Apollo 440 (alternately known as Apollo Four Forty or @440) is an English b… Read Full Bio ↴Apollo 440 (alternately known as Apollo Four Forty or @440) is an English band formed in 1990 in Liverpool, UK by brothers Trevor Gray and Howard Gray with fellow Liverpudlians Noko and James Gardner, although Gardner left after the recording of the first album. All members sing and add a profusion of samples, electronics, and computer-based sounds. The name comes from the Greek god Apollo and the frequency of concert pitch — the A note at 440 Hz, often denoted as "A440", and the Sequential Circuits sampler/sequencer, the Studio 440.

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

Smoke & Mirrors
Apollo 440 Lyrics

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It's all smoke and mirrors
You've got your finger on the cosmic trigger

You've got your finger on the cosmic trigger

It's all smoke and mirrors
They're kind of making me shimmer
You shake my world and i'm brittle

I've got my finger on the cosmic trigger

Live it - i'll never come down
Why not? i'm spinning around
Feel it - i'll set it all down
Dream it - are you with me?

It's all smoke and mirrors
You've got your finger on the cosmic trigger
State of relax or a zone?
Hey baby wire your own!

You can feel the illusion
You could encounter confusion
Hey baby we got it figured
I got my finger on the cosmic trigger

Heat it up
Wind up
Heat it up
Wind up

It's all smoke and mirrors
They're kind of making me shimmer
You shake my world and i'm brittle
I've got my finger on the cosmic trigger

Live it - i'll never come down
Why not? i'm spinning around
Feel it - i'll set it all down
Dream it - are you with me?

You can feel the illusion
You could encounter confusion
Hey baby we got it figured
I got my finger on the cosmic trigger

Heat it up
Wind up girl
Heat it up girl
Heat it up: Are you with me?

It's all smoke and mirrors
They're kind of making me shimmer

You shake my world and i'm brittle
I've got my finger on the cosmic trigger

Overall Meaning

The song "Smoke & Mirrors" by Apollo 440 is about the power of illusion and the ability to create something out of nothing. This is highlighted in the lyrics "It's all smoke and mirrors, you've got your finger on the cosmic trigger." The song suggests that the world we live in is not always what it seems and that everything is just an illusion, making us question what is real and what is fake. The lyrics "I've got my finger on the cosmic trigger" implicate that one has the power to control their surroundings and manipulate their environment.

The chorus of the song is powerful and upbeat, with the lyrics "Live it, I'll never come down, why not? I'm spinning around, feel it, I'll set it all down, dream it, are you with me?" It suggests that one should not be afraid to take risks and live life to the fullest. The verses compliment this message by encouraging the listener to embrace their own power and creativity.

Overall, the song is exuberant, echoing the feeling of being free and in control, while also suggesting that the world is full of endless possibilities.

Line by Line Meaning

It's all smoke and mirrors
Things aren't as they seem

You've got your finger on the cosmic trigger
You have the power to change things

They're kind of making me shimmer
The illusions are blinding me

You shake my world and I'm brittle
You have a huge impact on me

Live it - I'll never come down
I'm living in the moment and I won't stop

Why not? I'm spinning around
I'm enjoying myself, why stop now?

Feel it - I'll set it all down
I'll let go of everything and just feel

Dream it - Are you with me?
Do you believe in the same dreams as me?

State of relax or a zone?
Are you relaxed or focused?

Hey baby wire your own!
Do your own thing

You can feel the illusion
You can sense that things aren't as they seem