In 1984 the re-named Alphaville released their debut single "Big in Japan", followed by "Sounds Like a Melody" and "Forever Young", quickly followed by the album Forever Young. Despite its success Frank Mertens left the band in the same year and was replaced by Ricky Echolette (born Wolfgang Neuhaus, in Cologne, August 6, 1960) in January 1985.
"Big In Japan" was their biggest U.S. success, shooting to #1 on Billboard's Dance chart. While they never again had a Top 20 U.S. Dance hit, several of their releases went Top 40 and Top 30 on the Dance charts. They were less successful at mainstream U.S. radio, reflected by their showing on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles charts, where "Big" only reached #66. The first U.S. release of "Forever Young" failed to scale the charts. In 1985, amid reports pop star Laura Branigan was featuring the song on her next album, Hold Me, Alphaville's "Forever Young" was re-released as a single in the U.S., and again floundered in the lower recesses of the chart. Branigan's version, though promoted on stickers adorning the album, subsequently remained an album cut in the U.S., though it was released to radio in South America. She would go on to perform the song as an encore at nearly every concert she performed, from her 1985 tour until her death in 2004. The Alphaville version was released a third time in the U.S. in 1988, to promote Alphaville: The Singles Collection, and peaked this time at #65. Their highest U.S. Singles chart showing, it was also their last. International re-releases of Alphaville's "Forever Young" followed in 1989, 1996, and 2001. Several covers have been recorded and remixed, featuring male or female vocalists often erroneously attributed to be Alphaville's Marian Gold, or Laura Branigan.
In 1986 the second album Afternoons In Utopia was released, followed in 1989 by The Breathtaking Blue. As an alternative to individual music videos, the band enlisted nine producers, among them Godfrey Reggio (Koyaanisqatsi), to create a film entitled Songlines based on the album's tracks.
The next album, Prostitute, was not released until 1994. In 1996 Ricky Echolette left the band. Salvation followed in 1997. Stark Naked and Absolutely Live was released in 2000, followed by the remix album Forever Pop in 2001. A DVD was released in 2001 documenting two concerts performed in Salt Lake City, Utah. Two box-sets have also been released; rather than being collections of previously released album tracks they are actually 12 unique albums, several live, several rarities and outtakes, and several newly recorded. The first box, of eight discs, was released in 1999 (called Dreamscapes) and the second in 2003 (called CrazyShow or Dreamscapes 9-12). All the material in CrazyShow is newly recorded.
Bernhard Lloyd did not contribute to the CrazyShow album, and shortly after its release, on March 18, 2003 he officially left the group. The current core members of Alphaville are Marian Gold (vocals), Martin Lister (keyboards), David Goodes (guitars) and Pierson Grange (drums).
" Just a note to say Bernhard Lloyd is/has/recently played live with Alphaville. I saw him at the Esbjerg Rock Festival in June of this year. They sounded absoutely brilliant. Check out the Alphaville website, it's worth a look. Added by Fletchie, 02.11.07"
Marian Gold has released two solo albums (So Long Celeste, 1992 and United, 1996) alongside his work in the band. Bernhard Lloyd also worked on a project named Atlantic Popes with singer Max Holler. In 1996 Frank Mertens started on a musical project called Maelstrom which was a combination of ambient-style music, impressionistic and colorful art in the form of paintings and sculptures, and etheric poetry. This project seems now to have been by far abandoned, though, as Mertens has not been visibly active with it. In 2006 and 2007, Alphaville appeared on the "ELEKTRISCH" vol.1 and 2 album compilations with "From Germany With Love" and "Guardian Angel".
There is another artist with the same name:
2) A spanish Synthpop/dark/post punk group born in 1981 in Madrid by José Luis F. Abel (guitar & vocal), Mendi (bass), José Carlos ‘Charles’ Sánchez (keyboards), Jose Luis Orfanel (guitar) and Juan Antonio ‘Rep’ Nieto (drums).
The independent label DRO released their first EP in April 1982, "Paisajes nocturnos", which included four tracks. Their first hit arrived some months later with the 4-tracks 12'' "Palacio de invierno". In 1983 they released the album Despues De La Derrota.
End Of The World
Alphaville Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the last of the clowns gonna tell the tale what will happen to us all
All you people got to go on this carnival of doom
And I guess you know things got out of hand, and if not you will know soon
Let’s go to the end of the world and keep your eyes wide open
To see what’s up on the other side and rave across the skies
Let’s go!
On a quest for Eldorado past the valley of the dolls
No matter what they guarantee the banks of God are closed
What’s behind the cracks in heaven? will we make our final stand?
'Cause it seems to me the more we pray the less there is a happy end
Let’s go to the end of the world and keep your eyes wide open
To see what’s up at the edge of time and rave across the skies
Let’s go!
Let’s go!
Let’s go!
Let’s go!
And the coloured girls go
Let’s go to the end of the world and keep your eyes wide open
To see what’s up on the other side and rave across the skies
Let’s go!
Let’s go!
Let’s go!
Let’s go!
And the coloured girls go
And the coloured girls go
And the coloured girls go
And the coloured girls go
The song "End Of The World" by Alphaville is a reflective piece that describes the uncertain future that humanity faces. The lyrics describe a journey away from civilization, towards the far horizons where the great waters fall. The last of the clowns is there, ready to tell the tale of what will happen to everyone. The carnival of doom awaits people, and it's necessary to go there. The singer comments that things got out of hand, and if the listener doesn't know it now, they will know it soon. The journey continues past the valley of the dolls in a quest for Eldorado. But there is no guarantee from the banks of God, no matter what.
The singer of the song ponders what's behind the cracks in heaven, and wonders if humanity can make its final stand. They reflect on the paradox of prayer- the more people pray, the less likely there is a happy end. The chorus encourages people to go to the end of the world, keep their eyes wide open, see what's up on the other side, and rave across the skies. The chorus repeats four times, building to a crescendo with the coloured girls joining in on the last four repetitions.
"End Of The World" is a contemplative song that uses vivid imagery to describe the journey through an uncertain future. It encourages the listener to be aware of their surroundings, reflect on what could happen, and move forward with their eyes open. It is a song that resonates as much today as when it was first released in 1984, and it remains an enduring classic.
Line by Line Meaning
Moving to the far horizons where the great big waters fall
We are embarking on a journey towards the unknown and a place where there is great uncertainty and danger.
And the last of the clowns gonna tell the tale what will happen to us all
The fate of humanity will be revealed by someone who is often seen as a comedic figure. This shows that even those who are seen as less serious may have important messages to convey.
All you people got to go on this carnival of doom
Everyone is invited to take part in this dangerous journey, which is like a sinister carnival or amusement park ride that is out of control.
And I guess you know things got out of hand, and if not you will know soon
The situation is becoming more chaotic and uncontrollable, and if you were not aware of this, you will soon find out about it.
Let’s go to the end of the world and keep your eyes wide open
We should embrace the unknown and explore it, even if it is a place that many fear to venture to. Also, we should remain alert and attentive because we have no idea what we might encounter.
To see what’s up on the other side and rave across the skies
We need to investigate what lies beyond the horizon and other mysteries, and then celebrate the experience with others by partying and dancing joyously.
On a quest for Eldorado past the valley of the dolls
We are on a search for something elusive and valuable, and we have to pass through a place that is like a plastic and superficial paradise.
No matter what they guarantee the banks of God are closed
Despite promises made by those in positions of power, we cannot rely on religion or the divine for salvation or protection.
What’s behind the cracks in heaven? will we make our final stand?
We are questioning the very foundation of our beliefs and values, and whether or not we will make a last effort to preserve them before they crumble.
'Cause it seems to me the more we pray the less there is a happy end
It appears that our attempts to appeal for divine intervention or assistance are not having any positive effect, and that we may be heading towards a bleak and unhappy outcome.
And the coloured girls go
This phrase is repeated several times throughout the song and serves as a chorus. It may symbolize how people can come together and unite, regardless of their racial or cultural differences.
Contributed by Skyler A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.