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.
Cross the Line
Spandau Ballet Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Through all the walls in their mind
These are the pleasures that terrify
So leave them behind
You keep the chains that are in your life
We'll take flight of the dove
There's only one way to satisfy
This feeling that's love
And if the power comes between us
Oh, I'll know what to do,
I'm gonna say it to you
Cross the line tonight,
Take this chance and show your might,
All the world's on the other side,
Cross the line
Raise a flag to a moral crime,
We'll light a fire for this,
Make the papers by morning time
And lay in our bliss
So come on darling and share my mind,
There is no need to stay hid
'cause all we are now is two of a kind
Can you believe what we did?
And I'll say it again, oh, and I'll say it again
That when the power comes between us
Oh, I'll know what to do,
I'm gonna say it to you
Cross the line tonight
Take this chance and show your might
All world's on the other side
Cross the line
Mother come to me now,
Take this hand now, I'm afraid
Mother, come to me
I'm bleeding
We had no way to see eye to eye
Through all the walls in their mind
These were the pleasures that terrified
We left them behind
And I'll say it again, and I'll say it again
And if the power comes between us
Oh, I'll know what to do,
I'm gonna say it to you
Cross the line tonight,
Take this chance and show your might,
All the world's on the other side,
Cross the line
Spandau Ballet's song "Cross the Line" seems to be about two people who find themselves facing challenges and obstacles but are determined to stay together and push through. The opening lyrics, "We have no way to see eye to eye/Through all the walls in their mind/These are the pleasures that terrify/So leave them behind," suggest that there are external forces that are dividing the couple, but they are determined to overcome them. The idea of leaving the "pleasures that terrify" behind might refer to giving up things that might be holding them back or causing them distress.
The song then moves to the chorus where the singer encourages the listener to "cross the line" and take a chance. They suggest that by doing so, they will be able to satisfy the feeling of love. The line "raise a flag to a moral crime" might refer to taking a stand for their love, even if it goes against what is accepted in society. The line "We'll light a fire for this" suggests that the love between the couple is strong and passionate.
The bridge of the song changes from the singer addressing their partner to them calling out to their mother for help. The lines "Mother come to me now/Take this hand now, I'm afraid/Mother, come to me/I'm bleeding" suggest that despite their determination, the challenges are taking a toll on them.
Overall, "Cross the Line" seems to be a song about persevering through challenges in a relationship and choosing to take a chance on love even when it might not be easy.
Line by Line Meaning
We have no way to see eye to eye
We cannot agree or understand each other
Through all the walls in their mind
Despite barriers or obstacles in their thoughts
These are the pleasures that terrify
Pleasures that are too scary or risky to pursue
So leave them behind
Abandon those fears and inhibitions
You keep the chains that are in your life
You are responsible for your own limitations or restrictions
We'll take flight of the dove
We will soar and be free like a dove
There's only one way to satisfy
Only love can fulfill or satisfy us
And I'll say it again, and I'll say it again
I will repeat myself to emphasize my point
And if the power comes between us
If obstacles or challenges arise
Oh, I'll know what to do, I'm gonna say it to you
I will communicate my feelings and intentions to overcome those obstacles
Cross the line tonight, Take this chance and show your might, All the world's on the other side, Cross the line
Take a risk and go beyond your comfort zone to experience something new and exciting
Raise a flag to a moral crime
Take action against an injustice or wrongdoing
We'll light a fire for this, Make the papers by morning time
We will ignite passion and make headlines or news for our actions
And lay in our bliss
Bask in the happiness and contentment of our accomplishment
So come on darling and share my mind
Open up and share your thoughts and emotions with me
There is no need to stay hid
Do not hide or suppress yourself
'cause all we are now is two of a kind
We are similar or alike in our desires and values
Can you believe what we did?
Reflecting on our actions with a sense of amazement or disbelief
Mother come to me now, Take this hand now, I'm afraid
Seeking comfort and guidance from a maternal figure in times of fear or uncertainty
Mother, come to me, I'm bleeding
Asking for emotional or physical support while experiencing pain or suffering
We had no way to see eye to eye
We previously could not understand or agree with each other
Through all the walls in their mind
Despite mental barriers or differences
These were the pleasures that terrified
Those fears or anxieties that stopped us from pursuing happiness
We left them behind
We overcame those fears and moved on
Lyrics © REFORMATION MUSIC INC
Written by: GARY KEMP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
KittyCat Furbabies Maria
One of THE best bands live ever!!!!!!! Xxx
KittyCat Furbabies Maria
Brilliant album , love this song ! X
Juan Carlos Pagán
Comparado con otras bandas, Spandau Ballet, no evolucionó. Su sonido permaneció casi intacto. Este disco no superó sus éxitos anteriores, aun asi sigue siendo una de mis bandas favoritas de los 80's.
Paolo Baroni
We have no way to see eye to eye ❤❤❤❤
Diogenes Teixeira
Spandau ballet é um grande rival dos duran duran!!
Rng Mantis
Is it me or does the beginning part sound a little like the whiteflags by seven nation army opening?
Darryn Lee
Rng Mantis Do you mean The White Stripes Seven Nation Army? You can hear a little similarity. This song came out in the early '80s, though.
mikey p
@Darryn Lee Wrong-Was mid 80's
Written, Recorded in 85/86 + released in Nov 86
Released 17 November 1986
Recorded September 1985 – Summer 1986
ANTONIO DE BLAS
2022
WallasGirl
I LOVED GUYS MY FAVORITE BAND AND GOLDEN VOICE TONY HADLEY THANKS YOU