After relocating to the Camden area of London, Apollo 440 recorded their debut album, Millennium Fever, and released it in 1994 on their own Stealth Sonic Recordings label (distributed by Epic Records). They have successfully invaded both the pop charts and the dancefloor with their combination of rock, techno, and ambient. They also changed the writing of their name from Apollo 440 to Apollo Four Forty in 1996, though switched back for their latest album.
The band had been most known for its remixes until the release of Liquid Cool in the UK. However, it was not until the success of the singles Krupa and Ain't Talkin' 'bout Dub that their own musical efforts were brought to international attention — particularly the latter contributed greatly to pushing Apollo 440 into the spotlight.
Currently, the band resides in Islington, London, having once again moved its headquarters (affectionately labelled Apollo Control).
In 2007, the band played a tribute gig to the late singer Billy MacKenzie and decided to go on after that.
www.apollo440.com
DON'T FEAR THE REAPER
Apollo 440 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Here but now theyre gone
Seasons dont fear the reaper
Nor do the wind, the sun or the rain
We can be like they are
Come on baby
Dont fear the reaper baby take my hand
Dont fear the reaper baby Im your man
Laaaa la laaa la la la
Laaaa la laaa la la la
Valentine is done
Here but now theyre gone
Romeo and juliet
Are together in eternity romeo and juliet
Forty thousand men and women everyday like romeo and juliet
Forty thousand men and women everyday redefine happiness
Another forty thousand coming everyday we can be like they are
Come on baby
Dont fear the reaper baby take my hand
Dont fear the reaper well be able to fly
Dont fear the reaper baby Im your man
Laaaa la laaa la la la
Laaaa la laaa la la la
Love of two is one
Here but now theyre gone
Came the last night of sadness
Clear she couldnt go on
Door was open and the wind appeared
The candles blew then disappeared
The curtains flew then he appeared
Saying dont be afraid
Come on baby
And she had no fear
And she ran to him
Then she started to fly
They looked backward and said goodbye
She had become like they are
She had taken his hand
She had become like they are
Come on baby
Dont fear the reaper
Dont fear the reaper
Dont fear the reaper
Laaaa la laaa la la la
Laaaa la laaa la la la
The lyrics of Apollo 440's "Don't Fear the Reaper" is a reflection on the inevitability of death and the cyclical nature of life. The opening lines "All our times have come, here but now they're gone" suggest that life is fleeting, and we must make the most of it while we can. The following lines "Seasons don't fear the reaper, nor do the wind, the sun, or the rain" imply the natural world and its cycles continue without fear, and so we too should not fear the inevitable end.
The chorus "Dont fear the reaper baby take my hand" is a call to embrace death and not fight it. The reaper, often depicted as a malevolent figure, is presented here as a companion who will guide us on our final journey. The lines "well be able to fly" suggest that death may be a gateway to a new existence.
The song references the tragic love story of Romeo and Juliet, who are "together in eternity." This may suggest that, like the natural world and lovers who have passed before us, death is a part of the cycle of life, and we too will eventually reunite with loved ones who have passed before us. The final lines of the song, "She had become like they are, come on baby, don't fear the reaper" reinforce this idea, suggesting that by embracing death, we become like those who have come before us and join them in a new existence.
Line by Line Meaning
All our times have come
We all have a set amount of time on this earth.
Here but now theyre gone
Our time here is fleeting and goes by quickly.
Seasons dont fear the reaper
The cycles of nature are not afraid of death.
Nor do the wind, the sun or the rain
The elements of nature are not concerned with death.
We can be like they are
We can adopt a similar attitude towards death.
Come on baby
The singer is encouraging someone to join them.
Dont fear the reaper baby take my hand
The singer is offering comfort and support to the listener.
Dont fear the reaper well be able to fly
The singer suggests that they will be able to overcome death and transcend to another place.
Dont fear the reaper baby Im your man
The singer is reassuring the listener that they have someone to rely on during difficult times.
Valentine is done
The holiday of Valentine's Day has passed.
Romeo and juliet
A reference to Shakespeare's tragic play about two lovers.
Forty thousand men and women everyday like romeo and juliet
Many people experience intense, passionate love like the characters in the play.
Forty thousand men and women everyday redefine happiness
Many people find happiness in love, even if it is fleeting.
Another forty thousand coming everyday we can be like they are
There are always new opportunities for love and happiness.
Love of two is one
When two people are in love, they become one entity.
Came the last night of sadness
A reference to the end of life and the sadness that can accompany it.
