It started in 1997 with their debut single Sunrise, the first step towards producing their own tracks. Nowadays, one cannot imagine the electronic elite without BLANK & JONES. 13 of their singles made it into the German Top 50, and three into the Top 20. Each and every album hit the Top 50, including two which climbed into the Top 10. They also scored a spectacular triple whammy by occupying the Top Ten album, singles and compilation charts simultaneously with Substance, Desire and The Mix respectively.
BLANK & JONES have teamed up with a number of top international stars in their career to date. The Cure mastermind Robert Smith, Bernard Sumner (New Order), Anne Clark, Sarah McLachlan and Claudia Brücken (Propaganda) have been immortalized on BLANK & JONES tracks, giving them a certain credibility way beyond the boundaries of dance music. Further evidence of their versatility can be seen in their contributions to the Café del Mar compilation series and their own chill-out albums, Relax and Relax (Edition 2). Next up, the people behind the Buddha Bar series have also made enquiries..
The release of the A Forest single and the accompanying album Monument in the USA last year also laid the foundations for BLANK & JONES to create a solid fanbase across the Atlantic.
Seven albums, 3 mix albums (The Mix 1-3) and 15 singles later, BLANK & JONES and their longstanding production colleague Andy Kaufhold have chosen this moment to collate their finest material on one release - The Singles. Comprising the best tracks and greatest successes of BLANK & JONES plus two brand new tracks, recorded exclusively for this album. “We felt the time had come to put all our singles together on one CD, “ Piet and Jaspa explain. “We prefer to see it as one step along the way, rather than a mere retrospective. A little breather before we move on to pastures new.“
Over 20 tracks were in the reckoning for The Singles collection, most of them penned by BLANK & JONES themselves. From the first single Sunrise via chart smashes such as Desire, DJ Culture and Beyond Time all the way to entrancing collaborations with the like of Elles DeGraaf on Mind Of The Wonderful, Claudia Brücken on Unknown Treasure and Steve Kilbey (The Church) on Revealed, the album is packed with original material. One of the few covers is, of course, A Forest with Robert Smith of The Cure on vocals.
An absolute must for fans is the all new WMC Retouch version of Nightfly, direct from the Miami Winter Music Conference (WMC), where BLANK & JONES headlined in March of this year. So new, the track was hot to the touch as it made its way onto the album, having been premiered to rave reactions at the dance convention. BLANK & JONES’ Nightfly WMC Retouch was the talk of the town the following morning on various online sites and blogs.
The album also features two completely new tracks. One is Somebody and the other is Catch, the newest single, based on Kosheen’s 1998 tune. Vocals supplied once again by the fantastic Elles DeGraaf.
BLANK & JONES have taken the utmost care in getting the sound right. Tracks have been remastered but not remixed. “Our aim was to retain the flair of each original track“ Piet and Jaspa elucidate. “We wanted them to sound just as they did when we made them, but clearer, in the same way as one restores a painting. You don’t paint it from scratch, you just bring out the colours again.“ Such loving attention to detail is typical of BLANK & JONES, making them the artists they are today, ready and able to see the bigger picture.
The album is also being released in Limited Edition format, in which The Singles are complemented by an additional DVD, bringing together all BLANK & JONES videos on one disc for the first time. The BLANK & JONES clips are something worth seeing, with a artistic quality rarely seen in such a genre. BLANK & JONES’ dramatic credentials are matched by their sense of humour. Numerous famous names have featured in their videos, including Estella Warren and Til Schweiger in Beyond Time, the latter having also directed the clip.
The DVD was produced and designed by Thomas Jahn, renowned as scriptwriter and director of “Knocking On Heaven’s Door“ and also the man responsible for The Hardest Heart, Mind Of The Wonderful, Perfect Silence and Desire.
The video for the latest single, Catch, was directed by Conchita Soares and Toni Froschhammer and features the thespian talents of TV actress Nadine. The piece will not only be presented on the music channels, but will also be shown at short film festivals over the summer.
BLANK & JONES’ roots are firmly placed in DJ culture. Year after year, millions of ravers around the globe feel the heat of their sensational sets at major events like Mayday, Nature One and Love Parade as well as in clubs all over the world. BLANK & JONES mix DJ and live, making the most of today’s technology. “We do everything digitally, on the basis of Final Scratch, which allows us to use our own edits and mixes, nothing comes straight from tape. Every set we play is unique, not only sound-wise but also in terms of what we play and how we play it. Roughly 60% of our set consists of our own repertoire, as where better to present our own material than via the DJ decks.“
BLANK & JONES are global players in the best sense of the word, with a worldwide reputation to match. They are more than welcome guests at the major festivals and raves in Germany, the Netherlands, Poland and Russia. At the beginning of the year, they played to 15,000 fans in St. Petersburg! They also travel further afield on a regular basis, to Canada, Mexico, South America and Australia.
2005 saw BLANK & JONES spend a lot of time in the USA, where A Forest proved to be a big success. Electronic music is growing and growing Stateside, so BLANK & JONES will return to LA, San Diego, San Francisco and many more cities in North America this year. Overwhelmingly positive reactions to Catch on the initial installment of the BLANK & JONES tour mean that the American fans can hardly wait for The Singles to be released. This will be the third BLANK & JONES US album.
