From May 1983 to May 1984, I was assistant manager of a Godfather’s Pizza fresh out of college before going on to manage a jewelry store. I remember being in the store late at night by myself after closing doing closing activities, and putting this song on the jukebox. It sounded really good echoing through the restaurant.
"Through the Barricades" is another great song that showcases Tony Hadley"s voice. If you're after more UK 80s smooth vocals you must check out Mick Hucknall from Simply Red starting either with the wistful "Holding Back the Years" or the hearfelt "Stars'
These guys used to look like a regular 80's band. When they produced the video. One of the producers had the bright idea to groom the band and put them in nicely tailored suits. This boosted the viewership, especially on Mtv to skyrocket the popularity of Spandau Ballet.
Spandau was also the site of a German government arsenal which made Maxim machine-guns for the German army. These guns were known colloquially as "Spandaus". The original meaning of "the Spandau ballet" was thus a darkly humorous term for the way soldiers' corpses, hanging on the barbed wire that was pervasive in the First World War, would "dance" when hit by machine-gun fire. There was also a prison in Spandau, and after World War Two, Nazi war criminals were kept there while they were put on trial at Nuremberg. "The Spandau Ballet" thus gained a new meaning, referring this time to the way a Nazi executed by hanging would "dance" and twitch on the end of a rope.
Good knowledge of this subject , totally true but I don't these guys named their group after this fact , it just sounded cool for the 80's . Lots of very cool firearms were developed and made in Spandau used in WWI and WWII . Auf Wiedersehen .
If I recall from back when they got big, it was just a cool sounding name - no deeper meaning. That was a pretty common thing with 80’s groups. @rayactions - While Spandau is a German place, it’s a British band so it’s not pronounced with a “sh” sound except maybe by German speakers. The effort to use a more German pronunciation was appreciated though. 😝
That IS an electronic drumkit. Those where pretty new back in the early 80s and the "hot new sh*t", at least amongst the 80s pop/wave/new romantics scene. And the iconic hexagon shape (by either Roland or Simmons) was the most popular by far.
Hahahaha one of my friend's Dad growing up had a Simmons kit with the huge stop sign pads. We used to beat the snot out of that thing playing along to Metallica 💀
This song was playing every where then i would be at restaurants and it would be playing or clothing store this takes you back in time miss that time nothing like the 80s to me it was my decade now and forever.
An earlier tune of SB that i s a bit dark, funky, bluesy edgy type.. Hope you react soon to "Chant No.1". But also love their poppier more commercial sound in the Parade album. I suggest "Highly Strung", "Only When You Leave", "I'll Fly For You" and "With The Pride".
Yep Spandau Ballet has a morbid meaning. It was confirmed by one of the band members a couple of years ago. There were numerous conspiracy theories about the band’s name. Now I can rest in peace about it. Lol
You need to listen to 'Through the Barricades'. Amazing with very deep lyrics related to the troubles in Northern Ireland. The comment about Spandau prison and the hangings is correct, it's very dark but as the band says 'true'.
Your confused facial expressions caused by some of the strange lyrics had me rolling. Like a lot of cool, catchy songs of that era, the actual lyrics weren't usually known, often resulting in humorous mondegreens. So, this song was written by the guitarist Gary Kemp about his crush, Clare Grogan, who was the lead singer of a Scottish new wave pop band called Altered Images. (I don't know if they had ever even met before or if the feelings were reciprocal. That's the deep dive we should be taking here. I wonder if she knows the song was partially inspired by her, if so, how she found out and what she thought about it.) You guessed correctly the Marvin Gaye reference, which I'm thinking is what got you thinking about sex. (Let's Get It On) Interestingly, and perhaps even ironically (in a creepy sort of way) there are not one but two references (pill on my tongue and seaside arms) to the novel Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov, about a man's "inappropriate relationship," to put it mildly, with his 12-year-old stepdaughter. The strange term, "seaside arms," is a variant of the novelist's wordage, "seaside limbs." It's said the phrase symbolizes purity and desire. Anyway, it's also weird that arms are mentioned in a song by a band with a name (seemingly unknown to them at the time) that refers to firearms.
If you like this, you should check out their song Through The Barricades: heartbreaking when you know that it's about a cross-border romance during The Troubles in Northern Ireland, and was inspired when a guy who'd worked for them in Belfast was murdered.
All the 80s decade was absolute gold but mid 80s (84-86) was insanely good. True; Don’t Dream It’s Over, Drive; Time After Time; Take On Me; Everybody Wants To Rule The World, Invisible Touch, Jump, etc.
Classic 1980s song. 🙌 "Listening to Marvin" referred to late singer Marvin Gaye, who had only 1 more year to live then. Written by Gary Kemp. In this video, he is on piano 🎹. That is fiction! In concert from 1983 onward, he is on guitar. In 1983, Jess Bailey is on keyboards. Gary Kemp looks and sounds like Dave Matthews of South Africa 🇿🇦. Tony Hadley on lead vocals. He quit 2 times. Spandau Ballet broke up 💔 2 times. Martin Kemp, younger brother of Gary, on bass guitar. He was the boyfriend of Shirley of Wham. John Keeble on Simmons drums 🥁. Steve Norman on saxophone 🎷. True is more popular in The USA than in the UK 🇬🇧, hime nation of Spandau Ballet. True was in. The movie 16 Candles 🕯 and, years later, other movies. Suggested video 📹: Spandau Ballet performs Highly Strung.
Weird info for you. They are believed to have chosen the name 'Spandau Ballet' after seeing it scrawled on the wall of a nightclub toilet during a visit to Berlin. The term is thought to refer to the many prisoners who hanged at Spandau - and whose bodies 'twitched and jumped on the end of rope as if dancing
I can't believe she yakked like a teenager through that sax solo. I apologize if she actually is a teenager. Either way, she needs to get over herself, dial back the fake charisma and respect the music she is priviledged to listen to. I mean what kind of singer that presumably wants to be taken seriously drones on like this???
Because of you The boots you wear, the winter coat heavy Your snow covered tuque The sunlit day, the snowy path The morning air blue and bright You make a simple moment Important and exceptional Like an old song on the Sunday radio Like cinnamon spiced apples Scents the soul- You turn chaos into serenity I lay myself completely in you- For yesterday I died Wearing the brown suit and the brown shoes and the serious necktie. Protecting. Insuring. Trying to be seen and hopelessly trying not to stand out. I add, I count, I type. “The keyboard is mightier than the pen”, I am told. “Bring an umbrella. Be on time. This is your house, your street, your life. Be patient. Be content.” I died safely on a Monday Drinking the poisonous draft Of compliance And freedom from fear and anxiety And I died again the next day Patiently, dutifully Today I lay myself completely in you Your snow covered tuque The sunlit day, the snowy path The smell of cinnamon spiced apples Today, I see, I smell, I live, I am Because of you
Way older here... when this song came out, I COULD NOT STAND IT!!! Played at every HS prom. So corny, so cheesy... but now? Guilty pleasure. 😎😎🤣🤣 Other corny stuff from the past that are really classics you might like: "Too Shy" - Kajagoogoo, "Too Much Heaven"-BeeGees, "Careless Whisper"-George Michael, "Turn Back the Clock"-Johnny Hates Jazz, "Wherever You Go"-The Calling, and "Wind Beneath My Wings" - Bette Midler (I personally can't stand her, but her version of the song is the best)
About your question - Spandau is an old borough near Berlin and a symbol of radical conservativism. So, it refers not that much to love, but more to sexuality in its old conservative way. 🙋
That's hilarious false. I'm from Spandau and i have never heard of that (symbol of radical conservativism). Btw Spandau is one of the 12 boroughs of Berlin. Founded in 1232 and part of Berlin since 1920.
"taking a metaphorical pill" to calm down before expressing their emotions.
They also have a hit song called ‘Gold’. This song was sampled by PM Dawn ’Set Adrift on Memory Bliss’
She's already reacted to it.
@@Smoshy16 Through the barricades
From May 1983 to May 1984, I was assistant manager of a Godfather’s Pizza fresh out of college before going on to manage a jewelry store. I remember being in the store late at night by myself after closing doing closing activities, and putting this song on the jukebox. It sounded really good echoing through the restaurant.
