Born in Suffolk, Eno studied painting and experimental music at the art school of Ipswich Civic College in the mid 1960s, and then at Winchester School of Art. He joined glam rock group Roxy Music as synthesiser player in 1971. After recording two albums with Roxy Music, he departed in 1973 to record a number of solo albums, coining the term "ambient music" to describe his work on releases such as Another Green World (1975), Discreet Music (1975), and Music for Airports (1978). He also collaborated with artists such as Robert Fripp, Cluster, Harold Budd, David Bowie on his "Berlin Trilogy", and David Byrne, and produced albums by artists including John Cale, Jon Hassell, Laraaji, Talking Heads and Devo, and the no wave compilation No New York (1978).
Eno has continued to record solo albums and work with artists including U2, Laurie Anderson, Grace Jones, Slowdive, Coldplay, James Blake, and Damon Albarn. Dating back to his time as a student, he has also worked in media including sound installations and his mid-70s co-development of Oblique Strategies, a deck of cards featuring cryptic aphorisms intended to spur creative thinking. From the 1970s onwards, Eno's installations have included the sails of the Sydney Opera House in 2009 and the Lovell Telescope at Jodrell Bank in 2016. An advocate of a range of humanitarian causes, Eno writes on a variety of subjects and is a founding member of the Long Now Foundation. In 2019, Eno was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Roxy Music.
Eno is frequently referred to as one of popular music's most influential artists. Producer and film composer Jon Brion has said: "I think he's the most influential artist since the Beatles." Critic Jason Ankeny at AllMusic argues that Eno "forever altered the ways in which music is approached, composed, performed, and perceived, and everything from punk to techno to new age bears his unmistakable influence." Eno has spread his techniques and theories primarily through his production; his distinctive style informed a number of projects in which he has been involved, including Bowie's "Berlin Trilogy" (helping to popularize minimalism) and the albums he produced for Talking Heads (incorporating, on Eno's advice, African music and polyrhythms), Devo, and other groups. Eno's first collaboration with David Byrne, 1981's My Life in the Bush of Ghosts, pioneered sampling techniques that would prove to be influential in hip-hop, and broke ground by incorporating world music into popular Western music forms. Eno and Peter Schmidt's Oblique Strategies have been used by many bands, and Eno's production style has proven influential in several general respects: "his recording techniques have helped change the way that modern musicians;– particularly electronic musicians;– view the studio. No longer is it just a passive medium through which they communicate their ideas but itself a new instrument with seemingly endless possibilities."
Whilst inspired by the ideas of minimalist composers including John Cage, Terry Riley and Erik Satie, Eno coined the term ambient music to describe his own work and defined the term. The Ambient Music Guide states that he has brought from "relative obscurity into the popular consciousness" fundamental ideas about ambient music, including "the idea of modern music as subtle atmosphere, as chill-out, as impressionistic, as something that creates space for quiet reflection or relaxation." His groundbreaking work in electronic music has been said to have brought widespread attention to and innovations in the role of electronic technology in recording. Pink Floyd keyboardist Rick Wright said he "often eulogised" Eno's abilities.
Eno's "unconventional studio predilections", in common with those of Peter Gabriel, were an influence on the recording of "In the Air Tonight", the single which launched the solo career of Eno's former drummer Phil Collins. Collins said he "learned a lot" from working with Eno. Both Half Man Half Biscuit (in the song "Eno Collaboration" on the EP of the same name) and MGMT have written songs about Eno. LCD Soundsystem has frequently cited Eno as a key influence. The Icelandic singer Björk also credited Eno as a major influence.
Mora sti Fotia (Babies on Fire), one of the most influential Greek rock bands, was named after Eno's song "Baby's on Fire".
In 2011, Belgian academics from the Royal Museum for Central Africa named a species of Afrotropical spider Pseudocorinna brianeno in his honour.
