watching the dancer are a mix of pleasure and pain.
Move for move measure for measure
The dancer's movements are perfectly coordinated and measure for measure with the singer's emotions.
Dark horse so surreal satanic
The dancer is enigmatic, mysterious, and their moves appear almost devilish.
Dancer dreamer you're a free spirit
In addition to being a talented dancer, the person is a dreamer and a free spirit.
Dancer you gave me a wicked path to follow
The dancer has led the singer down a dark and dangerous path.
Dark thrills but bitter pills to swallow
Though the thrill of dancing with the dancer is exhilarating, it comes at a cost and leaves a bitter taste.
Strange one I don't know what to believe
The dancer is an enigma, leaving the artist unsure of what to believe.
Are you a nail in my coffin or a card up my sleeve
The artist is unsure whether the dancer is leading them towards death or victory.
So dancer lights camera action
The dancer is taking center stage and commanding attention.
You're gonna be my main attraction
The singer is obsessed with the dancer and views them as their primary attraction.
You've gotta keep me coming back for more
The artist is addicted to the dancer and needs more of their moves and presence.
Dancer just another encore
The song ends with the artist calling for another performance and encore from the dancer.
You're a dancer, burning in my primitive heart
The song ends with a repetition of the opening lines, emphasizing the dancer's impact on the artist's primal instincts.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Mute Song Limited
Written by: MARC ALMOND PETER, JOHANN GUNNAR JOHANNSSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind