Barradale and Lockwood recorded their Geffen debut, Rites Of Passage in 1985 . It featured an impressive cast of supporting musicians, including Peter Gabriel, drummer Jerry Marotta, Chris Hughes, (percussionist for Adam Ant), guitarist Neil Hubbard, violinist Simon House and arranger Ann Dudley.
An especially integral part of the Rites Of Passage sessions was guitarist David Rhodes, perhaps best known for his work with Peter Gabriel and Blancmange. David went on to become a full-fledged member of Vitamin Z.
Produced and recorded by Ross Cullum, Rites Of Passage featured eight Barradale/Lockwood originals including their debut single "Burning Flame." After a promising first single and a tour supporting Midge Ure, the band appeared to lose momentum and the second album, "Sharp Stone Rain" was not released until 1989 - by which time the record buying public appeared to have lost interest and Vitamin Z disappeared completely off the radar.
Lead singer, Geoff Barradale has subsequently re-emerged as manager to the Arctic Monkeys, guiding them to phenomenal success.
Anybody Out There
Vitamin Z Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
JUST BLACK SKIES PICTURES OF RAINY DAYS,
IS THERE SOMETHING MOVING OUT THERE?
JUST SMALL TALK VISIONS ALL DAY.
IS THERE ANYBODY OUT THERE?
TWO SHADOWS DANCING IN TIMES THAT WERE FREE,
MUST BE SOMETHING I CAN DO,
STOP, DON'T LOOK BACK AT LONELY TIMES,
YOU THOUGHT WERE DEAD AND GONE,
THEY'LL BE KNOCKING FOR TWENTY YEARS,
IF YOU LET THEM OVERCOME.
DON'T LOOK BACK, DON'T LOOK BACK,
ON DREAMS THAT ARE LEFT UNDONE,
THINGS WON'T HAPPEN TODAY FOR YOU,
SORRY IS NO CHANCE.
IS THERE ANYBODY OUT THERE?
TO TEASE AND TAUNT ME FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE,
MUST BE SOMETHING MOVING OUT THERE,
BUT I SEE YOU STALKING JUST OUT OF MY SIGHT.
STOP, DON'T LOOK BACK AT LONELY TIMES,
YOU THOUGHT WERE DEAD AND GONE,
THEY'LL BE KNOCKING FOR TWENTY YEARS,
IF YOU LET THEM OVERCOME.
DON'T LOOK BACK, DON'T LOOK BACK,
ON DREAMS THAT ARE LEFT UNDONE,
THINGS WON'T HAPPEN TODAY FOR YOU,
SORRY IS NO CHANCE.
AND THOUGH YOU LEFT ME SCARRED AND OPEN,
I'LL NEVER LET YOU SEE THAT I WAS BROKEN.
IS THERE ANYBODY OUT THERE?
JUST TALL WINDS CAUGHT IN THE REALMS OF DECAY,
IS THERE SOMETHING MOVING OUT THERE?
JUST OLD FRIENDS REMNANTS FROM YESTERDAY.
IS THERE ANY CHANCE I COULD HELP YOU,
TWO LOVERS DANCING IN TIMES THAT WERE FREE,
MUST BE SOMETHING I CAN DO,
TO KEEP BACK THESE VISIONS FROM CHASING ME.
STOP, DON'T LOOK BACK AT LONELY TIMES,
YOU THOUGHT WERE DEAD AND GONE,
THEY'LL BE KNOCKING FOR TWENTY YEARS,
IF YOU LET THEM OVERCOME.
DON'T LOOK BACK, DON'T LOOK BACK,
ON DREAMS THAT ARE LEFT UNDONE,
THINGS WON'T HAPPEN TODAY FOR YOU,
SORRY IS NO CHANCE.
AND THOUGH YOU LEFT ME SCARRED AND OPEN,
I'LL NEVER LET YOU SEE THAT I WAS BROKEN.
