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.
President Gas
The Psychedelic Furs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When you're in a state like this
You can really move it all
You have to vote and change
You have to get right out of it
Like out of all this mess
You'll say yeah to anything
If you believe all this but
No lies, back in the government
No tears, party time is here again
President gas is up for president
Line up, put your kisses down
Say yeah, say yes again
Stand up, there's a head count
President gas on everything but roller skates
It's sick the price of medicine
Stand up, we'll put you on your feet again
Open up your eyes
Just to check that your asleep again
President gas is president gas again
He comes in from the left sometimes
He comes in from the right
It's so heavily advertised that he wants you and I
It's a real cowboy set, electric company
Every day is happy days
It's hell without the sin, but
Don't cry, don't do anything
No lies, back in the government
No tears, party time is here again
President gas is up for president
Line up, put your kisses down
Say yeah, say yes again
Stand up, there's a head count
President gas on everything but roller skates
It's sick the price of medicine
Stand up, we'll put you on your feet again
Open up your eyes just to check that your asleep again
President gas is president gas again
President gas
Oh, president gas
Whoa, president gas
Oh, president gas
Whoa, president gas
Oh, president gas
Whoa, president gas
The Psychedelic Furs' song "President Gas" is a sharp commentary on consumer culture and the role of the media in politics. The song opens by suggesting that people in a state of confusion and apathy need to have a party, as a way to escape. The singer then tells the listener to vote and to get away from the mess of their current situation if they want things to change. The chorus features the repetition of the phrase "President Gas," which is a metaphor for the media's power to manipulate people's thoughts and emotions. The idea is that people are so caught up in the messaging of the media that they will say yes to anything, even if it doesn't make sense.
The second verse continues this theme, with the singer proclaiming that the President Gas character comes in from the left and from the right, heavily advertised as someone who wants to help the people. The singer also calls attention to the high cost of medicine, a nod to the ongoing debate about healthcare policy. The refrain "President Gas is up for president" suggests that the media is not only manipulating public opinion but also actively selecting who gets to lead the country. The song ends with the repeated chant of "President Gas," which suggests that the cycle of manipulation and apathy will continue.
Line by Line Meaning
You have to have a party
In these troubled times, the best way to cope is to try and have fun
When you're in a state like this
When the world is in such a mess, it's important to do what you can to lift your spirits
You can really move it all
Dance, party, enjoy yourself - it's important to forget about the world's problems once in a while
You have to vote and change
The only way to make a difference is to get involved in politics and change the system from within
You have to get right out of it
Sometimes you need to disconnect from the constant chaos of the world for your own mental health
Like out of all this mess
With all the problems in the world, it can feel overwhelming - but you need to find a way out
You'll say yeah to anything
In times of desperation, people may agree to things they may not normally agree to
If you believe all this but
But not everything you hear is true, even if you desperately want it to be
Don't cry, don't do anything
It's easy to feel overwhelmed and helpless, but you need to stay strong and not give up
No lies, back in the government
Society needs to elect leaders who are truthful and who will fix the problems with the current government
No tears, party time is here again
It's time to forget about the world's problems and just have fun
President gas is up for president
The issues with the world require a strong leader to take charge and make a difference
Line up, put your kisses down
Get ready for some action - it's time to start doing something about the world's problems
Say yeah, say yes again
Be enthusiastic and willing to make a difference
Stand up, there's a head count
Everyone needs to get involved and help create change
President gas on everything but roller skates
The president or leader needs to be effective and take action on all issues, not just the easy ones
It's sick the price of medicine
The outrageous cost of healthcare is a major issue that must be addressed
Stand up, we'll put you on your feet again
If you've been knocked down by the state of the world, it's time to get back up and fight again
Open up your eyes
Take a good look at the world's problems and start doing something to fix them
Just to check that your asleep again
It's easy to ignore the world's problems and pretend they don't exist, but that won't make them go away
President gas is president gas again
The problems with the government continue to persist, even as leaders come and go
He comes in from the left sometimes
Political leaders may have different agendas and ideologies, but they must all work together to make change happen
He comes in from the right
Different political parties may have opposing ideologies, but they must all come together to make change happen
It's so heavily advertised that he wants you and I
Political leaders and parties may use flashy campaigns and slogans to appeal to voters, but it's important to look beyond the marketing and understand their true intentions
It's a real cowboy set, electric company
Politics can sometimes feel like a Wild West showdown, especially with the influence of powerful companies and organizations
Every day is happy days
Despite the world's problems, it's important to try and find happiness and positivity wherever you can
It's hell without the sin, but
The world can be a terrible place, even without the influence of deliberate wrongdoing or evil
Don't cry, don't do anything
Stay strong, keep fighting, and don't let the world defeat you
No lies, back in the government
The government and its leaders must be held to a higher standard of integrity and accountability
No tears, party time is here again
In times of trouble, sometimes the best thing to do is just have fun and take a break from reality
President gas is up for president
The world needs a strong and effective leader to tackle the many problems we face
Line up, put your kisses down
It's time to stop fooling around and start taking action to create change
Say yeah, say yes again
Be enthusiastic and willing to make a difference, no matter how small
Stand up, there's a head count
Stand up and be counted among those who are willing to fight for change
President gas on everything but roller skates
The president or leader needs to be effective and take action on all issues, not just the easy ones
It's sick the price of medicine
The outrageous cost of healthcare is a major issue that must be addressed
Stand up, we'll put you on your feet again
If you've been knocked down by the state of the world, it's time to get back up and fight again
Open up your eyes just to check that your asleep again
Don't fall asleep and ignore the world's problems - always be vigilant and aware of what's happening around you
President gas is president gas again
Despite leadership changes, the issues with the government and the world continue to persist
President gas
Referring to the corrupt and ineffectual leaders who exacerbate the problems of the world
Oh, president gas
Exasperation at the continuing problems and lack of effective leadership in the world
Whoa, president gas
Dismay at the current state of the world and the lack of progress in solving its issues
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHN ASHTON, RICHARD BUTLER, TIMOTHY BUTLER, VINCENT DAVEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@andyj639
"Open up your eyes to check that you'reasleep again" Genius.
@robertjohngunabe440
one of my favorite The psychedelic furs' song...
@KenoSims
MY FAVORITE PSYCHEDELIC FURS SONG!!!!!
@enduser63
Excellent song, relevant now 👍👁️👁️👍
@01aleph
Yep...One their best songs
@bobmoor8519
it really stands out !
@bobmalack481
Takes talent to keep up with the lyrics, timing changes, and voice inflection on this piece....amazing, since I have basically followed the Furs material from only about 1984 and on, I am 'floored' from their earlier material here from 'Forever now' and 'Talk, talk, talk' albums...amazing, Bob at 66. AND I'm old enough from this era to of not caught on then, so..I have no explanation...
@joelmooneyham8857
I was there too and also a relatively new convert. They were awesome. Also check out early Echo & The Bunnynen.
@bobmalack481
@@joelmooneyham8857 'Sugar kisses' only 'Bunnymen' tune I really like.
@vincee7621
You are a gent.