electronic :: songs :: second to none

(sumner and marr)

what you need—love is satisfaction
is so unreal—i like the feel but it goes away
it comes too soon—life is satisfaction
me and you—we could be in harmony

love is satisfaction

there is a place, if we must believe
when people go wrong, our children will see
the colour of us, and what we’ve become
you think we are first, we’re second to none

we’re second to none

why does it take an eternity?
five seconds late and i could be free

it’s what you need (love is satisfaction)
me and you (love is satisfaction)
it comes too soon (love is satisfaction)
for me and you

there is a place, if we must believe
when people go wrong, our children will see
the colour of us, and what we’ve become
you think we are first, we’re second to none

we’re second to none

single version—4:01

feel every beat

a subtle mix of keyboards, guitar and layered vocals makes this the best instrumental work on any electronic song, while the words—a signpost to the blasé yet weary songs on republic and raise the pressure—complement it beautifully. this 1991 b-side has a fluid, tiered feel but retains metronomic precision through its programmed percussion (nearly every electronic song accomplishes this balance of emotion and order; king for a day and warning sign are the only ones which have a genuinely loose feel). second to none was only ever released on the feel every beat cd single—although its fellow b-side lean to the inside is an excellent track as well, this song should really have been the primary flipside; it’s four minutes of sonic ambrosia.