Having disbanded in 1998, they reunited briefly in 2005 for a world tour and reformed in 2011, releasing a new album (Anastasis) and embarking on several tours.
Dead Can Dance formed in Melbourne, Australia in August 1981 with Paul Erikson on bass guitar, Lisa Gerrard (ex-Microfilm) on vocals, Simon Monroe (Marching Girls) on drums and Brendan Perry (also of Marching Girls) on vocals and guitar. Gerrard and Perry were a couple who met as members of Melbourne's little band scene. In May 1982, the band left Monroe in Australia and moved to London, England, where they signed with alternative rock label 4AD. With the duo, the initial United Kingdom line-up were Paul Erikson and Peter Ulrich.
The group's debut album, Dead Can Dance, was released in February 1984. The artwork, which depicts a ritual mask from New Guinea, "provide a visual reinterpretation of the meaning of the name Dead Can Dance", set in a faux Greek typeface. The album featured "drum-driven, ambient guitar music with chanting, singing and howling", and fit in with the ethereal wave style of label mates Cocteau Twins. They followed with a four-track extended play, Garden of the Arcane Delights in August. AllMusic described their early work as "as goth as it gets" (despite the group themselves rejecting the label), while the EP saw them "plunging into a wider range of music and style".
A shift in sound followed for the Spleen and Ideal album, with more emphasis on strings, brass and drones being used. A quasi spiritual element also emerged on this album, notably on the opening tracks "De Profundis" and "Ascension". Its worth noting that around this time Lisa and Brendan had been doing tours of European Cathedrals, absorbing the ambience which in turn was reflected in the work.
The highlights of the bands career followed with the genre defining album Within The Realm of a Dying Sun, featuring fan favorite "Cantara", which is where the bands Arabic and World music influences began to appear, and the double whammy of "Summoning of the Muse" and "Persephone (The Gathering of Flowers)." Critics at the time were undecided about the album, mainly due to the fact that the pieces were split according to the vocals. Brendan had the first side of the album, where Lisa took over for the latter half.
The Serpent's Egg was the next album and built on the premise set by the previous album, although the album is slightly uneven in quality and a short listen at around 40 minutes. The album is redeemed by the opening and closing pieces "The Host of Seraphim", and Perry's epic "Ullyses".
For the next album Aion, the band slipped back several centuries and recreated working medieval instruments such as the Sackbut, Viol and Hurdy Gurdy for the distinctly Medieval flavor. Included on the album is "Song of the sibyl" a text from 14th century Spain and now a live favorite. Another text appears in the song "Fortune Presents Gifts Not According To The Book".
Into the Labyrinth was the follow up album and was the album that saw Brendan mastering the use of samples and synthesizers and also the album that brought the band's music to American audiences selling over a million copies worldwide. The track "The Ubiquitous Mr Lovegrove" was played across on college radio and was instrumental in the albums success.
Spiritchaser was the seventh studio album for the band and brought about an abrupt upturn in musical style, instead of drawing on the historical past the band drew upon South American and African influences which gave the album a very rhythmic ambience. Considered by some to be the bands weakest album, it features highlights such as the percussive "Nierika" which was the most played track on American college radio for that year, and the epic 9 minute trance inducing "Indus".
A 3 CD retrospective simply called 1981-1998 was issued by 4AD and compiled a comprehensive overview of the bands career, and provided diehard fans with the only finished track from the Spiritchaser follow-up sessions called "The Lotus Eaters".
As a live band is probably where Dead Can Dance have gained their reputation. To put it simply, they were phenomenal. The concerts often featured many improvised pieces that to date have never been recorded in the studio. A live album entitled Toward the Within was released in 1994 and allowed fans unfortunate enough to have not attended concerts the chance to hear a few of these songs. A companion video/DVD of the concert was also released allowing people to see these highly ethereal concerts.
After Dead Can Dance ceased to be a functioning band both Perry and Gerrard embarked upon solo careers. To date, Brendan has released one solo album The Eye of the Hunter and has completed work on a new album, 'Ark', to be released in June 2010, whilst Lisa has been more prolific but with mixed results, releasing two solo albums The Mirror Pool and The Silver Tree. Lisa has also collaborated with other artists, namely Pieter Bourke of the band Soma and Irish composer Patrick Cassidy on the respective albums Duality and Immortal Memory. Lisa has also become a sought after soundtrack artist too after a wave of publicity for the Ridley Scott film Gladiator and continues to release work on a regular basis including soundtrack work on Ali, Layer Cake, and Whale Rider. Peter Ulrich, former percussionist of the band has also released two solo albums, Pathways and Dawns and more recently, Enter the Mysterium.
A series of 31 reunion concerts took place in 2005 in both Europe and North America including two memorable sell out concerts at The Hollywood Bowl and Radio City accompanied by 40 piece orchestras. Many of these concerts were professionally recorded and released as a double CD.
In late 2011, the band announced a reunion World Tour, in order to promote their new album, fittingly titled Anastasis, as it was released on August 9, 2012, 16 years after the group's previous album. Anastasis was well received by critics and is also the first album of the band not released by 4AD Records.
The name "Dead Can Dance" is often misleading. Although this group is quite popular among the goth sub-culture with the name appearing to be inspired by the Danse macabre allegory, it should instead be interpreted as 'giving life to something that was previously inanimate' as Perry said:
"The album artwork [of our self titled first album], a ritual mask from New Guinea, attempted to provide a visual reintrepretation of the meaning of the name "Dead Can Dance." The mask, though once a living part of a tree is dead; nevertheless it has, through the artistry of its maker, been imbued with a life force of its own. To understand why we chose the name, think of the transformation of inanimacy to animacy.... Think of the processes concerning life from death and death into life. So many people missed the inherent symbolism, and assumed that we must be 'morbid gothic types,' a mistake we deplored and deplore...".
http://www.deadcandance.com
http://www.facebook.com/DeadCanDanceOfficial
https://twitter.com/DCDmusic
The Human Game
Dead Can Dance Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I revise your inner flame
I who dare to come disguised
In the night of the human eyes
As we begin to unravel the veil
Of our visions vivid and pale
We recoil with invisible bliss
Loosing there the claim to the comfort
Questioned in vain
The soul remains
To tell its tale
Vivid and pale
Of broken dreams
Out of the pool and into the flame
We begin the human game
That refers to rise above
Clarity that calls you to
Come out of your tears
Lend me your fears
And fly away
Rest within arms
That promise to come
The pain away
Some where I'll find you inside
The answer when we
Remember who we can really be
And there we will arrive home
With all the answers that fair
To reason all within our love
Out of the pool into the flame
We do begin
All of our love rises above
The human game
Out of your tears
Lend me your fears
And fly away
Rest within arms
That promise to come
Your pain away
In Dead Can Dance's song The Human Game, the lyrics seem to carry a powerful message about the human condition, our search for meaning, and the struggles that come with it. The opening lines set the scene, and we immediately understand that the singer is reaching out to someone, likely a loved one. The line "I revise your inner flame" is particularly interesting as it suggests the singer is trying to reignite the inner passion or drive of the person they are reaching out to. As the song progresses, we see that the singer is introspective and self-aware, referring to their own veil or illusions. The lines "We recoil with invisible bliss, losing there the claim to the comfort of death's pre-designed" imply a struggle and a realization of the limitations of our comfort zones. The singer acknowledges that the soul remains to tell its tale, a poignant reminder of the power of the individual's journey.
The song's chorus "Out of the pool and into the flame, we begin the human game, that refers to rise above, clarity that calls you to come out of your tears, lend me your fears and fly away," is a powerful call to action, urging listeners to shed their fears, find clarity, and embrace the human game. The reference to the pool and the flame feels symbolic and open to interpretation, but it's clear that the song is urging us to take risks and embrace the struggles of life. It's a poignant message, and the striking imagery of the lyrics drives the point home.
Line by Line Meaning
Under the sun I call your name
I am calling out to you, addressing you in a public and open manner.
I revise your inner flame
I am refining and polishing the very essence of your spirit, which burns warmly within your soul.
I who dare to come disguised
I am brave enough to take on a new identity, appearing as someone or something unlike myself.
In the night of the human eyes
I am moving in the shadows, hidden and unseen by those around me.
As we begin to unravel the veil
We are starting to reveal and expose the hidden aspects of ourselves.
Of our visions vivid and pale
Our dreams and aspirations are crystal clear yet also somewhat dim and uncertain.
We recoil with invisible bliss
We experience a sense of euphoric pleasure even though it is not visible to others.
