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.
Highly Strung
Spandau Ballet Lyrics
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She's not the girl I used to know
Forever screaming all the day and night
She used to be a diplomat
But now she's down the laundromat
They washed her mind and now she finds it hard
But now she never seems the same
She don't talk to me
'Cause she can't take no sympathy
Because she's highly strung
Oh, highly strung, she's undone
Highly strung
Oh, highly strung, she's undone
She's stepping out upon the ledge
She's got a gun against her head
She's wired up to blow the power line
She's walking out upon the knife
She'll take you to the edge of life
Just like the song, the pressure is on again
I know her name
Ho, but now she never seems the same
She don't talk to me
'Cause she can't take no sympathy
Because she's highly strung
Oh, highly strung, she's undone
Highly strung
Oh, highly strung, she's undone
No, no, no
I know her name
Ho, but now she never seems the same
She don't talk to me
'Cause she can't take no sympathy
Because she's highly strung (highly strung)
Oh, highly strung, she's undone
Highly strung (she's oh)
Oh, highly strung, she's undone
Highly strung (highly strung)
Oh, highly strung, she's undone
Highly strung (she's oh)
Oh, highly strung, she's undone
This is the song of little Jo
She's not the girl I used to know
The lyrics of Spandau Ballet's "Highly Strung" tell the story of Little Jo, who is described as a person who was once a diplomat but has now ended up working in a laundromat. The song expresses how Jo's mind has been "washed" and she now finds it hard to hold on to her sanity. The chorus repeats the phrase "highly strung," emphasizing the fact that Jo is feeling stressed and overwhelmed.
The second verse describes Jo's dangerous behavior, as she is depicted as stepping out on a ledge with a gun against her head and being wired up to blow a power line. The pressure of life is taking its toll on Jo and she is struggling to cope. The final chorus repeats the theme of Jo being highly strung and undone and emphasizes the fact that she no longer seems like the same person as before.
The song seems to be a commentary on the pressures of modern life and the impact that it can have on individuals. It explores the idea that stressful situations can bring out the worst in people and that it's easy for individuals to lose control under extreme pressure. Overall, "Highly Strung" is a powerful and emotional song that highlights the importance of mental health and well-being.
Line by Line Meaning
This is the song of little Jo
The following lyrics tell the story of a girl named Jo
She's not the girl I used to know
Jo has changed from the way the singer remembers her
Forever screaming all the day and night
Jo is constantly upset and vocal about it
She used to be a diplomat
Jo was once skilled at handling people and situations diplomatically
But now she's down the laundromat
Jo now works at a laundromat, indicating a rough period in her life
They washed her mind and now she finds it hard
Something happened to Jo that changed her perspective and makes life difficult for her
I know her name
The singer is familiar with Jo
But now she never seems the same
Jo has changed so much that the artist no longer recognizes her
She don't talk to me
Jo is not communicating with the artist
'Cause she can't take no sympathy
Jo refuses sympathy from others, possibly indicating a desire to handle things on her own
Because she's highly strung
Jo is anxious and easily agitated
Oh, highly strung, she's undone
Jo's anxiety is causing her to feel overwhelmed and unable to cope
She's stepping out upon the ledge
Jo's mental state is precarious and she is taking risks
She's got a gun against her head
Jo is in a very dangerous situation
She's wired up to blow the power line
Jo is capable of causing harm to herself or others
She's walking out upon the knife
Jo is making risky decisions and putting herself in danger
She'll take you to the edge of life
Jo's behavior is extreme and intense
Just like the song, the pressure is on again
Jo is feeling the weight of the world on her shoulders
No, no, no
The singer is emphasizing the seriousness of the situation
Lyrics © REFORMATION MUSIC INC
Written by: GARY KEMP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind