The group disbanded in 1989, after their final studio album, Heart Like a Sky, failed to live up to the critical and commercial success of their earlier albums, such as True and Parade. As a matter of fact, Heart Like a Sky was not even released in the United States. In April 1999, Hadley along with fellow band members Steve Norman and John Keeble failed in their attempt to sue Gary Kemp for a share of his royalties, as the band's principal songwriter (recently, however, Norman is again on good terms with Gary and his brother, Martin Kemp, who used to play guitar in the band, which makes a possible reunion less difficult).
After Spandau Ballet disbanded, Hadley pursued a solo career, with considerably less success, signing to EMI and recording his first album, The State of Play, in 1992. After leaving EMI, Hadley formed his own record company, SlipStream Records, and his first release was to be the single "Build Me Up", from the film "When Saturday Comes". Shortly after that, in December 1996, Hadley embarked on an orchestral tour of Europe, along with Joe Cocker, Paul Michiels, Dani Klein and Guo Yue, playing to 500,000 people in six weeks.
On his return from that tour, Hadley signed a joint deal with PolyGram TV, and released his next eponymous solo album, Tony Hadley, in 1997, which included covers and songs that were chosen to match his voice. The album also featured some of his own self-penned songs, such as "She", the song that Hadley wrote for his daughter, Toni. He is the father of four children: Thomas, Toni, and Mackenzie by his wife, Leonie, and Zara (born 21 December 2006) by his current girlfriend, Alison Evers. Hadley split from Leonie in 2003, after twenty years of marriage.
To plug the gap between studio albums, Hadley also released a live album, in 1995, recorded, in just one night, at the club Ronnie Scott's, in Birmingham, called Obsession (later on re-released as Obsession Live).
He also collaborated, in the past and present, with various dance acts and DJs, such as Tin Tin Out, Eddie Lock, Marc et Claude, Regi Penxten (Milk Inc.) and the Disco Bros., and played alongside musicians such as Alice Cooper, Paul Young, Jon Anderson, and Brian May. Hadley's permanent band line up nowadays features John Keeble (drums), Phil Taylor (keyboards), Phil Williams (bass guitar), Richie Barrett (guitar), and Angie Grant on backing vocals. His early band, with whom he realized his debut album, included instead, besides he and Keeble, Spandau Ballet's regular keyboard player Toby Chapman, Jerry Stevenson (guitar), and Kevin Miller (bass guitar).
Hadley was also the subject of some newfound respect in the 2000s, rooted in an "ironic" appreciation for his old group Spandau Ballet; John Darnielle of the indie folk rock group The Mountain Goats wrote about his admiration for Hadley's vocal strengths. In 2000, his very first solo greatest hits album was issued, entitled Debut, made up of some early solo songs, performed live in Germany in 1992, as broadcast by German TV.
In 2003, Hadley was the winner of the ITV reality television series, "Reborn in the USA", appearing alongside other ex band singers, such as Elkie Brooks from Vinegar Joe, Peter Cox from Go West and Leee John from Imagination. Capitalizing on his victory of the American reality show, his Debut compilation was re-issued, and his second collection was also released in the same year, True Ballads, including some of his solo tracks, most of the cover songs which were already contained in his second studio album, and historical hits from the Spandau Ballet period.
Hadley recently had a busy performing schedule, and also recently toured with both Peter Cox from Go West and Martin Fry from the band ABC. He released a jazz-swing album 2006, entitled Passing Strangers, and travelled on a "by request" tour from March to May 2006. This was followed by a big band tour in late the same year.
In January 2007, Hadley performed in the West End musical "Chicago" as crooked lawyer Billy Flynn, at the Cambridge Theatre. Hadley took over from ex-Emmerdale actor Ian Kelsey, and featured from 29 January to 14 April 2007. He said: "Three months was long enough, I didn't want to out stay my welcome. I got a phone call offering me the part. I went to see the show, which I thought was great. While I was in it, I got great reviews. Chicago tied in with my swing album, Passing Strangers, so the whole thing worked well."
Hadley stated on the television show "Loose Women" (22 February 2007) that he is 6'4" and 17½ stone.[1]. He has a new role as radio presenter with Virgin Radio, taking over the "Friday Night Virgin Party Classics" show from Suggs (of the band Madness), in August 2007. In January 2008, Tony was given the "Saturday Night Virgin Party Classics" show as well.
Hadley performed a set with other 1980s acts, at "Retro Fest", on 1 September 2007, at Culzean Castle, in Ayrshire, Scotland. This appearance included a rendition of "Addicted to Love", with Martin Fry of ABC and Peter Cox of Go West. In February 2008, he took part to the Italian Sanremo Festival, where he dueted, either in English and Italian, with young contestant Paolo Meneguzzi, on a song by the latter called "Grande" (meaning 'great'), during the third day of the contest (where all contestants re-interpreted their songs with guest artists).
On February 22nd, 2008, he performed in show program on semi-final evening of Dora, Croatian national selection of the Croatian song for Eurovision Song Contest.
Tony has shot his scenes for the forthcoming UK movie 'Shoot The DJ' which is due for completion in December 2008. He plays Eddie Richards. The film features the acts Sonic Hub and The Long Firm and is being produced by Sonic-Hub Films, part of Sonic-Hub Records.
He also made an appearance, sung, and gave advice and words of wisdom in Pinoy Dream Academy (season 2),a singing reality show in the Philippines.
In 2009 he joined the rest of his former bandmates in reformation of Spandau Ballet.
after all this time
Tony Hadley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Courage makes us strong
Holding on to something
How can this dream be wrong
When you trust somebody
And all the thoughts they hold
Through good or bad you follow
It must be there for love
You know, It must be there for love
After all this time
I can see the world so clearly
After all this time
After all this time (After all this time)
After all this time
Wherever life can take us
Whatever road you try
No matter what the reason
We're always by your side
You felt the world against you
And you know we feel it too
Now we've come together
Our spirit pulls us through
It must be there for love
You know, It must be there for love,
After all this time,
I can see the world so clearly
After all this time
After all this time (After all this time)
After all this time
Though you know they always say that faith can save the day,
So it must be there for love,
It must be there for love
Though you feel hurt, pain, there's nothing you can say
But I'll still be there fore love
I'll still be there fore love
It must be there for love
After all this time
After all this time
After all this time
After all this time
I can see the world so clearly
After all this time
After all this time
After all this time
The lyrics of Tony Hadley's song After All This Time revolves around the theme of love, trust, and support. The opening lines "Your promises are perfect, Courage makes us strong" suggest someone's offers are flawless and bravery gives strength to accomplish something. The following lyrics "Holding on to something, How can this dream be wrong" indicate the importance of having hope and holding on to your dreams, emphasizing that one should not let go of their aspirations despite whatever challenges come their way.
The chorus "It must be there for love, You know, It must be there for love, After all this time, I can see the world so clearly" highlights how love can bring about clarity and allow one to see things in a different light. The lyrics refer to the power of love to endure and overcome obstacles, a message that can inspire and comfort individuals going through tough times.
The second verse "Wherever life can take us, Whatever road you try, No matter what the reason, We're always by your side" implies that true love lasts even under demanding circumstances, and it is selfless and unconditional. The lyrics represent the conviction that being there for someone, even during difficult times, is one of the most significant expressions of love. The song's powerful message regarding the importance of never giving up on love makes it an uplifting and inspiring work of art.
Line by Line Meaning
Your promises are perfect
You always keep your word and never disappoint.
Courage makes us strong
Being brave helps us overcome difficulties.
Holding on to something
Clutching onto whatever keeps hope alive.
How can this dream be wrong
It's impossible for such a positive vision to be misguided.
When you trust somebody
When you have confidence in another person.
And all the thoughts they hold
Their entire worldview and perspective.
Through good or bad you follow
Loyalty prevails regardless of circumstances.
'Cause of the love you show
The affection that motivates this dedication.
It must be there for love
This devotion is fueled by true love.
You know, It must be there for love
It's a certainty that this is all about love.
After all this time
Even with the passage of time.
I can see the world so clearly
My perspective has sharpened with experience.
Wherever life can take us
No matter where our journey goes.
Whatever road you try
Whatever path you choose to follow.
No matter what the reason
For any and all circumstances.
We're always by your side
We'll never abandon you.
You felt the world against you
When you were facing difficulties alone.
And you know we feel it too
We can empathize with your struggle.
Now we've come together
We've united to support you.
Our spirit pulls us through
Our collective willpower is what helps us endure.
Though you know they always say that faith can save the day
It's commonly said that belief is a powerful motivator.
So it must be there for love
Love is the driving force behind it all.
Though you feel hurt, pain, there's nothing you can say
Even when silence is the only response to agony.
But I'll still be there fore love
Love remains a beacon of hope even in the darkest times.
After all this time
Even with the passage of time.
I can see the world so clearly
My perspective has sharpened with experience.
After all this time
Even with the passage of time.
After all this time
Even with the passage of time.
After all this time
Even with the passage of time.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: SHERIDAN PAUL TONGUE, TONY HADLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Katie Lester
Down to earth BBC! Loved this show! Brings back so many memories running down the stairs as soon as we heard the intro start ☺️
Ra1985
Reminds me of my childhood watching Down to Earth with my mum
Alexandra Massey
@lucky13 Really. I'm going to watch it again. Thank you.
lucky13
@Alexandra Massey that series is on youtube
Alexandra Massey
Me too sweetheart. I used to watch it with my son.
cereal boy
same
rectrofans
Tony Hadley- most underrated singer. Love his music
christine ayling
Great track ...such a great voice .
Saw him live 2022 🥰
Sandra Pineda
Me encanta como siempre su gran voz sutil y hermosa
Danglee Bitz
After all this time features on Tony Hadley's album called "True ballads" 👍