The themes and imagery in the band's songs were often influenced by futuristic, dystopian, or post-apocalyptic films such as A Clockwork Orange, The Terminator, Blade Runner, and the Mad Max trilogy. The band's music and image also mashed together a range of other pop culture influences, including the New York electronica duo Suicide, Marc Bolan's T-Rex, and the swagger and sex appeal of Eddie Cochran, Elvis Presley, and glam rock.
The original line-up also featured Martin Degville, Neal X (Whitmore), Chris Kavanagh, and Ray Mayhew. Tony James' friend Mick Jones, a former member of The Clash, gave James advice about starting the band and selecting musicians. While searching for members, in 1983 Tony James tried out Andrew Eldritch from The Sisters of Mercy and, on Mick Jones' suggestion, auditioned the then-unknown Annie Lennox. As well, Jones gave James a Roland G-707 synth guitar, which at the time was a new and rarely-used device. The futuristic, electronic sounds of the synth guitar helped James to create Sputnik's new wave-cyberpunk sound.
The band took its name from a Moscow street gang called Sigue Sigue Sputnik, which means "Burn, burn, satellite." Their outlandish appearance and image, which included towering, multicoloured mohawk hairstyles, wigs, makeup, and multiple piercings, and gender-bending fetish clothing (plastic, rubber, or leather outfits, fishnet stockings, and stiletto heels) garnered a great deal of attention from the media. While these styles have since been used by a number of gothic or glam bands, in the mid-1980s, Sigue Sigue band members' appearance was unique and startling.
The "packaging" of the band's appearance and presentation was carefully considered well before the band ever performed in public. Inspired by the Sex Pistols manager Malcolm McLaren's unorthodox methods of promoting a band, Tony James generated a great deal of hype about Sigue Sigue Sputnik, while wisely not allowing anyone from the music industry a chance to hear the band. James famously showed record executives a short video collage of futuristic and science-fiction movie clips as a "demo tape" of the band. The buzz became a frenzy as several record labels began a bidding war to sign Sigue Sigue Sputnik. James finally settled on EMI, which was rumored to have given the band a £1 million advance.
The group split soon after the release of their second album, Dress for Excess (the initial single from which, Success, was produced by British hitmakers Stock Aitken Waterman). Tony James stated that the band "...couldn't sustain this pretend bastardized version of Sputnik." James also blamed the media for the band's fall from grace. When Sputnik's first singles were released, the media and James' promotional efforts worked symbiotically, sharing the mutual benefits of the band's hype and shock value. Once the initial shock and tabloid outrage over the band's unusual image and appearance had worn off, media coverage became dismissive, criticizing the band's focus on image and style.
The band was reformed once in the 1990s (featuring Tomoyasu Hotei on guitar and Christopher Novak singing) releasing Sputnik: The Next Generation and once again in 2001 with Martin Degville and Neal X, which resulted in the release of Piratespace. The reformed Sigue Sigue Sputnik continues to play live, and it has also produced a number of remixes of other artists' work. In 2004, lead singer Martin Degville left the band to pursue a solo career.
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DISCOGRAPHY
Hey Jayne Mansfield Superstar!
Sigue Sigue Sputnik Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hay Jane Mansfield, baby
Yeah, you got it
Well, ooh, aah, a pink guitar
F-F-Frankenstein's baby, yes, you are
Cha cha heels and patent bra
Hey, Jane Mansfield, superstar
Billion wow, dollar body, rocket, rocket
Hey Jane Mansfield, baby
Yeah, you got it
Well, ooh, aah, a pink guitar
Headless 7th wonder yes you are
Cha cha heels and patent bra
Hey, Jane Mansfield, superstar
Pink flamingo, freak-out rocket
Ooh, aah, a pink guitar
Custom built sensation, yes, you are
Champagne furs and caviar
Hey, Jane Mansfield, superstar
Hold it, let's rock it
Those eyes that mouth that body
Yeah, you've got it
Ooh, aah, a pink guitar
Glamour-rama-Lama-yes you are
Diamonds pearls and jaguar
Hey, Jane Mansfield, superstar
Hilton Rits Belgravia
Hey, Jane Mansfield, superstar
Hits and lips and guns guitar
Hey, Jane Mansfield, star
Patent heels and cha cha bra
Ooh, aah, ooh, aah, ooh, aah, ooh, aah
The lyrics of Sigue Sigue Sputnik's song "Hey Jayne Mansfield Superstar!" pay homage to the iconic American actress and sex symbol, Jayne Mansfield. The song is filled with references to her glamorous image and larger-than-life persona, using words and phrases that evoke a sense of sensuality, excess, and rock and roll.
The opening lines, "Hold it like a weapon, rocket, rocket," suggest that Jayne Mansfield's allure and presence are comparable to a powerful weapon or a rocket taking off. This implies that her beauty and charisma are so potent that they can captivate and mesmerize anyone. The repetition of "rocket, rocket" enhances the idea of her being a force to be reckoned with.
The lyrics continue to emphasize Mansfield's physical beauty and unique style, describing her with phrases like "pink guitar," "pink flamingo," and "diamonds pearls and jaguar." These images symbolize luxury, extravagance, and glamour, highlighting her status as a superstar. The mentions of a "patent bra," "cha cha heels," and "custom built sensation" further emphasize her distinctive fashion choices and provocative image.
The lines "F-F-Frankenstein's baby, yes, you are / Headless 7th wonder yes you are" evoke an intriguing juxtaposition between beauty and the macabre. The reference to Frankenstein suggests that there is an element of Artificiality or manufactured glamour to Mansfield's persona, while the mention of the "headless 7th wonder" reinforces her status as an enigmatic and awe-inspiring figure.
The chorus, "Hey Jane Mansfield, superstar," serves as a constant reminder of her status and fame. It underscores the notion that Mansfield was an iconic figure who left a lasting impression on pop culture and society. The repetition of phrases like "ooh, aah" and "yeah, you've got it" throughout the song further emphasize Mansfield's allure and the profound impact she had on those around her.
Overall, the lyrics of "Hey Jayne Mansfield Superstar!" paint a picture of Jayne Mansfield as an alluring, larger-than-life figure who captivated audiences with her beauty, style, and glamour. The song celebrates her status as a superstar and highlights the seductive power she possessed, suggesting that she was a force to be reckoned with in the world of entertainment.
Line by Line Meaning
Hold it like a weapon, rocket, rocket
Embrace your talent and power, like a weapon, ready to soar
Hey Jane Mansfield, baby
Addressing the iconic Jane Mansfield, highlighting her allure
Yeah, you got it
You possess that special something, that star quality
Well, ooh, aah, a pink guitar
Expressing excitement and admiration for a unique instrument
F-F-Frankenstein's baby, yes, you are
Comparing your powerful presence to that of Frankenstein's creation
Cha cha heels and patent bra
Emphasizing the glamour and allure of your fashion choices
Hey, Jane Mansfield, superstar
Paying tribute to Jane Mansfield's status and fame
Billion wow, dollar body, rocket, rocket
Highlighting the extraordinary value and impact of your physique
Headless 7th wonder yes you are
Describing your captivating presence as an enigmatic wonder
Champagne furs and caviar
Portraying opulence and luxury in your style and preferences
Pink flamingo, freak-out rocket
Comparing your dazzling persona to a flamboyant rocket
Custom built sensation, yes, you are
Acknowledging your unique and exceptional nature
Champagne furs and caviar
Celebrating your indulgence and decadence
Hold it, let's rock it
Prepare to unleash your talent and conquer the stage
Those eyes that mouth that body
Appreciating the captivating allure of your physical features
Yeah, you've got it
Confirming your possession of that irresistible charm and magnetism
Ooh, aah, a pink guitar
Reacting with excitement and admiration towards the unique instrument
Glamour-rama-Lama-yes you are
Acknowledging your exceptional glamour and captivating presence
Diamonds pearls and jaguar
Portraying your luxurious lifestyle and indulgences
Hey, Jane Mansfield, superstar
Addressing Jane Mansfield as the iconic superstar she is
Hilton Rits Belgravia
Referencing luxurious locations associated with fame and fortune
Hey, Jane Mansfield, superstar
Once again, addressing Jane Mansfield as the superstar she is
Hits and lips and guns guitar
Highlighting the dynamic and powerful nature of your music
Hey, Jane Mansfield, star
Addressing Jane Mansfield as a shining star in the entertainment industry
Patent heels and cha cha bra
Emphasizing the seductive and glamorous fashion choices you make
Ooh, aah, ooh, aah, ooh, aah, ooh, aah
Expressing excitement and awe towards your captivating presence
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MARTIN DEGVILLE, TONY JAMES, NEAL WHITMORE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind