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.
mea culpa
Brian Eno Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He said, "I'm sorry,
I committed a sin, I made a mistake."
I asked,
"To forgive me, please forgive me."
He said "mea culpa,"
Can you put it better?
I'm saying, "I'm sorry,
I committed a sin, I made a mistake.
And I'm never gonna do it again,
I never did it before,
and I'm never gonna do it again."
The lyrics to Brian Eno's "Mea Culpa" embody the act of apologizing and owning up to one's wrongdoings. The singer of the song asks for forgiveness for a sin they have committed and explains that they will not repeat their mistake again. The first verse is the singer asking the person they have wronged to forgive them for what they have done. The second half of the verse is the person responding with "mea culpa," which means "my fault" in Latin.
In the second verse, the singer takes ownership of their mistake and apologizes again, making a promise to never repeat their actions. The repetition of "I made a mistake, I committed a sin," drives home the importance of the transgression and the sincerity of the singer's apology. The last line, "I never did it before, and I'm never gonna do it again," further shows the singer's remorse and determination to rectify their actions.
Overall, the song's message is about the importance of taking responsibility for one's actions and being sincere in apologies. It encourages listeners to reflect on their behavior and strive to be better.
Line by Line Meaning
What're you saying?
What is your message or confession?
He said, "I'm sorry,
He expressed his remorse
I committed a sin, I made a mistake."
He acknowledges his wrongdoing
I asked,
I inquired about the possibility of forgiveness
"To forgive me, please forgive me."
I pleaded for mercy and pardon
He said "mea culpa,"
He admitted his fault by saying 'my fault' in Latin
Can you put it better?
Is there a better way of expressing oneself than saying 'my fault' in Latin?
I'm saying, "I'm sorry,
I am expressing my regret
I made a mistake, I made,
I did something wrong
I committed a sin, I made a mistake.
I acknowledge my wrongdoing
And I'm never gonna do it again,
I vow to never repeat my mistake
I never did it before,
I had not previously committed this specific sin
and I'm never gonna do it again."
I am making a promise not to repeat the mistake
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: M.C. CURLY, DAVID FAIRSTEIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@boernest8930
I am so happy others ...younger are finding this...I grew up in the 70s...GENIUS
@edshred1657
This album was SO far ahead of it's time and is a still to this day a masterpiece
@robertlenhart7753
Bought the lip when released ‘cause I was heavily into David Byrne. Original mix easily the best. Spent many a night in early 80’s under the influence being influenced by the sheer brilliance of the totality that is this lp. Still have it. Still influenced.
@crispyrobot77
This album was WAY ahead of its time and has helped shape the music I make today. in 2018 it is STILL ahead of its time. Many of the songs, like this one, use non-melodic vocal sources as an instrument/rhythm source. A technique not too common at the time and still not very common today. But then again Brian Eno and David Byrne are uncommon musicians.
@agz7269
This song sure has the beat n groove
Melodic Regiment nails it 4 me
@phx4closureman
WALL STREET (1987) BROUGHT ME HERE!!! Spying on Sir Larry, tailing him all around town!!! 😆😆😆😆
@cjjude0666
This record was such genius almost 35 years ago that I still listen to it on a regular basis and technically it was brave since digital sampling didn't exist yet
@freebow.goosecreature3547
seems like the other day.
@2RuoteLibere
me too
@Slsy11
christopher Fucci Agree! I loved it then and I love it now.