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.
Revenge For Love
Spandau Ballet Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just to bail me out
I'll hold my breath
Until the water lets me out
And I say
Alimony never can pay
Hey, hey, hey
I'm on the breadline
Your on the answer phone
You're off the hook
And I'm left all alone
It's a shame
Passion isn't always to blame
Hey, hey, hey
Oh, I don't need time
Just sweet revenge for love
Oh, I don't need time
Just sweet revenge for love
(Don't say, don't say, don't say) it's a crime
Just give me sweet revenge
I'm undercover
My love has overgrown
Retaliation is emotion
I have shown
And I say
All the money never can pay
Hey, hey, hey
I'm on the level
She is on the second floor
I'm counting seconds
As my hand goes for the door
It's a shame
Pleasure isn't always the same
Hey, hey, hey
Oh, I don't need time
Just sweet revenge for love
Oh, I don't need time
Just sweet revenge for love
(Don't say, don't say, don't say) it's a crime
Just give me sweet revenge
I need revenge for love, revenge for love
Revenge for love, revenge for love
Don't I need a savior
Just to bail me out
I'll hold my breath
Until the water lets me out
And I say
Alimony never can pay
Hey, hey, hey
Oh, I don't need time
Just sweet revenge for love
Oh, I don't need time
Just sweet revenge for love
(Don't say, don't say, don't say) it's a crime
Just give me sweet revenge
Oh, I needed, I needed, I needed
Revenge for love
Sweet revenge for love
Oh, I don't need time
Just sweet revenge for love
(Don't say, don't say, don't say) it's a crime
Just give me sweet revenge
The lyrics to Spandau Ballet's song "Revenge for Love" talks about a failed relationship and the desire for revenge. The singer feels stuck and desperate for someone to save them from their circumstances. They are willing to go to great lengths to get revenge on their former lover for leaving them alone and struggling financially. The lyrics suggest that the singer wants to take matters into their own hands and hold their ex-partner accountable for their actions.
The main character in the song feels that their passion was not the cause of their breakup, but rather it was financial and emotional hardship. The lyrics suggest that the singer feels cheated out of something they deserved, and that alimony or money would not solve their problems. They have reached a point of desperation where all they want is revenge.
Overall, the song talks about the extreme emotions felt within the aftermath of a failed relationship. The desire for revenge is driven by the frustration and hurt caused by the breakup, and the feeling that justice needs to be served.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't I need a savior
I feel helpless and alone and wonder if I need someone to save me.
Just to bail me out
I need someone to rescue me from my troubles.
I'll hold my breath until the water lets me out
I'll do everything I can to survive and overcome adversity.
Alimony never can pay
Money can't make up for the emotional pain I'm feeling.
I'm on the breadline
I'm struggling financially and barely making ends meet.
Your on the answer phone
You're not there for me when I need you and are avoiding me.
You're off the hook and I'm left all alone
You've escaped responsibility while I'm left to deal with the consequences on my own.
It's a shame
It's unfortunate that things have turned out this way.
Passion isn't always to blame
Our intense feelings weren't necessarily the reason for our problems.
Oh, I don't need time, just sweet revenge for love
I want to get revenge on the person who has hurt me emotionally.
Don't say, don't say, don't say it's a crime
Don't try to stop me from seeking revenge because I feel justified in my anger.
I'm undercover, my love has overgrown
I'm hiding my true feelings and they've grown too strong to ignore.
Retaliation is emotion I have shown
I've acted on my anger and am taking revenge on the person who has hurt me.
All the money never can pay
No amount of money can make up for the hurt I've experienced.
I'm on the level, she is on the second floor
I'm being honest and upfront, while she is hiding something from me.
I'm counting seconds as my hand goes for the door
I'm anxious to leave and get away from the situation.
It's a shame, pleasure isn't always the same
Things aren't always as good as they seem, and pleasure can be fleeting.
I needed revenge for love, revenge for love
I feel like revenge is the only way to make up for the hurt I've been caused.
Just give me sweet revenge
I'm asking for justice and to balance the scales of our relationship.
Lyrics © REFORMATION MUSIC INC
Written by: GARY KEMP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind