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.
Shut up
The Power Station Lyrics
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Get their hands and their legs from above me
When you want it and you need it
But you can't seem to quite understand it
Get 'em off me, get 'em off me
Take their legs and their elbows from around me
Schizophrenia don't mean that you're living -
I said shut up, you're not incurably ill
You got the motivation, you got the pill
Don't mess it up, I go down on my knees
Don't blow it big time babe, I'm begging you please
I said shut up
I said shut up
What you complaining about?
You got the tonic money, you got the truth
Don't mess it up
Let's stick together on this
We got everything and more, so baby -
Why should we quit?
I said shut up
The Power Station's song Shut Up starts with the plea "Get 'em off me, get 'em off me, get their hands and their legs from above me" that signifies the song's thematic concern with the feeling of being held down or oppressed. The song's lyrics suggest that the singer is struggling with schizophrenia and feeling overwhelmed by the chaotic thoughts and emotions it generates. The line "schizophrenia don't mean that you're living – in the world, not a dream" highlights the duality of the singer's experience, caught between reality and a dream-like state.
The chorus, which goes "I said shut up, you're not incurably ill, you got the motivation, you got the pill, don't mess it up, I go down on my knees, don't blow it big time babe, I'm begging you please" can be interpreted as a message of encouragement to the singer. The singer tells the singer to not give up hope and to keep taking their medication, despite the challenges that come with it. The final lines, "what you complaining about? You got the tonic money, you got the truth, don't mess it up, let's stick together on this, we got everything and more, so baby- why should we quit?", implies that the singer is also dealing with challenges and are in this together.
Overall, Shut Up's lyrics explore the theme of mental struggles and the importance of perseverance in such situations. The song serves as an encouragement to those facing mental illness to persevere and not give up hope.
Line by Line Meaning
Get 'em off me, get 'em off me
Remove the people surrounding me immediately
Get their hands and their legs from above me
Get rid of their physical contact with me
When you want it and you need it
When you desire something badly
But you can't seem to quite understand it
But you are unable to comprehend it
Take their legs and their elbows from around me
Remove any bodily attachment to me
Schizophrenia don't mean that you're living -
Just because you have Schizophrenia doesn't mean you are living your life fully
In the world not a dream
This is reality, not a dream world
I said shut up, you're not incurably ill
Stop talking, you are not terminally sick
You got the motivation, you got the pill
You have the drive and the medication
Don't mess it up, I go down on my knees
Do not ruin this, I am pleading with you
Don't blow it big time babe, I'm begging you please
Don't make a huge mistake, I am begging you
What you complaining about?
Why are you even complaining?
You got the tonic money, you got the truth
You have the necessary resources and knowledge
Let's stick together on this
Let us work together on this issue
We got everything and more, so baby -
We have more than enough resources
Why should we quit?
Why should we give up?
I said shut up
I told you to stop talking
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Fintage House Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MICHAEL BARSON, MARK BEDFORD, CHRIS FOREMAN, GRAHAM MCPHERSON, CARL SMYTH, LEE THOMPSON, DANIEL WOODGATE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind