The band had their first UK Top 30 hit in 1985 with the piano-based #30 single "You Are My World". The following year they had their biggest hit with an energetic cover version of Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes' soul classic "Don't Leave Me This Way" (in a version inspired by Thelma Houston's cover) which spent four weeks at number one and became the UK's biggest selling single of 1986. It also made the US Top 40. It featured Sarah Jane Morris as co-vocalist, taking advantage of the contrast between Morris' deep and rounded contralto and Somerville's soaring falsetto. Morris performed both backing and co-lead vocals on many of the Communards' other recordings, and appeared in group photos as an unofficial third member.
Later that year The Communards had another UK Top 10 hit with the single "So Cold the Night," which reached number 8. In 1987, they released an album titled Red, which was partly produced by Stephen Hague. Red featured a cover version of the Jackson 5's hit "Never Can Say Goodbye" (in a version inspired by Gloria Gaynor's cover), which the Communards took to Number 4. Their last released single was "There's More to Love Than Boy Meets Girl" in 1988, which reached Number 20 and was, consequently, their final Top 20 hit.
They split in 1988 and Somerville began a solo career. Coles followed his Christian leanings and, after periods as a journalist for the Times Literary Supplement and Catholic Herald, he was ordained in the Church of England, spending time as the curate of St Botolph's (The Stump) in Boston, Lincolnshire. He is now the assistant priest at St Paul's Knightsbridge and Chaplain to the Royal College of Music and is a frequent contributor to BBC Radio 4.
Disenchanted
The Communards Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hey there boy what is wrong with
you?
No future, no hope, just broken
dreams,
You spend your days wondering why
I'll be your friend, I'll be around
I'll be your friend, I'll be around
I'll be everything you need
Hey young man, why you cry
Don't you know, you've got to try
A little bit harder, you've got to stand
On your own two feet
Never let them drag you down
Hey there boy
This prejudice and ignorance we can
overcome
I'll be your friend, I'll be around
I'll be everything you need
I'll be your friend, I'll be around
I'll be everything you need
Disenchanted angry young man
Disenchanted angry young man
Disenchanted angry young man
Disenchanted angry young man
I'll never let you down
Never let you down
So boy now you know what to do,
hey there boy don't be blue
There's future, there's hope, hope for
you
Hey young man just believe in what
you do.
I'll be your friend, I'll be around
I'll be everything you need
I'll be your friend, I'll be around
I'll be everything you need
Pride is something good for you
Believe in yourself.
The lyrics of The Communards' song Disenchanted address the feelings of hopelessness and disillusionment that many young people experience when they feel like they have no future or prospects. The song speaks directly to a young man who is struggling with broken dreams and wondering why things aren't working out for him. The singer offers himself as a friend and supporter, promising to be everything the young man needs to believe in himself and overcome his obstacles.
The lyrics encourage the young man to try harder and stand on his own two feet, never allowing others to drag him down. The prejudice and ignorance that may be holding him back are acknowledged, but it is suggested that they can be overcome with the help of a friend who believes in him. Ultimately, the song is about finding pride in oneself and believing that there is a future and hope available, even when things seem bleak.
In addition to its powerful message, Disenchanted was a hit single for The Communards in the late 1980s. The song reached #9 on the UK charts and was the band's second top 10 hit. The song was included on the album Red, which was also a commercial success and reached #1 on the UK album charts. The band was led by singer Jimmy Somerville and keyboardist Richard Coles, both of whom were openly gay and used their music as a platform for LGBTQ rights.
Line by Line Meaning
So, boy where you go, what you do,
Asking about a boy's current situation
Hey there boy what is wrong with you?
Asking about a boy's problems
No future, no hope, just broken dreams,
Describing the boy's pessimistic outlook on life
You spend your days wondering why
The boy is constantly questioning everything
I'll be your friend, I'll be around
Offering support and friendship
I'll be everything you need
Willing to fulfill any needs the boy may have
Hey young man, why you cry
Addressing the boy's emotions
Don't you know, you've got to try
Encouraging the boy to put effort forward
A little bit harder, you've got to stand
Advising the boy to become more independent
On your own two feet
To rely on oneself and not others
Never let them drag you down
Urging the boy to resist negativity from others
This prejudice and ignorance we can overcome
Belief in the boy's potential to surmount social issues together
Disenchanted angry young man
Labelling the boy's emotions as disillusioned and resentful
I'll never let you down
Reiterating the promise to remain supportive
So boy now you know what to do
Providing guidance for the boy's future plans
Hey there boy don't be blue
Encouraging positivity in the boy's emotions
There's future, there's hope, hope for you
Reassuring the boy that there is a positive future in store for him
Hey young man just believe in what you do
Stressing to the boy to remain confident in his abilities
Pride is something good for you
Advising the boy to have self-respect and confidence
Believe in yourself.
Stressing to the boy to have faith in his own abilities
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@stonedmetal666
So underrated, but loved by those who know. One of the best vocalists in humanity.
@David-ws6zr
i agree one of the most underrated songs of the 80's like a lot of songs, the 80's songs where fantastic ,not just artists songs but there albums, nothing like it now you might get one hit then its gone.
@140pro
Regardless of who you are or what you are, you must 'Believe in Yourself'!
@Nelezwerg01
Bester Song von allen von Jimmy
@repboy1
Takes me back to the 80s being a teen loving this album
@Serralson
"No future" "No Hope" "Broken dreams".... The world actually..... sad present
@pickledegg1989
"This prejudice and ignorance we can overcome." 🌹
@bastiroccitanie
Most underrated tune ever.
@bonysminiatures3123
absolutely deserves more credit this masterpiece
@stevehollamby8237
Totally agree, still play this regularly now... can't believe it's 37 years old this year... oh my, where'd that time go😢