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.
Musclebound
Spandau Ballet Lyrics
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The smell of books and hot stone surrounds us
Tough is the leather that's strapped to my skin
Strong are the bonds that we make
We feel the steam as it rises around us
Up from the soil that is cracking its back
Tough is the leather that's strapped to my skin
Work till you're musclebound, all night long
Work till you're musclebound, all night long
Work till you're musclebound, all night long
Work till you're musclebound, all night long
We're building fires that will burn until morning
The smell of books and hot stone surrounds us
Tough is the leather that's strapped to my skin
Strong are the bonds that we make
To feel the pulsing from chanter to mountain
Down through the vein and into the grain
Strong is the shoulder that moves to the time
Here is the land it can break
Work till you're musclebound, all night long
Work till you're musclebound, all night long
Gotta work till you're musclebound, all night long
Gotta work till you're musclebound, all night long
Tough is the leather that's strapped to my skin
Strong are the bonds that we sing
Work till you're musclebound, all night long
Work till you're musclebound, all night long
Gotta work till you're musclebound, all night long
Work till you're musclebound, all night long
The opening lines of the song “Musclebound” by Spandau Ballet speak to the enduring power of fire as a source of warmth and light, as the singers share in the act of building fires that will burn all night. They are surrounded by the smell of books and hot stone, suggesting a setting that is both intellectual and primal. The leather that is strapped to their skin implies a toughness and strength of the self, while the bonds they form speak to the resilience of community.
As the lyrics progress, the imagery shifts to describe the experience of physical labor, as the singers work through the night until they are “musclebound”. The steam rising around them and cracking soil emphasize the physicality of their work, while the lyrical repetition drives home the importance of endurance and perseverance. The final lines of the song reinforce the themes of toughness and strength, speaking again to the bonds that they have formed in their work.
Overall, “Musclebound” celebrates the power of human resilience and endurance in the face of physical and intellectual challenges. The images of fire, leather, and physical labor contrast with the intellectual setting, emphasizing the importance of both the physical and the intellectual in building a strong sense of self and community.
Line by Line Meaning
We're building fires that will burn until morning
We are creating something that will last through the night
The smell of books and hot stone surrounds us
We are surrounded by knowledge and warmth
Tough is the leather that's strapped to my skin
I am strong and resilient, protected by my own toughness
Strong are the bonds that we make
Our connection is unbreakable
We feel the steam as it rises around us
We sense the energy build up around us
Up from the soil that is cracking its back
The earth is working hard to create something new
Work till you're musclebound, all night long
Put in the effort until you are physically exhausted
Work till you're musclebound, all night long
Put in the effort until you are physically exhausted
Work till you're musclebound, all night long
Put in the effort until you are physically exhausted
Work till you're musclebound, all night long
Put in the effort until you are physically exhausted
To feel the pulsing from chanter to mountain
Sensing the energy that runs through everything
Down through the vein and into the grain
From the smallest part of us to the biggest part of nature
Strong is the shoulder that moves to the time
The strength to keep going, even when it's tough
Here is the land it can break
The earth can be strong and powerful, but can also be broken by our efforts
Gotta work till you're musclebound, all night long
You must put in the effort until you are physically exhausted
Gotta work till you're musclebound, all night long
You must put in the effort until you are physically exhausted
Tough is the leather that's strapped to my skin
I am strong and resilient, protected by my own toughness
Strong are the bonds that we sing
Our connection is unbreakable
Work till you¹re musclebound, all night long
Put in the effort until you are physically exhausted
Work till you're musclebound, all night long
Put in the effort until you are physically exhausted
Gotta work till you're musclebound, all night long
You must put in the effort until you are physically exhausted
Work till you're musclebound, all night long
Put in the effort until you are physically exhausted
Lyrics © REFORMATION MUSIC INC
Written by: GARY KEMP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind