There are at least three bands/musicians using this name:

(1) Cornel… Read Full Bio ↴There are at least three bands/musicians using this name:

(1) Cornelius (born Keigo Oyamada (小山田圭吾 Oyamada Keigo) 27 January 1969 in Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese recording artist and producer. His name is a reference to the Planet of the Apes chimpanzee character of the same name played by Roddy MacDowall. Oyamada's first claim to fame was as a member of the pop duo, Flipper's Guitar, one of the key groups of the Tokyo Shibuya-kei scene. Following the disbandment of Flipper's Guitar in 1991, Oyamada donned the "Cornelius" moniker and embarked on a successful solo career, while also producing for Pizzicato Five.

Cornelius's musical style is often described as being similar to Beck's, whom he acknowledges influenced him along with The Beatles, The Beach Boys, The Jesus and Mary Chain, and Primal Scream, among others.

The music of Cornelius could be described as experimental and exploratory, and often incorporates dissonant elements alongside more familiar harmonically "pleasing" sounds. This tension, plus his practice of bringing in sounds and samples from mass culture, pure electronic tones, and sounds from nature (see his Point album) lead him to being sometimes categorized as an "acquired taste."

He chose his pseudonym in tribute to the character of the same name from the movie Planet of the Apes. He commissioned a song, about himself, on Momus's 1999 album Stars Forever.

Oyamada married fellow musician and collaborator Takako Minekawa in 2000. The couple later divorced in 2012.

(2) Cornelius is also an emotional/blackmetal/hardcore band from Mainz, Germany.

(3) Cornelius was also a mid-90's hardcore / emo band from North Carolina. They released a Discography, "Sounds Like Summer," on Assorted Porkchops. Recorded 1994-1996, .

Fly
Cornelius Lyrics

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Suddenly in sight
Brush off the leg
Orbit to freedom
Around the head
Fly

Clocks always moving
Inside the heart

Paces, the time
Stops on the needle
Fly

Outside the window
Sudden squall

The Fly is above the cloud

Today's weather
Is a bit strange
Wings flutter
It disappeared
Outside the window

It went somewhere
Disappeared into the sea

Overall Meaning

The song “Fly” by Cornelius captures the essence of flying and the feeling of freedom that it can bring. The first stanza of the song presents the image of a fly in motion, as it brushes off its legs and orbits around the head. The lyrics create a sense of sudden movement and excitement, as the fly takes off and begins to explore. The chorus emphasizes the idea of time moving forward, as clocks tick away and the heart beats out a rhythm. In this context, “Fly” takes on a metaphorical meaning, encouraging the listener to seize the day and make the most of every moment.

The second stanza of the song shifts to a dreamier mood, with the fly soaring above the clouds and observing the changing weather patterns below. The lyrics describe the fly moving through space and noticing the subtle shifts between different colors, textures, and temperatures. The chorus repeats the central theme of time passing by quickly, and the fly’s perspective serves as a reminder to appreciate the beauty of the moment.

The final stanza of the song adds a sense of mystery and instability, as the fly disappears into the sea and leaves no trace behind. The lyrics suggest that the fly’s journey may have taken it to unexpected places, and that the paths of life can be unpredictable and full of surprises. Even though the fly has vanished, the sense of adventure and freedom that it embodies remains as a lasting impression.

Overall, “Fly” is a song that encourages listeners to take risks, embrace uncertainty, and live life to the fullest. The lyrics capture the sense of wonder and awe that comes with exploring the world around us, and the music creates a dreamy atmosphere that invites us to soar beyond our limits.

Line by Line Meaning

Suddenly in sight
The sudden appearance of a Fly catches one's attention

Brush off the leg
One can brush off things that bother them to free themselves from the disturbance

Orbit to freedom
The Fly moves in circles to find its way to freedom

Around the head
The Fly's movement reaches every corner of its surroundings

Fly
The Fly is always in motion

Clocks always moving
Time never stops, it keeps moving forward like a clock

Inside the heart
The concept of time is embedded deep within one's being

Paces, the time
Time is measured by the strides of one's life

Stops on the needle
Though time never stops, one can pause and focus on the present moment

Fly
The Fly is a reminder that time is always passing by

Outside the window
The outside world can be unpredictable and uncontrollable