Clear she couldnt go on
The person in question is unable to continue living.
Door was open and the wind appeared
A metaphor for death, which is often accompanied by a sense of release or freedom.
The candles blew then disappeared
A metaphor for the fleeting nature of life.
The curtains flew then he appeared
A possible reference to a spiritual figure or loved one who has passed on.
Saying dont be afraid
Encouragement and comfort from the spiritual figure or loved one.
And she had no fear
The person in question is no longer afraid of death.
And she ran to him
The person in question embraces the spiritual figure or loved one.
Then she started to fly
Metaphor for transcendence to another plane of existence.
They looked backward and said goodbye
The person in question bids farewell to their earthly life.
She had become like they are
The person in question has transcended and joined the spiritual figures or loved ones.
She had taken his hand
The person in question is guided by the spiritual figure or loved one.
Dont fear the reaper
This refrain repeats the central message of the song: do not be afraid of death, embrace it.
Laaaa la laaa la la la
A refrain that is repeated throughout the song that seems to emphasize the idea of transcendence and freedom.
Contributed by Nicholas O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
amerigo3000
All our times have come
Here but now they're gone
Seasons don't fear the reaper
Nor do the wind, the sun or the rain
We can be like they are
Come on, baby (don't fear the reaper)
Baby, take my hand (don't fear the reaper)
We'll be able to fly (don't fear the reaper)
Baby, I'm your man
La, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la
Valentine is done
Here but now they're gone
Romeo and Juliet
Are together in eternity (Romeo and Juliet)
40, 000 men and women everyday (like Romeo and Juliet)
40, 000 men and women everyday (redefine happiness)
Another 40, 000 coming everyday (we can be like they are)
Come on, baby (don't fear the reaper)
Baby, take my hand (don't fear the reaper)
We'll be able to fly (don't fear the reaper)
Baby, I'm your man
La, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la
Love of two is one
Here but now they're gone
Came the last night of sadness
And it was clear she couldn't go on
Then the door was open and the wind appeared
The candles blew and then disappeared
The curtains flew and then he appeared
Saying don't be afraid
Come on, baby (and she had no fear)
And she ran to him (then they started to fly)
They looked backward and said goodbye (she had become like they are)
She had taken his hand (she had become like they are)
Come on, baby (don't fear the reaper
losanity
I use the first minute of that song as a ringtone for over 8 years now and i'm not getting bored of it. The whole "Millenium Fever" album is awesome. It does not matter in which year I play it...it always sounds of "freshness"
DerFabi
losanity for me, i love this kind of nostalgia... the warm sounds its electronic pop/ rock music:) great album
amerigo3000
All our times have come
Here but now they're gone
Seasons don't fear the reaper
Nor do the wind, the sun or the rain
We can be like they are
Come on, baby (don't fear the reaper)
Baby, take my hand (don't fear the reaper)
We'll be able to fly (don't fear the reaper)
Baby, I'm your man
La, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la
Valentine is done
Here but now they're gone
Romeo and Juliet
Are together in eternity (Romeo and Juliet)
40, 000 men and women everyday (like Romeo and Juliet)
40, 000 men and women everyday (redefine happiness)
Another 40, 000 coming everyday (we can be like they are)
Come on, baby (don't fear the reaper)
Baby, take my hand (don't fear the reaper)
We'll be able to fly (don't fear the reaper)
Baby, I'm your man
La, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la
Love of two is one
Here but now they're gone
Came the last night of sadness
And it was clear she couldn't go on
Then the door was open and the wind appeared
The candles blew and then disappeared
The curtains flew and then he appeared
Saying don't be afraid
Come on, baby (and she had no fear)
And she ran to him (then they started to fly)
They looked backward and said goodbye (she had become like they are)
She had taken his hand (she had become like they are)
Come on, baby (don't fear the reaper
sadsamcq
Still one of my favourite covers
Enduro Chorzele
Love this song.
Neil Angus
Amazing version
Zby Szek
Niezła robota
lexos1993
so much nostalgia. its good to hear this again :)
Jan Bureš
Man, I know under and overrated are terms being throwed around a lot these days, but Noko is criminally underrated musician. His guitar skills are something else, he is a great backup singer (especially on Luxuria) and the variety of styles he is able to play is just great. Lot of respect for Noko, I am so glad he is a member of Magazine now.
Neike Taika-Tessaro
For a moment I was very confused. Then I came to realise you probably meant "underrated". XD Glad to see N still has his fans! (His latest project is https://www.amideadyet.co.uk/, if you're curious, although it's more laid back.)