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.
Only The Moment
Marc Almond Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Your hour has come
And you know those that God loves
Die young
But remember
There is never forever
Only the moment
Only the moment
You're thinking too much about
Who will think badly of you
You throw away chances
Let love pass you by
But remember
There is never forever
Only the moment
There is never forever
Only the moment
Don't be afraid of the dark of the night
Just reach for your feelings
Let your mood tell you
You're making the right moves
The days fade away
And before you can say
I wish I'd made all the right moves
It's too late
With guilt on your shoulder
With fear in your heart
You're bedeviled by angels
Belittled by fools
But remember
There is never forever
Only the moment
There is never forever
Only the moment
With guilt on your shoulder
With fear in your heart
You're bedeviled by angels
Belittled by fools
There is never forever
Only the moment
There is never forever
Only the moment
The song "Only The Moment" by Marc Almond is a poignant reminder to make the most of every second of life. The title itself encapsulates the message of the song: there is never forever, only the moment. The lyrics describe the feeling of mortality and the importance of not wasting time. The clock on the wall is a symbol of the inevitable passage of time and the fact that everyone's hour will come eventually. The line "And you know those that God loves die young" is a reference to the idea that those who die young are like angels called back to heaven because they were too good for this world. This idea is then juxtaposed with the message of the chorus, encouraging the listener not to waste the time they do have.
The second verse provides an insight into the human tendency to hold back from taking chances because of a fear of what others might think. Marc Almond writes, "You're thinking too much about who will think badly of you / You throw away chances / Let love pass you by." This verse continues the theme of the fleeting nature of time and how important it is to make the most of every opportunity. The bridge of the song is perhaps the most uplifting part, encouraging the listener to "reach for your feelings" and to let their mood guide them towards making the right choices.
Overall, "Only The Moment" is a reminder that life is short, and every moment should be savoured. The song encourages the listener not to hold back, to take chances, and to let their feelings guide them towards making the most of every opportunity.
Line by Line Meaning
The clock on the wall has just told you
Time is ticking and you have been reminded about its importance
Your hour has come
Your time is running out
And you know those that God loves
People who die young are believed to be loved by God
Die young
Death can happen at any moment without warning
But remember
Don't forget
There is never forever
Nothing lasts forever, everything has an end
Only the moment
Live in the present and make the most of every second
You're thinking too much about
You're overthinking and worrying about the judgment of others
Who will think badly of you
You fear being judged negatively by others
You throw away chances
You're not taking opportunities that come your way
Let love pass you by
You're ignoring or rejecting love
Don't be afraid of the dark of the night
Don't fear the unknown or darkness
Just reach for your feelings
Follow your heart and instincts
Let your mood tell you
Trust your gut feeling and mood
You're making the right moves
You're doing what's best for you
The days fade away
Time passes by quickly
And before you can say
Before you know it
I wish I'd made all the right moves
Regrets for not making the most of life opportunities
It's too late
It's too late to change the past
With guilt on your shoulder
Feeling guilty about past mistakes
With fear in your heart
Feeling afraid
You're bedeviled by angels
You're trapped in a situation with no clear solution
Belittled by fools
Feeling diminished by unimportant people
There is never forever
Nothing lasts forever
Only the moment
Live in the present and make the most of every second
There is never forever
Nothing lasts forever
Only the moment
Live in the present and make the most of every second
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MARC ALMOND, ANNE HOGAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
acechadwick
Without a shadow of a doubt Marc Almond is the most underrated artist ever. It's a mystery how he never wrote a Bond anthem. I mean this would have been wonderful. I passed my love of him on to my daughter and when she felt like bolting on first moving to London she played this....and it kept her steady! A genius.
MisAnnThorpe
He is indeed a fantastic star! Mother Fist is as great as Tom Waits' Frank's wild years.
Laz Electronic Music
love the message of this song. It always makes me more optimistic in hard times. Thank you M. :)
Barry West
Bought this and still recite the words! I actually left this single, plus an album from The Sundays, at a pub somewhere in London- behind the bar! I still have Almond's cover look in my mind. Without Almond, my life would be without a "friend" .
ndog2005
Only Marc can bring out the best of the song, Perfection.. Thank You..
Walter Vega
What a great Track... thank U 4 your art Marc Almond...
peterle sch.
Now, after nearly twentyfive years I´m playing the game of love, but , after a lot of tears, there is only one sentence still in my head: There is never forever only the moment! Hard, but true at least.
Rick Juarez
OH WOW was/is this album WONDERFUL...love your music, Marc!
Constance Wolter
Love the song!
argo250966
Glorioso... Por Siempre!!!