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.
I'll Fly for You
Spandau Ballet Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And break me from this tie
We're mortals on the earth
Oh but God's in the sky
I haven't got a clue
I haven't got a thing
But what I give to you
Is all that I could bring
I'll give you all my time
That's everything to me
You know my only crime
Is this flight of fantasy
Because I've nothing else here for you
And just because it's easier than the truth
Oh, if there's nothing else that I can do
I'll fly for you
Ooh, because I've nothing else here for you
And just because it's easier than the truth
Oh, if there's nothing else that I can do
I'll fly for you
Passion take the wind
And break me from this tie
We're mortals on the earth
Ooh, but God's up in the sky
I haven't got a clue
I haven't got a thing
But what I give to you
Is all that I could bring
Because I've nothing else here for you
And just because it's easier than the truth
Oh, if there's nothing else that I can do
I'll fly for you
Ooh, because I've nothing else here for you
And just because it's easier than the truth
Oh, if there's nothing else that I can do
I'll fly for you
I'll fly for you
Ooh, I'll fly
I'm just an average boy
You're more than an average girl
And when you sing to me the 'sho be doos'
You sing so well
And don't you know that when I'm under you
I'm overjoyed
Because I've nothing else here for you
And just because it's easier than the truth
Oh, if there's nothing else that I can do
I'll fly for you
Ooh, because I've nothing else here for you
And just because it's easier than the truth
Oh, if there's nothing else that I can do
I'll fly for you
I'll fly for you
I'll fly for you, I'll fly
The opening line “Passion take the wind and break me from this tie” suggests that the singer is feeling trapped or stuck in some way and is hoping that a burst of passion or inspiration will motivate them to break free. The line “We’re mortals on the earth, but God’s in the sky” seems to draw a distinction between the fleeting nature of human life on earth and the eternal nature of the divine. The chorus “Because I’ve nothing else here for you, and just because it’s easier than the truth, oh if there’s nothing else that I can do, I’ll fly for you” suggests that the singer is willing to do whatever it takes to make the other person feel loved and cared for, even if it means going above and beyond what might be expected.
The second verse reinforces the idea that the singer doesn’t have much to offer materially or tangibly, but is willing to give their time and energy to the other person. The phrase “flight of fantasy” implies that this devotion might be seen as unrealistic or excessive, but the singer is committed to it nonetheless. The repetition of the chorus reinforces this commitment, with the added emphasis of the line “just because it’s easier than the truth” suggesting that perhaps the singer is evading some underlying issue or fear through this dramatic gesture.
Overall, “I’ll Fly for You” seems to be a love song that celebrates the power of devotion and the willingness to go above and beyond for someone you care about.
Line by Line Meaning
Passion take the wind
Let passion guide me forward
And break me from this tie
Help me break free from my current situation
We're mortals on the earth
We are human, with limitations
Oh but God's in the sky
But there is a higher power beyond us
I haven't got a clue
I'm not sure what the answer is
I haven't got a thing
I have nothing material to offer
But what I give to you
But all that I can offer you
Is all that I could bring
Is my love and dedication
I'll give you all my time
I'll devote myself to you
That's everything to me
My time is my greatest gift
You know my only crime
My only fault
Is this flight of fantasy
Is my desire to dream and pursue the impossible
Because I've nothing else here for you
Because I have nothing of value to offer you
And just because it's easier than the truth
And because it's easier to pretend than to confront reality
Oh, if there's nothing else that I can do
If there's nothing else I can do to win your heart
I'll fly for you
I'll do whatever it takes to show you my love
I'm just an average boy
I don't have any special talents or qualities
You're more than an average girl
But you are unique and special to me
And when you sing to me the 'sho be doos'
And when you sing to me, it's magical
You sing so well
Your voice is beautiful
And don't you know that when I'm under you
And you don't realize that when I'm with you
I'm overjoyed
I am filled with happiness
I'll fly for you, I'll fly
I'll do anything to win your love
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: GARY KEMP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@traceyfraser4302
I know I am.52 and what a privilege to be a teenager in the 80s bands like this were legendary and the music was fantastic and Martin keep and Tony Hadley were gorgeous still.are Martin still has that wee twinkle in his eyes beautiful.music
@pinty56
still listening in 2024!!
This song brings back a flood of beautiful memories ❤
@arsenjaho8069
A lot of people say that gold and true are their best songs, but for me this is their best song. From "parade" of 1984.
@valsteve2000
I think Gold and true, if im not mistaken they were certified no. 1 in the top 40's. Dont get me wrong, I like this song very much because of the Jazzy beat and the saxophone adlib. What i love with music is incorporating sax instruments on it. Billy Joel's "Just the way you are" is one example of song that i really love because of the sexy sax sound. Norman was an outstanding Sax player.
@francescodivita2509
i totally agree, sheer beauty and class, and absolute masterpiece, non to mention delicate lyrics sung with tony's voice, caressing your soul
@matthewrouge
Word.
@Lbf5677
If this song came out in the seventies,it would be famous
@kayla-Rey22
i love that whole album. This and Only When You Leave are my favourites.
@kmeleounis
We were so young and we are still the most glamorous generation ever. The song describes this glamorosity and New Wave's hopeful power of musical expression. Athens 1984, they called us New Wavers! See you in Stockholm on February 14, 2018 Tony. Your friend from the time in South Kensington.
@ichabodcrane2487
Songs like these still put tears in your eyes, because those times are gone.