And to this day he can still sing. Seen him twice live and blows me away every times he sings 😊
"Through the Barricades" is another great song that showcases Tony Hadley"s voice. If you're after more UK 80s smooth vocals you must check out Mick Hucknall from Simply Red starting either with the wistful "Holding Back the Years" or the hearfelt "Stars'
These guys used to look like a regular 80's band. When they produced the video. One of the producers had the bright idea to groom the band and put them in nicely tailored suits. This boosted the viewership, especially on Mtv to skyrocket the popularity of Spandau Ballet.
Singer Sade designed their suits.
Spandau was also the site of a German government arsenal which made Maxim machine-guns for the German army. These guns were known colloquially as "Spandaus". The original meaning of "the Spandau ballet" was thus a darkly humorous term for the way soldiers' corpses, hanging on the barbed wire that was pervasive in the First World War, would "dance" when hit by machine-gun fire. There was also a prison in Spandau, and after World War Two, Nazi war criminals were kept there while they were put on trial at Nuremberg. "The Spandau Ballet" thus gained a new meaning, referring this time to the way a Nazi executed by hanging would "dance" and twitch on the end of a rope.
Good knowledge of this subject , totally true but I don't these guys named their group after this fact , it just sounded cool for the 80's .
Lots of very cool firearms were developed and made in Spandau used in WWI and WWII .
Auf Wiedersehen .
@@gregorygant4242 IIRC somebody associated with the band saw it written as graffiti in a club in Germany.
I've never heard this before, so thank you for sharing.
If I recall from back when they got big, it was just a cool sounding name - no deeper meaning. That was a pretty common thing with 80’s groups.
@rayactions - While Spandau is a German place, it’s a British band so it’s not pronounced with a “sh” sound except maybe by German speakers. The effort to use a more German pronunciation was appreciated though. 😝
The place was later converted into a prison after WW2
Fun fact - this was written by Gary Kemp (the piano player) about Claire Grogan of Altered Images.
Mock away!!! Pure gold from the 80s! I miss those days.
The 80’s were the best!
Yes, 'Listen to Marvin' refers to Marvin Gaye
I love this song, i can never get enough of it
That IS an electronic drumkit. Those where pretty new back in the early 80s and the "hot new sh*t", at least amongst the 80s pop/wave/new romantics scene. And the iconic hexagon shape (by either Roland or Simmons) was the most popular by far.
Hahahaha one of my friend's Dad growing up had a Simmons kit with the huge stop sign pads. We used to beat the snot out of that thing playing along to Metallica 💀
What...no mention of those fabulously tailored suits that every member of the band is wearing?!
They were part of the New Romantic / Blitz Kid wave of bands, thought they leaned heavily into the New Wave sound.
The piano player for this band wrote the song because he was in love with the girl from Altered Images.
first slow on this song at a teen party 38 year ago. Dang!
This song was playing every where then i would be at restaurants and it would be playing or clothing store this takes you back in time miss that time nothing like the 80s to me it was my decade now and forever.
The Marvin mentioned in the lyrics is indeed Marvin Gaye.
amazing song!
Oh how adorable
If that shocks you, i wouldn't recommend finding out how the band "joy division" were named after.
Or 10cc and Steely Dan.
This is one of the first songs that first that comes in my mind when i think of 1980s music. Night Shift from The Commodores is another one.
Ur TH-cam Gang reacts.... 😂 Great and so cute reaction, to music so old, older than U. Spandau Ballet was great, melodic and great voice.
An earlier tune of SB that i s a bit dark, funky, bluesy edgy type.. Hope you react soon to "Chant No.1". But also love their poppier more commercial sound in the Parade album. I suggest "Highly Strung", "Only When You Leave", "I'll Fly For You" and "With The Pride".
Yep Spandau Ballet has a morbid meaning. It was confirmed by one of the band members a couple of years ago. There were numerous conspiracy theories about the band’s name. Now I can rest in peace about it. Lol
"Through the Barricades" A showcase for Tony Hadley's vocals!
This soothing song goes down like medicine for the heart and soul. Great selection.💯
You need to listen to 'Through the Barricades'. Amazing with very deep lyrics related to the troubles in Northern Ireland. The comment about Spandau prison and the hangings is correct, it's very dark but as the band says 'true'.
Spandau Ballet were Rudolph Hess's favourite band, their songs kept him from getting lonely.
