The Furs initially used Martin Hannett as a producer, but their initial self-titled album from 1980 was eventually produced by Steve Lillywhite. The LP quickly established the band on radio and was a top 20 hit in the UK. The album also found success in Germany, Italy, France, Spain and Australia. The US version of the album was re-sequenced, but failed to have as strong a commercial impact.
The Furs found success in the U.S. market with the 1981 release, titled 'Talk Talk Talk', which made its impact on the US album charts and received critical acclaim worldwide. In the UK, the album was a solid hit which spun off two charting singles, "Dumb Waiters" and the original version of "Pretty in Pink". The latter song served as inspiration for the 1986 John Hughes film of the same name, and was re-recorded for the platinum-selling soundtrack.
In 1982, the band was reduced to a four-piece with the departures of Morris and Kilburn. (Ex-Birthday Party drummer Phill Calvert would briefly join the group around this time.) The band's remaining members moved permanently to New York, where they recorded the album Forever Now with producer Todd Rundgren. This album contained "Love My Way", a breakthrough Top 40 hit in both the US and the UK. Ely left the band after this release, though he would return for the 1988 single "All That Money Wants" and the 1989 album Book of Days.
The Furs' 1984 release Mirror Moves was produced by Keith Forsey, and featured the songs "The Ghost in You" and "Heaven". Both charted in the UK, and "Heaven" became the band's highest charting UK hit at the time -- but inexplicably, "Heaven" was never released as a single in America. Instead, Columbia Records opted for "Here Come Cowboys", despite both international success and heavy MTV airplay on "Heaven." "Here Come Cowboys" failed to chart, but "The Ghost In You" was a hit on the US pop charts. The band had become popular in Canada as well, CFNY, Toronto's new wave radio station, listed Mirror Moves as the #1 LP of 1984.
By this time, the band had become somewhat of a staple on US college and modern rock radio stations. As well, they were building mainstream success, fairly consistently placing singles in the pop charts on both sides of the Atlantic, though they would "have more impact on future musicians than they ever did in the marketplace." In 1986, the band re-recorded a version of "Pretty in Pink", which was their biggest hit to that time in the US, and their biggest-ever UK hit.
Richard Butler later claimed that the success of "Pretty in Pink" caused the band to be pressured into entering the studio to record a follow-up release before they were ready. The result was Midnight to Midnight, an album which Butler characterized as "hollow, vapid and weak". A more overtly commercial effort than the Furs had ever recorded before, the album also featured the single "Heartbreak Beat", which was their highest charting top 40 US hit.
However, the Furs were dissatisfied with their new commercial direction, and subsequently returned to a rawer sound with "All That Money Wants", a 1988 track especially recorded for a 'best-of' collection. 1989's Book of Days saw a return to the old-school style and the temporary return of Vince Ely. 1991's World Outside was similarly more of a "back to basics" approach.
From 1988 on The Furs' chart success continued with three #1 hits on the US Modern Rock chart between 1988 and 1991.
The band splintered in 1991, with the Butler brothers going on to found Love Spit Love. After spending most of the decade apart, Butler, Butler and Ashton re-formed The Psychedelic Furs in 2000, and released a live album Beautiful Chaos: Greatest Hits Live, which also featured a new studio recording, "Alive (For Once In My Lifetime)." A DVD version of the performance included live versions of "Alive" and three other previously unreleased songs: "Anodyne (Better Days)," "Cigarette" and "Wrong Train."
Since then the Furs continue to tour the world along with former Love Spit Love drummer Frank Ferrer, ex-Information Society and World Party keyboardist Amanda Kramer and saxophonist Mars Williams who returned to the band after a stint in the late 1980s.
Showing the band's significant influence as a part of the new wave and post-punk movements, their songs have been covered by numerous other artists. Examples include Annie Lennox, Buffalo Tom, Icehouse, Powderfinger, Regenerator, and Robyn Hitchcock.
Angels Don't Cry
The Psychedelic Furs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
and i only get sorrow
and yesterday's faded away
now there's only tomorrow
and everything passes and changes
and comes to an end i know
but nothing is written but old news
again and againi know that it's true
there's too many tears
but angels don't cry
now i see a face in your eyes
but you don't remember my name
we're always a step out of time
now ain't that a shame
and you've been alone for too long
and nobody cries
if you want to see all of my tears
take a look in your eyes
i know that it's true
believe it or not
but angels don't cry
i know that it's true
there's too many tears
but angels don't cry
i could walk away
or i could walk on by
or make it all come true
or say it's all a lie
there's no more tears
when you're out of time
and i might fade away tonight
if you close your eyes
i know that it's truebelieve it or not
but angels don't cry
i know that it's true
there's too many tears
but angels don't cry
i could walk away
i could walk on by
or make it all come true
or say it's all a lie
The Psychedelic Furs's song "Angels Don't Cry" explores the theme of love and loss. The lyrics depict a person trying to hold on to the memories of love that have faded away. The line "i try to remember a kiss and i only get sorrow" illustrates how memories can evoke a feeling of sadness. The recurring statement "but angels don't cry" suggests that even though love can bring tears and heartache, there is still hope in the idea of angels, who represent purity and goodness.
The lyrics also describe the feeling of being out of sync with time and reality. The lines "we're always a step out of time, now ain't that a shame" and "there's no more tears when you're out of time" suggest the feeling of being disconnected from the present and unable to move forward. The final lines of the song, "or make it all come true, or say it's all a lie" show the struggle between holding on to the past and the desire to move on to something new.
Overall, "Angels Don't Cry" is a poignant and introspective song that explores the complexities of love and memory.
Line by Line Meaning
i try to remember a kiss
I am attempting to recollect a moment of passion with someone
and i only get sorrow
However, my thoughts only bring me sadness
and yesterday's faded away
That memory is now a distant past
now there's only tomorrow
But there is still hope for the future
and everything passes and changes
Life is constantly evolving and transforming
and comes to an end i know
I am aware that all things must eventually come to a close
but nothing is written but old news
However, history tends to repeat itself and the present feels all too familiar
again and again
This cycle will continue indefinitely
i know that it's true
I am certain of this fact
there's too many tears
There has been far too much pain and heartache
but angels don't cry
Despite this, there is still hope and purity in the world
now i see a face in your eyes
As I look into your gaze, I see a recognizable figure
but you don't remember my name
But you do not recall who I am
we're always a step out of time
It feels like we are never quite in sync with the world
now ain't that a shame
This is regrettable
and you've been alone for too long
You have been lonely for an extended period of time
and nobody cries
But despite this, no tears have been shed
if you want to see all of my tears
If you are curious about my emotional state
take a look in your eyes
Simply gaze into your own eyes
believe it or not
I understand if you find this difficult to accept
i could walk away
I could simply leave this situation behind
or i could walk on by
Or I could continue living my life and moving forward
or make it all come true
I could try to make this fantasy a reality
or say it's all a lie
Alternatively, I could deny the validity of this dream
there's no more tears
At some point, there will be no more sadness left to express
when you're out of time
Perhaps this will happen when we are at the end of our lives
and i might fade away tonight
My existence may come to an abrupt end soon
if you close your eyes
If you shut off your senses
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHN ASHTON, RICHARD BUTLER, TIMOTHY BUTLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jimsmith3712
Am I the only one that gets just a touch choked up at the closing verses?
@RMPereira777
It's avery emotive song!
@MarkSentMe
RIP, Mars. That sax!!
@CreanCrimson
Absolutely not😢
@magicknight13
Me too!
@nigellacey559
id actually rate this band as one of the best of all time..so there
@tinfoilhatter
i totally agree!
@paulbuswell6566
You are not alone. I actually liked the fact that they were pretty niche in the 80s. It made me feel just a little unique maybe?
@deadmanswife3625
@Chommy Tong if I were stuck on an island. One of 4 bands I couldn't do without
@vernpascal1531
@@deadmanswife3625 Made of Rain is fantastic.I saw them in '81... it is on the same level as Talk Talk Talk to me.