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.
Guardian Angel
Alphaville Lyrics
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Take me under your wing, I can't make it anymore
I am so full of fear, may you read a book to me
And when the shadows grow, won't you stay with me
Will you be my guard tonight, that is all I'm asking for
Will you be my guard tonight, that is all I need to know
Be my guard beside my bed, that is all I need to know
Will you please hold my hand, don't you ever let it go
For a little second more
I can't speak but can't you see
It's your touch I'm crying for
Will you be my guard tonight, that is all I'm asking for
Will you be my guard tonight, that is all I need to know
Be my guard just until dawn
When I can hear the birds again
I'm as helpless as can be
Will you guard my little flame
If we never meet again
You shall always keep in mind
That you were my guard tonight
That you were my guard tonight
Will you be my guard tonight
The lyrics to Alphaville's song, "Guardian Angel," express vulnerability and a plea for protection. The singer is asking for someone to be their guardian for the night, to take them under their wing and keep them safe from their fears. They want the person to read to them when the shadows grow and to hold their hand so they never let go. The singer admits that they are unable to speak, but they are crying out for the connection that comes from touch.
The singer is asking for the person to be their guard until the dawn when the birds start to sing again. They are as helpless as can be and are asking for the person to guard their little flame. Even if they never meet again, the singer wants the person to remember that they were their guardian for the night. The overall theme of the lyrics is the need for human connection, support, and protection during moments of vulnerability.
Line by Line Meaning
Be my guard just for tonight, that is all I'm asking for
The singer is asking for someone to protect them for one night.
Take me under your wing, I can't make it anymore
The singer is feeling overwhelmed and needs someone to offer support and comfort.
I am so full of fear, may you read a book to me
The singer is anxious and would like someone to distract them with a calming activity like reading.
And when the shadows grow, won't you stay with me
The artist is afraid of the dark and would like someone to remain with them when it gets darker.
Will you be my guard tonight, that is all I'm asking for
The artist is reiterating their request for protection from someone.
Will you be my guard tonight, that is all I need to know
The singer emphasizes that they only need to know if someone will be their protector for the night.
Be my guard beside my bed, that is all I need to know
The singer wants someone to be with them to feel comfortable while they sleep.
Will you please hold my hand, don't you ever let it go
The artist is seeking physical comfort and wants someone to hold their hand tightly.
All the wonders of the world
For a little second more
I can't speak but can't you see
It's your touch I'm crying for
The artist is overwhelmed by the feeling of being protected and wants to hold onto it for longer.
Be my guard just until dawn
When I can hear the birds again
I'm as helpless as can be
Will you guard my little flame
The artist associates dawn with a renewed sense of hope and is asking the person to protect their vulnerable feelings.
If we never meet again
You shall always keep in mind
That you were my guard tonight
That you were my guard tonight
The singer is grateful for the support they received and wants the other person to always remember that.
Will you be my guard tonight
The artist asks one last time for someone to be their protector for the night.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BERND GOESSLING, HARTWIG SCHIERBAUM, RUDY NIELSON, WOLFGANG MICHAEL NEUHAUS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind