These days technology allows us to communicate quicker and more effectively, but devices don’t take into account human error. Better technology doesn’t guarantee perfect communication 24/7. Communication in day-to-day activities is hard enough. Communication in romantic relationships? Forget it!
In 1983, British group Spandau Ballet hit it big in the U.S. and the U.K. with their song “True,” also the name of their third album. The New Romantic band later released their song “Communication,” but it failed to gain as much momentum as the songs “True” and “Gold.” Written by Gary Kemp, one of the band’s guitarists, “Communication” still has a neat groove and is very poetic, as it tackles the woes of love and communication.
Read more about Spandau Ballet here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2urZrEdsq72kx0UzfYN8Yv
“Communication”
As most ’80s songs, the synthesizers come in loud and clear at the beginning. What strikes me is that this introduction already sounds disjunct. It hurts the ears a little, but it’s still very catchy. For a song about failed communication, the instrumental captures the nature of the song from the very first note!
Tony Hadley’s vocals are never incomplete, but he starts the verse singing about how communication isn’t complete. This line is very direct, and it catches listeners a bit off guard with the idea that communication is incomplete, not whole. After all, humans rely on all forms of communication in order to live. Humans are social beings. Already in this first line, we see how personal the song will become.
The verses of this song pack a punch, as they are the most poetic (which also means that I’m apt to read into them way too much!). The alliteration of “grass is greener, but it always grows” guides the listener along, and provides familiar imagery. The rest of the first verse expands on how communication is incomplete, and how the singer (persona Hadley is singing) and his lover aren’t on the same page. She’ll never be able to reciprocate this communication, these “love messages.”
And now he’s alone. “Communication let me down” feels very universal. It’s a message that resonates and hits home, no matter what type of failed communication listeners are experiencing. At the same time, Hadley’s voice doesn’t sound like it’s full of despair over his being left behind, at least not yet. Instead, this chorus feels a little light-hearted; it’s not a matter of life and death.
Okay, you got me: I had to look up what a Telex was (if you don’t know either, click here: https://www.askdifference.com/telex-vs-fax/). The second verse kicks off with the idea that whether a message is sent through a Telex machine (like a text) or spoken, the singer isn’t receiving messages directly. By hearing things second-hand, he has no way of knowing what’s true. Is he hearing everything he needs to hear?
The singer even admits to being incognito. If his identity is hidden, then he isn’t accurately communicating his real self either! It seems that he might be both a victim and an instigator–but mostly a victim. Without a rendezvous, he can’t even meet to clear up any miscommunications! As he continues, he grows more frustrated with communication failures. Who can blame him!
The bridge of the song is the climax of communication troubles. Now he’s waiting by the phone, but the phone can only create more problems. He realizes that he can’t spend time cleaning his heart up and fixing what communication damaged. Love just isn’t worth it.
Talk is Cheap
Spandau Ballet’s “Communication” shows us that communication is flawed, and sometimes it just isn’t worth the trouble. Yet, to be human is to communicate, so giving up communication isn’t exactly an option. Changing how we use communication, though, may help. If we say what we mean and follow through on our promises, then we will be on track toward communication that is whole, not incomplete.
Before You Go…
Be sure to listen to and follow my Spotify playlist dedicated to the songs featured on Monthly Mixtape. Every month I add the new song I review to the playlist. Check it out below!
Confessions of a Classic Soul 