Alpha, their second album, also had a couple of hits ("Don't Cry" and "The Smile Has Left Your Eyes") but its follow-up, Astra, was a flop. The group disbanded in 1985, only to reunite in 1990 without John Wetton; John Payne took his place. After churning out a couple of new songs for a greatest-hits collection, the band hit the road, including two sold-out dates in front of 20,000 fans in Moscow. Thereafter, they toured sporadically and released Aqua (1992), Aria (1994), Arena (1996), Aura (2001), and Silent Nation (2004). The band's lineup reverted to its original form featuring Wetton, Palmer, Howe, and Downes for Phoenix (2008) and Omega (2010). In 2012, the original Asia lineup returned with the studio album XXX, featuring the single "Face on the Bridge." The following year, Howe announced his amicable departure from the group to pursue other projects, and in 2014 Asia released the album Gravitas, featuring new guitarist Sam Coulson. In January 2017, a month and a half before the scheduled beginning of an extensive U.S. tour by the band, John Wetton died from colon cancer at the age of 67.
Biography by Stephen Thomas Erlewine
There is another band with the same name:
2) Asia was an excellent hard rock band with a drive for epic, pomp-filled rock tunes. The band was from Rapid City, South Dakota and should not be confused with the famous U.K. one, which sadly outshone them and ended up rendering the U.S. group highly obscure despite the U.S. one's critical support. Going for a loose instrumental energy similar to Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin, their eventual line-up was made up of Michael English (vocals, bass, percussion), Larry Galbraith (vocals, guitars, mandolin), Mike Coates (guitars, mandolin, mellotron, piano, harpsichord, vocals), and Doug Johnson (percussion). They released two albums: 'Asia' (1979) and 'Armed to the Teeth' (1980).
Emily
Asia Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Now I know, all you see, my invisibility
So just do this for me, and I beg you, beg you, please
Put my hand on your knee, Emily
Emily, now I see, how our love could never be
Oh, I know I'm not cool, just a sentimental fool,
But the pain, is insane, now that everyone can see,
Emily, Emily
As you glide to the sea, you are pure divinity
In my head, was your bed, and your femininity
To my cost, I have lost, my poor masculinity
Where on earth, could it be, Emily?
And am I, doing well? I guess only time will tell
Won't you please set me free, Emily?
Emily, Emily
Emily, I concede, in my gullibility
I was blind to the signs of your sexuality
Now it can't be denied, you bat for the other side
Mercy me, c'est la vie, Emily
Tell me what shall I do?
It's so hard when I see you
'Cos I'm still loving you, Emily
Emily, Emily
KAZ 53513
The song Emily by Asia is about unrequited love and heartbreak. The singer is in love with Emily but knows that nothing can come of it. He is invisible to her and his love is one-sided. He asks for one small favor from Emily, to let him put his hand on her knee, which highlights his desperation and longing for her. The singer is aware that their love can never be because of his own lack of coolness and masculinity, and ultimately because Emily is not interested in men. Despite his heartbreak, the singer still loves Emily and is struggling to move on from her.
Line by Line Meaning
Emily, I want you, but there's nothing I can do
I desire you, Emily, but unfortunately there is nothing I can do to fulfill this desire.
Now I know, all you see, my invisibility
I now realize that to you, I am invisible/unnoticeable.
So just do this for me, and I beg you, beg you, please
I plead with you to grant me this one request, Emily.
Put my hand on your knee, Emily
I ask that you allow me to place my hand on your knee, Emily.
Emily, now I see, how our love could never be
Now I understand that our love could never come to fruition, Emily.
Oh, I know I'm not cool, just a sentimental fool,
I am aware that I am not cool, just a sentimental person who feels deeply, Emily.
But the pain, is insane, now that everyone can see,
The pain I feel is unbearable, particularly when everyone is aware of it, Emily.
It just ain't meant to be, Emily...
Our love was never meant to be, Emily...
As you glide to the sea, you are pure divinity
You are divine as you gracefully move towards the sea, Emily.
In my head, was your bed, and your femininity
In my mind, I pictured your bed and your feminine features, Emily.
To my cost, I have lost, my poor masculinity
Unfortunately, I have lost my sense of masculinity, Emily.
Where on earth, could it be, Emily?
I cannot seem to find my masculinity anywhere, Emily.
And am I, doing well? I guess only time will tell
I question whether I am handling this situation well or not, only time will reveal the answer, Emily.
Won't you please set me free, Emily?
Please release me from these feelings, Emily.
Emily, Emily
Repeated reference to Emily's name.
Emily, I concede, in my gullibility
I accept, Emily, that my naivety has led me to this situation.
I was blind to the signs of your sexuality
I failed to recognize your sexual preferences, Emily.
Now it can't be denied, you bat for the other side
It is certain that you prefer individuals of the same gender, Emily.
Mercy me, c'est la vie, Emily
It is what it is, Emily.
Tell me what shall I do?
Please advise me on what to do, Emily.
It's so hard when I see you
It is incredibly difficult for me whenever I see you, Emily.
'Cos I'm still loving you, Emily
I am still in love with you despite everything, Emily.
Emily, Emily
Repeated reference to Emily's name.
Contributed by Ruby V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.