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.
There's More To Love
The Communards Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To tell the world I've found love and what it means to me
But all around there's violence and laws to make me think again
Maybe one day they will understand
There's more to love than boy meets girl
There's more to love than boy meets girl
For love is strange and uncontrolled, it can happen to anyone
There's more to love than boy meets girl
How can one man decide the fate and destiny of innocent lovers
And why is it less of a crime to take the life of another?
Through time they've always tried to hide and cast aside this love denied
In the shadows we held each other tight
There's more to love than boy meets girl
There's more to love than boy meets girl
For love is strange and uncontrolled, it can happen to anyone
There's more to love than boy meets girl
I saw your face, it caught the light, infatuation swirls inside
My every thought for days was only you
So I'll climb that mountain and shout it loud
I'll never let them bring me down
And one day they will have to understand
There's more to love than boy meets girl
There's more to love than boy meets girl
For love is strange and uncontrolled, it can happen to anyone
There's more to love than boy meets girl
There's more to love than boy meets girl
There's more to love than boy meets girl
For love is strange and uncontrolled, it can happen to anyone
There's more to love than boy meets girl
There's more to love than boy meets girl
There's more to love than boy meets girl
For love is strange and uncontrolled, it can happen to anyone
There's more to love than boy meets girl
The Communards' song "There's More to Love Than Boy Meets Girl" is a powerful commentary on the societal norms that shape our understanding of love. The lyrics speak to the idea that love cannot be confined to the narrow definition of boy meets girl, and that the violence and discrimination that often accompany non-normative love can be devastating. The song suggests that there is a larger, more complex picture of love that goes beyond traditional gender roles and that we must acknowledge and celebrate this love in all its forms.
Throughout the song, the lyrics allude to the struggle and trepidation that often comes with expressing and experiencing love that is considered "non-traditional." The reference to laws regulating love and the mention of a fate decided by "one man" suggest the ways in which legal and social constructs can limit our understanding of love and shape our experiences of it. The line "through time they've always tried to hide and cast aside this love denied" highlights the historical struggle for acceptance and underscores the importance of continuing to stand up for love in all its forms.
Ultimately, the song's message is one of hope and determination. The singer resolves to climb the highest mountain and shout their love from the rooftops, refusing to let societal norms bring them down. And while there is still work to be done in the fight for love and equality, the song encourages us to remember that there is more to love than what we've been taught.
Line by Line Meaning
I would like to shout it from the highest mountain
I want to proclaim my love loudly and publicly.
To tell the world I've found love and what it means to me
I want to share the joy and significance of my love with everyone.
But all around there's violence and laws to make me think again
However, there are societal and legal barriers that discourage me from speaking out.
Maybe one day they will understand
Hopefully, someday people will come to accept and celebrate all forms of love.
There's more to love than boy meets girl
Love is not limited to traditional heterosexual relationships.
For love is strange and uncontrolled, it can happen to anyone
Love is unpredictable and can be felt by all people, regardless of their gender or sexuality.
How can one man decide the fate and destiny of innocent lovers
It's unfair for one person to have the power to determine the future of two people in love.
And why is it less of a crime to take the life of another?
It's perplexing that society places more value on preserving the lives of some people over others.
Through time they've always tried to hide and cast aside this love denied
Throughout history, society has attempted to suppress and reject non-heterosexual love.
In the shadows we held each other tight
Those in non-traditional relationships have had to seek refuge in secrecy and concealment.
I saw your face, it caught the light, infatuation swirls inside
When I first saw you, I was immediately drawn to you and consumed by my feelings for you.
My every thought for days was only you
I couldn't stop thinking about you and was completely consumed by my love for you.
So I'll climb that mountain and shout it loud
Despite the obstacles, I will proudly proclaim my love from the mountaintops.
I'll never let them bring me down
I will not allow society's prejudices to diminish or invalidate my love.
There's more to love than boy meets girl
Love is multifaceted and exists in many forms beyond traditional opposite-sex relationships.
For love is strange and uncontrolled, it can happen to anyone
Love is powerful and can manifest between any two people, regardless of their gender or sexuality.
Contributed by Jason C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@thepowerstation2702
The Communards were well ahead of their time! They were ready with a Lyric video for YouTube decades before YouTube existed!!! ✌️ 💖 🙏 Levent 🦁
@vincentlane2504
Jimmy Somerville, not just a Brilliant singer, but also wonderful and amazing talent.
@77762
Beautiful song. 😊❤️
@user-qk5sn2yd2p
Forgotten what a fantastic song this is, time hasn't changed that
@dean9235
I heard this song so many times but never listened until today. So so true! Glad the world is waking up.
@user-vb8iq1bs2v
The world is going down to satanic insanity and will die eventually...
@eddherring4972
Great song, light hearted vid and the beautiful JM-K (such a crush on her) 👍
@jamesyousry9339
My god 36 years ago I was 8 years old I remember dancing to this
@nando3e76
Underrated, great song
@johnshimwell9638
Very underated group such a distinctive sound