The song "Anybody Out There" by the British band Vitamin Z is a melancholic plea for connection and liberation from loneliness. The lyrics describe a sense of isolation and a longing for something meaningful to happen, as the singer stares at black skies and rainy days, wondering if anyone is out there. They reminisce about a time when they were free and dancing with a lover under the stars, but now that freedom is slipping away, and the past lingers like a ghost. The chorus urges the listener not to dwell on regrets and missed opportunities, but to focus on the present and the possibility of change.
The theme of the song is universal and timeless, but it is particularly resonant in the context of the 1980s, when Vitamin Z was active. The decade was marked by technological advances and global trends that brought people closer together, but also by a sense of alienation for those who didn't fit in or conform to the new norms. The band's music reflects this tension, blending futuristic synthesizers and drum machines with traditional rock instruments and introspective lyrics. "Anybody Out There" is a standout track from their only album, Rites of Passage, released in 1985.
Line by Line Meaning
IS THERE ANYBODY OUT THERE?
Is there anyone who can understand me?
JUST BLACK SKIES PICTURES OF RAINY DAYS,
Life feels dark and desolate with no hope in sight.
IS THERE SOMETHING MOVING OUT THERE?
Is there any sign of life or change on the horizon?
JUST SMALL TALK VISIONS ALL DAY.
Every day feels monotonous and unfulfilling with no real substance.
IS THERE ANYBODY OUT THERE?
Does anyone understand the past I’ve lost and my desire to hold onto freedom?
TWO SHADOWS DANCING IN TIMES THAT WERE FREE,
Memories of the past when I was free and happy with a loved one.
MUST BE SOMETHING I CAN DO,
I need to find a way to hold onto that freedom and not let it slip away.
TO KEEP BACK THIS FREEDOM FROM CHASING ME.
I don’t want the freedom of my past to haunt me or drive me towards despair.
STOP, DON'T LOOK BACK AT LONELY TIMES,
Don’t dwell on the past and let negative feelings take over.
YOU THOUGHT WERE DEAD AND GONE,
Things that you believed were in the past can still come back and haunt you.
THEY'LL BE KNOCKING FOR TWENTY YEARS,
Negative feelings from your past can linger and impact you for a very long time.
IF YOU LET THEM OVERCOME.
If you allow past negative experiences to control you, you will always be a prisoner of them.
DON'T LOOK BACK, DON'T LOOK BACK,
Don’t dwell on regrets and what-ifs that can’t be changed.
ON DREAMS THAT ARE LEFT UNDONE,
Don’t waste time on regrets – focus on the present and make a change for the future.
THINGS WON'T HAPPEN TODAY FOR YOU,
It’s important to take control of the present and actively work towards goals for the future.
SORRY IS NO CHANCE.
Regret will not help you obtain what you desire. Don't let regret hinder your future endeavors.
TO TEASE AND TAUNT ME FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE,
The past can be a constant enemy that makes it harder to move forward.
BUT I SEE YOU STALKING JUST OUT OF MY SIGHT.
Even when you move forward, the past can still linger in the background.
JUST TALL WINDS CAUGHT IN THE REALMS OF DECAY,
Everything around me feels like it's falling apart and decaying.
JUST OLD FRIENDS REMNANTS FROM YESTERDAY.
The only remnants of the past are old memories that aren't helpful to dwell on.
IS THERE ANY CHANCE I COULD HELP YOU,
Can I do anything to help myself or others move forward from the past and towards a better future?
TWO LOVERS DANCING IN TIMES THAT WERE FREE,
Memories of the past when two people shared a loving, free relationship.
MUST BE SOMETHING I CAN DO,
I need to find a way to hold onto that past love and freedom and not let it slip away.
TO KEEP BACK THESE VISIONS FROM CHASING ME.
I don’t want to become obsessed with the past and let it control my present and future.
AND THOUGH YOU LEFT ME SCARRED AND OPEN,
Even though I’ve been hurt in the past, I won’t let it defeat me and I will stay strong.
I'LL NEVER LET YOU SEE THAT I WAS BROKEN.
I won’t let the past render me weak or defeated – I’ll use it as a lesson and stay resilient.
Contributed by Austin O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ms Mars
Geoff Barradale!