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).
One Step Closer
Asia Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Crowded rooms, the iron bars that surround me
Trying hard to catch your eye
Just once, did you see
Knowing from this moment, if you did, we could be...
One step closer
Closer than we are
Much closer than before
So many lines, you heard them all
A lie in every one
From men who never understand your personality
And though we've never even met
No talking needs to be done
The hum of conversation will dissolve you into me
One step closer
Closer than we were
One step closer
Much closer than before
One step closer
Much closer than we were
One step closer
It's closer than before
The song "One Step Closer" by Asia is a heartfelt expression of the loneliness and isolation that the singer is experiencing. It is a portrayal of someone trapped behind the bars of their own loneliness, longing for a connection with someone who understands them. The opening line of the song, "Loneliness, a constant friend and lover I know well," sets the tone for the rest of the song. The singer is familiar with loneliness and has learned to accept it as a part of their life. However, they are also yearning for something more.
The song describes the difficulty of making a connection with someone in a crowded room, as well as the disappointment of encountering people who don't understand you. The singer speaks directly to the person they are trying to connect with, saying, "Trying hard to catch your eye, just once, did you see, knowing from this moment, if you did, we could be." It is a vulnerable moment of intimacy, as the singer is acknowledging their desire for this person and the potential for a deeper connection.
The chorus, "One step closer, closer than we are, one step closer, much closer than before," is a plea for this person to take a chance on a relationship with the singer. It is a call to move beyond the initial attraction and take a step towards something more meaningful. Overall, the song is a poignant expression of the human need for connection and the struggles that come with trying to find it.
Line by Line Meaning
Loneliness, a constant friend and lover I know well
I am familiar with loneliness, it is always with me and I have grown comfortable with it.
Crowded rooms, the iron bars that surround me
I feel trapped in crowded places, like I am surrounded by walls that I can't escape from.
Trying hard to catch your eye
I am making an effort to get your attention and notice me.
Just once, did you see
I am hoping that you will notice me just once, giving me a chance to connect with you.
Knowing from this moment, if you did, we could be...
I am certain that if you give me a chance and notice me, we could have a connection and be closer.
One step closer
I am hopeful that every interaction brings us closer to being connected.
Closer than we are
I believe that we're not as close as we could be, and there is still room to grow our relationship.
Much closer than before
I am optimistic that each step that we take in our relationship brings us closer and builds more connection.
So many lines, you heard them all
Other men have said many things to you, but I know that I am different and I just need a chance to show it to you.
A lie in every one
I believe that most other men are not genuine with you, and many of their words are empty promises.
From men who never understand your personality
Other men don't seem to see you for who you really are, and don't take the time to understand you.
And though we've never even met
Even though we haven't had a chance to meet yet, I feel like we have a connection and there is something deeper here.
No talking needs to be done
We don't need to talk to have a connection, because there is something deeper between us already.
The hum of conversation will dissolve you into me
When we do finally meet and talk, we will be so connected that the outside world will melt away and it will be just us.
Lyrics © Capitol CMG Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN KENNETH WETTON, STEVE JAMES HOWE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind