When they appeared in the early '80s, Asia seemed to be a holdover from the… Read Full Bio ↴When they appeared in the early '80s, Asia seemed to be a holdover from the '70s, when supergroups and self-important progressive rockers reigned supreme. Featuring members of such seminal art rock bands as King Crimson (John Wetton), Emerson, Lake & Palmer (Carl Palmer), and Yes (Steve Howe), as well as Geoff Downes from the Buggles, Asia did feature stretches of indulgent instrumentals on their records. However, they also could be surprisingly poppy, and that is what brought them to the top of the charts with their debut album, Asia, and its hit single, "Heat of the Moment."

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).

Over And Over
Asia Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

If our only chance was in today
Let it lift us, up above someway
As the evening shadows fall
I'll confide in you once more

Over, over, and over again
We will resolve our true destiny
Only through Love, our passage guaranteed

Let it lift me up above

We are on a journey, to where we can't be sure
When we are as one, It opens every door
I don't want to take you, across the great divide
This horizon's nearer, much easier to find

Let it lift me up above

Overall Meaning

These lyrics from Asia's song Over And Over is a message of hope and love. The song talks about the power of love and how it can lift up the spirit and lead us to our true destiny. The writer emphasizes the importance of living in the present moment and making the best out of it. It encourages us to be optimistic and trust in a bright future. The song suggests that love is the only way to achieve our goals and reach our full potential.

The chorus of the song, which is repeated several times throughout, drives the message home. It states that we will overcome any obstacles that come our way, repeatedly if we have to, and love is the key to our success. The writer believes that love can get us across the most challenging hurdles, and it's the only guarantee we need. The song's verses are more contemplative and express a sense of urgency in seizing the moment and revealing one's heart, given the unpredictability of where the journey of life may lead.

Line by Line Meaning

If our only chance was in today
If the only opportunity we have is in the present moment

Let it lift us, up above someway
Let us rise above our current situation, somehow

As the evening shadows fall
As darkness approaches

I'll confide in you once more
I will share my thoughts and feelings with you again

Over, over, and over again
Repeatedly, time and time again

We will resolve our true destiny
We will determine what we are meant to do

Only through Love, our passage guaranteed
Love is the only thing that can ensure our success

Let it lift me up above
Let me rise above my circumstances

We are on a journey, to where we can't be sure
We are traveling to an unknown destination

When we are as one, It opens every door
When we are united, it makes everything possible

I don't want to take you, across the great divide
I don't want to separate from you