Their best known tunes include "Our Lips Our Sealed", "Vacation", and "We Got The Beat" among others. Their trend-setting debut album, 'Beauty and the Beat', didn't just reach #1 after its 1981 release but is also considered one of the cornerstone albums of American new wave. In the beginning, they played primarily what was known as 'pop punk', and they then made their sound more sunny and romantic, having later associated themselves with the distinct sound of 80s pop rock. The Go-Go's had five Top 40 hits in their heyday.
Website: http://www.gogos.com/
In addition, there was a group from Newcastle in the U.K. known as "The Go-Go's" in the 60s. That artist is known for their 1964 novelty Christmas single, titled "I'm Gonna Spend My Christmas With A Dalek", which referenced the budding 'Doctor Who' craze. Like the later U.S. band of the same name, the group's name was a reference to go-go dancing.
Mercenary
The Go-Go's Lyrics
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Can't tear the hurt out
Life's rushing by
Like and old movie backdrop
The radio's blasting
Song after song
About the big romance
That went all wrong
[Chorus]
She says:
I just wanted to make you
I never meant to break you
He says:
Have some mercy on me
Do you have to be
Such a mercenary
She's scheming inside
Can't stop the wheels turning
Been through it before
There's no profit or learning
She's not really bad
Just a gold-plated heart
So scared to be alone
It rips her apart
[Chorus]
The Go-Go's's song "Mercenary" tells the story of a tumultuous relationship. The lyrics paint a picture of a couple who are struggling to make things work. The chorus features the female partner apologizing for hurting her partner and the male partner pleading for mercy. The female partner is portrayed as someone who is always scheming and chasing after money, hence the use of the term "mercenary". The male partner, however, is depicted as someone who is hurting inside but is unable to express it.
The first verse sets the mood of the song, describing how the male partner is hurting on the inside and is unable to let go of his pain. The second verse focuses on the female partner, who is portrayed as someone who is unable to break the cycle of using relationships for personal gain. The lyrics suggest that her fear of being alone is what causes her to continue these patterned behaviors.
The chorus is where the two voices come together, with the female partner apologizing for hurting her partner and the male partner begging for mercy. The use of the term "mercenary" is repeated throughout the song, highlighting the idea that the female partner's actions in the relationship are driven solely by the desire for financial gain.
Overall, "Mercenary" is a powerful song about the complex emotions that often come with relationships. The lyrics work to capture the feelings of both partners, giving listeners a glimpse into what it's like to struggle with hurt, fear, and the desire for love and support.
Line by Line Meaning
He's crying inside
He's hurting emotionally but doesn't show it on the outside
Can't tear the hurt out
He can't rid himself of the pain he's feeling
Life's rushing by
Time is passing quickly
Like an old movie backdrop
The events of life are happening behind him like a scene in a movie
The radio's blasting
The radio is playing music loudly
Song after song
One song after another is playing on the radio
About the big romance
The songs are about love and relationships
That went all wrong
The relationships in the songs ended badly
I just wanted to make you
She had good intentions and wanted to help him
I never meant to break you
She didn't intend to hurt him
Have some mercy on me
He's asking her to be kind and considerate
Do you have to be
He's questioning her motives
Such a mercenary
She's only interested in making money or gaining advantage
She's scheming inside
She's planning something
Can't stop the wheels turning
She can't stop her plans from progressing
Been through it before
She's had similar experiences in the past
There's no profit or learning
She didn't gain anything from her past experiences
She's not really bad
She isn't inherently bad or evil
Just a gold-plated heart
She appears to be kind, but it's only a façade or a desire for wealth
So scared to be alone
She's afraid of being alone and this motivates her actions
It rips her apart
Her fear of being alone causes her great emotional pain
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Spirit Music Group
Written by: KATHY VALENTINE, CHARLOTTE CAFFEY, JANE WIEDLIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind