“Lessons in Love” by Level 42
“Lessons in Love” is a name given to classify the informal education the singer received via a troubled romance. He became privy to these teachings primarily through failing to realize ambitions he and his partner set forth. Or put differently, the disappointments which seem to highlight this relationship is what taught him the valuable “lessons in love”.
And he seems to mention some of the theories behind these lessons in particular. One is that he should not let his “spirit burn”. The other is to await the “return” of his woman, insinuating that the aforementioned letdowns manifested in the two of them breaking up. But primarily what he has learned is that they must capitalize on the “time before (them)”, with the penalty of failing to do so is being ‘ignored’ by “the future”. So in that regard, this song reads like one where, from a romantic perspective, the singer is expressing disappointment in the past yet a need to focus even more on making the most of the future.
Moreover since he refers to the future in a plural context, it is also apparent that he perceives the two of them one day being back together.
Facts about “Lessons in Love”
- Level 42’s Mark King wrote this song alongside Wally Badarou and Boon Gould.
- Though released a year earlier by Polydor Records in 1986, “Lessons in Love” was featured on Level 42’s 1987 album, Running in the Family.
- The entire band produced the track in collaboration with Wally Badarou.
- “Lesson in Love” was the second-highest selling single throughout that continent during 1986. Till date, this is Level 42’s most successful song.
Chart Success
“Lessons in Love” marked a rare appearance for Level 42 on the Billboard Hot 100, where the song peaked at number-12.
This track holds the distinction of being Level 42’s highest charting single in their native United Kingdom, where it reached number-3 on the UK Singles Chart. Furthermore, it managed to ascend all the way to the apex of the music charts in Finland, Germany, South Africa, Spain and Switzerland.
It also entered the top 10 in the following countries: Belgium, Italy, Norway, New Zealand and Sweden.
