Henry Cow was among the founding members of the movement dubbed Rock in Opposition (RIO).
A number of people passed through Henry Cow over the years:
* Georgie Born - Cello, Bass (1976-1978)
* Lindsay Cooper - Bassoon, Reeds (1974, 1975-1978)
* Chris Cutler - Drums, Percussion (1971-1978)
* Fred Frith - Guitar, Violin, Bass, Piano, Xylophone (1968-1978)
* John Greaves - Bass, Piano (1970-1976)
* Tim Hodgkinson - Keyboards, Reeds (1968 - 1978)
* Dagmar Krause - Vocals (1975 - 1978)
* Geoff Leigh - Flute, Reeds (1972 - 1973)
Henry Cow's repertoire included elaborately scored pieces (often with complex time signatures), tape manipulations, free improvisation and songs. It incorporated elements of jazz, rock, classical music and the avant-garde. Dagmar Krause's vocals added another dimension to their sound, giving it a dramatic, almost Brechtian flair.
Their music was often experimental, making classification all but impossible. However, the following styles (amongst others) are often associated with Henry Cow:
* rock (too general and therefore inadequate)
* progressive rock
* art rock
* avant-progressive rock
* avant-rock
* chamber rock
* experimental rock
* free improvisation
Some of these styles may come closer to describing their music than others, and often it contained elements of all of the above, but in reality, Henry Cow simply remains one of those unclassifiable groups.
Henry Cow's music was challenging, not only to the listener, but also to the band themselves. They often composed pieces to challenge their own capabilities. Some of their music was scored beyond the conventional ranges of their music instruments necessitating that they "reinvent their instruments", learn how to play them in completely new ways. And yet their music may not have been as good as it could have been. Henry Cow conducted their affairs as a committee, having regular, minuted meetings with no decisions being made unless approved by the group. This included their music. Band members brought their ideas to the table but often they ended up being watered down as a result of the collective process, rather than strengthened, and many of their best ideas may not have been fully realised. Who knows what Henry Cow might have produced had individual members been given more free reign.
While their music is a decided "acquired taste", there is much to recommend in it, for as it is often dissonant and challenging, it is also rich and exciting, and yields more insights upon repeated listening.
Henry Cow reunited in November 2014 to celebrate the music of the late Lindsay Cooper for shows in the UK and Italy.
Nirvana for Mice
Henry Cow Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sweet mystery of life I will re...
Henry Cow’s song "Nirvana for Mice" is a surreal and enigmatic piece that defies easy interpretation. The lyrics are sparse and difficult to decipher, but there is one repeated phrase that stands out: “Sweet mystery of life I will remember.” This phrase seems to be the key to unlocking the song’s meaning. It’s a powerful declaration of the importance of mystery and wonder in life, a plea to cherish that which is elusive and unknown.
The rest of the lyrics are fragmented and hard to discern. They seem to describe a landscape that is both ominous and enchanting: “Strange land...sudden valley...misty mountains...secrets and whispers...hidden pathways...fear and darkness...golden sunlight...” The imagery is rich and evocative, but its significance remains obscure. However, the overall impression is one of awe and reverence, as though the singer is grappling with a sense of overwhelming beauty and terror.
Overall, "Nirvana for Mice" is a cryptic meditation on the elusive nature of life and the importance of embracing its mysteries. It’s a haunting and poetic piece of art that demands careful listening and interpretation.
Line by Line Meaning
Sweet mystery of life I will remember
I will not forget the beautiful enigma that is life
All other things remain a blur
In comparison, everything else is indistinct and unimportant
Nirvana for mice
A state of blissful ignorance or simplicity
All the whiskey they can drink
Providing excess and indulgence for those who don't know any better
Stumbling from the sink to the cage
Mindless, cyclical existence, going from one mundane task to another
Nirvana for mice
Repeating the same simplistic routine over and over again
And all the cheese they can eat
More indulgence and excess to keep them complacent and content
Running on a wheel in the sky
Endlessly chasing an unattainable goal, like a hamster on its wheel
Nirvana for mice
Total submission to a meaningless existence, without question or desire for more
Contributed by Oliver K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.