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.
The Freeze
Spandau Ballet Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Visions are making me stay
The artist pretending it's art
The question is where do you pay
Unpack my case one more time
I'll cancel my train once again
Destiny give me a day
Erogenous zones win again
Blue sing la lune sing lagoon
These visions are making me stay
The artist pretending it's art
The question is where do you pay
Unpack my case one more time
I'll cancel my train once again
Destiny give me a day
Erogenous zones win again
Blue sing la lune sing lagoon
These visions are making me stay
The artist pretending it's art
The question is where do you
Do you pay
The lyrics to Spandau Ballet's song "The Freeze" present a complex and intriguing picture of an artist struggling with the conflict between his creative vision and the commercial demands of the world around him. The first verse sets a dreamlike atmosphere, with "Blue sing la lune sing lagoon" suggesting the surreal landscape of an artist's mind. However, the second line of the verse hints at a tension between this world of imagination and the forces that bind the artist to reality, with "Visions are making me stay" implying a sense of imprisonment or obligation. The third line introduces the theme of artifice, with the artist pretending his work is art. This raises a question about the nature of art itself: what makes something truly artistic, and how can creative expression be reconciled with the need to make a living?
The second verse continues the exploration of these themes, with the artist unpacking his case again and cancelling his train, indicating a sense of stagnation and repetition. The question of whether art can be monetized is raised again, with the same line about where to pay repeated. The final line of the verse brings in a new element: the idea of destiny, suggesting a sense of fate and inevitability in the artist's struggle. The chorus reinforces the dreamlike imagery of the song, while the last line leaves the question of payment hanging, perhaps indicating a sense of unresolved tension.
Overall, "The Freeze" presents a complex and nuanced look at the challenges facing artists in a commercial world, exploring themes of creativity, authenticity, and the tension between the inner world of the imagination and the external pressures of society.
Line by Line Meaning
Blue sing la lune sing lagoon
The color blue is associated with sadness, and in this case, it is symbolic of the singer's melancholy state. La lune is the French word for moon, which is often associated with feelings of romance or longing. Lagoon is a body of water often associated with peacefulness or serenity. All three of these elements come together to create a tone of introspection and longing.
Visions are making me stay
The singer is feeling trapped by his own imagination and the ideas that he has for his life or his art.
The artist pretending it's art
The singer is questioning the validity of what he is creating and the authenticity of his own artistic vision.
The question is where do you pay
The meaning of this line is somewhat ambiguous, but it could be interpreted as a reflection on the commercialization of art or the idea that we must pay some sort of price for our dreams or creative pursuits.
Unpack my case one more time
This line suggests that the singer is a traveler, possibly someone who is always on the move or searching for something new.
I'll cancel my train once again
The singer is struggling with a sense of direction and purpose, and he is constantly changing his plans or canceling his commitments.
Destiny give me a day
The singer is asking for some clarity or guidance from the universe or a higher power.
Erogenous zones win again
This line is a reference to the idea that our base desires and physical impulses often trump our more rational or logical selves, leading us astray or causing us to make mistakes.
Lyrics © REFORMATION MUSIC INC
Written by: GARY KEMP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind