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.
Always In The Back Of My Mind
Spandau Ballet Lyrics
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Nothing ever changes, oh, I wish to God it did
Just another drink and you'll be gone
Oh, it's two am raining again
I saw you making faces in the river
Only me, down by the quay
I thought time would burn it
Burn it down to the ground
Just another breeze and you'll be strong
Oh, I'm driving home, all on my own
Just a passenger in all that we lost
Satisfy, oh, Lord, don't deny
I see your face in the everything that's near 'cause
Ooh, you were always in the back of my mind
Ooh, you were always in the back of my mind
Ooh, I have all the memories, the winter of eighty-two
When down upon the ice you saw me melt
Oh, it's two am raining again
I saw you making faces in the river
Only me, down by the quay
Just a sad reflection that I give you
Ooh, you were always in the back of my mind
Ooh, you were always in the back of my mind
Ooh, washed up on the rocks again
Oh, don't you know that it's so damn hot
And the things you do?
I won't ever learn, ooh, I won't ever learn
Oh, washed up on the rocks again
Oh, don't you know that it's so damn hot
And the things you do?
I won't ever learn, I won't ever learn
Ooh, I won't ever learn, I won't ever learn
Ooh, you were always in the back of my mind
Ooh, you were always in the back of my mind
Ooh, you were always in the back of my mind
Ooh, you were always in the back of my mind
In the back of mind
You're in the back of mind
In the back of mind
Spandau Ballet’s “Always in the Back of My Mind” is a heart-wrenching ballad about unrequited love and the nostalgic memories that linger long after the relationship has ended. The opening lines “Ooh, you're always in the back of my mind” set the tone for a song that is infused with longing and regret. The singer wishes that things could change, but knows that they won’t. They try to drown out their sorrows with alcohol, but it’s futile because the memories of their former lover are always present.
The song’s chorus is built around the repetition of the line “Ooh, you were always in the back of my mind,” which is a powerful way of emphasizing just how much the singer is haunted by their past love. The second verse describes an encounter in the rain, where the singer sees their ex’s face reflected in the water. It’s clear that they’re struggling to move on and that their ex has left an indelible mark on their life.
The final section of the song features a repeated refrain of “Ooh, washed up on the rocks again”, which suggests that the singer is having a hard time coping with the end of the relationship. The song ends on a bittersweet note, with the singer acknowledging that they will never really learn from their mistakes and that their ex will always be in the back of their mind.
Line by Line Meaning
Ooh, you're always in the back of my mind, ooh
You're someone who I can't stop thinking about, even though I try.
Nothing ever changes, oh, I wish to God it did
Our relationship remains the same, even though deep down I hope for a change.
Just another drink and you'll be gone
You have a fleeting presence in my life, and a drink will make you leave just as quickly.
Oh, it's two am raining again
It's late at night, and it's raining. The weather reflects the sadness I feel.
I saw you making faces in the river
I witnessed you making faces in a body of water, perhaps mirroring the inner turmoil you are experiencing.
Only me, down by the quay
I was alone by the waterfront, possibly contemplating our relationship and where it stands.
Just a sad reflection that I give you
The image of me alone by the water merely reflects the sadness of our relationship.
I thought time would burn it
I believed that with time, our relationship would end and the wounds would heal.
Burn it down to the ground
I hoped that time would end our relationship completely.
Just another breeze and you'll be strong
You are resilient and easily move on to the next person or situation.
Oh, I'm driving home, all on my own
I am driving home alone, left to contemplate the state of our relationship.
Just a passenger in all that we lost
I am merely along for the ride, bearing witness to all that we have lost.
Satisfy, oh, Lord, don't deny
I crave satisfaction and hope that some divine force will grant me it.
I see your face in everything that's near 'cause
Your face remains etched in my memory, and I see reminders of you everywhere.
Ooh, you were always in the back of my mind
You were never at the forefront of my thoughts, but always there, lurking in the back.
Ooh, I have all the memories, the winter of eighty-two
I have a multitude of memories, including those from the winter of 1982.
When down upon the ice you saw me melt
You witnessed my vulnerability and saw me break down.
Ooh, washed up on the rocks again
I find myself stranded once more, at a loss for what to do.
Oh, don't you know that it's so damn hot
The situation I find myself in is unbearable and causing me discomfort.
And the things you do?
Your actions perplex and confuse me, leaving me with unanswered questions.
I won't ever learn, ooh, I won't ever learn
Even though I should know better, I am destined to make the same mistakes over and over again.
Ooh, you were always in the back of my mind
Regardless of what happens, you will always be in the back of my mind.
In the back of mind
A reminder that you remain ever-present in my thoughts.
Lyrics © REFORMATION MUSIC INC
Written by: GARY KEMP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind