Coil spent the next period of its existence exploring visual media. In late 1984 they recorded a rendition of Tainted Love (originally recorded by Gloria Jones, but made popular by Soft Cell in the 80s), producing a widely banned, hallucinogenic video clip featuring Marc Almond as the Angel of Death; despite considerable controversy at home, the video ultimately found its way to the archives of the Museum of Modern Art. After spending several years working with filmmaker Derek Jarman on the feature The Angelic Conversation, Coil issued a remixed edition of their soundtrack. Following 1986’s Nightmare Culture, a collaboration with Boyd Rice produced as split release with Current 93, Christopherson and Balance invited Stephen Thrower to join the group in a full-time capacity. As a trio, they recorded 1986’s LP Horse Rotorvator, introducing orchestral, jazz, and middle Eastern textures into the mix; this album included The Anal Staircase.
In 1987, Coil issued The Unreleased Themes for Hellraiser, a collection of atmospheric gothic instrumentals commissioned for but ultimately cut from the Clive Barker horror film, followed by compilation album Gold Is the Metal (With the Broadest Shoulders), a remixed history of the group’s first several years of work. Unnatural History, another career overview, effectively ended the first phase of the band’s career in 1990; when Coil resurfaced a year later with Love’s Secret Domain, their music reflected the strong influence of the acid house culture. Another long layoff brought on by financial difficulties ended in 1995, when the group - now consisting of Sleazy, Balance, and Drew McDowell - signed to Nine Inch Nails’ Trent Reznor’s Nothing Records to release Backwards, an album which was never officially released, although it is available in a number of bootleg versions. Additionally, they recorded the LP Worship the Glitch, issued under the name ELpH, and in 1996 cut A Thousand Lights in a Darkened Room as Black Light District.
1998 marked a significant stylistic shift for Coil, as the group moved away from the industrial dance sound they pioneered in the first half of their career towards what Balance referred to as "Moon Musick". This began with the release of four seasonal EPs throughout that year, coinciding with the equinoxes and solstices; this marked the group making further forays into ambient and neoclassical styles. Lyrically, there was a push towards naturalistic, pagan imagery, and an emphasis on free form, improvisatory chants. All four of these releases were later collected and released as Moons Milk (in Four Phases) in 2002. Coil also put out a purely drone based project, Time Machines, under that alias the same year.
In 1999 Coil started to work with Thighpaulsandra, and with him released the chilling Musick to Play in the Dark, a dark, meditative work featuring mostly intoned vocals from Balance, and exploring deeper electronic textures and pitches. A second volume followed in 2000. After years of refusal to do so, Coil started to perform live again in 1999. They released a number of albums containing the various shows they did in the period 2000 - 2004. Coil have released a lot of material in very limited editions, and have distributed certain records only at concerts. In 2003 they started a project to re-issue these tracks. Amidst their sporadic touring, and growing internal tensions within the group, Black Antlers was released in 2004, consisting of many of the songs played in concert at the time. This would prove to be the last studio recording put out in Balance's lifetime.
Jhonn Balance’s long-time struggle with alcoholism led to his death on 13th November, 2004. He fell from the second floor window at his home, while drunk, and died a short time after. Coil’s last live performance took place at Dublin’s City Hall on 23 October 2004 and is expected to appear on the forthcoming DVD box set “Colour Sound Oblivion”. A number of songs that were (as good as) ready were released in autumn 2005 as a last farewell to Jhonn.
Peter Christopherson passed away peacefully in his sleep on November 25, 2010. Instead of sending flowers in memory of Peter Christopherson, people were asked to donate money to help children affected by AIDS in Thailand, the country he loved and died in.
