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.
Instinction
Spandau Ballet Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sleep the words out of your head
Cold floor, nice and raw
Eat the meat that's on the floor
High tide, some disguise
Loving makes the cream taste nice
New shore, final score
This might not last too long
So always take it
This might not last too long
So take it
Reasons, reasons were here from the start
It's my instinction, it's my instinction
Reasons, reasons were part of the art
It's my instinction, it's my instinction
You cry, justify
But deep beneath the feelings lie
Photo, looking old
Memory makes the day feel cold
They've gone, sing your song
Walk the flow, ah, too slow
Post boom, second doom
Stealing cake to eat the moon
This might not last too long
So always take it
This might not last too long
So take it
Reasons, reasons were here from the start
It's my instinction, it's my instinction
Reasons, reasons were part of the art
It's my instinction, it's my instinction
It's my instinction, hey
Cheap bed, in the red
You cry, justify
Post boom, second doom
Stealing cake to eat the moon
Reasons, reasons were here from the start
It's my instinction, it's my instinction
Reasons, reasons were part of the art
It's my instinction, it's my instinction
It's my instinction, ohh
Stealing cake to eat the moon
The lyrics to Spandau Ballet's song Instinction appear to explore themes of indulgence, transience, and the struggle to find meaning in the face of life's impermanence. The singer of the song seems to be living a life of excess, depicted through lines such as "Eat the meat that's on the floor" and "Stealing cake to eat the moon." At the same time, there is a sense of urgency in the song, as the repeated refrain "This might not last too long, so take it" suggests that the singer is aware that their situation is unsustainable.
The chorus of the song, which repeats the phrase "It's my instinction" several times, seems to suggest that the singer's actions and choices are driven by some primal instinct or impulse. This may be interpreted as a commentary on the human condition in general, or on the excesses of the 1980s specifically (when the song was released). Lines such as "Reasons, reasons were here from the start / It's my instinction" suggest that even when we try to rationalize our behavior, there is always some deeper, more primal force at work.
Overall, Instinction presents a dark, moody picture of a world where pleasure and excess are fleeting, and where even our attempts to understand ourselves are ultimately futile.
Line by Line Meaning
Cheap bed, in the red
Sleeping on a poor quality bed with no money left.
Sleep the words out of your head
Letting go of negative thoughts and clearing your mind by sleeping.
Cold floor, nice and raw
Being in a raw and basic state, with no luxuries like a comfortable bed.
Eat the meat that's on the floor
Taking whatever opportunities are available to survive.
High tide, some disguise
People's true intentions may be hidden beneath a surface level appearance.
Loving makes the cream taste nice
Experiencing happiness enhances the enjoyment of positive things like food.
New shore, final score
Looking for new opportunities to improve one's situation.
On fresh demand, I'm wanting more
Feeling motivated to keep pushing for more success and fulfillment.
This might not last too long
So always take it
This might not last too long
So take it
Life is unpredictable and fleeting, so it's important to appreciate and make the most of what you have in the moment.
Reasons, reasons were here from the start
It's my instinction, it's my instinction
Our innate nature and instincts guide our decision-making and behavior, and reasons for these can be traced back to our origins.
You cry, justify
But deep beneath the feelings lie
Making excuses for one's emotions instead of truly exploring their origins.
Photo, looking old
Memory makes the day feel cold
Reflecting on the past can bring a sense of nostalgia, but can also be bittersweet and isolating.
They've gone, sing your song
Walk the flow, ah, too slow
Moving on from people that have left your life, but feeling stuck and unable to progress.
Post boom, second doom
Stealing cake to eat the moon
Recovering from a period of success or prosperity can be difficult, leading to unwise decision-making and desperation.
It's my instinction, hey
Reaffirming the power of one's own instincts and intuition.
Lyrics © REFORMATION MUSIC INC
Written by: GARY KEMP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind