A chance meeting with Brendan Perry and Lisa Gerrard of Dead Can Dance led to an invitation to support that band on a UK tour, and then a recording contract with their record label, 4AD.
Their first two full length albums, self-titled "Clan of Xymox" and "Medusa", comfortably settled Xymox into their own niche of blooming melodics and smooth grey lyrical originality, with Ronny's songwriting coming as a fresh and very welcome abstract to the plastic and packaged synthpop of the late 80s. In 1989, Ronny saw a chance to evolve and left 4AD, releasing Twist of Shadows which proved to be their most complete and mature offering thusfar, and was their most successful yet.
With the next two albums, "Phoenix" and "Metamorphosis", fans were left with something of an out of body experience - as Xymox was sounding nothing like themselves. Metamorphosis was truly that however, its failure created a catalyst for Moorings to jump to yet another label, part ways with his bandmates, and pickup Mojca Zugna on bass. Zok records re-released "Metamorphosis" and a new EP - Headclouds. Moorings took a four year break (he worked on 2 CD-Rom games music projects of Domark ) to introspect and write, and gave fans the wondrous gift that is Hidden Faces, admittedly the logical followup to "Medusa".
After leaving Wing in the early nineties, Xymox became the sole signing to the independent label, Zok Records. They released four recordings, primarily in the dance genre: "Metamorphosis", "Headclouds", one remix CD, and they re-released "Subsequent Pleasures".
In 1997, the band reclaimed their original name, Clan of Xymox, and began the work of reclaiming their original sound and glory. "Hidden Faces", produced by Dave Allen (of Sisters fame) and John Rivers (of Love and Rockets note) hearkened back to the 4AD years, and although it did not completely regain the power of their initial sound ( not intended either), it was clearly the best work they had done since "Medusa". This release was followed by a number of American and European dates, including co-headlining the Zillo and Leipzig festivals in Germany. In relation to these intriguing live shows, Pandemonium records released two singles "Out of the Rain" and "This World" which rose to the top 10 in the German Independent Charts.
In 1999, Clan of Xymox signed on with Metropolis Records, and delivered "Creatures" to a public that had been waiting for the true follow-up to 1985's "Clan of Xymox" album for 14 years. "Creatures" not only captures the sound of their amazing debut (which has also been reissued in 1999 along with "Medusa"), but infuses it with the dark rock and Gothic guitar styles of such masterful bands as Andrew Eldritch's Sisters of Mercy.
2000 marked a first for the Clan of Xymox. After thousands of requests from fans for a live album, Clan of Xymox returned with "Live", a double live CD which featured nineteen tracks and two QuickTime videos. All of the tracks were recorded during their Central and South American tour in 1999, and could almost be considered a best of. A re-issue of the ever increasingly hard to find "Subsequent Pleasures" EP featuring many obscure pre-4AD demos, as well as a new single, "Liberty," followed.
Metropolis's second studio album by the Clan of Xymox was 2001's "Notes from the Underground." It combined haunting yet atmospheric synth lines with dark rhythms, powerful beats and lively guitar strumming to yield a release based on agony and anguish caused by being disconnected from society. A double remix CD was released the year after titled "Remixes from the Underground," featuring the mixing talents of Front 242, Beborn Beton, Iris, Assemblage23 and many more.
Clan of Xymox spent the two years following "Notes from the Underground" Combining elements from their past, present, and future, Clan of Xymox mix haunting and atmospheric synth lines with dark rhythms, powerful beats and lively guitar strumming to yield an album based on agony and anguish caused by being disconnected from society ( as described by musicfolio) to work on their next record, "Farewell," which was released in 2003. "Farewell" yielded club-friendly songs sitting comfortably along side moody atmospheric tracks to create a hybrid which can only remotely be described as Dark Goth Electro. The basic theme that runs through "Farewell" is about leaving everything behind and going away, which can be exhibited through the lyrics that tell the sad and bitter tales of love and relationships.
One year later, the band released their first 'best of' CD simply titled, "The Best of Clan of Xymox." In the words of Ronny Moorings, "…The most difficult task was to pick the best of songs…but with the help of our fans who voted for their favorite songs on-line we finally got the resulting tracks… Whilst listening to the final running order as listed here I just got swept from period to period, remembering all kind of people and situations. I am sure you too will have memories with certain tracks, so all I want to say to you now is: cherish your moments in life!"
For 2006, Clan of Xymox released the "Weak in My Knees" digital single as a precursor to the upcoming full length, "Breaking Point." The new album exhibited a more mature sound than on its predecessors, and leaned more towards dark rock than gothic rock. Subtle keyboards overlaid with guitars and live drum sounds were the focal points of the release. However not to be outdone by the music alone, Ronny Moorings’s deep sensuous vocals accentuated the music and brought forth the deeper meanings of the songs - such as in "Calling You Out," "Eternally" and "We Never Learn."
2008 saw the first (European P.A.L) )release of their first double DVD, including videos,clips , live performances and an interview with Ronny Moorings
2009, before the release of the actual album the band released digital only singles for "Heroes" and "Emily" as teasers. In the band’s twenty fifth year, Clan of Xymox presented "In Love We Trust." The stunning opus adroitly combines the early melancholic 4AD sound of the band with the glimmering synthesizer sounds of the 90s and the power of classic darkwave. Past and present were perfectly combined to showcase the music that has kept Clan of Xymox relevant and popular after all this time.
With this release, Clan of Xymox demonstratively returned to its roots while nevertheless remaining up to date. After spending the past two and a half decades forging a path for others to follow in the dark music scene, "In Love We Trust" proves above all that their creative potential is a long way from coming to an end.
Clan of Xymox has become now - a velvet lined room smelling of roses and clove, the distant chime of crystal engaging crystal, and the slow lilting line of smoke forming nameless shapes as it draws you ever in.
2011 " Darkest Hour" was released, according to poponaut : Ronny Moorings’ passion for huge, sensual melodies, mystical sound experiments and seductive dance rhythms is as unbroken as it ever was. Melancholy, energy and determination rule “Darkest Hour”, a record whose tracks “My Reality” or the hypnotic club hit “Delete” will work on any dancefloor, but that also delivers gripping entertainment and world-class Goth hymns with “Dream Of Fools” or the breathtaking “Wake Up My Darling”. Crowned, as usual, with Ronny’s unmistakable vocals instilling the necessary dark passion into his Dark Wave elegies.
End December 2011 (USA) and early 2012 in Europe The track "In Your Arms Again" from the lastest album " Darkest Hour" was included in the David Fincher's film "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo" starring Daniel Craig & Rooney Mara, a remake of the book by Stieg Larsson.
October 2012 saw the release of “Kindred Spirits”, true to its title, Ronny Moorings did not exorcise a new CLAN OF XYMOX studio album, but assembled an intimate, strongly biographic collection of cover songs. A time travel back to the artists’ musical idols, influences and soul mates.
In 2014 a brand new studio album named" Matters Of Mind, Body And Soul", was released. The album explores COX's signature, melancholic sound, as evidenced by standout tracks such as “I Close My Eyes” and “Love'S On Diet" or the dark brooding " The Climate Changed".
CLAN OF XYMOX pull out all the stops and deliver energy, ideas and creativity as if they were about to release their debut album – and not their 15th studio work. „She is Falling in Love“ shines with lost melodies and vibrant electronics as if Ronny Moorings made a song with DEPECHE MODE, „Kiss and Tell“ shyly kisses the Wave era on the cheek before daring a fatal love affair with classic Goth dreaming.
„Matters of Mind, Body and Soul“ melts contrasts like these into a coherent, harmonious, passionate album that would have become one of the genre's biggest milestones 20 years ago. Yet, thanks to Ronny Moorings ingenious craft, even today this album manages to reach a goal that has long become unreachable for other contestants of this art form: To deliver a timeless, deeply emotional Gothic record.
A worldwide tour followed in 2014 including Australia as well.
