Modern English is a rock band best remembered for their iconic 1982 song "I… Read Full Bio ↴Modern English is a rock band best remembered for their iconic 1982 song "I Melt With You" which, despite not reaching the top 40 in either the US or U.K., has appeared in various commercials and movies over the years with a popular music video that became an MTV staple. Exploring post-punk themes of loss, reflection, and devotion, the group faced changing waves of success over the 80s and early 90s, putting four albums into the Billboard 200 chart. They disbanded a while in 1991, but they later resurfaced in 1995 with some new members. They most recently released their seventh studio album in 2010, touring sporadically over the past recent decades.

Formed in Colchester, Essex, England, in 1979 by Robbie Grey (vocals), Gary McDowell (guitar, vocals), and Michael Conroy (bass, vocals), Modern English was originally known as "The Lepers". The group expanded to "Modern English" when Richard Brown (drums) and Stephen Walker (keyboards) were subsequently added to the line-up of the indie rock band (later Ted Mason, Matthew Shippley). A debut single, "Drowning Man" was released in 1980 on the Limp Records label. The band's full-length debut, called 'Mesh & Lace' and released by 4AD Records a year later, drew heavily on the gloomy gothic rock sound already patented by bands such as Bauhaus and Joy Division.

The follow-up album, titled 'After The Snow' and recorded by the same line-up, introduced warmer sounds and strong guitar harmonies (most notably on the hit "I Melt With You") in contrast to the tinny bleakness of the debut, although keeping the same post-punk dramatic focus. The August 1982 release was well received in the U.S., selling 500,000 units, and the band relocated to New York, New York to consolidate a popularity encouraged by college radio. Their subsequent album Ricochet Days had a crisper production with hits such as "Ricochet Days" and "Hands Across the Sea".

By the time of Stop Start, released in the US by Sire Records in 1986, Walker and Brown had left, and Aaron Davidson (keyboards, guitar) (later of March Violets) had joined. The band had tried too hard for commercial success, pushed by their label and subsequent producers. Grey returned to England to form a new outfit, but reconvened Modern English in 1990 with Davidson and Conroy. They released Pillow Lips on the TVT label, selling 300,000 units. Robbie Grey and band member Ted Mason co-wrote and produced a second release for TVT, recording with live strings and multiple harmonies. It received very little enthusiasm from TVT and has been seen as the least successful Modern English album. Locked into contractual obligations with TVT, Grey subsequently put the band on hold in 1991 to study and travel, and Mason handled the legal issues of getting out of the TVT deal.

In 1995, Modern English with Matthew Shipley (keyboards), Ted Mason (guitar, vocals, production) recorded Everything's Mad for the Imago label. Robbie Grey continues to tour extensively on the US club circuit with Matthew and new guitarist Steven Walker writing new songs and playing them to packed audiences across the US, and in 2001 signed a new recording contract with A.P.G. Music. The new lineup recorded a new album with legendary producer Hugh Jones who originally produced "I Melt With You." 2007 saw the repackaged–remastered re-release of Everything's Mad for the Mi5 Recordings label distributed by Caroline/EMI. A Modern English rarities album with unreleased material was expected in early 2008, but it became stalled.

The group put out their latest studio effort in 2010 with 'Soundtrack'. Said work reunited them with Hugh Jones, the producer of 'After the Snow'. As of 2013, Modern English has sold close to four million records worldwide, and they were present at the BMI awards in the Dorchester Hotel in London where Robbie Grey, Mick Conroy and guitarist Steven Walker were presented with a lifetime achievement award for 3 million radio plays of "I Melt With You."

Take Me Away
Modern English Lyrics

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You're a mine of information,
I'm your whore of paradise,
You're the train that's late at the station,
I'm breathing fire and ice,
You keep me from falling over,
You keep me from going under,
It was cold on that morning,
When my knowledge came to stay.

Take me away,
Somewhere far away,
Take me away.

Now the door stands open,
Paints me a different colour today,
I'm blind and you see,
Your wisdom's killing me,
Believe me.

Take me away,
Somewhere far away,
Take me away.

Your wisdom is killing me.

Take me away,
Somewhere far away,
Take me away.

Believe me
Believe me

Believe me
Believe me

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Modern English's "Take Me Away" describe a relationship dynamic between two people who rely heavily on each other. The singer refers to their partner as a "mine of information" and acknowledges their own dependence as a "whore of paradise." The partner is described as being a "train that's late at the station," indicating that they may sometimes be unreliable or unpredictable, but ultimately they keep the singer from "falling over" and "going under." The line "it was cold on that morning, when my knowledge came to stay" suggests that the relationship may have formed out of a need for comfort or knowledge in a difficult time.

In the chorus, the singer pleads to be taken away somewhere far from their current situation. The line "now the door stands open, paints me a different color today" may indicate that there is an opportunity for change or escape, and the singer is willing to take it. However, the partner's "wisdom" is described as "killing" the singer, suggesting that their reliance on them may not be completely healthy.

Overall, the lyrics of "Take Me Away" explore themes of dependence, resilience, and a desire for escape. The relationship between the two speakers is complex and multifaceted, with both partners providing support and holding each other back at times.

Line by Line Meaning

You're a mine of information,
You have a wealth of knowledge,

I'm your whore of paradise,
I am completely devoted to you,

You're the train that's late at the station,
You are always there, but I have to wait for you,

I'm breathing fire and ice,
I am experiencing intense emotions,

You keep me from falling over,
You prevent me from losing control,

You keep me from going under,
You keep me from drowning in my thoughts and feelings,

It was cold on that morning,
I was feeling alone and lost,

When my knowledge came to stay.
But then you came into my life and brought me wisdom.

Take me away,
I want to escape from my current situation,

Somewhere far away,
I want to go to a place where I can start anew,

Now the door stands open,
A new opportunity has arisen,