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).
Open Your Eyes
Asia Lyrics
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Another situation yeah you're a different girl
You have lived your life dreaming you were someone else
Succeeding's believing in yourself
Open Your Eyes
And see the world that stands before you now
Open Your Eyes
You have spent your days trying something new
You have looked at magazine girls wishing that they were you
Do you see in photographs an angel that once was you?
Does she tell you stories that are true?
If I could stand with you right now and speak my mind
I would tell you no lies
I would shoot straight between the eyes
You have stared a thousand times right into the lens
Have you ever thought just once, does it all make sense?
Your beauty's eternal so don't just pretend
Got to wake up girl, or it's the end
The above lyrics from Asian's song Open Your Eyes speaks about someone who is struggling to fit in the Western world. The person is portrayed as constantly trying new things, looking at magazine girls, and dreaming about being someone else. The lyrics encourage the person to open their eyes and see the world that is standing in front of them, which includes their own unique beauty and potential.
Additionally, the lyrics imply that the person has been living a life that is not authentic, and that succeeding requires belief in oneself. The song encourages and admonishes the listener at the same time not to pretend, embrace their individuality, and recognize their innate beauty.
In all, the song is a reminder that beauty is not just superficial but emanates from within.
Line by Line Meaning
What on earth are you doing here, in the western world?
Why are you living in a foreign land, thousands of miles away from your homeland?
Another situation yeah you're a different girl
You are not the same person you used to be, you have changed with this change in your environment.
You have lived your life dreaming you were someone else
You have always wished to be someone else and never felt content with who you truly are.
Succeeding's believing in yourself
To achieve success, you need to believe in yourself and your abilities.
Open Your Eyes
Take a step back and see things for what they really are.
And see the world that stands before you now
Observe the present-day world and realize what you have been missing out on while dreaming about someone else's life.
You have spent your days trying something new
You have attempted and experimented with numerous things throughout your life.
You have looked at magazine girls wishing that they were you
You have envied the models in magazines, yearning to be like them.
Do you see in photographs an angel that once was you?
When you look at old photographs of yourself, do you see the same person you used to be?
Does she tell you stories that are true?
Do those photographs remind you of a genuine life story or just a fake narrative you have created in your mind?
If I could stand with you right now and speak my mind
If we were together and I had the opportunity to express my thoughts.
I would tell you no lies
I would be completely honest with you with no deception or lies.
I would shoot straight between the eyes
I would deliver the truth, even if it may be hard to hear.
You have stared a thousand times right into the lens
You have gazed at your reflection in photographs countless times.
Have you ever thought just once, does it all make sense?
Have you ever reflected on whether all this self-reflection and striving for perfection is worth it?
Your beauty's eternal so don't just pretend
You have an ageless beauty - don't simply pretend or act like someone else.
Got to wake up girl, or it's the end
It's time to snap out of this trance or else it might be too late.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Geoffrey Downes, John Wetton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind