In 1989, Stephan Groth and Jon Erik Martinsen formed Apoptygma Berzerk in Norway. They wrote several songs, one of them "Ashes To Ashes" would later be released as a 12" single on the Norwegian label Tatra Productions in 1991. Martinsen left the band shortly afterwards feeling uncomfortable with the direction of the band's music. Since then the band had many lineup changes, Groth being the only constant members.
Stephan Groth claims that the band name was randomly picked out of a dictionary. Apoptygma is an old Greek word for the fold of a woman's garment. Technically the 'y' ought to be pronounced like a long 'u', but the band's name is commonly pronounced a-pop-TIG-ma or a-pop-TEEG-ma.
Apoptygma Berzerk released six studio albums so far: Soli Deo Gloria in 1993, 7 in 1996, Welcome To Earth in 2000, Harmonizer in 2002, You and Me Against the World in 2005, and Rocket Science in 2009.
The first two albums, Soli Deo Gloria and 7 were a similar style of synthpop and EBM. Welcome to Earth featured an evolved EBM/synthpop sound. Harmonizer featured a softer, more synthpop-oriented direction. You and Me Against the World represented an almost complete change in style for the band, from EBM to indie rock-oriented sound. Rocket Science continued the rock-oriented direction of their sound.
They also released three compilations (The Apopcalyptic Manifesto in 1998, The Singles Collection in 2003 , Sonic Diary in 2006), three live albums (APBL98 in 1999, APBL2000 in 2001, Imagine There's No Lennon in 2010) and three live DVDs (APBL2000 in 2001, The Harmonizer DVD in 2004, Imagine There's No Lennon in 2010).
In total, the band issued six EPs: Victims of Mutilation in 1990, The 2nd Manifesto in 1992, Mourn EP in 1997, Unicorn EP in 2004, Black EP in 2006, and Green Queen in 2009.
List of former band members:
Jon Erik Martensen: keyboards (1989)
Per Aksel Lundgreen: keyboards/manager (1991–1994)
Anders Odden: guitars (1992-1999)
Geir Bratland: keyboards/backing vocals (1995-2009)
Fredrik Darum: producer/live guitarist (1999–2001)
Ted Skogmann: drums and guitar (1999–2002)
Fredrik Brarud: drums (2002-2009)
Audun Stengel (Angel): guitars (2002-2009)
Anders Odden: guitars (2003-2006)
Official site: http://www.apoptygmaberzerk.de
shine On
Apoptygma Berzerk Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sitting lonely on a plastic chair
The sun is cruel when he hides away
I need a sister - I'll just stay
A little girl, a little guy
In a church or in a school
Little Jesus are you watching me?
I'm so young - just eighteen
[Chorus:]
She
She she she shine on
She she she shine on
She she she shine on
In a garden in a house of love
There's nothing real just a coat of arms
I'm not the pleasure that I used to be
So young - just eighteen
[Chorus]
I don't know why I dream this way
The sky is purple and things are right every day
I don't know, it's just this world's so far away
But I won't fight, and I won't hate
Well not today
[Chorus]
The lyrics in Apoptygma Berzerk's "Shine On" explore the themes of loneliness, confusion, and the yearning for connection with others. The singer reflects on their isolation, sitting "lonely on a plastic chair" in a "garden in the house of love." The absence of the sun is felt deeply, and the singer expresses a sense of needing someone else, stating "I need a sister - I'll just stay." In this world, filled with confusion and uncertainty, the singer finds solace in the idea of having someone close to them.
The reference to Little Jesus watching over the young narrator emphasizes the vulnerability of youth and the need for guidance. The second verse reveals a sense of disillusionment - the world is not what it appears to be, and the singer is not the person they used to be. Despite this, the chorus repeats the phrase "shine on," which can be seen as an affirmation that despite the difficulties of life, it is important to keep moving forward and find ways to thrive.
Overall, "Shine On" is a poignant exploration of the human experience and the need for connection, even in the face of uncertainty and confusion.
Line by Line Meaning
In a garden in the house of love
The setting of the song is a garden located in a place of affection.
Sitting lonely on a plastic chair
The singer is seated alone on a plastic chair.
The sun is cruel when he hides away
The sun is harsh when it sets and disappears.
I need a sister - I'll just stay
The artist craves a comforting presence, but has no option but to bear the solitude.
A little girl, a little guy
The artist is a young adult.
In a church or in a school
The singer wonders whether they're being watched while in a religious institution and while pursuing education.
Little Jesus are you watching me?
The singer addresses Jesus, questioning if they're being observed.
I'm so young - just eighteen
The artist is barely an adult.
[Chorus:]
The recurring refrain of the song is about shining on.
She
She she she shine on
She she she shine on
She she she shine on
The artist repeatedly asks for someone to shine on.
In a garden in a house of love
The story remains in the garden at a place of affection.
There's nothing real just a coat of arms
Nothing but facades exist at the location.
I'm not the pleasure that I used to be
The singer has lost the ability to derive joy.
So young - just eighteen
Once again, the singer reaffirms their youth.
[Chorus]
The song finishes with the recurring refrain.
I don't know why I dream this way
The artist is uncertain why they experience these thoughts.
The sky is purple and things are right every day
In the artist's ideal world, the sky is purple and everything is perfect.
I don't know, it's just this world's so far away
The singer feels detached from reality.
But I won't fight, and I won't hate
The singer makes a commitment to not engage in any strife or malice.
Well not today
The artist assures us that they won't engage in negativity, though perhaps not indefinitely.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ANGIE APARO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind