Initially formed in 1976 in London, England, they didn't reach a stable line-up or decide on the Spandau name until 1978. Their odd title allegedly came from a piece of bathroom graffiti observed during the members early days. Inspired by a mixture of avant-garde synth pop and slick funk. as typified by their early track "Chant No 1 (I Don't Need This Pressure On)", also known by other titles such as "Chant # 1", the band commercially broke through with an artistic public image as remarked upon as their music. Said track reached the #2 spot in the U.K. and was notable for inclusion of the horn section from the group Beggar & Co, which proved a fruitful collaboration on record.
Spandau Ballet's first two albums, 1981's 'Journeys to Glory' and 1982's 'Diamond', found them also mining their art rock and glam rock roots as their fan-base expanded, the group looking to the works of David Bowie and Roxy Music for inspiration. Both albums charted in the U.K. top 20 and were later certified gold by the RIAA. Additional popular songs from the band in this era include "To Cut a Long Story Short" and "Freeze" (also known as "The Freeze". The group also notably picked up a semi-friendly rivalry with new wave contemporaries Duran Duran.
After four hits in the U.K. followed by a couple of less successful releases, however, Spandau Ballet's chart career appeared to be on the wane. Yet Instinction, re-ignited their fortunes and became the first of eleven consecutive singles to reach the Top 20
Immensely popular in the UK, the New Romantic group eventually mellowed into a mainstream pop act. As with Duran Duran they 'broke America', albeit briefly - the title track of their 3rd album True peaked in the Top 5 of the Singles charts. The song gained a new life in the 1990's and beyond by being sampled in the songs Set Adrift on Memory Bliss by PM Dawn and N Dey Say by Nelly.
After a split in 1990 and a court case almost ten years later involving Hadley, Keeble & Norman suing Gary Kemp over royalties, they announced in March 2009 a reformation.
A Matter Of Time
Spandau Ballet Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For horizons that he'll never reach
And all of those dreams are washed on the beach
She's drowning in oceans of shackled emotions
Going round and around in her head
While out on the streets people forget
Love you want
Love you want
She speaks of hoping, he speaks of fighting
And tells her that they will come through
'Cause he wants to feel the shock of the new
People that hurt you and they burn you
With acid the falls that falls from the sky
And out of the silence your voice says why?
If it's love you want
Love you want
Love you want
It's a matter of time, a matter of time
But you're asking why, oh, life makes you cry?
Turn moss into roses and blood into wine
It's a matter of time, a matter of time
But all of your past still plays on your mind
And maybe tomorrow you'll live by design
It's a matter of time
This isn't giving this isn't living
Ooh, just days that pull you apart
And tears turn to rust that fall on still hearts
So swallow your maybes and cradle your babies
Tell them that they will come through
Their gonna feel the shock of the new
And if it's love you want
Love you want
Love you want
It's a matter of time, a matter of time
But you're asking why, oh, life makes you cry?
Turn moss into roses and blood into wine
It's a matter of time, a matter of time
But all of your past still plays on your mind
And maybe tomorrow you'll live by design
It's a matter of time
A matter of time, a matter of time
A matter of time, a matter of time
A matter of time, a matter of time
A matter of time, a matter of time
The lyrics to Spandau Ballet's "A Matter of Time" speak about the struggles of two people, a man and a woman, who are going through their own separate challenges. The man is alone, crying for horizons he feels he'll never reach, and all his dreams have been washed away like sand on a beach. Meanwhile, the woman is drowning in her own emotions, going in circles in her head, while people outside forget her struggles. They both speak of the hope to come through but face hurt, pain, and suffering, evident through the metaphor of acid rain. They both want love, but it's a matter of time before they can find it.
The song's chorus repeats the phrase "it's a matter of time," implying that the struggles these two people face won't last forever. They must be patient and persevere, even as their pasts still haunt them. The song ends on a hopeful note encouraging them to "turn moss into roses and blood into wine" and to "live by design." A message that there is hope for a better future.
Line by Line Meaning
He lays alone cries on his own
He is lonely and crying by himself
For horizons that he'll never reach
He is upset about not being able to achieve his dreams
And all of those dreams are washed on the beach
His dreams are lost and unattainable
She's drowning in oceans of shackled emotions
She feels overwhelmed by her feelings and unable to express them
Going round and around in her head
Her thoughts are constantly swirling and she can't escape them
While out on the streets people forget
Others are preoccupied with their own lives and don't notice her struggles
That it's love you want Love you want Love you want
The desire for love is what both of them are seeking
She speaks of hoping, he speaks of fighting
She is hopeful, while he is determined to overcome obstacles
And tells her that they will come through
He assures her that they will succeed
'Cause he wants to feel the shock of the new
He seeks the excitement of new experiences
People that hurt you and they burn you
Other people can cause emotional pain and scars
With acid the falls that falls from the sky
The pain is like corrosive acid that falls from the sky
And out of the silence your voice says why?
In moments of quiet, one may question why they have suffered
It's a matter of time, a matter of time But you're asking why, oh, life makes you cry?
He acknowledges that time will heal their wounds, but she still questions why life is so difficult
Turn moss into roses and blood into wine
Despite the difficulties, there is hope for transformation and beauty
But all of your past still plays on your mind
Memories of the past continue to haunt and affect them
And maybe tomorrow you'll live by design
There is possibility for a better future that they can shape
This isn't giving this isn't living
They feel unfulfilled and unsatisfied with their current lives
Ooh, just days that pull you apart
Each day is painful and challenges them
And tears turn to rust that fall on still hearts
Their tears are fruitless and their hearts feel paralyzed
So swallow your maybes and cradle your babies
They should let go of their doubts and care for the things that bring them joy
Tell them that they will come through
They should encourage themselves and others to persevere
Their gonna feel the shock of the new
New experiences will bring excitement and renewal
It's a matter of time, a matter of time
He reiterates that time is necessary for change and healing
A matter of time, a matter of time
The phrase is repeated as a reminder of the slow process of healing
Lyrics © REFORMATION MUSIC INC
Written by: GARY KEMP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@krisztina442
This Spandau Ballet song has always been one of my favourites, I find it excellent!
I can relate to this lyrics because it hits home...
"People that hurt you and they burn you
With acid that falls from the sky
And out of the silence your voice says why?
If it's love you want
Love you want
Love you want
It's a matter of time, a matter of time
But you're asking why, oh, life makes you cry?..."
And then the line "maybe tomorrow you'll live by design" always touches me, this tomorrow might never come... It's so sad!
It's a highly underrated Spandau song and I don't understand why.
@EduardoCezarCoelho
A matter of time (lyrics)
He lays alone cries on his own
For horizons that he'll never reach
And all of those dreams are washed on the beach
She's drowning in oceans of shackled emotions
Going round and around in her head
While out on the streets people forget
That it's love you want
Love you want
Love you want
She speaks of hoping, he speaks of fighting
And tells her that they will come through
'Cause he wants to feel the shock of the new
People that hurt you and they burn you
With acid the falls that falls from the sky
And out of the silence your voice says why?
If it's love you want
Love you want
Love you want
It's a matter of time, a matter of time
But you're asking why, oh, life makes you cry?
Turn moss into roses and blood into wine
It's a matter of time, a matter of time
But all of your past still plays on your mind
And maybe tomorrow you'll live by design
It's a matter of time
This isn't giving this isn't living
Ooh, just days that pull you apart
And tears turn to rust that fall on still hearts
So swallow your maybes and cradle your babies
Tell them that they will come through
Their gonna feel the shock of the new
And if it's love you want
Love you want
Love you want
It's a matter of time, a matter of time
But you're asking why, oh, life makes you cry?
Turn moss into roses and blood into wine
It's a matter of time, a matter of time
But all of your past still plays on your mind
And maybe tomorrow you'll live by design
It's a matter of time
A matter of time, a matter of time
A matter of time, a matter of time
A matter of time, a matter of time
A matter of time, a matter of time
@krisztina442
This Spandau Ballet song has always been one of my favourites, I find it excellent!
I can relate to this lyrics because it hits home...
"People that hurt you and they burn you
With acid that falls from the sky
And out of the silence your voice says why?
If it's love you want
Love you want
Love you want
It's a matter of time, a matter of time
But you're asking why, oh, life makes you cry?..."
And then the line "maybe tomorrow you'll live by design" always touches me, this tomorrow might never come... It's so sad!
It's a highly underrated Spandau song and I don't understand why.
@mariuszkucharski3019
One of the most beautiful, romantic songs ever. Simply masterpiece, simply Spandau Ballet❤
@gustavodigiuseppe849
Por Dios que temazo❤ La máquina del tiempo perfecta.
@wozzywick
Stunning song. It's a shame this album is forgotten about
@EduardoCezarCoelho
A matter of time (lyrics)
He lays alone cries on his own
For horizons that he'll never reach
And all of those dreams are washed on the beach
She's drowning in oceans of shackled emotions
Going round and around in her head
While out on the streets people forget
That it's love you want
Love you want
Love you want
She speaks of hoping, he speaks of fighting
And tells her that they will come through
'Cause he wants to feel the shock of the new
People that hurt you and they burn you
With acid the falls that falls from the sky
And out of the silence your voice says why?
If it's love you want
Love you want
Love you want
It's a matter of time, a matter of time
But you're asking why, oh, life makes you cry?
Turn moss into roses and blood into wine
It's a matter of time, a matter of time
But all of your past still plays on your mind
And maybe tomorrow you'll live by design
It's a matter of time
This isn't giving this isn't living
Ooh, just days that pull you apart
And tears turn to rust that fall on still hearts
So swallow your maybes and cradle your babies
Tell them that they will come through
Their gonna feel the shock of the new
And if it's love you want
Love you want
Love you want
It's a matter of time, a matter of time
But you're asking why, oh, life makes you cry?
Turn moss into roses and blood into wine
It's a matter of time, a matter of time
But all of your past still plays on your mind
And maybe tomorrow you'll live by design
It's a matter of time
A matter of time, a matter of time
A matter of time, a matter of time
A matter of time, a matter of time
A matter of time, a matter of time
@skditta959
A masterpiece! Music from the heart. ❤️
@lizeltorio-zabalo5083
Of all the Spandau songs this one hits home. I love this one. Best of all songs for me.
@The_Lone_Wolf_Emperor_
What can I say...simply is Spandau Ballet!!! 💯👍👌👏
@mayabrkic6734
Best 80💜 What a beautiful voice..
@alejovazquez3375
Temazo!
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