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).
Long Way from Home
Asia Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Look a white guy in the sun
Miles away from where the quest begun
From the ice to the sand
Nations moved across the land
Ever since time designed the man
To the place of my birth
I'm a long way from home
But I know where I belong
It's a long way I know
But the heart will still carry me home
Firewater in the blood
Took away the livelihood
Giving thanks every single year
Who the hell
Owns this land?
Is it God or is it man?
With the blood we draw the line again
I'm called to return
To the place of my birth
I'm a long way from home
But I know where I belong
It's a long way I know
But the heart will still carry me home
I'm a long way from home
But I know where I belong
It's a long way I know
But the heart will still carry me home
The lyrics to Asia's "Long Way From Home" speak to the concept of identity and belonging. It begins with the imagery of a "black Siberian," a symbol of diversity and unfamiliarity, and a "white guy in the sun," representing the comfort and familiarity of one's own culture. The singer acknowledges that they are "miles away from where the quest began" - the search for their place in the world.
The second verse speaks to the historical movement of nations across the land, from ice to sand. The question of who owns the land - God or man - is raised, and the idea of drawing boundaries between groups of people through bloodshed is mentioned. The chorus then brings the focus back to the singer's personal journey, as they express a longing to return to the place of their birth, despite being "a long way from home." Ultimately, though, they believe their heart will carry them back to where they belong.
Overall, the lyrics of "Long Way From Home" convey a theme of displacement, questioning one's identity, and a desire to return to one's roots. It speaks to the universal human need for a sense of belonging, and the journey that one may take to find it.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a black Siberian
There exists a dark Siberian dog breed, with origins tracing back to the region of Siberia.
Look a white guy in the sun
Observe a light-skinned male individual basking in the sunlight.
Miles away from where the quest begun
Far from the initial journey's starting point.
From the ice to the sand
From extremely cold and icy places to hot, sandy ones.
Nations moved across the land
Various societies have transitioned across the terrain.
Ever since time designed the man
Since the beginning of human existence, people have been migrating.
Someday to return
One day, the singer intends to make a journey back to their place of birth.
To the place of my birth
The location where the artist was born and raised.
I'm a long way from home
The artist is currently living somewhere far from their home country or birthplace.
But I know where I belong
Even though they are not close to home, the artist is confident about where they belong.
It's a long way I know
The distance from their current location to their birthplace is significant.
But the heart will still carry me home
Despite the distance, the artist's heart will guide them back to where they belong.
Firewater in the blood
Alcohol present in the bloodstream
Took away the livelihood
Destroyed the means of subsistence
Giving thanks every single year
Showing appreciation yearly
Who the hell Owns this land?
A precarious inquiry into land ownership.
Is it God or is it man?
Determining whether land is owned by a higher power or humanity.
With the blood we draw the line again
People create boundaries using bloodshed.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: GEOFF DOWNES, JOHN TIMOTHY PAYNE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@fabdave425
Superb
@MrMonte234cristo
Amazing song! John Payne is a fabulous musician and an awesome singer!
@LongLiveRocknRollMusic
"Long Way From Home" is such a brilliant song! You simply can't get better than this! And yes John Payne is indeed a fabulous musician and an awesome singer. His voice is phenomenal, his music is astonishingly magnificent, and John Payne himself is extraordinary!!
@domofswitch
John Payne's voice is astounding. His power, passion & inflections entirely inimitable. Musical Mount Rushmore for sure. None could ever dream of surpassing him. A Certifiable Genius...
@lakasund
The song has a beautifully beginning with keybord, drums and guitair solo and johns voice, Goosebumbs. Masterpice.👍😊
@domofswitch
Fabulous.. Puts all comers to shame..
@johnchadburn980
Incomparable Asia timeless class
@steph9571
Excellent !!!! Very good song
@LongLiveRocknRollMusic
One of my all-time favourites 🎶 ❤️ 🎶
@kwt7667g
Something about this song.....just want to go home.