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).

Words
Asia Lyrics

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If I whispered words, would you hear them now?
Would you cross the deepest seas?
In the fiercest winds, on the burning trail,
Seal it with your word.

If I whispered words, would you keep a lie?
Would you promise me till time?
So if we grow old and the distance parts,

So seal it with your word.

Oh, I'll scream upon the hill,
So, you can hear me still.
Now, will we ever fade?
I seal it with my word.

If I whispered words, would you hear them now?
Would you cross the deepest seas?

In the fiercest winds, on the burning trail,
Seal it with your word.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Asia's song Words delve into the theme of trust and commitment in a relationship. The singer poses a series of questions to his partner, wondering if they would listen to his words, cross barriers, and keep their promises. The opening line "If I whispered words, would you hear them now?" suggests a fear of the words not being heard or not being taken seriously. However, the following lines suggest that the singer is willing to take a risk and put his faith in his partner. He asks if they would "cross the deepest seas" and "seal it with [their] word," essentially asking if they would go to great lengths to prove their commitment to each other. The repetition of the line "seal it with your word" reinforces the importance of trust and mutual understanding in relationships.

The chorus of the song features the singer proclaiming that he will "scream upon the hill" so that his partner can hear him. This can be interpreted as a metaphor for the importance of constant communication and openness in relationships. The singer wants to make sure that their connection never fades and that they always stay true to their words.

Overall, the lyrics of Words explore the idea of trust and commitment in relationships and the importance of communication and keeping promises.

Line by Line Meaning

If I whispered words, would you hear them now?
Asking if the person will give their undivided attention to the singer's words, even if they are whispered.

Would you cross the deepest seas?
Questioning if the person is willing to go to great lengths for the singer.

In the fiercest winds, on the burning trail,
Describing difficult and trying circumstances that the person might have to face for the singer.

Seal it with your word.
Asking the person to make a promise and keep it, to hold true to their word.

If I whispered words, would you keep a lie?
Inquiring if the person would pretend to agree with the artist just to keep them happy, even if it's not truthful.

Would you promise me till time?
Asking if the person can make a long-term commitment to the singer.

So if we grow old and the distance parts,
Acknowledge the possibility of growing old and being separated by distance.

So seal it with your word.
Urging the person to make a promise to hold true to their word, despite the passing of time and geographical separation.

Oh, I'll scream upon the hill,
Expressing a willingness to communicate, even if it means shouting in an elevated position.

So, you can hear me still.
Promising that the person will always be able to hear the artist's voice above the noise.

Now, will we ever fade?
Asking if the relationship will endure.

I seal it with my word.
Personally promising to maintain the relationship by holding true to their own word.

If I whispered words, would you hear them now?
Reiterating the desire for the person to pay attention to the singer's words, even if they are whispered.

Would you cross the deepest seas?
Asking if the person is willing to go to great lengths to be with the singer.

In the fiercest winds, on the burning trail,
Reiterating the idea that the person will face difficulties and struggles for the singer.

Seal it with your word.
Once more, urging the person to make a promise and keep it, to hold true to their word.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: GEOFF DOWNES, JOHN TIMOTHY PAYNE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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