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).

Valkyrie
Asia Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Valkyrie
Valkyrie
Valkyrie
Valkyrie

Like a mist, through the trees
Across the battlefield
She is borne upon the breeze

She's drawn to where I kneel
There is no doubt
She comes for me

Peace at last, fade to grey
My war is over now
This, the price I gladly pay
Surrender to her light
It shines for love
And dignity

Valkyrie
Valkyrie
Valkyrie
Valkyrie

See the path ahead of me
A sacred gilded throne
The one true house that I call home
The place I will be known
Where I belong, carry me

Valkyrie
Valkyrie
Valkyrie
Valkyrie

Now that it's all over and done
We are as one, now I see
One blazing fire, endless desire
Just stay with me, Valkyrie

Valkyrie...

Overall Meaning

The song Valkyrie by Asia refers to the Norse mythology where Valkyries were female figures who decided the fate of warriors on the battlefield. The song begins with the singer observing a mist and sensing the presence of the Valkyrie, who is drawn to where he kneels, implying he may have been injured in combat. The chorus repeats the name Valkyrie, emphasizing her significance in the singer's journey.

The second verse talks about the aftermath of the battle, where the singer finds peace as his war is over. He surrenders to the light of the Valkyrie, which symbolizes love and dignity. The third verse is more abstract and perhaps refers to the singer’s journey to Valhalla, the hall of the slain. He sees a path ahead of him that leads to a sacred gilded throne, which he calls his true home, and where he will be known and belong.

The chorus repeats, and then the song concludes with the singer acknowledging that he and the Valkyrie are now one, represented by a blazing fire of endless desire. He asks her to stay with him, ending the song with her name.

Line by Line Meaning

Valkyrie
Repetition of the song's title

Like a mist, through the trees
She approaches stealthily, perhaps unseen

Across the battlefield
She arrives amidst the ongoing conflict

She is borne upon the breeze
She arrives carried by the wind

She's drawn to where I kneel
She comes to where the singer is humble

There is no doubt
The Valkyrie's purpose is clear

She comes for me
The singer is the recipient of her arrival

Peace at last, fade to grey
After a period of strife, the singer has found peace

My war is over now
The singer metaphorically fought in a war that has concluded

This, the price I gladly pay
The singer accepts the consequences of their actions willingly

Surrender to her light
The singer gives into the Valkyrie's power