New Musik were a London based Synthpop group active from 1979 to 1982.
… Read Full Bio ↴New Musik were a London based Synthpop group active from 1979 to 1982.

The lead singer and frontman was songwriter/producer Tony Mansfield, who was also a former member of the Nick Straker Band. New Musik first appeared on the BBC TV pop programme, Top Of The Pops in October 1979 with their debut hit single "Straight Lines" which received airplay on BBC Radio 1 from special guesting DJ Frank Zappa.

Their debut album "From A To B" (1980) reached the Top 40 in the UK Albums Chart and contained four UK chart hit singles; "Straight Lines", "Living By Numbers", "This World Of Water" and "Sanctuary". New Musik also topped the French singles chart with "On Islands" from this album.

Touring the UK in 1980, New Musik performed at both the Oxford and Cambridge Balls (with Elvis Costello) and at the Rotterdam New Pop festival in the Netherlands, and did a second UK tour in 1981.

Their second album, Anywhere (1981) reached #68 in the chart, but despite gaining international acclaim, neither of its singles "Luxury" or "While You Wait" charted in the UK.

In 1981 a compilation album, Sanctuary, was released in the U.S., consisting of four tracks from From A To B and eight from Anywhere. Previous to this release, there had also been a four song 10" vinyl Straight Lines released by CBS Records in the U.S. as part of their short-lived Epic "Nu-Disk" series, which had also included The Clash's Black Market Clash.

After the demise of GTO Records, New Musik released their third and final album, Warp (1982) which was more experimental. Oddly, it featured a synth version of The Beatles "All You Need Is Love", alongside an identically titled track of their own. Tracks such as "Hunting", "A Train On Twisted Tracks" and "Kingdoms For Horses" showed much promise, but without promotion and with limited record company support, the group disbanded shortly after.

Known for their originality and innovative approach to recording, New Musik specialised in catchy synth-pop with clever, often thought-provoking lyrical content. Tracks such as "Dead Fish (Don't Swim Home)" and "The Planet Doesn't Mind" highlighted environmental issues, still a minority interest in the early 1980s.

Several artists have covered tracks by New Musik, including Camouflage who did a version of "On Islands" in 1989.

Mansfield went on to achieve considerable success in the field of production for the likes of After The Fire, A-Ha, Aztec Camera, The B-52s, The Damned, Captain Sensible, Naked Eyes, Mari Wilson, Jean Paul Gaultier, Miguel Bose and Ana Torroja, some of his most successful projects.

From A To B and Anywhere were released on CD in 1994, and again in 2001, remastered and with bonus tracks. Warp was also released (with bonus tracks) on CD for the first time in 2001, in Japan. This remains its only CD release.

Luxury
New Musik Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

(This is your life)
(This is your life)

You like to win
You like to choose
You need to know the combination

You like control

And you decide
The game of situation

This is your life of luxury
This is your life of luxury

You′re in the swing
So for a while
You think you've found the combination

You′re closer now
But still too far
From the game of situations

This is your life of luxury
This is your life of luxury

(This is your life)
(This is your life)
(This is your life)
(This is your life)

And now you need
A change of style
You try another combination

So on you go
Intent to win
The game of situation

This is your life of luxury
This is your life of luxury
This is your life of luxury
This is your life of luxury

Yruxul fo efil rouy si siht
Yruxul fo efil rouy si siht

Yruxul fo efil rouy si sihT
Yruxul fo efil rouy si sihT

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of New Musik's song "Luxury" depict a character who thrives on winning and having control in their life. The song explores themes of ambition, desire for luxury, and the search for the perfect combination or situation that will bring satisfaction and fulfillment.

The repetitive lyrics "This is your life" emphasize the focus on the individual's journey and the choices they make. The opening lines set the tone by stating "You like to win, you like to choose," suggesting that this person is driven by competition and the need to have agency in their life. The line "You need to know the combination" implies that they are constantly searching for the right formula or strategy to achieve their goals.

As the song progresses, it suggests that the individual believes they have found the right combination or situation, represented by being "in the swing" and feeling close to their desired outcome. However, they are still far from truly attaining the game of situations, signifying that fulfillment and contentment remain elusive.

The lyrics also hint at a desire for change and continuous pursuit, as they "try another combination" and remain "intent to win." This suggests that the character is not satisfied with a stagnant state but seeks new challenges and opportunities to maintain their sense of luxury and control in life.

Overall, "Luxury" by New Musik portrays the relentless pursuit of success, agency, and luxury, highlighting the never-ending quest for the perfect combination or situation that will bring fulfillment and satisfaction.

Line by Line Meaning

(This is your life)
This represents the current state of your existence

(You like to win)
You derive satisfaction from achieving success

(You like to choose)
You enjoy having the power to make decisions

(You need to know the combination)
You have a strong desire to understand the correct formula or method

(You like control)
You prefer to have authority and influence over situations

(And you decide)
It is ultimately your choice

(The game of situation)
Navigating the complexities of various circumstances

(This is your life of luxury)
Your existence is characterized by opulence and indulgence

(You're in the swing)
You are currently enjoying a period of success and good fortune

(So for a while)
This state of affairs may persist temporarily

(You think you've found the combination)
You believe that you have discovered the correct approach or formula