The Kemp brothers in the band went on to portray the Kray Twins in a film.
With Gary Kemp also appearing in The Bodyguard with Whitney.
"Through the Barricades" has a very deep meaning
Please do some Cure. I think you'll love the fun videos of Why Can't I Be You or Inbetween Day. Really seems like something right up your alley.
Those looks melt more than one.
OMG, the song of my first love at the 10th grade Sweetheart’s Dance lol
Your confused facial expressions caused by some of the strange lyrics had me rolling. Like a lot of cool, catchy songs of that era, the actual lyrics weren't usually known, often resulting in humorous mondegreens.
So, this song was written by the guitarist Gary Kemp about his crush, Clare Grogan, who was the lead singer of a Scottish new wave pop band called Altered Images. (I don't know if they had ever even met before or if the feelings were reciprocal. That's the deep dive we should be taking here. I wonder if she knows the song was partially inspired by her, if so, how she found out and what she thought about it.)
You guessed correctly the Marvin Gaye reference, which I'm thinking is what got you thinking about sex. (Let's Get It On)
Interestingly, and perhaps even ironically (in a creepy sort of way) there are not one but two references (pill on my tongue and seaside arms) to the novel Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov, about a man's "inappropriate relationship," to put it mildly, with his 12-year-old stepdaughter. The strange term, "seaside arms," is a variant of the novelist's wordage, "seaside limbs." It's said the phrase symbolizes purity and desire. Anyway, it's also weird that arms are mentioned in a song by a band with a name (seemingly unknown to them at the time) that refers to firearms.
If you like this, you should check out their song Through The Barricades: heartbreaking when you know that it's about a cross-border romance during The Troubles in Northern Ireland, and was inspired when a guy who'd worked for them in Belfast was murdered.
Spandau Ballet : The movement a lifeless body makes, after being hung
I kept expecting the lead singer to try and sell me a used car! 😂
Golden standard of baritone, his voice did not change at all, even at its recent concert you can't tell the difference.
Wet Wet Wet - Angel Eyes, tis a banger
Yes I live under a rock. But yes I have heard this song before when I was young. I just love your expressions I love watching you You bring joy to me.
Great song and great band.
Spandau Ballet again... It kinda fits in the selection. 😀🎼
All the 80s decade was absolute gold but mid 80s (84-86) was insanely good. True; Don’t Dream It’s Over, Drive; Time After Time; Take On Me; Everybody Wants To Rule The World, Invisible Touch, Jump, etc.
Check out their "Only When You Leave" and "Round and Round", you won't be disappointed.
2:40 They're Simmons drum pads.
Please check out Through The Barricades by Spandau Ballet. In my opinion their best.
Classic 1980s song. 🙌 "Listening to Marvin" referred to late singer Marvin Gaye, who had only 1 more year to live then.
Written by Gary Kemp. In this video, he is on piano 🎹. That is fiction! In concert from 1983 onward, he is on guitar. In 1983, Jess Bailey is on keyboards. Gary Kemp looks and sounds like Dave Matthews of South Africa 🇿🇦.
Tony Hadley on lead vocals. He quit 2 times. Spandau Ballet broke up 💔 2 times.
Martin Kemp, younger brother of Gary, on bass guitar. He was the boyfriend of Shirley of Wham. John Keeble on Simmons drums 🥁. Steve Norman on saxophone 🎷.
True is more popular in The USA than in the UK 🇬🇧, hime nation of Spandau Ballet.
True was in. The movie 16 Candles 🕯 and, years later, other movies.
Suggested video 📹: Spandau Ballet performs Highly Strung.
16 Candles
You have great hair!
Through the Barricades is imo their best track and Tony’s greatest performance. You should review it
Always love this song! I am an 80s kid so this was one of my Jams! love Spandau Ballet but they could have chosen a better name for the band!.
Weird info for you. They are believed to have chosen the name 'Spandau Ballet' after seeing it scrawled on the wall of a nightclub toilet during a visit to Berlin. The term is thought to refer to the many prisoners who hanged at Spandau - and whose bodies 'twitched and jumped on the end of rope as if dancing
Now the question I’m thinking and I don’t see anyone asking Rayactions this but are we really cutie patooties to you 🥺
Don't forget to react to the covers&variations of this songs like Steve Buscemi's version from the end of Wedding Singer movie.
i love this lyrically this a pretty dark song if you take a deep dive!
