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.
With The Pride
Spandau Ballet Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Now they've taken the reason away
Just leave me with the pride that I worked for today
Build on rock, or build on sand
They're never gonna lend a hand
So nothing grows or nothing stands
I can't take anymore, I can't take anymore
'Cause there's not a lot of space for me
But I've still got my dignity
I've got my price, don't say I'm free
I can't take anymore, I can't take anymore
But I'm hungry, I could eat anything
But I'm hungry, ooh, let's dance, ooh, let's swing
And all that I hear are the words that she sings
Now they've taken it all, now they've taken it all
Just leave me with the pride that I worked for
Now they've taken the reason away
Just leave me with the pride that I worked for today
Just leave me with the pride that I worked for
Now they've taken the reason away
Just leave me with the pride that I worked for today
I'd rather take this cure for life
Than make myself a sacrifice
When living is to pay the price
I can't take anymore, I can't take anymore
It takes a while to understand
When your eyes are full of sand
When only time is in your hands
I can't take anymore, I can't take anymore
But I'm hungry, I could eat anything
But I'm hungry ooh, let's dance, ooh, let's swing
And all that I hear are the words that she sings
Now they've taken it all, now they've taken it all
Just leave me with the pride that I worked for
Now they've taken the reason away
Just leave me with the pride that I worked for today
Just leave me with the pride that I worked for
Now they've taken the reason away
Just leave me with the pride that I worked for today
Oh, but I'm hungry, I could eat anything
And I'm hungry ooh, let's dance, ooh, let's swing
And all that I hear are the words that she sings
Now they've taken it all, now they've taken it all
Just leave me with the pride that I worked for
Now they've taken the reason away
Just leave me with the pride that I worked for today
Leave me with the pride that I worked for
Now they've taken the reason away
Leave me with the pride that I worked for today
Leave me with the pride
With the pride (that I worked for today)
Just leave me with the pride that I worked for
Now they've taken the reason away
Just leave me with the pride that I worked for today
Leave me with the pride
Leave me with the pride
With The Pride by Spandau Ballet is a song about maintaining dignity and pride in the face of adversity. The lyrics speak of the struggle to hold onto one's sense of self-worth, especially when life seems to beat you down. The title is a play on words, as the phrase "with pride" has positive connotations, while "with the pride" suggests something more specific and personal.
Throughout the song, the singer repeatedly asks to be left with the pride that he has worked for, even as others try to take it away. This pride, he suggests, is what gives his life meaning and allows him to keep going in the face of hardship. He contrasts this with a bleak outlook on life, where "nothing grows" and "nothing stands," and where people are never going to "lend a hand."
The second half of the song shifts gears somewhat, as the singer talks about being "hungry" and wanting to dance and swing. This suggests a desire for release, to forget about the struggles of everyday life and find some kind of joy in the present moment.
Overall, With The Pride is a powerful and introspective song that speaks to the human experience of struggle and triumph in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Just leave me with the pride that I worked for
I want to hold onto the self-respect and dignity that I earned through my effort.
Now they've taken the reason away
But now the purpose behind my hard work has been stripped from me.
Build on rock, or build on sand
You can choose to build your life on a solid foundation or a shaky one.
They're never gonna lend a hand
Others are unlikely to help or support you in your endeavors.
So nothing grows or nothing stands
Without support, nothing will flourish nor maintain its position.
I can't take anymore, I can't take anymore
I have reached my limit and cannot handle any more difficulties.
'Cause there's not a lot of space for me
There is limited room for me to succeed or even exist in this environment.
But I've still got my dignity
However, I still have the value and respect that come from being true to myself.
I've got my price, don't say I'm free
I have paid a price to be who I am and cannot be bought or manipulated easily.
But I'm hungry, I could eat anything
Although I am struggling, I am still willing to try anything to satisfy my need for success.
Ooh, let's dance, ooh, let's swing
I still find joy and pleasure in life despite the challenges I face.
And all that I hear are the words that she sings
The only comfort I find is in the music and the positive messages it conveys.
I'd rather take this cure for life
I would rather find a solution to my problems than simply suffer through them endlessly.
Than make myself a sacrifice
But I refuse to give up my own well-being or happiness in the process.
When living is to pay the price
In this life, it often feels like you must sacrifice everything in order to succeed.
It takes a while to understand
But with time and patience, you can begin to comprehend the challenges you face.
When your eyes are full of sand
Even when your vision is clouded or obstructed, you can still find your way forward.
When only time is in your hands
At times you may feel alone and powerless, with only the passing of time as your ally.
Leave me with the pride
In the end, all I want is my self-respect and dignity intact, regardless of the struggles I face.
With the pride (that I worked for today)
Because it is something I have earned and deserve, not something anyone can take away from me.
Lyrics © REFORMATION MUSIC INC
Written by: GARY KEMP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
j bolf
Build on rock, or build on sand
They're never gonna lend a hand
So nothing grows or nothing stands
I can't take anymore, I can't take anymore
'Cause there's not a lot of space for me
But I've still got my dignity
I've got my price, don't say I'm free
I can't take anymore, I can't take anymore
But I'm hungry, I could eat anything
But I'm hungry, ooh, let's dance, ooh, let's swing
And all that I hear are the words that she sings
Now they've taken it all, now they've taken it all
Just leave me with the pride that I worked for
Now they've taken the reason away
Just leave me with the pride that I worked for today
Just leave me with the pride that I worked for
Now they've taken the reason away
Just leave me with the pride that I worked for today
I'd rather take this cure for life
Than make myself a sacrifice
When living is to pay the price
I can't take anymore, I can't take anymore
It takes a while to understand
When your eyes are full of sand
When only time is in your hands
I can't take anymore, I can't take anymore
But I'm hungry, I could eat anything
But I'm hungry ooh, let's dance, ooh, let's swing
And all that I hear are the words that she sings
Now they've taken it all, now they've taken it all
Just leave me with the pride that I worked for
Now they've taken the reason away
Just leave me with the pride that I worked for today
Just leave me with the pride that I worked for
Now they've taken the reason away
Just leave me with the pride that I worked for today
Oh, but I'm hungry, I could eat anything
And I'm hungry ooh, let's dance, ooh, let's swing
And all that I hear are the words that she sings
Now they've taken it all, now they've taken it all
Just leave me with the pride that I worked for
Now they've taken the reason away
Just leave me with the pride that I worked for today
Leave me with the pride that I worked for
Now they've taken the reason away
Leave me with the pride that I worked for today
Leave me with the pride
With the pride that I worked for today
Just leave me with the pride that I worked for
Now they've taken the reason away
Just leave me with the pride that I worked for today
Elisha Rosselot
Tony has such soul in his voice, love it!!!
Olga De santo
L
Rosamma Vicidomini
Accidenti qui Tony mette i brividi . Voce e piano il resto è superfluo ❤❤
Louise Hadaway
Such a powerhouse. So much natural talent. Even when his voice is tired. I hear he has an incredible work ethic. #vocalstamina
Peter Hogben
What a beautiful voice
paula aguilera
Tony eres lo máximo, whit the pride es unica.
SOLO
Una verdadera joya injustamente ignorada
Donatella Pagano
Ma esiste un'esibizione più toccante e sublime??
Thx SPANDAU BALLET!
Ra1sed0nRad7o !
Wonderful song that doesn't need anything more than piano and voice, especially if that voice is The Velvet Foghorn!
Manuela Cortes
Ohhhh Tony aquí estabas afónico gastabas la voz diferente ahora sabes gestionar tu potencial de voz de una mejor forma eres como el buen vino con los años mejor sin duda voz preciosa 😙