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.
She Loved Like Diamond
Spandau Ballet Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Obsession dies alone with tragedy
She loved like diamond
She loved like diamond
And cut so hard, she died
The passion course that leads to pain
An acid taste that laced her soul again
She loved like diamond
And cut so hard, she died
Another path, I've run them all
The rain has cleared the stains, no trace at all
She loved like diamond
She loved like diamond
And cut so hard, she died
She loved like diamond
She loved like diamond
And cut so hard, she died
The lyrics of "She Loved Like Diamond" by Spandau Ballet tell the story of a woman who loved with intensity and passion, to the point where it became all-consuming and ultimately led to her demise. The opening lines of the song, "She ran the risk from unity, obsession dies alone with tragedy" suggest that this woman was willing to take risks to pursue her love and that this love became an obsession that ultimately resulted in tragedy. The imagery of diamond is used repeatedly in the song to signify the beauty and preciousness of her love, but also to suggest that it was sharp and cutting, causing pain to others as well as herself.
The refrain "She loved like diamond, and cut so hard, she died" is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the destructive nature of this type of love. The lyrics convey a sense of deep empathy for this woman, who may have been driven by a sense of passion or desperation, and who continued to love despite the consequences. The final lines of the song, "The rain has cleared the stains, no trace at all," suggest that while the woman may be gone, her memory lives on, like a diamond that is both beautiful and lasting.
Line by Line Meaning
She ran the risk from unity
She took a chance at finding happiness through unity with another person, even though it carried a risk of failure.
Obsession dies alone with tragedy
Being obsessed with something or someone can only end in tragedy if it is carried to the extreme until it is too late.
She loved like diamond
Her love was precious and valuable, like a diamond.
She loved like diamond
Her love was precious and valuable, like a diamond.
And cut so hard, she died
Her love was so intense that it ultimately caused her harm or even death.
The passion course that leads to pain
The intense passion of love can lead to pain and heartache.
An acid taste that laced her soul again
Her soul was tainted or corroded by the pain caused by her intense love.
She loved like diamond
Her love was precious and valuable, like a diamond.
She loved like diamond
Her love was precious and valuable, like a diamond.
And cut so hard, she died
Her love was so intense that it ultimately caused her harm or even death.
Another path, I've run them all
The singer has tried different paths in life, likely including different kinds of love or relationships.
The rain has cleared the stains, no trace at all
The artist has moved on from past hurt and pain caused by love or relationships, leaving no traces behind.
She loved like diamond
Her love was precious and valuable, like a diamond.
She loved like diamond
Her love was precious and valuable, like a diamond.
And cut so hard, she died
Her love was so intense that it ultimately caused her harm or even death.
Lyrics © REFORMATION MUSIC INC
Written by: GARY KEMP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sai Wan
She ran the risk from unity
Obsession dies alone with tragedy
She loved like diamond
She loved like diamond
And cut so hard, she died
A passion course that leads to pain
An acid taste that laced her soul again
She loved like diamond
She loved like diamond
And cut so hard, she died
Another path, I've run the mall
The rain has cleared the stains, no trace at all
She loved like diamond
She loved like diamond
And cut so hard, she died
She loved like diamond
She loved like diamond
And cut so hard, she died
Super Jess
What a voice, what overtones and harmonics. Real music, real musicians. The Best...
Richard Mumford
Agreed
Kimako Trotman
He sounds terrible there.
Antonia Miranda
Escuché esta canción allá por el 82 ,tenía 16, me llegó al corazón sin entenderla, no hacía falta. Ahora con mis 54 me produce la misma emoción. Es romanticismo en estado puro, la música q te transporta a otro lugar, la voz que te llega al corazón, en fin romántica hasta el fin
Jose Alberto Álvarez Suárez
Tanto el tema como el video son preciosos. Una de las mejores de SB.
gordon Campbell
Probably Spandau Ballet`s most under rated choon in my opinion .
J. schermer
Beautiful voice, gorgeous man!
Dorrit Fredrika Holm
This is my favourite Spandau Ballet song.I had a crush on Steve Norman when I was a teenager in the Nineties.
Mr Spoons
The 1890s.
Agnès Bonnetain
Me too but in the 80s.....