A debut self-financed single, Red Planet, was released in 1979, and this led to a contract with Polydor Records. Their debut Polydor single, Independence Day, arrived in 1980 and, though it didn't chart, its sparse, urgent tone helped it become a minor classic. This was closely followed by a debut album, Waiting For A Miracle, which received good reviews but didn't sell well. Nonetheless, the label kept faith with the band, and in 1981 they delivered a fierce, uncompromising sophomore LP, Sleep No More. This second album is widely regarded as a masterpiece that had a major influence on bands such as U2 (who toured with the band) and latterly Editors and Interpol. The album was reissued on CD twice, in 1995 by RPM Records and in 2006 by Renaiscent, with different track listings (see below). Sleep No More produced no singles, but it had the highest UK chart ranking for any Comsat album, peaking at #51. A third album, Fiction, followed in 1982, and this featured a more commercial sound, but it only clipped the UK top 100. It would become the band's final Polydor LP.
Nonetheless, the band signed a contract with Jive, which had released pop hits by Tight Fit and A Flock Of Seagulls. Jive promised to promote the band more actively than Polydor, but they required the band to tone down their trademark sound, and use synthesisers and electronic drums prominently in the mix. Their first Jive single, Will You Stay Tonight, was a lively, commercial affair, and achieved significant radio airplay. Yet it couldn't make the Top 40, and their first Jive album, a polished affair entitled Land, sold no better than the Polydor albums. Almost as an act of desperation, a re-recorded version of Independence Day was released as a single in 1984, but again the band's luck was out. They remained on Jive for one more album, 1985's 7 Day Weekend, but relationships between band and label were faltering, and they left the label soon afterwards.
Then a strange twist occurred - the band learned they had a surprise celebrity fan in smooth AOR singer Robert Palmer. Furthermore, Palmer used his influence at his label Island Records, to get them a deal for a new album. And so, their sixth album, Chasing Shadows, appeared on Island in 1987, though it was neither a critical or commercial success. Meanwhile, the band's streak of bad luck was continuing - they ended up being sued by an American company who manufactured satellites. By coincidence, they had marketed a model called the Comsat Angel, and owned a copyright on the name. As a result, the band had to rename themselves The CS Angels for the US market.
As it happened, they decided to change their name anyway to Dream Command, after Kevin Bacon left. This three-piece line-up released one album, Fire On The Moon, in 1990, to little acclaim. Yet Bacon returned in 1992, and the band reverted to their original name. Signing independent deals, the rejuvenated band released two bracing albums, My Mind's Eye (1992) and The Glamour (1995) (both made with Terry Todd on bass and Simon Anderson on guitars) before finally splitting up.
Ironically, two of the band members have had more tangible success since the band broke up for good. Steve Fellows managed blues-rock group Gomez, and his stewardship helped them win a Mercury Music Prize for their debut album. Meanwhile, Kevin Bacon is now one-half of production duo Bacon & Quarmby, whose credits include Ian Brown and Finlay Quaye. Bacon & Quarmby also have a lucrative sideline in producing music for television commercials.
Restless
The Comsat Angels Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm trying to remember something she said
But no sense remains
She has chased it all away
Sometimes these things are so hard
To say
But maybe tomorrow we'll talk again
She has chased it all away
She's here then she's there
And it's all up in the air
The Comsat Angels' song "Restless" is a representation of how one might feel when they're struggling to recall something significant that has been said in conversation. The first line, "The day is winding slowly backwards," suggests a sense of anxiety and uneasiness, as though the singer is struggling to remember what they need to. The following lines, "I'm trying to remember something she said, but no sense remains," indicate the frustration that comes with not being able to remember a significant detail or piece of information from a conversation. The repetition of "no sense remains" further emphasizes this sense of futility.
The next set of lines, "Sometimes these things are so hard to say, but maybe tomorrow we'll talk again, 'cause there's no sense today," reiterates the idea that the singer is struggling to remember what was said, and that the conversation will likely continue at a later time. The final lines, "She's here then she's there and it's all up in the air," add a dynamic element to the song, indicating a sense of confusion and uncertainty surrounding the conversation.
Overall, "Restless" is a poignant depiction of the power of memory, and how a tiny detail from a conversation can linger in the mind for hours, or even days, afterwards.
Line by Line Meaning
The day is winding slowly backwards
Time seems to be moving in reverse, possibly alluding to a feeling of regression or nostalgia.
I'm trying to remember something she said
The singer is attempting to recall a past conversation that they had with someone.
But no sense remains
The memory or conversation that the singer is trying to recall no longer holds any meaning or significance.
She has chased it all away
The same person that the artist is trying to remember has done something to make the memory disappear or become forgettable.
Sometimes these things are so hard to say
The artist is struggling with expressing their emotions or thoughts about the situation at hand.
But maybe tomorrow we'll talk again
Despite the difficulty in communicating, the singer is hopeful for a future conversation to clear up any confusion.
'Cause there's no sense today
The current moment does not make any sense, possibly due to the lack of clarity in the past conversation.
She has chased it all away
The same person that the artist is trying to remember has contributed to the confusion in the present moment.
She's here then she's there
The person in question is not consistent or predictable in their actions or whereabouts.
And it's all up in the air
The situation is uncertain and unpredictable, leaving the artist feeling unsettled or confused.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: SCOTT PATRICK ANDERSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@davidellis5141
The quiet vocal and feroucious ending. They were so much better then most. Amazing.
@henkdegroot5872
Fantastisch gitaarwerk en een mooie bijpassende stem. Schitterende combinatie!
Onwaarschijnlijk indrukwekkend nummer!!!
@chrisbarlow2131
Just awesome.
@novo_ephemera
Damn ! good stuff underrated
@Taragas
This is such a good breakup song.
@85nachox85
Que temazo...
@MegaWilmington
Such a great sound, even though the mix on this whole album is terrible. Vocals should be close and dry. Love the guitar sound. Its so close. I wish Todd Rundgren had produced.