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.
dreambirds
Brian Eno Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The britilla hen the parrot arachnis
The zeon pink swan
There's a chip in the ceiling
A new parliament bill that says
"Freedom of creation
For our brilliant young"
People the sky with your wand-strokes
Across the blank dioxide above us invent
New colors
That fly
In the song "dreambirds" by Brian Eno, the lyrics evoke a dream-like and imaginative atmosphere. The opening line, "Dream birds the floating caw-caw," suggests the presence of ethereal and fantastical creatures. These "dream birds" are not bound by the laws of reality and seem to have the ability to soar freely through the skies. The use of the word "floating" emphasizes their graceful and effortless movements.
The following lines mention specific bird-like creatures: the "britilla hen," the "parrot arachnis," and the "zeon pink swan." These are not typical bird species, but rather poetic creations that further enhance the surreal nature of the song. Eno's use of imaginative and unusual names for these creatures signals his desire to break away from convention and explore new and uncharted territory.
The line "There's a chip in the ceiling" introduces a slightly jarring element amidst the dreamlike imagery. It suggests a fault or crack in the otherwise perfect surroundings, possibly symbolizing a disruption or flaw in the established order. The mention of a "parliament bill" that advocates for "freedom of creation" highlights the importance of encouraging and nurturing creativity in young people. It implies that the society portrayed in the song values innovation and the ability to think beyond existing boundaries.
The following lines, "People the sky with your wand-strokes," urge individuals to leave their mark on the world through their creative endeavors. It suggests that each person has the power to shape and influence their surroundings, just like an artist wielding a magic wand. This notion is particularly significant in "the age of diminishing life," alluding to a time when the natural world is under threat and fading away.
The lyrics then invite us to "invent new colors that fly" across the "blank dioxide" that hovers above us. This line can be interpreted metaphorically as a call to transcend the limitations of our current reality. It encourages us to break free from the constraints of the mundane and seek out new possibilities. The concept of "new colors" implies the creation of something beautiful and vibrant that can transform and uplift the world.
In conclusion, Brian Eno's "dreambirds" lyrics are a poetic expression of a dream-like reality. They suggest the existence of fantastical creatures that symbolize the freedom of imagination and creativity. The mention of a cracked ceiling and a parliament bill advocating creative freedom alludes to the need for a paradigm shift in society. The lyrics encourage individuals to use their creative power to leave an indelible mark on the world and to strive for a new and vibrant reality that transcends the constraints of the present.
Line by Line Meaning
Dream birds the floating caw-caw
Imaginary birds floating above, making cawing sounds
The britilla hen the parrot arachnis
Various bird species like the britilla hen and parrot arachnis
The zeon pink swan
Also, a pink swan known as zeon
There's a chip in the ceiling
There is a small imperfection in the ceiling
A new parliament bill that says
A recent legislation introduced by the parliament which states
"Freedom of creation
"The ability to freely create and express oneself
For our brilliant young"
Especially for the talented and exceptional youth
People the sky with your wand-strokes
Paint the sky with your magical brushstrokes
In the age of diminishing life
During a time when life is declining and fading away
Across the blank dioxide above us invent
In the vast empty atmosphere, let's create
New colors
Fresh and unseen shades
That fly
Which soar and float
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind