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.
Gold
Spandau Ballet Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sorry that the chairs are all worn
I left them here I could have sworn
These are my salad days
Slowly being eaten away
Just another play for today
Oh, but I'm proud of you, but I'm proud of you
Nothing left to make me feel small
Gold (gold)
Always believe in your soul
You've got the power to know
You're indestructible
Always believe in, 'cause you are
Gold (gold)
Glad that you're bound to return
There's something I could have learned
You're indestructible (always believe in)
After the rush has gone
I hope you find a little more time
Remember we were partners in crime
It's only two years ago
The man with the suit and the face
You knew that he was there on the case
Now he's in love with you, he's in love with you
And love is like a high prison wall
And you could leave me standing so tall
Gold (gold)
Always believe in your soul
You've got the power to know
You're indestructible
Always believe in, 'cause you are
Gold (gold)
I'm glad that you're bound to return
Something I could have learned
You're indestructible (always believe in)
Love is like a high prison wall
And you could leave me standing so tall
Gold (gold)
Always believe in your soul
You've got the power to know
You're indestructible
Always believe in, 'cause you are
Gold (gold)
I'm glad that you're bound to return
Something I could have learned
You're indestructible, always believe in
(Gold)
Spandau Ballet's song "Gold" is a classic '80s hit that has stood the test of time as a beloved anthem of self-belief and confidence. The opening lines of the song invite the listener into the singer's home, where he apologizes for the worn-out chairs and ponders the fleeting nature of his salad days. He then shifts the focus to the subject of the song, an individual who has faced their share of adversity but remains steadfast in their belief in themselves. The chorus encourages this person to always believe in their soul and reminds them they possess the power to be indestructible.
The lyrics also speak to the possibility of loss and the regret that can come with it. The singer hopes that, after the rush of life has passed and time has slowed down, there will be a chance for reconciliation with the subject of the song. The mention of the "man with the suit and the face" and his involvement with the subject's life could be a metaphor for the pressures of success and fame, highlighting the singer's desire to escape these constraints and return to a simpler time when he and the subject were "partners in crime."
Overall, "Gold" is a song about the values of perseverance, self-belief, and friendship. The singer acknowledges the impermanence of life, but encourages the subject of the song to always hold onto their confidence and strength.
Line by Line Meaning
Thank you for coming home
Grateful for your return
Sorry that the chairs are all worn
Apology for the poor condition of furniture
I left them here I could have sworn
Admission of responsibility for chairs' condition
These are my salad days
These are my youthful days
Slowly being eaten away
Gradually fading
Just another play for today
Just another leisure activity for the day
Oh, but I'm proud of you, but I'm proud of you
Reiteration of pride in listener
Nothing left to make me feel small
No obstacles left to undermine self-esteem
Luck has left me standing so tall
Fortune has elevated me to great heights
Gold (gold)
Always believe in your soul
You've got the power to know
You're indestructible
Always believe in, 'cause you are
Gold (gold)
Glad that you're bound to return
There's something I could have learned
You're indestructible (always believe in)
Encouragement to have confidence, strength, and resilience, as the listener is powerful and cannot be defeated, with the artist expressing anticipation for a future reunion and regret for not having learned those qualities before
After the rush has gone
Once the excitement has subsided
I hope you find a little more time
I hope you have more free time
Remember we were partners in crime
Recollection of past collaborative wrongdoing
It's only two years ago
It has only been two years
The man with the suit and the face
You knew that he was there on the case
Now he's in love with you, he's in love with you
Reference to a past investigator who is now romantically interested in the listener
And love is like a high prison wall
Love can be isolating and confining
And you could leave me standing so tall
The listener has the power to elevate the artist further or diminish them
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, REFORMATION MUSIC INC
Written by: Gary Kemp
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@justmeonthebeach
Thank you for coming home
I'm sorry that the chairs are all worn
I left them here I could have sworn
These are my salad days
Slowly being eaten away
Just another play for today
Oh but I'm proud of you, but I'm proud of you
Nothing left to make me feel small
Luck has left me standing so tall
Gold (Gold)
Always believe in your soul
You've got the power to know
You're indestructible
Always believe in, 'cos you are
Gold (Gold)
Glad that you're bound to return
There's something I could have learned
You're indestructible, always believing
After the rush has gone
I hope you find a little more time
Remember we were partners in crime
It's only two years ago
The man with the suit and the face
You knew that he was there on the case
Now he's in love with you, he's in love with you
My love is like a high prison wall
But you could leave me standing so tall
Gold (Gold)
Always believe in your soul
You've got the power to know
You're indestructible
Always believe in, 'cos you are
Gold (Gold)
I'm glad that you're bound to return
Something I could have learned
You're indestructible, always believing
My love is like a high prison wall
But you could leave me standing so tall
Gold (Gold)
Always believe in your soul
You've got the power to know
You're indestructible
Always believe in, 'cos you are
Gold (Gold)
I'm glad that you're bound to return
Something I could have learned
You're indestructible, always believing
@RonSalas
This is the best Bond movie theme that was never in a Bond movie.
@danielhatchett652
exactly Ron !
@Goatisch
It was NEVER in it in your opinion
@ZZMJo
GOLDfinger?
@geometricspike4567
ZZM comedy gold
@williamdiep8466
Great peripheral vision. Golden job...!
@SkaterOrnez
That echoing "Gold", gets me everytime, it's soothing
@lessthanpinochet
lol, that's the best part of the song. Just simple but genius songwriting.
@thesylly86
Thank Gary Kemp!
@akirakus
GOOOLLdeeuh