The Pasadenas didn't belong in the '80s. The band was caught in a time warp; they bounced between '50s doo wop, '60s Motown, and early-'70s funk and R&B. However, they presented these influences when mainstream pop music had become too shallow and over-produced; instead of sounding dated, the group was actually a refreshing change of pace.
The band wasn't given much attention in America, but they were superstars in their native England. Formed by twins David Milliner and Michael Milliner along with Andrew Banfield, Hammish Seelochan, and Aaron Brown, the Pasadenas used to be a dance group called Finesse.
In the late '80s they signed with Columbia Records and became The Pasadenas. Not one member overshadowed the other; each of them wrote lyrics and helped with production and arrangements. While their peers, such as Breathe, Johnny Hates Jazz, and Terence Trent D'Arby, also mined soul records from the past, many of The Pasadenas' songs, such as the Smokey Robinson homage "Enchanted Lady," could've been mistaken for the real thing. The band didn't try to modernize the urban grooves of the '60s and '70s; they simply resurrected the excitement soul music used to bring.
In May 1988, the group released their debut single, "Tribute (Right On)." It peaked in the Top Five of the U.K. charts, one of many hits for The Pasadenas. The band's concerts received rave reviews for their tight musicianship and choreographed dance moves. Their first LP, To Whom It May Concern, appeared in October 1988, selling in excess of one million copies. The group's final album, Yours Sincerely, was released in 1992. The band landed on the U.K. Top 40 charts five times that year, with the single "I'm Doing Fine" selling more than 200,000 copies. In 2002 Cherry Red Records reissued To Whom It May Concern on CD.
The band released the superb album “Phoenix” in 1995 but only in Japan.
Album Discography:
1988: To Whom It May Concern
1991: Elevate
1992: Yours Sincerely
1995: Phoenix
1995: Tribute: The Best Of The Pasadenas
2003: Definitive Collection
Living In The Footsteps Of Another Man
The Pasadenas Lyrics
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Miscellaneous
Living In The Red
These days, are so pell mell
Toss me some sleep will you find me down deep
In this dark well
Unpaid bills and an unmade bed
That merry-go-round
That goes round that went round
Is not worth it
Stop yourself now
Before it goes to your head
Ah, take what you want
Take what you need
Ah, take what you want
What you want from me
But no pictures please
No pictures please
Living in the red
Judge me
Though I've sentenced myself
This labour of love
Is a love that leaves no time
For much else
I'm not alone as a dreamer once said
Ah, take what you want
Take what you need
Ah, take what you want
What you want from me
But no pictures please
No pictures please
Living in the red
Shoo ...
The Pasadenas's song Living in the Footsteps of Another Man explores the struggles and hardships of modern-day living when one is unable to make ends meet. The lyrics are laden with symbolism as they describe the overwhelming sense of being trapped in a monotonous, cyclical, and difficult existence. The opening line sets the tone for a lamenting and melancholic song, "These days, are so pell-mell." The singer then makes a plea for some rest to escape the chaotic existence, "Toss me some sleep will you find me down deep in this dark well?" The "unpaid bills, and an unmade bed" signify the mounting debts and responsibilities of the singer's life.
The lyrics also delve into the pressures of societal expectations and the strain it puts on those who try to conform, "I tried, tried that whole bit that merry-go-round that goes round that went round, is not worth it. Stop yourself now before it goes to your head." This verse highlights how maintaining a facade of success and trying to keep up with others' expectations can lead to one losing themselves in the process.
The chorus, "Ah, take what you want, take what you need. But no pictures please, no pictures please, Living in the red" conveys a sense of helplessness, allowing the listener to be transported into the singer's perspective. The line "Living in the red" emphasizes their destitution, both in financial terms and in their emotional well-being. The song concludes with the lines, "This labour of love is a love that leaves no time for much else. I'm not alone as a dreamer once said," which highlights the burden of constantly toiling to earn a living, which leaves no room for pursuing one's passions and dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
These days, are so pell mell
These current times are tumultuous and disorderly
Toss me some sleep will you find me down deep
In this dark well
Give me some repose to help me escape the depths of despair
Unpaid bills and an unmade bed
I am struggling with financial and personal chaos
I tried, tried that whole bit
That merry-go-round
That goes round that went round
Is not worth it
I attempted to keep up with the fast-paced and monotonous lifestyle, but it was not fulfilling or worthwhile
Stop yourself now
Before it goes to your head
Avoid getting caught up in this lifestyle before it consumes you
Ah, take what you want
Take what you need
Ah, take what you want
What you want from me
But no pictures please
No pictures please
Living in the red
You may take what you desire from me, but do not publicize it as I am struggling financially
Judge me
Though I've sentenced myself
This labour of love
Is a love that leaves no time
For much else
I am already critical of myself for choosing to pursue a passion that consumes most of my time and leaves little room for anything else
I'm not alone as a dreamer once said
I am not the only one who has chased after a dream and struggled to make it a reality
Shoo...
An abrupt end to the song
Writer(s): James A. Smith, Samuel E. Garner
Contributed by Connor V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
luz gonzales
Música muy buena!!!!
karen deane
Love these guys
Channel
Great Music!
R W
My favorite......
jeff weiman
the chi -lites classic