It was 1985. The air was thick with gated reverb, shoulder pads, and the relentless slap-bass of Mark King. While the world was busy obsessing over Live Aid, a British jazz-funk-turned-pop band called Level 42 dropped a track that would essentially define the sophisticated side of the eighties. We’re talking about "Something About You." You know the hook. That soaring, slightly melancholic synth line that feels like a sunset on a London skyline. But if you actually sit down and look at the Something About You Level 42 lyrics, you realize this isn't just another upbeat radio filler. It’s actually kind of dark. Or, at the very least, incredibly vulnerable.
Most people hum along to the "woah-oh" parts and call it a day. Honestly, though? The song is a masterclass in writing about the messy, friction-filled reality of staying in love when things start to crumble. It’s about that weird, magnetic pull that keeps two people together even when they’re driving each other up the wall.
The Bittersweet Reality Behind the Hook
The song opens with a line that sets a pretty heavy mood: "Over and over just like a argument going 'round." It’s not exactly "walking on sunshine," is it? Right from the jump, lyricists Mark King, Mike Lindup, Wally Badarou, Boon Gould, and Phil Gould—it was a real team effort back then—decided to lead with conflict. They’re describing a loop. That exhausting, circular logic where you keep having the same fight over and over.
There’s this feeling of being trapped in a cycle. But then the pre-chorus hits, and the perspective shifts. It’s like the narrator takes a breath and realizes that despite the noise and the bickering, there’s an intangible element they can’t let go of. That’s the "something about you" they keep referencing. It’s not defined because it can’t be. It’s that visceral, chemical, or spiritual tie that defies the logic of a bad argument.
Why the 80s Production Might Have Tricked You
If you listen to the radio edit, the production is incredibly polished. It’s bright. It’s got that signature Polydor Records sheen. Because the music is so "up," a lot of listeners totally miss the desperation in the verses. Lines like "how can we look make-believe in the eye" suggest a couple that is pretending everything is fine while the foundation is shaking. It’s a classic 80s trope—sad lyrics disguised as a dance floor anthem—but Level 42 did it with a level of musicality that most of their peers couldn't touch.
Breaking Down the Key Stanzas
Let's look at the second verse. This is where things get really interesting from a songwriting perspective.
"Faced with the limitations of an ordinary life / It seems so many let these precious moments pass them by."
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This is a pivot. The song stops being just about a relationship and starts being about the human condition. It’s a critique of complacency. The "Something About You Level 42 lyrics" are arguing that most people give up too easily. They see the "limitations" and they just fold. The narrator is saying, "Yeah, we’re fighting, and yeah, this is hard, but at least we’re feeling something." It’s an embrace of the friction.
- The Conflict: The constant "argument going round."
- The Revelation: Realizing that "precious moments" are often found within the struggle.
- The Resolution: Accepting that "giving it all" is the only way to find out if the relationship is worth saving.
Wally Badarou’s influence here can’t be overstated. As the unofficial "fifth member" and a synth wizard, he helped shape the atmosphere of these lyrics. He brought a continental, slightly more intellectual vibe to the band’s British funk roots. It’s why the song feels "expensive" when you hear it today. It doesn't feel dated in the same way a lot of 1985 synth-pop does because the sentiment is timeless.
The "Giving It All" Philosophy
The chorus is the part everyone remembers. "Giving it all... for something about you."
It’s a massive statement. In the mid-80s, pop was often about "wanting" or "taking." Think about the era’s hits. They were often aggressive or purely celebratory. Level 42 went the other way. They went for sacrifice. "Giving it all" implies a cost. It suggests that to keep this "something," you have to be willing to lose a bit of yourself or at least your ego.
It’s also worth noting the vocal delivery. Mark King’s lead vocal has this grit to it, while Mike Lindup’s falsetto provides the "angel on the shoulder" harmony. That duality perfectly mirrors the lyrics: the grit of the struggle and the beauty of the connection.
Misheard Lyrics and Common Confusions
You’d be surprised how many people get the bridge wrong.
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"Tonight, we're gonna make it through..." is often misheard as something more generic. But the actual sentiment is about survival. It’s a plea. It’s not a guarantee that things will be okay; it’s a promise to try. That’s a very "adult" way to write a pop song. It’s not "we will live happily ever after." It’s "we are going to get through tonight." One step at a time.
Why It Still Matters in 2026
We live in an era of "disposable" everything. Apps, clothes, and yeah, sometimes relationships. If things get hard, the modern instinct is often to swipe away and find something "easier."
The Something About You Level 42 lyrics stand as a weirdly prophetic counter-argument to that culture. They argue for the value of the "ordinary life" and the work required to sustain something meaningful. When you listen to it now, it doesn't just sound like nostalgia. It sounds like a reminder.
Also, let’s be real: the musicianship is insane. Level 42 came out of the jazz-funk scene, playing clubs like The Wag in London. They weren't just "pop stars" manufactured by a label. They were players. That technical proficiency gives the lyrics more weight. You can hear the intentionality in every note. When they sing about "precious moments," they aren't just throwing words at a melody; they’re building a complex musical structure to house those ideas.
Digging Deeper into the Discography
If you’re revisiting the lyrics to "Something About You," you should probably check out the rest of the World Machine album. Tracks like "Leaving Me Now" touch on similar themes of heartbreak and transition but with a much slower, more contemplative burn.
The Level 42 Evolution:
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- Early Days: Heavy on the bass, light on the vocals (think "Sandstorm").
- The Breakthrough: Finding the balance between funk and pop hooks ("The Sun Goes Down").
- The Peak: Sophisticated songwriting where the lyrics finally caught up to the playing ("Something About You," "Lessons in Love").
The band eventually moved into even more polished territory with Running in the Family, but for many fans, the era of "Something About You" is the sweet spot. It’s when they were still a bit raw but had learned how to write a world-class chorus.
Final Takeaways for the Fan and the Musician
Whether you're a bass player trying to nail that thumb-slap technique or just someone who loves a good 80s throwback, there’s a lot to learn from this track.
- Look past the tempo. Slow the song down in your head and read the words. It’s a much more somber story than the beat suggests.
- Appreciate the collaboration. The fact that five people contributed to these lyrics is a testament to the "band" mentality that’s often missing in modern, solo-artist-heavy charts.
- Embrace the friction. Next time you’re in an "argument going 'round," maybe put this track on. It might remind you that the conflict is often a byproduct of actually caring.
If you want to truly experience the song, find a high-quality live recording from the late 80s—specifically their Wembley performances. You’ll hear how they expand on the themes, letting the music breathe and giving those lyrics the space they deserve. The studio version is a perfect 3-minute-and-40-second pop gem, but the live versions are where the "something about you" truly comes to life.
Next Steps for Your Deep Dive:
- Listen to the 12-inch Extended Version: It features a much longer intro that builds the tension before the lyrics even start, giving you a better sense of the "loop" the narrator feels trapped in.
- Compare with "Lessons in Love": Read the lyrics to their other massive hit side-by-side. You'll notice a pattern of Level 42 exploring the "educational" aspect of failed or struggling relationships.
- Check out Wally Badarou’s solo work: Specifically his album Echoes. It provides the sonic context for why "Something About You" sounds so atmospheric and unique compared to other 1985 hits.
The genius of Level 42 was their ability to hide complex, sometimes painful human truths inside songs that made you want to dance. "Something About You" is the crown jewel of that approach. It’s honest, it’s musically brilliant, and it refuses to offer easy answers. It just offers a way to keep going.