1) a British jazz… Read Full Bio ↴There are multiple artists named Affinity, including:
1) a British jazz-rock band active in the early 1970s;
2) a Finnish metal band from Turku;
3) American electro-funk producer Warren Doris, active in the 1980s;
4) American producer Kyle A. Ward;
5) British breakbeat producer John Evans;
6) American metalcore band from Maple Grove, MN, active from from 1998-2001;
7) New Zealand chillstep-electronic producer Daniel Marchbank;
8) Canadian rock band from Toronto;
1) is the band made up of Linda Hoyle (vocals), Lynton Naiff (keyboards, percussion), Mike Jopp (guitars, percussion), Mo Foster (basses, percussion) and Grant Serpell (drums, percussion). Back in 1970 they released a great album simply called Affinity. It has been re-released on CD containing 8 bonus tracks (the original CD release only had a couple of the bonus tracks). It now contains all of Affinity's studio output. A subsequent CD was released that contains live tracks recorded as an instrumental quartet (without Hoyle).
2) is a Finnish metal band from Turku, Finland. It was formed by the singer/guitarist Sami Leinonen, Drummer Markus Vikainen and Lead Guitarist Jaska Mattila. Later Eetu Tapper joined the band as an Bass player. Affinity's music is based on thrash metal but it has lots of influences for example from progressive and death metal. The first demo Defect was released in February 2008. In summer 2008 Affinity decided to change bass player to Topi Huovinen. The EP Changes was released in 2008.
3) is the artist name for Warren Doris, a musician and producer responsible for a handful of disco/funk 12" releases in the 1980s. His most famous releases were "Don't Go Away" and "Pick Me Up [Rock Me Non-Stop]".
4) is an alias of Kyle A. Ward, whose music appears in the In The Groove and Pump Pro rhythm games.
5) is British breakbeat producer John Evans, currently based in London.
6) is a defunct hardcore/metalcore band from Maple Grove, MN that existed from 1998-2001. Vocalist Jason Gleason went on to record with Further Seems Forever. Other Former members can be found in Dead To Fall, Coma Eternal, and pornography (adult actor Vin Vericose).
7) is Affinity, a chillstep/electronic producer called Daniel Marchbank, from New Zealand, who is also one half of dream-pop duo BANK LAND with Sarah Ryland. He released "Lost in Tokyo" in 2018.
8) Canadian rock band from Toronto that released "The Pretender" in 2012.
All Along The Watchtower
Affinity Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
"There's too much confusion and I can't get no relief
Businessmen drink my wine, plowmen dig my earth
None of them along the line know any of its worth"
"No reason to get excited," he spoke
"You know there are many here who feel that life is a joke
But you and I, we've been through that and this is not our fate
All along the watchtower the prince, he kept the view
All his women came and went, all the foot servants too
Outside in the distance a wildcat did growl
Two riders were approaching and the wind began to howl
All along the watchtower the prince, he kept the view
All his women came and went, all the foot servants too
Outside in the distance a wildcat did growl
Two riders were approaching and the wind began to howl
The lyrics to Affinity's "All Along the Watchtower" speak to a conversation between two individuals, one of whom is seeking a way out of confusing and painful circumstances. The seeker laments that even those he encounters along the way, be they businessmen or plowmen, seem to lack any true understanding of the value of his plight. In response, the other party offers a grim yet reassuring perspective, noting that while many people see life as a joke, he and the seeker have been through too much to allow this to be their fate. The hour is getting late, however, and they must be careful not to deceive each other or themselves.
The chorus of the song serves as a refrain, repeatedly emphasizing the watchtower, where a prince surveys the land and all that transpires in it. The prince is surrounded by women and foot servants, who come and go at his command. While the prince watches, a wildcat growls in the distance, and two riders approach through the wind.
The song's lyrics are open to interpretation, leaving room for the listener to draw from their own experiences and perspectives. Some have suggested that the watchtower represents a metaphorical height of power and control, with the prince as a stand-in for a wealthy and untouchable elite. Others have argued that the song is a reflection of the cyclical nature of power and revolution, with the two riders representing the overthrow of the status quo.
Line by Line Meaning
There must be some way out of here," said the seeker to the thief
The seeker expresses his desire to escape from the current situation and asks for help from the thief.
There's too much confusion and I can't get no relief
The seeker is feeling overwhelmed and unable to find any solution to the problems around him.
Businessmen drink my wine, plowmen dig my earth
The seeker feels helpless as he sees people taking what he sees as his possessions for granted.
None of them along the line know any of its worth
The seeker realizes that those around him do not recognize the true value of what they have and how they are benefiting from his hard work.
"No reason to get excited," he spoke
The thief tries to calm the seeker down and make him see reason.
"You know there are many here who feel that life is a joke
The thief points out that the seeker is not the only person who is struggling to find meaning in life.
But you and I, we've been through that and this is not our fate
The thief reassures the seeker that they have already faced similar challenges and they are capable of overcoming the current situation.
So let us not talk falsely, for the hour is getting late
Time is running out and the thief urges the seeker to be honest and direct in their communication going forward.
All along the watchtower the prince, he kept the view
The prince is observing everything from his vantage point on top of the watchtower.
All his women came and went, all the foot servants too
The prince's companions and attendants have all come and gone.
Outside in the distance a wildcat did growl
A sign of danger and unpredictability appears with the sound of the wildcat's growl.
Two riders were approaching and the wind began to howl
Two riders are seen approaching, and the wind picks up, creating a tense and dramatic atmosphere.
Contributed by Austin E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@treborob
Bought the album in 70, superb!
@sagittarius7569
The ''Best'' of these songs, from time « 1965 - 1975 » Best period of progressive rock music
@itsjonesey
One of my favourite tracks from one of my favourite albums of all time.
@zsoltbatki9308
+Gareth Jones Szintén.
@arqjulio
Que nostalgia ...este temazo lo pasaban siempre en la radio Futuro de Santiago de Chile , cuando estaban orientados al rock-prog, fusión y demás maravillas.....
@tomdittburner1053
Just discovered this band in 2022. Awesome stuff!!
@kb-tq5rr
La migliore versione! Il solo del hammond e' semplicemente fantastico! Un gruppo eccezionale che purtroppo e' durato poco.
@stepheneede5124
So delighted this track has been put on here. What great memories it brings to mind from very early 70's - Linda Hoyle I believe on vocals - this version only bettered by Jimi himself - what a songwriter DYLAN was - let's not forget to celebrate his genius even though he would be so self-depreciating and condescending of his role in anything!
@meloland5649
Great version!!
@giulianojazz
Excelente versión, para este gran tema del señor Dylan, gran vocalización, buena Linda Hoyle.