In September 2014 , 3 tracks of Clan Of Xymox's first Debut album were taken for a USA released movie " The Guest". A soundtrack album will also be released. Among the other artists like Sisters Of Mercy, Love and Rockets & Front 242. The Guest (2014) is an American psychological thriller film, directed and edited by Adam Wingard, and written by Simon Barrett. The film stars Dan Stevens, Maika Monroe, Brendan Meyer and Lance Reddick.
Clan Of Xymox keeps touring in 2015 and has world wide tour dates announced till the end of 2015 on their home page.
Current live lineup:
Ronny Moorings - singer and single songwriter for the band, programming, words, guitar, piano, synths, keyboards, vocals
Mojca Zugna - bass, vocals
Sean Goebel - keyboards
Mario Usai - guitar
Discography (as Clan of Xymox):
1985 - Clan Of Xymox
1986 - Medusa
1997 - Hidden Faces
1999 - Creatures
2000 - Live
2001 - Subsequent Pleasures (reissue only CD)
2001 - Notes From The Underground
2001 - John Peel Sessions
2002 - Remixes From The Underground
2003 - Farewell
2004 - The Best Of Clan Of Xymox
2006 - Breaking Point
2008 - Visible DVD
2009 - In Love We Trust
2011 - Darkest Hour
2012 - Live at the Castle Party (Audio CD& DVD) Special Issue
2012 - Kindred Spirits (cover versions)
2014 - Matters Of Mind, Body And Soul
2017 - Days of Black
2020 - Spider on the Wall
2021 - Limbo
As Xymox:
1983 - Subsequent Pleasures (Vinyl, 12" Limited to 500 copies)
1989 - Twist Of Shadows
1991 - Phoenix
1992 - Metamorphosis
1993 - Headclouds
1994 - Remix (bootleg)
Louise
Clan of Xymox Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Its been a long time I know,
Louise,
Ill always remember your name.
I crawled on my knees,
Begging you to stay,
You make me shiver me Louise,
I do the strangest things,
I think such lonely thoughts,
Forgetting all,
Been Forgetting You,
Louise
Anything at all,
Not to think of you,
Anything at all,
Damn these eyes you took,
Louise.
I feel I'm getting weaker,
A life full on lonely ways,
I feel I'm diving deeper,
Into the darkest scapes,
There's nothing at all,
To find the way.
Louise, Louise,
Louise,
My heart used to beat,
Now it only weeps,
Louise, Louise,
Louise,
Uncared the city sleeps,
I'm twisted in the streets.
And I shiver,
I quiver,
In to these strangest things,
Lonely thoughts,
Forgetting you Louise,
And you promised me,
You promised me,
You'd solve the antilius(splodge),
Louise,
Louise,
Leave me here,
Leave me here,
No longer meant to be here,
Louise,
Louise.
The lyrics of Clan of Xymox's song "Louise" express the intense pain and sorrow that lingers in the heart of the singer, possibly due to a broken relationship. As the song begins, he reminisces about Louise and how long it has been since they were together. The chorus reveals that he is haunted by her memory and can't seem to forget her. He is consumed by the desire to be with her again, even begging her to stay on his knees.
The singer's thoughts then shift to the present, where he is struggling to move on from Louise. He is tormented by the memories of their past together and the emptiness he feels without her. The lyrics mention his loneliness and his struggle to find a way out of the darkness. Finally, he admits that he has been forgetting everything except for Louise, rendering him helpless.
The song ends on a haunting note as the singer pleads for Louise to leave him and no longer be with him. This track is a moving representation of the pain of heartbreak and the struggle to come to terms with the loss of love.
Line by Line Meaning
Louise,
Addressing the person named Louise
Its been a long time I know,
Acknowledging that it has been a long time since the last interaction with Louise
Ill always remember your name.
Stating that the singer will always remember Louise's name
I crawled on my knees,
Describing the physical act of pleading with Louise
Begging you to stay,
Explaining the reason for the plea - to stay with the singer
You make me shiver me Louise,
Expressing the physical and emotional reaction to Louise's presence
You make me quiver.