Loosing there the claim to the comfort
We are relinquishing our hold on the notion that we can find solace and ease in death.
Of deaths pre-designed
The idea that our mortal lives were predetermined and fated to end a certain way is being challenged and disproved.
Questioned in vain
The inquiry into our existence and what happens after death has not produced any definitive answers.
The soul remains
Our spirit persists and endures even though our physical body ceases to exist.
To tell its tale
Our soul has a story to recount, a narrative that is uniquely its own.
Vivid and pale
Our soul's story is both distinctively bright and clear, yet also elusive and uncertain.
Of broken dreams
Our soul's tale often involves shattered hopes and aspirations.
Out of the pool and into the flame
We are transitioning from a state of peaceful calmness into a more tumultuous and dangerous phase of life.
We begin the human game
We are starting to play the complex and unpredictable game of life that involves joy, sorrow, success, and disappointment.
That refers to rise above
Our game plan is aimed at elevating ourselves above our current circumstances.
Clarity that calls you to
The lucidity of the situation is urging and compelling us to face reality.
Come out of your tears
We must stop crying and wallowing in our own self-pity.
Lend me your fears
Share your apprehensions and concerns with me.
And fly away
Let us escape from our troubles and worries.
Rest within arms
Cradle and comfort one another.
That promise to come
The future holds the possibility of happiness and joy.
The pain away
Our troubles and distress will soon dissipate and disappear.
Somewhere I'll find you inside
I will uncover your truest, most authentic self buried deep within your being.
The answer when we
The solution will become clear when we
Remember who we can really be
Recall our true nature and essence, despite being masked by societal norms and expectations.
And there we will arrive home
The answer will lead us to a place of safety and familiarity.
With all the answers that fair
All of our questions will be met with equitable and reasonable answers.
To reason all within our love
Our collective love and compassion will guide and inform our decisions.
We do begin
We are starting anew.
All of our love rises above
Our undying love for one another will surpass and overcome any obstacle.
Out of your tears
Stop crying and lamenting.
Lend me your fears
Share your worries and anxieties with me.
And fly away
Let us depart from our unpleasant circumstances and move forward.
Rest within arms
Take solace in each other's embrace.
That promise to come
The future holds the possibility of comfort and ease.
Your pain away
You will be relieved of your distress and discomfort.
Contributed by Juliana T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
margaret2332
Lyrics - Lisa Gerrard & Pieter Bourke - The Human Game - - - - - Under the sun I call your name - I revise your inner flame - I who dare to come disguised - In the night of the human eyes - As we begin to unravel the veil - Of our visions vivid and pale - We recoil with invisible bliss - Loosing there the claim to the comfort - Of deaths pre-designed - Questioned in vain - The soul remains - To tell its tale - Vivid and pale - Of broken dreams - Out of the pool and into the flame - We begin the human game - That refers to rise above - Clarity that calls you to - Come out of your tears - Lend me your fears - And fly away - Rest within arms - That promise to come - The pain away - Some where I'll find you inside - The answer when we - Remember who we can really be - And there we will arrive home - With all the answers that fair - To reason all within our love - Out of the pool into the flame - We do begin - All of our love rises above - The human game - Out of your tears - Lend me your fears - And fly away - Rest within arms - That promise to come - Your pain away - - - - - - Songwriters: Lisa Germaine Gerrard / Pieter Alan Bourke - The human game lyrics © Universal/momentum Music Ltd., Polygram Music Publishing Pty. Ltd., Kobalt Music Services Australia Pty Ltd - Description - Artist: Dead Can Dance
Show less
REPLY
x tigress x
One of the best songs... ever. This song speaks to me on so many levels. What an amazing voice she has. After 20 years, I'm still listening...
NAGIA BELLOU
Ποιος ηρθε εδω μετα το τρειλερ Νικολουλη???
Aggeliki Pap
Εγώ μετά τήν 10η εντολή
Nt Pap
Me
Στράτος Τ
Και γω ψάχνοντας απεγνωσμένα να βρώ το κομμάτι
cookie_dough_hangover
Εγώ! 😂Προσπαθώ να καταλάβω τους στοίχους. Μήπως κάτι θέλει να μας πει.
ALEX MAZA
Me fascina esta canción 😉
Juan de Dios Rivera calleja
Hermosa canción, despierta mi lado bélico
Paullo otavio
amazing song!! this music purificate my mind!