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).
Sole Survivor
Asia Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Twist my foot, I nearly fell
I was lucky I was alive
One look back, I could have died
I was the sole survivor
Sole survivor
Sole survivor
When I saw it, I was amazed
One-time glory right in my gaze
I saw the sorrow, I saw the joy
Light in the darkness none could destroy
I am the sole survivor
Sole survivor
Sole survivor
Solitary fire
And from the wreckage I will arise
Cast the ashes back in their eyes
See the fire I will defend
Just keep on burning right to the end
I'll be the sole survivor
Sole survivor
Sole survivor
Sole survivor
Sole survivor
Sole survivor
Sole survivor
Sole survivor
Sole survivor
Sole survivor
Sole survivor
The lyrics of Asia's "Sole Survivor" can be interpreted as a journey of survival in a tumultuous world. The opening lines of the song paint a chilling picture of a dangerous situation where the singer almost falls while riding the hounds of hell. The reference to the hounds of hell could be symbolic of the many challenges and obstacles that we face in life. The line 'one look back, I could have died' reinforces the idea that one wrong move could lead to catastrophic consequences.
As the song progresses, the singer experiences moments of both joy and sorrow. The line 'One-time glory right in my gaze' suggests that the singer has seen a glimpse of hope or enlightenment. The phrase 'Light in the darkness none could destroy' could signify the importance of resilience and determination in the face of adversity.
The chorus of the song, which repeats the phrase 'Sole Survivor', could be interpreted in two ways. Firstly, it could be a testament to the singer's ability to overcome the challenges and emerge victorious as the sole survivor. Alternatively, it could be interpreted as a warning that being the sole survivor comes with a sense of isolation and loneliness.
Overall, "Sole Survivor" can be seen as an encouragement to persevere and keep on burning through the darkest moments of life.
Line by Line Meaning
When I ride the hounds of hell
As I navigate through a difficult and painful experience,
Twist my foot, I nearly fell
I stumbled along the way and was almost completely defeated,
I was lucky I was alive
It was by sheer chance that I survived,
One look back, I could have died
If I had turned around or given up, I might not have made it out alive,
I was the sole survivor
I emerged as the only one who made it through the ordeal alive,
Sole survivor
I am the only one left standing,
Sole survivor
I am the last one standing,
Solitary fire
I possess an unbreakable strength and resilience in the face of adversity,
When I saw it, I was amazed
As I witnessed the situation or circumstance unfold before me, I was filled with wonder and awe,
One-time glory right in my gaze
I had the chance to witness something truly magnificent and glorious,
I saw the sorrow, I saw the joy
I witnessed both the pain and the pleasure of life in that moment,
Light in the darkness none could destroy
There was a glimmer of hope and a source of comfort that was indestructible,
And from the wreckage I will arise
Despite the ruins and destruction that surrounds me, I will emerge triumphant,
Cast the ashes back in their eyes
I will overcome and triumph over those who sought to bring me down,
See the fire I will defend
I will protect and defend the flame within me that keeps me going,
Just keep on burning right to the end
I will persevere and keep moving forward no matter what obstacles or challenges I face,
Sole survivor
I am the only one who made it through and came out stronger,
Sole survivor
I stand alone, but my strength is unbreakable,
Sole survivor
I am the last one standing, but I will never be defeated,
Sole survivor
I am the ultimate victor and survivor,
Sole survivor
I am the embodiment of strength and resilience in the face of adversity,
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Geoff Downes, John Kenneth Wetton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@GhostBlueEternalFlame
Asia: Sole Survivor:
When I ride the hounds of hell
Twist my foot, I nearly fell
I was lucky I was alive
One look back, I could have died
I was the sole survivor
Sole survivor
Sole survivor
Solitary fire
When I saw it, I was amazed
One-time glory right in my gaze
I saw the sorrow, I saw the joy
Light in the darkness none could destroy
I am the sole survivor
Sole survivor
Sole survivor
Solitary fire
And from the wreckage I will arise
Cast the ashes back in their eyes
See the fire I will defend
Just keep on burning right to the end
I'll be the sole survivor
Sole survivor
Sole survivor
Sole survivor
Sole survivor
Sole survivor
Sole survivor
Sole survivor
Sole survivor
Sole survivor
Sole survivor
From Asia’s 2005 Gold Album
@jicnacio
When I ride the hounds of hell
Twist my foot, I nearly fell
I was lucky I was alive
One look back, I could have died
I was the sole survivor
Sole survivor
Sole survivor
Solitary fire
When I saw it, I was amazed
One-time glory right in my gaze
I saw the sorrow, I saw the joy
Light in the darkness none could destroy
I am the sole survivor
Sole survivor
Sole survivor
Solitary fire
And from the wreckage I will arise
Cast the ashes back in their eyes
See the fire I will defend
Just keep on burning right to the end
I'll be the sole survivor
Sole survivor
Sole survivor
Sole survivor
Sole survivor
Sole survivor
Sole survivor
Sole survivor
Sole survivor
Sole survivor
Sole survivor
@chicagohoosier1
The drums, the guitar, the keyboard, that voice…what a work of art!
@audiodood
WRONG
@tjs7854
@@audiodood RIGHT! 😃
@andydeceunynck1766
This was the song that made me buy the album. After 40 years, still an absolute masterpiece.
@audiodood
WRONG
@newmanoutdoors1564
right
@califas69
I bought this album from a guy that sells vinyls on the street in downtown Santa Cruz for 10 bucks it kick ass!
@NineFourOneMedia
Haven't heard this in +/-40 yrs. It sounds absolutely huge. Seriously underrated track.
@audiodood
WRONG
@roadkillgravy5168
@@audiodood Wrong