We called those synsonic drums. They are electronic.
I can't believe she yakked like a teenager through that sax solo.
I apologize if she actually is a teenager.
Either way, she needs to get over herself, dial back the fake charisma and respect the music she is priviledged to listen to. I mean what kind of singer that presumably wants to be taken seriously drones on like this???
Why does she talk so fast and funny.
Just act normal yo.
You should checkout "When Smokey Sings."
All us GEN X, hear this at random times during the day for no reason in our heads Kinda irritating lol. Thanks Wedding Singer.
Because of you
The boots you wear, the winter coat heavy
Your snow covered tuque
The sunlit day, the snowy path
The morning air blue and bright
You make a simple moment
Important and exceptional
Like an old song on the Sunday radio
Like cinnamon spiced apples
Scents the soul-
You turn chaos into serenity
I lay myself completely in you-
For yesterday I died
Wearing the brown suit and the brown shoes and the serious necktie. Protecting. Insuring. Trying to be seen and hopelessly trying not to stand out. I add, I count, I type. “The keyboard is mightier than the pen”, I am told. “Bring an umbrella. Be on time. This is your house, your street, your life. Be patient. Be content.”
I died safely on a Monday
Drinking the poisonous draft
Of compliance
And freedom from fear and anxiety
And I died again the next day
Patiently, dutifully
Today I lay myself completely in you
Your snow covered tuque
The sunlit day, the snowy path
The smell of cinnamon spiced apples
Today, I see, I smell, I live, I am
Because of you
You should really listen to “Set Adrift On Memory Bliss” by PM Dawn who sample this song in the 90’s
TRUUUE!!! 🫠
A aaaahhhhh
#1 UK,#4 USA
#1 in 12 countries
it's also a type of German machine gun
I'm sure Spandau Ballet will be truly proud that you mocked them for 11 minutes on youtube. Or more likely thought... "who"
Human by The Human League
7:00 I just realized that piano bit is the chorus sample for I Want It That Way by Backstreet Boys
Hexagon.
Sax-boots randolph
Yacht Rock 😘
With these big glasses you look like a girl from the time this song was released, which is cool
Then if you ever get to react to a song by Joy Division, you shouldn't research what their name really means.
Can you do People=Shit by Slipknot?
Way older here... when this song came out, I COULD NOT STAND IT!!! Played at every HS prom. So corny, so cheesy... but now? Guilty pleasure. 😎😎🤣🤣
Other corny stuff from the past that are really classics you might like: "Too Shy" - Kajagoogoo, "Too Much Heaven"-BeeGees, "Careless Whisper"-George Michael, "Turn Back the Clock"-Johnny Hates Jazz, "Wherever You Go"-The Calling, and "Wind Beneath My Wings" - Bette Midler (I personally can't stand her, but her version of the song is the best)
If you think Spandau Ballet is weird, please look up the meaning of Pink Floyd. lol
Spandau was a prison I Germany with a long story
Mixers….if you know you know.
A great reaction to a classic song. My favorite Spandau ballet song has always been Through the barricade. Keep up your great reactions
Next Avenged Sevenfold - M.I.A
8th grade dance slow song 😂
You are funny and very cute.
AVENGED SEVENFOLD MIA
Play Rachel Magic Woman how about reacting to Sade not just the what was played on the radio stuff okay
hola podrias reaccionar a cristian castro con la cansion solo, gracias
Enola Gay
About your question - Spandau is an old borough near Berlin and a symbol of radical conservativism. So, it refers not that much to love, but more to sexuality in its old conservative way. 🙋
That's hilarious false. I'm from Spandau and i have never heard of that (symbol of radical conservativism). Btw Spandau is one of the 12 boroughs of Berlin. Founded in 1232 and part of Berlin since 1920.
@hapypsad1976 Ha-ha-ha, you got me prepared for that. 🎭
@hapypsad1976 What's the difference with 'part of Berlin', when it's after 1920? Nobody makes history after that.
The epitome of 80s crap. Even banned in thousands of nursing homes.
Wash yo mouth out!
You are the cutie patootie