I was 17 when I first heard ABC. Pre-dating the Internet, the only way to hear fringe music before the 80's explosion was late night radio. This band first hit with Poison Arrow in the U.S. in late 1982 and very quickly the words from ABC became as vital as thier music.

Lyrics loaded with double meaning you knew that the title really did make a remark on romance. Even the title had you thinking... Lexicon meaning Language, thus The Lexicon of Love is The Language of love.

ABC's Lexicon of Love is not for the rocker. It is for the music enthusiast. The concept was a modern dance sound blended with big band and orchestral style for the 80's. They took the name ABC because they wanted a name that communicated universal musical appeal. For Martin Fry and the band, ABC was that name.

Martin Fry used his greatest lyrical musings on this album. Each song centered around love and the class you need in order to be in love. The broken hearted would love this album (Poison Arrow) while those in love would feel as if love lasts forever with songs like Look of Love. These songs were modern hits but other songs from The Lexicon of Love were equally as powerful.

One song that sticks out and has always stuck with me is "4 ever 2 gether". The lyrics were easy to act out in person as you hold up four fingers then two, and back and forth through out the verses:

4 ever 2 gether
4 years 2 come
4 love 2 strong
4 us 2 part

4 when 2 hearts beat strong and sweet
1 promise I can never meet
4 give and 4 get 4 goodness sake
4 love this strong might make or break

On the face you think these words are about joyous love. But the song is sinister and deep. He sings about how a woman has total control in life but she really has no idea that love is stronger than her own wiley ways. The song goes on:

2's a party 3's a crowd, I'm surprised what gets allowed
3 coins inside the fountain, you saw Mohammed move the mountain.

Yours sincerly,
Carnally,
Yours faithfully, when I venture near...

Having noted these clever verses, truth be told, Martin Fry did not right 4 ever 2 gether, it was Ann Dudly. However Martin did strike with many other equally powerful verses. Such as:

"Yes you've shown your feelings, Yes you've shown your tough. Some things are worth believing but your tears are not enough."

From words like this, the album reeks of Bogard style love.

Because of the string arrangements and light use of digital effects, Lexicon of Love does have the strength to stand above most 80's albums. The drum kit sounds only mildly 80's but on a whole the percussion has stood the test of time.

Trevor Horn produced the album and he made all the difference in the world in regards to the polished arrangements and structure the music has.

Very few albums can pop from beginning to end. This one has that quality. There is not one song that is weak, nor do that lack a musical quality that leaves you thinking, this song doesn't fit the mood fo this album. Rather each song compliments the other. Aptly named, this album is for the die hard romantic that has no intent on dying from the pain of love. There are scores of beautiful verses that are both insightful and cunning.

Speaking of cunning, the band released a video named ManTrap about a Russian spy looking to make it out, by finding look alike to take the place of. Martin Fry plays both parts as his band mates play sinister accomplises in fooling Martin into joining an up and coming band, "ABC" as their front man. They never really warm up to him and he begins to smell a rat. In then end he has an off stage fight with his double only to re-emerge onstage as... who? Which one goes on as Martin Fry is a secret I'll save for you to find out when you watch the video. It features live versions of Show Me, Poison Arrow, Many Happy Returns, Look of Love and more. I especially liked the acapella he sings on the ship deck of Many Happy Returns. But you have to be a fan of romance to really appreciate any of this.

From this music video ABC also re-released an alternate long version of Poison Arrow that was truely an alternate version. Blending the original dance song with a jazz club expression Poison Arrow was an early 80's classic.

ABC had a unique approach on The Lexicon of Love that few other bands could touch in regards to musical arrangement, production and lyrical depth. Some critics at the time hailed it as the greatest album ever. At the very least this created buzz and curiousity over the album. At its best, it set The Lexicon of Love apart from many albums in history.

-Lars Hindsley