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.
Big Feeling
Spandau Ballet Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Come next September I'll be out upon the road again
And there'll be times when I can hardly even say your name
But now we're sticking to the sheets and I can't sleep tonight
And like a dream love we're moving into light
Oh, I feel like this is warning
And oh I feel like ten feet tall
Don't ever let me down
Big feeling
Oh it's getting hard to hide
Big feeling
Like a river running wide
You are my thunder
And there's lighting here inside
Oh come on, darling now day has turned it's time for home
I won't forget that night we slept out on the beach alone
Now the sun has come to take the moon and light the sky
Wave over me flow over me
Oh, I feel like this is warning
And oh I feel like ten feet tall
And don't ever let me down
Don't ever let me down
Big feeling
Oh, it's getting hard to hide
Big feeling
Like a river running wide
You are my thunder
And there's lighting here inside
(Lighting here inside)
Feeling inside
Don't ever let me down
Don't ever let me down
Don't ever let me down
Big feeling
Oh, it's getting hard to hide
Big feeling
Like a river running wide
You are my thunder
And there's lighting here inside
Big feeling
Oh come on darling, now day has turned it's time for home
Big feeling
I won't forget that night we slept out on the beach alone
You are my thunder
And there's lighting here inside
Lighting here inside
The Spandau Ballet song "Big Feeling" is a passionate love song about the intense feelings that come with a new relationship. The singer is excited about the future, but also worried about how their relationship will survive the challenges of being apart. As they lie in bed with their lover, they feel overwhelmed by emotion, likening their feelings to a warning, and feeling "ten feet tall." The chorus repeats the phrase "big feeling," expressing the magnitude and power of their emotions.
The singer references a specific memory they share with their lover, sleeping on the beach together. As the night turns into day, they know it's time to go home, but they don't want to forget the intense connection they shared. The song ends with a repetition of the chorus, emphasizing the strength and intensity of the love between the two.
Overall, "Big Feeling" is a song about the intense emotions that come with new love, and the challenges and uncertainties that lie ahead. The song is characterized by its soaring vocals and lush instrumentation, creating a romantic atmosphere that perfectly captures the intensity of the singer's feelings.
Line by Line Meaning
Big feeling
Intense emotion that is difficult to contain
Come next September I'll be out upon the road again
I will be leaving soon for an extended period of time
And there'll be times when I can hardly even say your name
There will be instances where I will struggle to recall your name
But now we're sticking to the sheets and I can't sleep tonight
I'm having difficulty sleeping due to our intimate encounter
And like a dream love we're moving into light
Our love feels unreal and we're headed towards a positive future
Oh, I feel like this is warning
I feel as though something significant is about to occur
And oh I feel like ten feet tall
I feel incredibly confident and elated
And don't ever let me down
Please never betray me or disappoint me
Oh it's getting hard to hide
It's becoming challenging to contain my intense emotions
Like a river running wide
My emotions feel expansive, like a broad river
You are my thunder
You generate immense energy and excitement in my life
And there's lighting here inside
I feel electrified and energized
Oh come on, darling now day has turned it's time for home
It's time to go home now, my love
I won't forget that night we slept out on the beach alone
Our intimate evening on the beach will be unforgettable
Now the sun has come to take the moon and light the sky
Morning has arrived to bring light to the world
Wave over me flow over me
Waves of emotion are washing over me
Feeling inside
Emotion that is deeply internal
Don't ever let me down
Please never betray me or disappoint me
Lyrics © REFORMATION MUSIC INC
Written by: GARY KEMP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kissbandi44
It's a magical album. At that time, there was not enough college enough to accept this music. So the Spandau Ballet was far ahead of her age. I'm 51 years old. I've been sparking the Spandau Ballet since I was 16.
@user-rr3nt5up6s
"Heart like a sky" is such an underrated album, from one of the greatest pop groups in the 80s!!!!!
@blankgeneration9540
fantastic gem from the forgotten album. Spandau Ballet are amazing
@mariaanastasiou1469
Love love love Spandau Ballet they are quite simply sublime so many precious .memories wrapped up for me within their music x
@blancaarnau9329
I love this album 😍😍😍
@AndrewsOpinion15
I LOVE THIS SONG !!!
@elisharosselot3420
Love this song!! Sing it Tony
@gengiskhan961
So fresh and sparkling!
@utevogel6795
love it...
@ignaciogutierrez9089
The group of 80 Legend. I LOVE you Spandau.