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.
Pleasure
Spandau Ballet Lyrics
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Even in the bar as I'm searching
In the love that's strong
Breathing in the song, I'm learning
(I am learning)
Pleasure in the sand
Warm within the hand she's holding
It is on the screen
I am searching in my heart
Pleasure in my heart
Never let us part for pleasure
Work,work today
Never let them pay for pleasure
Leave or lose her from my heart
Pleasure is your name
I accept he blame for falling
It is down the phone
Living in your home, I'm calling
(I am calling)
Pleasure is a word
When love is left unheard,it's burning
It is on the screen
Adventures at nineteen, I'm searching
I am searching in my heart.
Why do you feel like breaking my heart?
What made you feel like breaking my heart tonight?
Now I am crying,now I am crying
Pleasure in my heart
Never let us part for pleasure
Work,work today
Never let them pay for pleasure
Leave or lose her from my heart
The song "Pleasure" by Spandau Ballet is a complex and multi-layered exploration of the themes of love and pleasure. The lyrics illustrate the singer's search for happiness and fulfillment, which he seeks through different modes of pleasure. The song progresses from an initial description of the pleasures found in cars, bars, and love, to a deeper search for meaning and fulfillment.
The opening lines express the singer's belief that pleasure can be found in all aspects of life, even in mundane things like searching for something. He looks for pleasure in love that is strong and in the breathing of a song, which suggests that his search is more spiritual than physical. The second verse talks about pleasure in the sand and holding hands, yet the singer is still on a search, this time through the medium of the screen, perhaps looking for adventures that he is yet to experience.
The chorus expresses the singer's fear of losing the pleasure he has found and his willingness to fight for it. The lines "never let them pay for pleasure" suggest that he is willing to work hard to keep what he has found, but he is also willing to let it go if necessary. The final verse explores the theme of unrequited love, where pleasure is a word that is left unheard and unfulfilled. The singer is seen crying and asking why his heart has been broken.
Overall, "Pleasure" by Spandau Ballet explores the complexities of love, and how pleasure can be found in many forms.
Line by Line Meaning
Pleasure's in my car
I find pleasure in driving my car.
Even in the bar as I'm searching
I am always searching for pleasure, even while in a bar.
In the love that's strong
I find pleasure in strong love.
Breathing in the song, I'm learning
I am finding pleasure in learning through music.
(I am learning)
I am continuously learning and finding new sources of pleasure.
Pleasure in the sand
I find pleasure in the feel of sand.
Warm within the hand she's holding
I find pleasure in holding hands with someone special.
It is on the screen
I seek pleasure through watching adventures on screen.
Adventures at nineteen, I'm searching
Even at nineteen, I am constantly searching for pleasure and adventure.
I am searching in my heart
I am searching for pleasure within my own heart.
Pleasure in my heart
My heart is full of pleasure.
Never let us part for pleasure
I never want to lose what brings me pleasure, even if it means not separating from someone.
Work,work today
I am willing to work hard to attain the pleasure I seek.
Never let them pay for pleasure
I am willing to work hard for my pleasure instead of relying on others to pay for it.
Leave or lose her from my heart
I would rather lose someone than lose the pleasure in my heart.
Pleasure is your name
You bring me pleasure more than anything else.
I accept he blame for falling
I take the blame for falling in love and experiencing the accompanying pleasure and pain.
It is down the phone
My source of pleasure is talking with someone on the phone.
Living in your home, I'm calling
Even while living in your home, I am still calling for pleasure.
(I am calling)
I am constantly calling for pleasure in various forms.
Pleasure is a word
Pleasure is something we talk about, but it is not fully understood until experienced.
When love is left unheard, it's burning
When love and pleasure are not acknowledged, they can become painful and intense.
Why do you feel like breaking my heart?
Why do you want to take away the pleasure I find in my heart?
What made you feel like breaking my heart tonight?
What caused you to want to take away my pleasure tonight?
Now I am crying,now I am crying
My loss of pleasure has caused me to cry.
Never let us part for pleasure
I never want to lose what brings me pleasure, even if it means not separating from someone.
Work,work today
I am willing to work hard to attain the pleasure I seek.
Never let them pay for pleasure
I am willing to work hard for my pleasure instead of relying on others to pay for it.
Leave or lose her from my heart
I would rather lose someone than lose the pleasure in my heart.
Lyrics © REFORMATION MUSIC INC
Written by: GARY KEMP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind