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.
Glow
Spandau Ballet Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wash off the sand that seeps out through my eyes
I've still sleep in my eyes
Cold, cold's how we felt so long
Accuse me of crying and speaking of lies
I've still sleep in my eyes, I've still sleep in my eyes
Glow like a lover
Out, out is the winter pale
Gold rising June in the blue of my eye
I've still sleep in my eyes
Glow, this is my family
Send for the soul you can soon realize
I've still sleep in my eyes, I've still sleep in my eyes
Glow like a lover
Glow, take out this foreign heart
Wash off the sand that seeps out through my eyes
I've still sleep in my eyes
Cold, cold's how we felt so long
Accuse me of crying and speaking of lies
I've still sleep in my eyes, I've still sleep in my eyes
Glow like a lover
The lyrics to "Glow" by Spandau Ballet are open to interpretation, as is common with many songs. One potential interpretation is that the song is about the process of healing from a broken heart or challenging experience. The singer asks for their "foreign heart" to be taken out, and for the sand that seeps from their eyes to be washed away. Sand in the eye can cause discomfort and even pain, and could symbolize the lingering effects of a past hurt. The repeated line "I've still sleep in my eyes" could suggest that the singer is not fully awake, or not fully over the hurt they've experienced.
The second verse introduces the idea of the winter pale, or the feeling of being stuck in a cold, lifeless place. The mention of gold rising in June could represent the hope of something new and beautiful on the horizon. The line "send for the soul you can soon realize" is hard to decipher, but could mean that the singer is calling for someone (perhaps themselves) to awaken or come to a deeper understanding of their soul.
The chorus repeats the phrase "glow like a lover," which could be interpreted as a call to radiate love and warmth, even in the face of difficulties. As with many songs, the lyrics to "Glow" can mean different things to different people, and the true meaning may only be known to the songwriter.
Line by Line Meaning
Glow, take out this foreign heart
Remove this heart that doesn't belong to me.
Wash off the sand that seeps out through my eyes
Cleanse the tears that fall from my eyes.
I've still sleep in my eyes
I'm still tired and can't fully wake up.
Cold, cold's how we felt so long
We've been feeling cold and disconnected for a long time.
Accuse me of crying and speaking of lies
Blame me for being emotional and dishonest.
Glow like a lover
Radiate a warm and passionate light.
Out, out is the winter pale
The pale, cold feeling of winter is fading away.
Gold rising June in the blue of my eye
The color of my eyes reflects the golden June sun rising.
Glow, this is my family
This warm, glowing feeling is what I associate with my family.
Send for the soul you can soon realize
Reach out for the feeling you can soon understand.
Lyrics © REFORMATION MUSIC INC
Written by: GARY KEMP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind