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.
Paint Me Down
Spandau Ballet Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Paint me down
Paint me down
Paint me down
Paint me down
Paint me down
Consider strange appeal
Paint me in the home
I'm brushing up on sketchbook
Designs for love, unreal
Paint me in the home
Oil and skin, you'll need to buy it
Consider what I mean
She sinks beneath the moving pictures
Prepare the brush for me
I'm craving with this need
Paint me down
Paint me down
Paint me down
Paint me down
Paint me down
Paint me down
I'm soaking up the surface
Conceiving new idea
Paint me in the home
She's oiling up her subject
But all still life is here
Paint me in the home
All the boys with framed dimension
A cover up on lust
He'll take his pain and paint it over
Prepare the brush for me
I'm craving with this need
Paint me down
Paint me down
Paint me down
Paint me down
Paint me down
Paint me down
Paint me down
Paint me down
Paint me down
Paint me down
Paint me down
Paint me down
Paint me down
Paint me down
Paint me down
Paint me down
Paint me down
Paint me down
Paint me down
Paint me down
Paint me down
Paint me down
Paint me down
Paint me down
The lyrics to Spandau Ballet's "Paint Me Down" are a combination of metaphor and playfulness, though their meaning is not entirely clear. The song opens with the repeated phrase "Paint me down" which is then followed by the repeated line "I'm walking into studio". The singer seems to be describing a process of self-creation or reinvention, using the imagery of a painter creating a portrait of him or herself.
The second verse continues the metaphor, describing the process of painting oneself with "oil and skin". The significance of this phrase is unclear, but it suggests that the singer is attempting to make himself more attractive or alluring. The third verse turns to the idea of art as a form of emotional expression, with the singer suggesting that painting is a way to "take his pain and paint it over". Throughout the song, there is a sense of decadence and excess, with lines like "she's oiling up her subject" and "craving with this need" adding to the sense of sensuality and indulgence.
Overall, the lyrics to "Paint Me Down" seem to be a celebration of self-expression and the power of art to transform and create new identities. The use of metaphor and imagery create a vivid atmosphere of creativity and sensuality, while the repeated refrain of "paint me down" reinforces the idea of the self as a work of art that can be continually reimagined and re-created.
Line by Line Meaning
Paint me down
Requesting to be painted with great enthusiasm and desire
I'm walking into studio
Entering a studio, most likely an art studio
Consider strange appeal
Think of an unusual but attractive feature to capture in the painting
Paint me in the home
Imagining oneself as part of the painting in a familiar or comfortable setting
I'm brushing up on sketchbook
Practicing and perfecting the final image of oneself to be painted
Designs for love, unreal
Creating an imaginary vision of oneself, possibly to impress or attract someone
Oil and skin, you'll need to buy it
Asking the artist to purchase materials for the painting, including oil paint and canvas
Consider what I mean
Explaining the intended meaning or message behind the painting
She sinks beneath the moving pictures
The subject of the painting blends into the background scenery or surroundings
Prepare the brush for me
Asking the artist to get ready to begin painting
I'm craving with this need
Feeling a strong desire to be painted
I'm soaking up the surface
Absorbing the visual surroundings and environment to be captured in the painting
Conceiving new idea
Thinking of fresh or unique concepts for the painting
She's oiling up her subject
The artist is preparing the painting subject's skin for the oil paint
But all still life is here
The subject appears lifeless in the painting, despite the preparations
All the boys with framed dimension
Artists who can capture a sense of depth and perspective in their paintings
A cover up on lust
Using the painting to hide or disguise sexual desire
He'll take his pain and paint it over
Using painting as a way to escape or overcome personal pain or struggles
I'm craving with this need
Reiterating the intense desire to be painted
Lyrics Β© REFORMATION MUSIC INC
Written by: GARY KEMP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@DaFuqBoom
PAINT ME DOWN PAINT ME DOWN PAINT ME DOWN π
@thatquietasianguy9582
YOOOO
@mainaim81
should i really?
@AbnerFXProductions
I just searched for this song because of you.
@DanT12204
He do be painted down
@Chomsuya
soot
@ariesleorising9421
I was 17. MTV only played this at night. I was up all night! π
@anthonycummins9558
Great times MTV was where it was at - the in thing- a video along with the compelling track. The 80s and early 90s - music had soul and substance. Very rare today.
@StarSiren81
According to Tony Hadleyβs autobiography, the female back we can see at the beginning of the vidΓ©o belongs to Paula Yates, and the neighbourhood called the police during the first shooting day in the country with the painting, they thought the guys were performing a weird religious ritual ! π€£
@alangleaves7405
I just got that Bass line. Catchy!