Tones on Tail's music is psychedelic/surrealist with a heavy English gothic rock vibe. It is textural and introspective and exhibits Ash's characteristically clean production. The band made a point of having each song sound as different as possible. In concert, the band sported all-white as a reaction to Bauhaus's all-black look. They never achieved a large following, though the track Go! is a retro dance club staple and a frequent addition to 1980s music compilations.
The band's back catalog has been subjected to a lot of compilations and reissues over the years; collecting the entire Tones on Tail discography was a difficult task. This was the situation until the 1998 release of Everything!, an appropriately named two-CD set of every track, fully remastered, plus a radio interview with Ash and Campling. The first disc contains the band's sole album Pop, while the second disc collects the rest of the band's work.
go!
Tones on Tail Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's good for you
Watch the big freeze slip
Crack the jackpot, get out of control
If you put yourself down
You'll never win, get out of that hole
Keep your mind open, your head up
You'll never, ever get old
Go!
Your whole world could change
If only you just broke through
'Cause your fears are doing
Nothing for you
Keep your head up, your mind open
You'll always come through
'Cause living it up, it's a big deal
It's good for you
Swap your dull grey thoughts
For fierce demands you can stand up to
Don't put yourself down, you'll never win
So let's all smash through
Through the fear of being real
Through the fear of being really you
'Cause living it up, it's a big deal
It's good for you
The song "Go!" by Tones on Tail is an upbeat, motivational song that encourages listeners to live life to the fullest and break out of their comfort zones. The lyrics speak to the idea of taking risks and embracing change, as opposed to being held back by fear and self-doubt. The chorus of "Go!" is particularly catchy and inspiring, urging the listener to take action and seize opportunities that come their way. The song suggests that by keeping an open mind and staying positive, one can overcome obstacles and find success in life.
The verse lyrics expand on this theme, with lines like "If you put yourself down, you'll never win, get out of that hole" and "Swap your dull grey thoughts for fierce demands you can stand up to". These lines speak to the importance of self-confidence and self-esteem, and encourage the listener to believe in themselves and their abilities. The repetition of the phrase "living it up" throughout the song reinforces the idea that taking risks and embracing life is a positive and enjoyable experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Living it up. It's a big kick
Enjoying life to the fullest extent is a thrilling experience that everyone should try at least once.
It's good for you
Living life with a positive attitude and enjoying oneself can be beneficial to one's well-being.
Watch the big freeze slip
Observe negative thoughts and feelings dissipate as you immerse yourself in a joyful experience.
Crack the jackpot, get out of control
Taking a leap of faith and going all-in can lead to unexpected success and an exhilarating feeling of freedom.
If you put yourself down
Belittling oneself can lead to feelings of defeat and prevent growth or progress.
You'll never win, get out of that hole
Self-doubt and negative self-talk can hold one back from achieving their desired goals and living their best life.
Keep your mind open, your head up
Staying receptive to new experiences and being positive can lead to a more fulfilling life.
You'll never, ever get old
Embracing a youthful spirit and enjoying life can help one feel lively and vibrant at any age.
Go!
Take action and pursue your goals with confidence and enthusiasm.
Your whole world could change
Making a change in one's attitude and approach to life can have a profound impact on their overall wellbeing and happiness.
If only you just broke through
Overcoming self-doubt and fear is an important step in achieving one's goals and living a fulfilling life.
'Cause your fears are doing
Allowing fear to control one's actions and thoughts can hinder progress and prevent one from achieving their dreams.
Nothing for you
Fear does not provide any benefits or help one achieve their goals.
You'll always come through
Staying positive and focused on your goals can help you overcome obstacles and achieve success.
Swap your dull grey thoughts
Replacing negative and uninspired thoughts with exciting and empowering ideas can lead to a more fulfilling life.
For fierce demands you can stand up to
Setting goals and standards for oneself that challenge and motivate can help one reach their full potential.
So let's all smash through
Let's all work together to overcome obstacles and reach our goals with energy and determination.
Through the fear of being real
Confronting one's true self and being honest about one's desires and needs can be difficult but ultimately empowering.
Through the fear of being really you
Overcoming the fear of authenticity and embracing one's true self can lead to a more fulfilling and joyful life.
'Cause living it up, it's a big deal
Enjoying life to the fullest extent and pursuing one's passions and interests is an important aspect of well-being.
It's good for you
Living a joyful and fulfilling life can have significant benefits for one's physical and mental health.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DANIEL GASTON ASH, GLENN DEREK CAMPLING, KEVIN HASKINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jeff Kappel
Living it up. It's a big kick
It's good for you
Watch the big freeze slip
Crack the jackpot, get out of control
If you put yourself down
You'll never win, get out of that hole
Keep your mind open, your head up
You'll never, ever get old
Go!
Your whole world could change
If only you just broke through
'Cause your fears are doing
Nothing for you
Keep your head up, your mind open
You'll always come through
'Cause living it up, it's a big deal
It's good for you
Swap your dull gray thoughts
For fierce demands you can stand up to
Don't put yourself down, you'll never win
So let's all smash through
Through the fear of being real
Through the fear of being really you
'Cause living it up, it's a big deal
It's good for you
weRvishnu13
this has been in my head for the last 25 30 years - never knew what or who it was never meant to find it wow how fucked up is it that my brain plays this daily?
JAVI DE SANVI
QUE TEMASO POR DIOS PENCE QUE NUNCA MAS LO IVA A ESCUCHAR. gracias internautas por este hemoso regalo.
John IronHand
This song was used as bumper music by a syndicated alternative radio show in the 90s called 'The Underground Network'. We used to get it in Nashville after 8 or 9pm, and it was odd to hear NYC traffic reports in between songs and commercials.
Tracy McKown
always great song to dance to in the 80's such good memories. after that a little 'Front 242 (Headhunter), Ministry (Jesus Built), then NIN or most my life and some Revco umm .. a good night then
Fajar Moenir
Wow...what a list
Jeff Kappel
Living it up. It's a big kick
It's good for you
Watch the big freeze slip
Crack the jackpot, get out of control
If you put yourself down
You'll never win, get out of that hole
Keep your mind open, your head up
You'll never, ever get old
Go!
Your whole world could change
If only you just broke through
'Cause your fears are doing
Nothing for you
Keep your head up, your mind open
You'll always come through
'Cause living it up, it's a big deal
It's good for you
Swap your dull gray thoughts
For fierce demands you can stand up to
Don't put yourself down, you'll never win
So let's all smash through
Through the fear of being real
Through the fear of being really you
'Cause living it up, it's a big deal
It's good for you
J
This song fits so well with the target robbery montage
Captain Quirk
Yes, it does!
Clem 12
Every morning for a few weeks, this would play at 7am for my radio's alarm. God damn, what a fuckin great wake up call for getting ready for the start of 7th grade.
Megan Luminais
Career opportunities ❤️