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Elves
Coil Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well every time that you're allowed to see the morning sun
It's a reminder that your life ain't done
Wake Up and Live
Wake Up and Live RIGHT NOW
I keep believing I can fly find my reasons why
The only way you'll ever earn to die is if you live
And don't you let nobody tell you what you can do
Ain't another minute promised to you
You Better Live
I Said Live RIGHT NOW
You got to cherish every moment, carelessness is a crime
Revelation gon' be right on time
You Better Live
You Better Live RIGHT NOW
Yes sir, yes sir, yes sir, yes sir
LIVE! I Said Live RIGHT NOW
Yes sir, yes sir, yes sir, yes sir
LIVE! I Said Live RIGHT NOW
And to the hustlers grindin' on the block every day
I know sometimes it got to be that way
You Got To Live
You Got To Live RIGHT NOW
And every day is like a test you say you doing you best
And you see a nigga dying for less
Try To Live
Start Livin' RIGHT NOW
(Chorus)
And all that in and out of jail is getting old
Let this song here save your soul
Brother Live
Start Livin' RIGHT NOW
I bet you never thought you would hear it from me
But I done change from how I used to be
I Want To Live
I Want To Live RIGHT NOW
(Chorus)
The song Elves by Coil is not actually the song whose lyrics were written above. The lyrics above belong to the song Wake Up and Live by Bob Marley. Wake Up and Live is a song that urges its audience to live in the present and appreciate the moments they have. Bob Marley emphasises that every day is a gift and that we should make the most of it. He encourages living life without fear and to cherish the moments we have as carelessness is a crime. The song also acknowledges the hustle and grind of daily life, urging people to live life right now despite the challenges they may face.
Line by Line Meaning
Rock! Roll! Roll! Roll! Roll!
An expression of excitement and energy to start the song.
Well every time that you're allowed to see the morning sun
Every new day is a reminder that there is still time to live a fulfilling life.
It's a reminder that your life ain't done
The fact that you are still alive means that you are still able to make the most of your existence.
Wake Up and Live
Don't just exist, actively engage with life and make the most of each day.
Wake Up and Live RIGHT NOW
Don't wait, start living your best life right now.
I keep believing I can fly find my reasons why
Having a sense of purpose and belief in oneself can lead to great accomplishments.
The only way you'll ever earn to die is if you live
The only way to have a fulfilling life is to truly live, otherwise it's just existing.
You Got To Live RIGHT NOW
Emphasis on actively participating in life.
And don't you let nobody tell you what you can do
Believing in oneself and not letting others dictate one's potential.
Ain't another minute promised to you
Life is short and unpredictable, so it's important to make the most of every moment.
You Better Live
Don't just survive, thrive.
I Said Live RIGHT NOW
Urging action and immediacy in living life to the fullest.
You got to cherish every moment, carelessness is a crime
Being mindful and present in each moment is important, as taking life for granted is a waste.
Revelation gon' be right on time
Good things will come to those who actively engage with life and make the most of each moment.
Yes sir, yes sir, yes sir, yes sir
Another expression of enthusiasm and energy in the song.
LIVE! I Said Live RIGHT NOW
Urging action and immediacy in living life to the fullest.
And to the hustlers grindin' on the block every day
Acknowledgement of those who work hard daily to make the most of their lives.
I know sometimes it got to be that way
Recognizing that life can be difficult and challenging, but it's important to keep pushing forward.
You Got To Live
Emphasis on actively participating in life.
You Got To Live RIGHT NOW
Don't wait, start living your best life right now.
And every day is like a test you say you doing you best
Life can be challenging, but it's important to give it your all and do your best.
And you see a nigga dying for less
Recognizing the value of life and not taking it for granted.
Try To Live
Encouragement to actively engage with life and make the most of each day.
Start Livin' RIGHT NOW
Don't wait, start living your best life right now.
(Chorus)
Repeating the main message of the song to live life to the fullest.
And all that in and out of jail is getting old
Acknowledging the negative consequences of not living life to the fullest and making poor choices.
Let this song here save your soul
The song is meant to inspire and encourage listeners to live their best lives.
Brother Live
Addressing the audience as brothers, emphasizing the importance of community in living life to the fullest.
Start Livin' RIGHT NOW
Don't wait, start living your best life right now.
I bet you never thought you would hear it from me
The artist wants to inspire others to live their best lives, even if they didn't expect this message from them.
But I done change from how I used to be
The artist has changed and wants to encourage others to change their lives as well.
I Want To Live
Emphasis on actively participating in life.
I Want To Live RIGHT NOW
Don't wait, start living your best life right now.
(Chorus)
Repeating the main message of the song to live life to the fullest.
Contributed by Audrey T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.