Further describing the emotional reaction to Louise
I do the strangest things,
Admitting to strange behaviors that stem from thinking about Louise
I think such lonely thoughts,
Describing the nature of the singer's thoughts about Louise
Forgetting all,
Attempting to move on from thoughts of Louise
Been Forgetting You,
Continuing with the theme of trying to forget Louise
Anything at all,
Expressing an extreme desire to not think about Louise
Not to think of you,
Reiterating the desire to avoid thinking about Louise
Anything at all,
Emphasizing the extent of the desire to forget Louise
Damn these eyes you took,
Blaming the singer's own eyes for seeing Louise and becoming attached
Louise.
Ending the verse with a return to addressing Louise
I feel I'm getting weaker,
Describing the singer's sense of deterioration without Louise
A life full on lonely ways,
Describing the nature of the singer's life at present as lonely
I feel I'm diving deeper,
Emphasizing the sense of going further into despair
Into the darkest scapes,
Describing the darkness of the singer's thoughts
There's nothing at all,
Expressing the lack of any hope or happiness
To find the way.
Stating that there is no way to escape the current state of sadness
My heart used to beat,
Contrasting the present state of the singer's heart with the past
Now it only weeps,
Describing the current state of the heart - crying instead of pulsing
Uncared the city sleeps,
Describing the apathy of the city while the singer suffers
I'm twisted in the streets.
Metaphorically portraying the emotional turmoil of the singer
And I shiver,
Repeating the physical reaction to Louise
I quiver,
Emphasizing the power of Louise to elicit strong emotions
In to these strangest things,
Describing the continued unusual behaviors resulting from thoughts of Louise
And you promised me,
Reminding Louise of a past promise that was not kept
You promised me,
Repeating the reminder of the broken promise for emphasis
You'd solve the antilius(splodge),
Alluding to a specific problem or obstacle that Louise had promised to solve
Louise,
Returning to addressing Louise
Louise,
Repeating the name with emphasis
Leave me here,
Asking Louise to leave and not contribute to the current state of sadness
Leave me here,
Repeating the request for emphasis
No longer meant to be here,
Acknowledging that the singer may not be meant for this life
Louise,
Closing the song with a final address to Louise
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ANKA WOLBERT, PIETER NOOTEN, RONNIE MOERINGS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Merlia Navarro
Louise,
Its been a long time I know,
Louise,
Ill always remember your name.
I crawled on my knees,
Begging you to stay,
You make me shiver me Louise,
You make me quiver.
I do the strangest things,
I think such lonely thoughts,
Forgetting all,
Been Forgetting You,
Louise
Anything at all,
Not to think of you,
Anything at all,
Damn these eyes you took,
Louise.
I feel I'm getting weaker,
A life full on lonely ways,
I feel I'm diving deeper,
Into the darkest scapes,
There's nothing at all,
To find the way.
Louise, Louise,
Louise,
My heart used to beat,
Now it only weeps,
Louise, Louise,
Louise,
Uncared the city sleeps,
I'm twisted…
gawthic1
This has always been one of my favorites. I can't believe they made it sound even better live. Don't ever retire, Ronnie.
Gothic Mando
This song's lyrics describes exactly the pain we all have felt.
Thank you, CoX <3
Homem Do Subterrâneo
I'm a fan of black metal, but Clan of Xymox moves me deeply ... I love this band!
Draoudé Ffargur
I'm 56 and love this band since more than 30 years! Perfect!!!!!
almamatters2471
all these years later and this song and this band still give me chills. love it.
Manus
Me too😕! Still in 2022 while I'm 56 years old😇 Of course I bought Medusa back than in 1986, but again I still love this beautiful dark-wave song and it still gives me chills. Many New-Wave songs from that marvellous and far out decade, the 80's sometimes make me longing back for that heavenly period of my life😥🤘🏼
jenyffer leyne
essa musica é fantástica! essa é uma das bandas mais mágicas e essa musica significa muito pra mim...
Mariusz Szymczak
gatunek ponadczasowy, pięknie i lirycznie... kozacko
Edyta Gajewska
Nie na darmo córka ma imię Luiza 😚 Można słuchać i nigdy się nie znudzi....brakuje takiej muzyki
evelyn regina
me alucina escucharlos pues no salen de moda sigue sonando bestial y super moderno.