As a duo, Fahey and Detroit released two albums and are best-known for the song "Stay", a top five hit in the U.S. which spent eight weeks at number one in the U.K. Both "Stay" and the follow-up single "Hello (Turn your radio on)" are co-written by Dave Stewart under the pseudonym Jean Guiot. Detroit left the act after many quabbles with Fahey, and Shakespear's Sister's Third album #3, technically a Fahey solo album, was shelved by London Records. Years later, after wrangling the album rights from the label, Fahey released it independently.
After sporadically recording under her own name for a few years, Fahey reclaimed the Shakespear's Sister moniker for herself as a solo artist and independently released a new album, ''Songs from the Red Room'', in November 2009 accompanied by touring in the UK. A physical release of "Songs from the Red Room" in the U.S. went ahead on 12 April 2010, followed by a deluxe edition double-CD with 8 bonus tracks on 3 May in the UK.
Hello
Shakespear's Sister Lyrics
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All bright and shiny like they'd just arrived from mars.
And as I stumbled through last night's drunken debris,
The paperboy screamed out the headlines in the street.
Another war, and now the pound is looking weak.
And tell me, have you read about the latest freak?
We're bingo numbers, and our names are obsolete.
Why do I feel bitter when I should be feeling sweet?
Is there anybody out there?
Help me sing my song.
La, la, la, life is a strange thing.
Just when you think you learned how to use it,
It's gone.
Woke up this morning, and my head was in a daze.
A brave new world has dawned upon the human race,
Where words are meaning less, and everything's surreal.
Gonna have to reach my friends to find out how I feel.
And if I taste the honey - is it really sweet?
And do I eat it with my hands or with my feet?
Does anybody really listen when I speak,
Or will I have to say it all again next week?
Hello, hello, turn your radio on;
Is there anybody out there?
Help me sing my song.
Hello, hello, turn your radio on;
Is there anybody out there?
Tell me what went wrong.
La, la, la, life is a strange thing.
Life is a strange thing.
Hello, hello, turn your radio on;
Is there anybody out there?
Help me sing my song.
La, la, la, life is a strange thing.
Just when you think you learned how to use it,
It's gone.
The lyrics of Shakespear's Sister's song "Hello" describe a world in chaos and confusion, where everything seems surreal and meaningless. The singer wakes up to a world full of cars, which are described as bright and shiny like they've just arrived from Mars. As she tries to navigate through the debris of her drunken night, she's bombarded by news of war and economic trouble. The world around her seems to be spinning out of control, with people reduced to "bingo numbers" and their names becoming obsolete. This sense of alienation is further compounded by the singer's fear that nobody is really listening to her.
The theme of the song seems to be the absurdity of modern life, where technology has made things more efficient but also more impersonal. The idea that words are becoming meaningless suggests that communication has become reduced to sound bites and slogans. The singer longs for connection and meaning, and wonders if anybody is really listening. The repeated refrain of "Hello, hello, turn your radio on" is a call for help, a plea for someone to listen and respond.
Overall, "Hello" is a poignant portrayal of a world in crisis, where people feel isolated and disconnected. It's a reflection on the way technology and the media have changed the way we communicate, and the challenges we face in finding real connection in an increasingly hectic and impersonal world.
Line by Line Meaning
Woke up this morning, and the streets were full of cars;
As I started my day, I saw the usual heavy traffic on the streets.
All bright and shiny like they'd just arrived from mars.
The cars looked new, almost otherworldly.
And as I stumbled through last night's drunken debris,
After a night of drinking, I struggled through the mess left around.
The paperboy screamed out the headlines in the street.
The newsboy shouted the latest headlines for everyone to hear.
Another war, and now the pound is looking weak.
The news was filled with another war and the currency was appearing unstable.
And tell me, have you read about the latest freak?
I wondered if anyone else had read about the latest bizarre news story.
We're bingo numbers, and our names are obsolete.
We are treated merely as numbers, with our individual identities becoming meaningless.
Why do I feel bitter when I should be feeling sweet?
Despite feeling like I should be happy, I find the world depressing and unpleasant.
Hello, hello, turn your radio on;
I call out to anyone who can hear me and suggest turning on the radio.
Is there anybody out there?
I ask if anyone is listening or paying attention to what's happening around them.
Help me sing my song.
I seek support and a way to express my thoughts and feelings.
La, la, la, life is a strange thing.
The complexity and randomness of life is fascinating and bewildering.
Just when you think you learned how to use it,
Just when you think you have a grasp on life,
It's gone.
It slips away unexpectedly.
Woke up this morning, and my head was in a daze.
I woke up feeling confused and disorientated.
A brave new world has dawned upon the human race,
A new era has arrived with different values and attitudes.
Where words are meaning less, and everything's surreal.
Words have lost their significance, and everything feels like it's not real.
Gonna have to reach my friends to find out how I feel.
I need to consult with my friends to understand my emotions and navigate this strange new world.
And if I taste the honey - is it really sweet?
If I experience something pleasurable, is it really as good as it seems?
And do I eat it with my hands or with my feet?
How should I approach and enjoy the good things in life?
Does anybody really listen when I speak,
I question if anyone is truly taking the time to listen to me.
Or will I have to say it all again next week?
I worry that my words and feelings will be forgotten or dismissed, causing me to repeat myself.
Tell me what went wrong.
I ask someone to help me understand what has gone wrong with the world.
Life is a strange thing.
Life is full of unexpected twists and turns, which can be both exciting and confusing.
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: SIOBHAN FAHEY, JEAN GUIOT, MARCELLA LEVY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sean Egan
One of the greatest songs of the late 20th century.... Astounding. Largely ignored sadly, I'll keep it as an undiscovered treasure.
Robert Manners
Yes I fully agree and what's worse is its my favourite song on Hormonally Yours that no one normally knows since they all remember Stay!
Chris Hannon
Sean Egan I agree Sean I'd forgotten this wonderful track
Schnipp08
I fully agree!!!!
CJ
Totally agree. I was 17 when the album came out and it's still one of my favourites. Just so different for back then and even now.
joshua caro
u r so correct this is a diamond
porkulator
'Life is a strange thing, just when you think you've learned how to use it, it's gone' one of the most powerful lines in music.
ThatSorcererGuy
Yes, I grow older and still remember this line.. so true.
Schnipp08
Yes, I agree!
G B
Absolutely true!!!❤❤❤