In early 1985, the group appeared on Saturday Night Live, where they performed both of their rockin' singles. The band decided to capitalize on their success with a summer tour of the United States. However, Robert Palmer used this success to record a solo album, 'Riptide', which featured its own hit singles and incorporated a similar dance-ready rock style. As a result, Palmer left The Power Station and did not tour with the band. Later on, this split, with some members of Palmer's ex-group saying that Palmer took their "sound", led to public expressions of personal animosity.
Taking in Michael Des Barres, an actor and vocalist formely with Silverhead and Detective, the Power Station underwent highly popular tours. On July 13, 1985, the group performed at Live Aid, with Michael Des Barres' singing receiving praise. Later that year, the band appeared on an episode of Miami Vice, which was entitled "Whatever Works".
In 1996, the original band reformed to write and record "Living In Fear". This time, it was bass player John Taylor who left the group before "Living In Fear" was released. He was replaced by producer Bernard Edwards, former bass player with Chic. The band was preparing to tour when Edwards died suddenly of pneumonia. The band toured briefly with replacement bassists before splitting up again 1996
On September 26, 2003, Robert Palmer died of a massive heart attack. Less than two months later, drummer Tony Thompson died of renal cell carcinoma (kidney cancer). Of the original group, only John Taylor and Andy Taylor survive.
The Power Station's music is still performed occasionally by Duran Duran. The band played "Some Like It Hot" on their 1987 "Strange Behaviour Tour" as well as while on tour in 2006. They also performed "Bang A Gong" during their 1989 tour. The Power Station's music also receives considerable airplay on many classic rock oriented stations.
Life Forces
The Power Station Lyrics
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The wind just blows it away
So many sins from the past catching up with you
You can't avoid judgment day
Anima/Animus/Pneuma/Prana/Atman/Jivatman/Jiva
Life forces act on you, life forces your hand
So many omens that tell of your future
Life forces you to choose, life forces at play
Life forces - nature's tools, life forces you to obey
You think you'll feel love by trying to find it
But love comes looking for you
That power which erring men call only chance
You feel it working on you - talkin' 'bout
Anima/Animus/Pneuma/Prana/Atman/Jivatman/Jiva
Life forces rule the world, life forces at work
Life forces you instinctively, life forces you on
Life forces act on you, life forces your hand
Life forces you to go on, life forces command
Just when you think you've a grip on your future
Destiny changes your plans - talkin' 'bout
Life forces act on you, life forces your hand
Life forces you to choose, life forces command
Life forces - nature's tools, life forces you to obey
Life forces rule the world, life forces your hand
The Power Station's "Life Forces" is a song that speaks to the inevitability and power of destiny. The lyrics suggest that we may try to build dreams and control our futures, but ultimately, life forces beyond our control act upon us and direct our paths. The opening lines describe the ephemeral nature of our dreams and how easily they can be taken away by the wind. The following line implies that our past actions are catching up with us, and we will inevitably face judgment day.
The chorus lists several different life forces, including Anima, Animus, Pneuma, Prana, Atman, Jivatman, and Jiva. These are all terms that come from different spiritual traditions and relate to the concept of a life force or spiritual essence that animates living things. The lyrics suggest that these forces act upon us and determine our path in life, whether we realize it or not. The second verse goes on to describe how love is something that cannot be chased but instead finds us. It suggests the existence of a powerful force that guides our lives, something that is beyond our control and erring men can only call it "chance".
Line by Line Meaning
You build a dream in the clouds floating over you
You create an ideal future for yourself, but it remains unattainable.
The wind just blows it away
Your aspirations get lost, and you can't control their fate.
So many sins from the past catching up with you
You're paying for the mistakes you made in the past.
You can't avoid judgment day
You'll eventually have to pay for all the wrongs you've committed.
Anima/Animus/Pneuma/Prana/Atman/Jivatman/Jiva
Various forces of life that drive and influence you.
Life forces act on you, life forces your hand
You're not in control of your destiny, and external forces shape your life.
So many omens that tell of your future
There are numerous signs that provide clues to your future, but you don't understand them.
You don't know what they convey
You lack the knowledge to interpret the signals life sends your way.
Life forces you to choose, life forces at play
You have no choice but to conform to the rules set by the forces that govern life.
Life forces - nature's tools, life forces you to obey
The laws of nature dictate the outcomes of your actions.
You think you'll feel love by trying to find it
You're seeking love to fill a void, but it doesn't work that way.
But love comes looking for you
Love will find you when you least expect it.
That power which erring men call only chance
Fate often gets attributed to chance by those who fail to comprehend its workings.
You feel it working on you - talkin' 'bout
You sense destiny at play in your life.
Life forces rule the world, life forces at work
The laws that govern life have a profound impact on the world.
Life forces you instinctively, life forces you on
You're instinctively driven to do certain things that are beyond your control.
Life forces you to go on, life forces command
You're compelled to carry on, driven by life's mechanisms.
Just when you think you've a grip on your future
You feel in control of your life's trajectory.
Destiny changes your plans - talkin' 'bout
You suddenly find that fate has different plans for you.
Life forces rule the world, life forces your hand
Life's mechanizations decide the course of your life.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Fintage House Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ANDREW TAYLOR, JOHN CHRISTOPHER TAYLOR, ROBERT PALMER, TONY THOMPSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind