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).
Two Sides Of The Moon
Asia Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Two strings, beating out of time
Koto, warning of the danger
Wake up, is your head still mine?
Now they give you reasons
To fight for love
In a paper world
That's enough
Said the Chinese girl
That's enough
Another city falls
Just because we're two sides of the moon
Data, streaming through my window
Chrome stars, whispering their lies
Black sky, hides approaching stranger
Reach out, two should now be one
Disregard the reasons
And look above
That's enough
In a paper world
That's enough
Said the Siamese girl
That's enough
Another city falls
Just because we're two sides of the moon
The lyrics of Asia's song "Two Sides of the Moon" are a poetic representation of the theme of separation and the search for unity in love. The first verse talks about the laser breathing on the window, a metaphor for the separation that exists between the couple. The two strings beating out of time represent their struggle to be lined up with each other, while the Koto warns of the danger that lies in this disconnect. The question "Wake up, is your head still mine?" is a plea for confirmation of the commitment to each other.
The chorus talks about the reasons that society gives to fight for love, which are not enough in a paper world, and the fact that they are two sides of the moon is what causes another city to fall. This suggests that their separation and unison are significant enough to affect the world around them. In the second verse, the data streaming through the window and the chrome stars whispering their lies represent the distractions and false promises offered by the world that lead to their separation. The black sky hides the approaching stranger, which can be interpreted as the looming threat to their relationship.
The lyrics are open to personal interpretation, but the overall theme of unity despite separation is clear. The use of metaphors creates a dreamlike atmosphere, and the message is delivered through a lyrical and poetic style.
Line by Line Meaning
Laser, breathing on my window
The light from the laser reflects on my window, creating patterns.
Two strings, beating out of time
Two musical instruments strumming with different tempos.
Koto, warning of the danger
The koto, a traditional Japanese stringed instrument, foretelling of impending danger.
Wake up, is your head still mine?
Are you still with me mentally and emotionally?
Now they give you reasons
To fight for love
People are giving you justifications to fight for love instead of giving up.
That's enough
In a paper world
The justifications offered are not enough to sustain a relationship in a world of superficiality.
That's enough
Said the Chinese girl
The Chinese girl agrees that the justifications aren't enough to keep a relationship going.
That's enough
Another city falls
Just because we're two sides of the moon
Another relationship has failed because the two partners are fundamentally different (like two sides of the moon).
Data, streaming through my window
Information is streaming through the artist's window.
Chrome stars, whispering their lies
The stars look like they have a shiny chrome appearance, but they don't tell the truth.
Black sky, hides approaching stranger
The dark sky hides an unknown person or danger that is coming closer.
Reach out, two should now be one
Both partners need to reach out to each other for the relationship to work.
Disregard the reasons
And look above
Forget the excuses and focus on the bigger picture of the relationship.
That's enough
In a paper world
Excuses and superficial reasons aren't good enough to save the relationship.
That's enough
Said the Siamese girl
The Siamese girl agrees with the previous statement that excuses aren't enough.
That's enough
Another city falls
Just because we're two sides of the moon
Yet another relationship has ended because the two partners were too different to make it work.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: GEOFF DOWNES, JOHN TIMOTHY PAYNE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Xa_WEh
Laser, breathing on my window
Two strings, beating out of time
Koto, warning of the danger
Wake up, is your head still mine?
Now they give you reasons
To fight for love
That's enough
In a paper world
That's enough
Said the Chinese girl
That's enough
Another city falls
Just because we're two sides of the moon
Data, streaming through my window
Chrome stars, whispering their lies
Black sky, hides approaching stranger
Reach out, two should now be one
Disregard the reasons
And look above
That's enough
In a paper world
That's enough
Said the Siamese girl
That's enough
Another city falls
Just because we're two sides of the moon
@paulwise998
Jesus Christ is the son of God. Not god the son. He was crucified, died, and was buried. On the third day God raised his son Jesus from the dead and exalted him to be on the right hand of God. Jesus is coming back again to judge the living and the dead.
Therefore,
Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ FOR the remission of your sins(Yes, you read that right. The Bible says baptism is for the remission of sins. No, you can't get to heaven without being baptized properly. No, it isn't just an outward showing of an inward change. No, it isn't a public declaration of faith. Yes, you. I am speaking to YOU!) and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Stop being so stiff necked and obey the Gospel before you perish in hell forever because of willful ignorance and pride from rejecting the Gospel.
You have been warned.
@MonkeySharkPro
I would LOVE an open-world video game with a world that's based on Asia's album covers. That would so cool
@MoonBat2006
Yes it would.
@theblocksays
Well this looks like Rodney Mathews/Roger Dean's surreal style, and if you remember Psygnosis they made a lot of video games in the past with a visual style inspired by their artwork.
@DEthe5150
I agree.
@peterdrachen7701
Agree 100%
@TMAMJ
They did sort of but it was a major movie and it was called Avatar and they took Roger Dean to the cleaners by ripping him off. Seriously
@doomfeast1102
Man, I've recently come to really appreciate this era of Asia, and most because of this album and track.
@garycarr3857
1996
@aitechnasus1041
Two Sides Of The Moon Is A Beautiful Great Song And Fantastic Wonderful Masterpiece By Asia.
@anakina1
But do you like it?