Their follow-up album, Vol. II: 1990 - A New Decade, yielded the hits "Get a Life" and "A Dream's a Dream," the latter featuring operatic vocals by Victoria Wilson-James. While their U.S. following declined somewhat following its release, Soul II Soul continued to have hits in the UK, including 1992's #4 single, "Joy."
Soul II Soul reached Volume 5 of their series for Virgin in 1995, then released 2 more albums for Island Records.
Do You Really Want To Hurt Me
Soul II Soul Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Back to life, back to reality
Back to life, back to reality
Back to the here and now, oh yeah
Show me how
Decide what you want from me
Tell me maybe I could be there for you
However, do you want me?
However, do you need me? How
However, do you want me?
However, do you need me?
However, do you want me?
However, do you need me? How (however)
However, do you want me?
However, do you need me?
Back to life
Back to the present time
Back from a fantasy, yes
Tell me now, take the initiative
I'll leave it in your hands
Until you're ready, yeah
However, do you want me?
However, do you need me? How
However, do you want me? (Oh, well, how do you want me?)
However, do you need me?
However, do you want me? (However)
However, do you need me? How
However, do you want me?
However, do you need me?
However, do you need me?
However, do you need me?
However, do you need me?
However, do you need me?
I live at the top of the block (top of the block)
No more room (no more room)
For trouble and fuss (no, no, no, there's not)
Need a change, a positive change
Look, it's me writing on the wall
Ever, do you want me, yes
However, do you want me?
However, do you need me? How
However, do you want me?
However, do you need me?
However, do you want me?
However, do you need me? How
However, do you want me? (Oh, oh, oh)
However, do you need me? (Tell me, now, how do you want me to be? Yeah)
Back to life, back to the day we had
Let's end this foolish game
Hear me out, don't let it waste away
Make up your mind, so I know where I stand
However, do you want me?
However, do you need me? How
However, do you want me?
However, do you need me?
However, do you want me? (However)
However, do you need me? (Do you need me?)
However, do you want me? (Need me)
However, do you need me? (Tell me now)
However, do you want me?
However, do you need me?
However, do you want me?
However, do you need me? (Tell me, now, how do you want me to be? Yeah)
However, do you want me?
However, do you need me? How (oh, oh)
However, do you want me?
However, do you need me?
"Back to Life" by Soul II Soul describes a longing for a return to reality and a desperate plea for communication between two people. The lyrics revolve around the theme of someone trying to figure out what their partner wants and needs from them. The singer asks, "However, do you want me?" and "However, do you need me?" repeatedly, seeking answers and trying to determine what the other person feels. The repetition of these lines reflects the frustration and confusion that comes from a lack of communication in relationships.
The lines "Back to life, back to reality" are repeated as a sort of a grounding mechanism. This is a reminder that the singer is longing to come back to reality despite the challenges of relationships. The verse "I live at the top of the block (top of the block)/No more room (no more room)/For trouble and fuss (no, no, no, there's not)/Need a change, a positive change/Look, it's me writing on the wall" reveals a desire for change.
Overall, "Back to Life" is not only a catchy tune but also a profound reflection on relationships and communication that still resonates with listeners today.
Line by Line Meaning
Back to life, back to reality
Returning to the real world after living in a dream or fantasy
Back to the here and now, oh yeah
Returning to the present moment and focusing on reality
Show me how
Asking for guidance or instruction
Decide what you want from me
Asking for clarification on what is expected or desired
Tell me maybe I could be there for you
Offering to provide support or assistance
However, do you want me?
Expressing uncertainty about the other person's feelings or intentions
However, do you need me? How
Asking if the other person requires your help or presence
Back to the present time
Returning to the current moment in time
Back from a fantasy, yes
Returning to reality after escaping into a dream world
Tell me now, take the initiative
Requesting that the other person makes a decision or takes action
I'll leave it in your hands
Giving the other person control or power over the situation
Until you're ready, yeah
Waiting for the other person to be prepared or willing before proceeding
I live at the top of the block (top of the block)
Living in a prominent or visible location
No more room (no more room)
Having no space or capacity for additional stress or hardship
For trouble and fuss (no, no, no, there's not)
Desiring peace and simplicity in life
Need a change, a positive change
Desiring or requiring a beneficial alteration to current circumstances
Look, it's me writing on the wall
Asserting oneself and making one's desires known
Let's end this foolish game
Stopping a pointless or harmful activity
Hear me out, don't let it waste away
Asking for a fair hearing and not allowing the situation to deteriorate
Make up your mind, so I know where I stand
Asking for a clear decision to be made for the benefit of both parties
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Beresford Romeo, Simon Law, Nellie Hooper, Caron Wheeler
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
southernman429
As always...better than the original...
Thank you DJDisco cat👃👃👃✌👍
Dj Randy B The Classics Master
Spring 1983 Nu wave music & groups were in full effect
and Culture Club's Kissing to be clever album was a MONSTER!
Rusty Kuntz
Props to Mikey Craig on the bass, really nails this groove.
Juan RO
Hi DJDiscoCatV2. It would be interesting to hear your versions of for example two classics from the 80's like Take On Me and Don't You Want Me. You do a good job, congratulations!!.
Bob Dewey
I still love hearing this song to this day.
Brandon Thomas
I DIDN'T THINK ANY MIX COULD BE BETTER THAN THE ORIGINAL. You proved me wrong.
pickzkickz
Its not....
88feji
Yes, this really lives up to the title of purrfection .. I'm really into this version now..love how the instrumentals are emphasized, it adds a lot of gritty texture to the sound ...
Asian Sunflower82
I'm enjoying this classic gem on my earbuds, and that bass is truly through the roof! Love it so much!! Thank u, DJDiscoCat.
Roman L.N.
It was a hit, it was played everywhere, on the radio, on TV, at discos, etc, I love it, great version, thx DJDCV2!