Not content to rest on their laurels, Piet and Jaspa are already preparing an exciting, new and unusual project. On May 26th, BLANK & JONES will perform together with the Robert Schumann Kammerorchester conducted by Alexander Shelly in the Tonhalle Düsseldorf. The definitive electro-classical crossover extravaganza!
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Visions
Blank & Jones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Keep your cool
Don't look back cause
They're the fools
Live your life
The one you've got
And give your dreams
When I was younger I had a vision
One day that I be on stage rocking a rhythm
Telling people not to submit to the system
Hoping that they would listen, carry it with them
Dreaming of days we could unite
Peace in our hearts, so we never would fight
Understand the balance of darkness and light
And make way for a future so bright
Gave it some time and look where we are
So many nights I didn't think that I'd make it this far
But I stayed close the path that ignited my soul
Keep that passion in your chest and you'll know where to go
Love yourself
Keep your cool
Don't look back cause
They're the fools
Live your life
The one you've got
And give your dreams
Your very best shot
I'm just a kid from Roselle
Who's family went through its own personal hell
Sometimes we do not know what to do
For the lost I write this piano solo for you, it goes
I'm just a kid from Roselle
Who's family went through its own personal hell
Sometimes we do not know what to do
For the lost I write this piano solo for you
It goes
The lyrics to Blank & Jones's song "Visions" convey messages of self-love, resilience, and pursuing one's dreams in the face of challenges and adversity. The opening lines urge the listener to prioritize self-care and confidence, emphasizing the importance of staying true to oneself and not letting others' opinions affect one's path. The sentiment to "keep your cool" and not dwell on the negativity of those who may doubt or criticize is a powerful reminder to remain focused on personal growth and happiness.
The lyrics also speak to the pursuit of dreams and ambitions, encouraging listeners to live fully in the present moment and give their aspirations their all. The idea of giving your dreams "your very best shot" underscores the importance of perseverance and dedication in working towards one's goals, despite any obstacles or doubts that may arise. This theme of self-belief and determination is further reinforced in the subsequent verses.
The following verses delve into the artist's personal journey and aspirations, describing a vision of using music and performance as a platform to inspire others to challenge societal norms and strive for a better future. Through the artist's reflections on their own struggles and triumphs, there is a call for unity, peace, and understanding between individuals, as well as an acknowledgment of the complexities of life and the need to embrace both light and darkness.
The final lines of the song bring the focus back to the artist's roots and experiences, highlighting the impact of personal hardships on their journey and the motivation to create music that resonates with those who may be struggling or feeling lost. The repeated refrain of "Love yourself, keep your cool" serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of self-compassion and resilience, while also encouraging listeners to stay true to their passions and never lose sight of their dreams. The song overall carries a message of hope, perseverance, and the power of music to connect and uplift others in times of difficulty.
Line by Line Meaning
Love yourself
Embrace who you are and appreciate yourself
Keep your cool
Stay calm and composed in all situations
Don't look back cause
Don't dwell on the past because
They're the fools
Those who judge you negatively are foolish
Live your life
Make the most of your own experiences
The one you've got
The one life you have
And give your dreams
Pursue your aspirations
Your very best shot
Do your utmost to achieve them
When I was younger I had a vision
In the past, I had a strong belief in my future
One day that I be on stage rocking a rhythm
I imagined performing confidently on stage
Telling people not to submit to the system
Encouraging others to resist societal pressures
Hoping that they would listen, carry it with them
Wanting them to understand and remember my message
Dreaming of days we could unite
Envisioning a future of harmony and togetherness
Peace in our hearts, so we never would fight
Desiring inner peace to prevent conflict
Understand the balance of darkness and light
Recognize the equilibrium between challenges and positivity
And make way for a future so bright
Prepare for a hopeful and optimistic future
Gave it some time and look where we are
After perseverance, see how far we've come
So many nights I didn't think that I'd make it this far
During difficult times, I doubted my progress
But I stayed close the path that ignited my soul
I remained dedicated to what inspired me
Keep that passion in your chest and you'll know where to go
Hold onto your enthusiasm and direction will become clear
I'm just a kid from Roselle
I come from a humble background in Roselle
Who's family went through its own personal hell
Whose family faced severe struggles
Sometimes we do not know what to do
Occasionally, we feel lost and unsure
For the lost I write this piano solo for you, it goes
I dedicate this music to those searching for direction
Lyrics © Sentric Music, Songtrust Ave, Sonic Heaven Publishing
Written by: JOSEPH A JONES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Дмитрий Л
Забойная вещь, давно ждал что-то подобное от вас.
Peter Cachovan
Sounds like from the movie soundtrack, it's good to wake up with this music...
Luk As
Inspired by Matt Bellamy - Simulation Theory Theme ?
Victor Karamalis
They should make the soundtrack of the next Tron:Legacy movie.
Silver Winter Skies
Finally something New & Original & From Blank & Jones !!!!!
_W00D_SH0CK_
2021 and still producing banging good tracks
MaximumEfficiency
beyond time
JDS Production
I know in your Music its something more thank you brothers.
Vozipeti
awesome!!!
Ellen Spinneken
Beautiful ❤ 🙏