"True" is not simply a successful song. In my opinion it is very beautiful song with the strong emotional feel. It is an ideal song which, probably any composer, would like to write. How was this composition was born? And in general in what a secret of a writing good songs?
I still do not know, what is the secret of a writing a successful pop song. I tried to analyse it, but I have not found the answer. To me it is 22 years since I wrote this song, and I simply followed my instincts. I most of all wanted to achieve new sound and move our music on from the traditional sound then of synthesizers. This song became a display of my condition at that moment - of the unreciprocated love which I was then experiencing. I simply sat in a bedroom of the parents house and wrote this song a little in style Al Green. Some of the lyrics were inspired by reading Nabokov. It is a song about the composer who composes a song and is afraid to write the following line. He wants to open the heart, but is afraid, that will seem ridiculous. It at times is really difficult and is painful for him.
"True" - this song was a huge hit on both sides of Atlantic (that happens extremely seldom)and has been played more than 3 million time on US radio. And I continue conversation from Gary Kemp leader Spandau Ballet and the author of all their songs. Gary has told me, what the song "True" was written inspired by Nabokov and I am interested if any other Russian writers have affected him in the same degree?
I would like to name Dostoevsky, but I shall not, as it would be a lie. Lolita I simply adore. And just at that time when I was given it. It was a book I was simply admired. And in a song "True" there are some phrases which I adapted after perusal of this book. It seems to me, that each song is a notebook of your life,a display of the different moments. And when I look at this collection of best songs Spandau Ballet for me it is a diary of my ten years. When I look songs I can tell at once how this song was written what my mood was and names of everyone. I also remember, that in 80s the revolution musical videos started. And then there was a war between us and Duran Duran - who will make most expensive and most exotic video. And it, by the way, began completely unexpectedly. We have gone to the North of England to the Lake District to shoot a clip for "Musclebound ". Shootings was delayed because of heavy snow, and as a result we had on hands had a huge quantity of a material. It seemed to us, that the clip has turned out very Russian looking, as though taken from a Russian film. And by the way, the song sounds a little Russian too. Duran Duran saw this clip, and began to get jealous and demanded the record company send them on shootings to Sri Lanka. And we then got to go to to Southern States of America, and Hong Kong At that moment MTV began to be shown all over the world, and public began to learn new songs not just from radio programs, but also from MTV. And video became very important. For public we remained simple English guys who toured and live in the best hotels. We have travelled practically all world.
But nevertheless you never were in Russia, or more accurately in Soviet Union.
No, but were in the several countries of communistic block - in Yugoslavia, Hungary. These trips were very interesting to us as, certainly, at that time our records were not on sale yet they all knew our songs. It seems to me, that at that time western musicians could not go to Russia. Another country which we visited was South Africa, but that was at our own choice, because of with apartheid. We simply refused to go there. We even insisted on having a clause in our contract with the record - company forbidding sale of our records in the South Africa. So, Russia and Southern Africa remain till now the only two major countries I never visited.
Gary, let's return to time of your biggest success. You were one of the most stylish groups on a stage, written about not only in the music press, but also in fashion magazines. It all went perfectly. But, looking back back, was it easy to live, being in so popular a group?
When you have left group , was it difficult to get used to normal life again when you should pay accounts and had to make do without numerous assistants?
Certainly, it was difficult. You so get used to that you overlook the elementary things in this life. Besides when you leave such successful group as Spandau Ballet you want to prove, that you can stand on your own two feet, that your career can be just as durable. You try to escape from a shadow of group, but it is not that simple. If group you were in was successful and its shadow too big. I am happy because we managed to make a serious mark in a history of pop, that people shall remember. Our songs are alive - on album Backstreet Boys there is their version "True". I am very proud, and I do not try to escape from a shadow of group any more.Gary is a very talented person and has shown different abilities, - he lead the group, as an actor in several films. He has composed musicals, but, certainly, his main talent is a music. He has composed more than hundred songs for Spandau Ballet, and recently worked with many other artists, including with Marti Pellow and Tina Arena. However in conversation he has recognized, that all this hardly can be compared to that success which his group had.
I do different things which occupies a lot of my time, it is interesting to me, but one fine day you come to I understand that it is difficult to make something more grandiose, than what you have acheived in the past. To accept it as the fact of life is not so easy. To understand this and the humility that comes with it. Also I can succeed in other spheres, in less high profile projects, but there is no sense in competing with yourself.But from this philosophical theme let's return to music. And I have asked Gary Kemp to compare modern music and in general show business to 15-20 years back. You see it is no accident, the eighties were the golden period in a modern musical history - then music was good, and a more records were sold.
Spandau Ballet was a group created by school friends. Actually the guys didn't form the group immediately, and simply went to fashionable London clubs at the beginning of 80s, attended underground parties and created the image and the cultures. Only after meeting up with manager Steve Dagger, did they seriously start to think of forming a group, learning to play musical instruments etc. They remained friends until in 1999, when three members of group took Gary Kemp to court, accusing him of non payment of their royalties. Actually he did not withdraw their royalites, as he was the writer of the songs. Despite numerous offers to think again vocalist Tony Hadley, drummer John Keeble and saxophonist Steve Norman went ahead with the proceeding and not only completely lost, but also were left which huge debts.
I asked Gary was he the dictator in group as he is sometimes referred.
Some from group wants to think that. But, look. I composed all songs, arrangements, did the interviews. I do not think, that the group should be democratic. In group everyone are engaged in the work, but there should be a leader. As for example, Pete Townsend in The Who or Noel Gallagher in Oasis. I was the composer in group, but each of other four had his role, and nobody felt like there simply the passenger. I certainly not was the only person in the group, I do not look like a pop star like for example my brother or Steve Norman. It was the group of five strong personalities which together had an excellent and different image.
Gary, I have paid attention, that during all today's conversation, despite of bitter proceeding of the past, you still use a word "we" when you speak about group.
Interesting question. My brother and the former manager of group are very close. But, certainly, you know about the legal proceedings which has even more divided us from other three. But I continue to say "we", and even looking on the others., I do not think that we had judicial suit. All songs on "Gold" represented that period when all of us lived one idea, were one family during ten years.Meaning, a reunion Spandau Ballet is possible or not?
To be honest I like that we finished that career when were on top. There are groups which go on and on, when their time has passed. And they suffer as a result, suffer from the humiliation. That was our time, and the decision we made as the correct one. No, reunions, not yet. However us five when we gather, we can play music and we can sing songs which only we can sing really, so who knows if it will take place again, but not now.