Mother Of Violence
Brian Eno Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So full of rhythm but I can't find the beat
Snapping her heels clicking her toes
Everybody knows just where she goes
Fear, fear, she's the mother of violence
Making me tense to watch the way she breed
Fear, she's the mother of violence
It's getting hard to breathe
It's getting so hard to believe
To believe in anything at all
Mouth all dry eyes blood shot
Data stored in microdot
Kicking the cloud with my moccasin shoes
T.V. dinner, T.V. news
Fear, fear, she's the mother of violence
Don't make any sense to watch the way she breed
Fear, she's the mother of violence
Making me tense to watch the way she feed
The only way you know she's there
Is the subtle flavor in the air
Getting hard to breathe
Hard to believe in anything at all, but fear
In the song "Mother Of Violence," Brian Eno explores the theme of fear and its impact on individuals and society. The lyrics depict a woman who symbolizes this fear, referred to as the "mother of violence." The first verse describes her unconventional demeanor as she walks the streets barefoot, moving with a unique rhythm that is difficult to comprehend. Her actions captivate attention, with the clicking of her heels and toes leaving a lasting impression on everyone who observes her.
The chorus emphasizes the potency of fear, as it makes the singer tense and on edge. The phrase "she's the mother of violence" suggests that fear breeds violence, and by extension, it has the power to perpetuate conflict and aggression. The line "self-defense is all you need" implies that one can confront fear through assertiveness and protection.
The second verse introduces additional elements that contribute to the pervasive atmosphere of fear. The singer's physical state reflects the psychological impact, as their mouth is dry and their eyes bloodshot. The mention of "data stored in microdot" suggests the overwhelming presence of surveillance and information overload in contemporary society. The singer kicks at the figurative cloud of distress while wearing moccasin shoes, indicating a futile attempt to escape from the constant barrage of anxiety. Additionally, the lyrics convey a sense of detachment from reality through the consumption of superficial media, as symbolized by the reference to a T.V. dinner and T.V. news.
The chorus is repeated, emphasizing the cyclical nature of fear. The description of fear making it "hard to breathe" and "hard to believe in anything at all" suggests its suffocating and debilitating effects on individuals. The emphasis on the air carrying a subtle flavor of fear indicates its omnipresence, constantly lingering and influencing one's perception of the world.
In summary, "Mother Of Violence" explores the corrosive nature of fear and its pervasive impact on individuals and society. Through vivid imagery and symbolic language, Brian Eno highlights the tension, unease, and powerlessness experienced when confronted with fear. The lyrics encourage self-defense and assertiveness as a means to counteract fear, but also touch on the overwhelming nature of contemporary existence, where fear seems to permeate every aspect of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Walking the street with her naked feet
She confidently roams the streets, unencumbered and vulnerable.
So full of rhythm but I can't find the beat
Although she exudes a strong presence, it is difficult to decipher her true intentions or motivations.
Snapping her heels clicking her toes
Her movements are sharp and deliberate, drawing attention to herself.
Everybody knows just where she goes
There is a sense of familiarity and predictability to her actions, making her easily recognizable.
Fear, fear, she's the mother of violence
She instills a sense of unease and apprehension, as if violence naturally stems from her presence.
Making me tense to watch the way she breed
Observing her behavior causes anxiety and a heightened state of alertness due to the potential consequences.
You know self-defense is all you need
The song suggests that protecting oneself and being prepared for conflict is crucial in dealing with her.
It's getting hard to breathe
The pressure and fear she generates is suffocating and overwhelming.
It's getting so hard to believe
The idea of having faith or trust in anything becomes increasingly challenging in her presence.
Mouth all dry eyes blood shot
The stress and anxiety she evokes result in physical symptoms, such as dryness in the mouth and bloodshot eyes.
Data stored in microdot
Information is hidden or encoded in a minuscule form, suggesting secretive and covert actions.
Kicking the cloud with my moccasin shoes
In an attempt to cope with the unsettling atmosphere, one resorts to trivial actions, metaphorically kicking at something intangible.
T.V. dinner, T.V. news
Finding temporary solace in mundane distractions like pre-packaged meals and mindless television broadcasts.
The only way you know she's there
Her presence can only be sensed indirectly through subtle hints or indications in the environment.
Is the subtle flavor in the air
A metaphorical way of perceiving her existence, likening it to a faint taste or aura in the surrounding atmosphere.
Getting hard to breathe
The oppressive atmosphere becomes increasingly suffocating and stifling.
Hard to believe in anything at all, but fear
The song conveys the difficulty of finding trust or belief in anything besides fear when confronted with her influence.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Jill Gabriel, Peter Gabriel
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind