For peace on earth
Man has to show
He's not afraid
He don't let go
But when the light
No longer shines
When darkness comes
We'll realise
That all you need is love (Why don't you)
All you need is love (Why don't you)
And if all you need is love (Why don't you Why don't you do it)
All you need is love (Why don't you)
All you need is love (Why don't you)
And if all you need is love (Why don't you Why don't you do it)
We said OK
We understand
When backs are turned
We made plans
So when the wind
Begins to burn
When it's too late
We'll realise
That all you need is love
(Why don't you)
All you need is love
(Why don't you)
And if all you need is love
(Why don't you Why don't you do it)
All you need is love (Why don't you)
All you need is love (Why don't you)
And if all you need is love (Why don't you Why don't you do it)
We chose our sides
It had to be
We are our own
Enemy
And when we clash
When fire meets ice
When worlds collide
We'll realise
That all you need is love (Why don't you)
All you need is love (Why don't you)
And if all you need is love (Why don't you Why don't you do it)
All you need is love (Why don't you)
All you need is love (Why don't you)
And if all you need is love (Why don't you Why don't you do it)
(Why don't you)
(Why don't you)
(Why don't you)
(Why don't you)
(Why don't you)
(Why don't you)
(Why don't you)
(Why don't you)
(Why don't you)
(Do it)
I remember my curiosity when I first set eyes on the back cover of Warp. Two versions of the same song? Surely not. This was akin to the "This World of Water/Walter" weirdness. And surely one of the tracks must be a cover version of a track familiar to everyone?...
Alas this isn't the familiar song. It starts normally, in that it didn't merge from the previous track, its xylophone-like intro and spacial choral 'voices' setting the mood. The full synth percussion kicks in, and from the off it's nice to hear Tony's unmistakable acoustic strums once again take centre stage - right where they belong. Set off very nicely by the 'washes' of splashy and warm bass.
There is more warmth here than on most or all the other Warp tracks. It's more evocative (and perhaps more orthodox) than the other tracks, and the sonics are particularly effective.
I often thought the lyrics were almost Tony's 'take' of the Beatles version. So the theme is one of anti-war: one of the classic NM themes. Take those 'explosive', bassy percussive effects - suggestive of the nuclear missile threat which was prevalent in those cold war days of 1982 ("when the wind begins to burn"). Another thought I've pondered is whether it was written about the Falklands conflict Britain was involved in at the time. (Certainly the opening line, "For peace on earth, man has to show, he's not afraid, he don't let go...", would suggest so?)
Tony's vocal performance is first class, working in tandem with distinctive vocodered vocals through much of the song, which question mankind's insistence on war.
And the ending drops away beautifully and merges into a spine - tingling intro with the next track. Atmosphere!
94/100
(Richard M)
Then, suddenly, we go back in time a year or two.
The strummed guitar appears! Whimsical synths, infectious themes, classic TM vocals, even vocoder touches! OK the electronic percussion is still definitely in Warp-mode, but it all works beautifully. And it's great to have such a nostalgic nod back to the previous albums.
Clearly based on the Beatles original, for me this is how to do a "cover version". Very different, in your own style, but with its heritage clearly showing. NM judge it perfectly here. It works well as an NM track in isolation, and as a cover version.
Why the boys didn't leave it at that, while they were ahead so-to-speak, is a mystery to me. But they felt they needed to get a "version II" out of their system.
(Graham G)
Wow is all I can say.
Comfort zone: acoustic strums, vocoder chorus, melodies, 7th chords, warmth.
If Warp as a whole is experimental, then why stick in tracks like this?
There are 3 songs on Warp that I adore and this is the 2nd one. It's back to Tony and the gang at their best. I have never compared this one to the other one with the same name and I don't think we should. I am gonna play it RIGHT NOW.
(Rich E)
This is the best track on the album for me. It's so melodic, cheerful and "warm" and sounds perfect playing here on a cold winter morning in Cambridgeshire, East Anglia!
It has everything that I love about New Musik and I whole heartedly agree that if you are going to do a cover - then cover a song in your own style.
I agree with Richard about the 3 stand out songs:- "A Train on Twisted Tracks", "All You Need is Love (TM)" and I'll lay money on the other being ......
(Kevin B)