This top notch Dutch band from The Hague had their pinnacle during the early Seventies when they delivered some outstanding 24 carat symphonic rock albums. EARTH & FIRE was founded by the twin brothers Chris (guitar) and Gerard (keyboards) Koerts in ‘68. Soon bass player Hans Ziech, drummer Kees Kalis and singer Lisette joined them. Unfortunately Lisette had to give up singing because of a serious eye-disease and Kees Kalis left. They were replaced by Ton v/d Kley and the beautiful, very sexy Jerney Kaagman. She was a discovery by GOLDEN EARRING singer Barry Hay, they knew each other from the blossoming rock scene in The Hague.
When EARTH & FIRE had a hugh success with three Sixties poprock oriented singles “Seasons”, “Ruby is the one” and “Wild and exciting” (in ’70 all reached the Dutch Top 5), the band decided to become professionals. Gerard Koerts bought a Mellotron, this instrument changed the Dutch progrock history because EARTH & FIRE used it for a more lush symphonic keyboard sound. Eventually they developed a very unique progrock style (a bit similar to the French progrock band SANDROSE and UK band JULIAN’S TREATMENT featuring lots of organ, Mellotron, strong and sensitive electric guitar and distinctive vocals from Jerney Kaagman. And EARTH & FIRE remained successful with their single releases, the Mellotron drenched “Storm and Thunder” (’72, #6), “Memories” (’72, #1), “Maybe Tomorrow, Maybe Tonight” (‘73, #3) and “Love of Life” (’74, #2) all reached the Dutch Top 10. Also the albums in that era sold very well and gained worldwide recognition: “Songs of the Marching Children” (’71, reaching #12), “Atlantis” (’73, reaching #6) and “To the World of the Future” (’75, reaching #7) are considered as ‘progrock classics’, especially in Japan EARTH & FIRE is even more popular than FOCUS! Gradually their sound turned into more poppy, culminating into the success of the very commercial song Weekend, reaching #1 and remaining 13 weeks in the charts! Also the following albums “Gate to Infinity” (’77), Reality Fills Fantasy” (’79, reaching #2)), “Andromeda Girl” (’81, reaching #12)) and “In a State of Flux” “82) lost most of the symhonic ingredients.
The albums “Song of the Marching Children” and “Atlantis” belong to the best of the Dutch progrock history. The epic title tracks from both albums (between 16 and 19 minutes) are recommended: the sound is very warm and melodic with lots of changing atmospheres, accelerations and surprising breaks. The one moment you hear a mellow organ, twanging acoustic guitars and a fairy-like voice from Jerney, the other moment there are bombastic eruptions with majestic Mellotron, heavy floods of organ and some fiery electric guitar work, topped by the powerful voice of Jerney. By the way, she has been married for almost 30 years with Bert Ruiter, former bass player from FOCUS...!
(text written by Erik Neuteboom)
Seasons
Earth & Fire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
the skies were blue
Before the sun could burn the dew
Times without years and seasons
But then when the seasons
were there
All kinds of vibrations in the air
And no scar on the velvet skin
Winter: hoar-frost on the trees
I thin I'll stay asleep for another week
Summer: I can't protect myself
from the heat
I think I'll find myself a shady seat
There were times before the
day was born
Before the rain could drown
the lawn
Times without years and seasons
But then when the seasons
were there
All kinds of vibrations in the air
The rain was wet
Transparent and like glass
Autumn: sparrows in the sky
While the leaves of the
branches are dying
Spring: sound of a new born life
I think I'm moving on "˜cause it's time
There were times before the
skies were blue
Before the sun could burn the dew
Times without years and
times without seasons
There were times before the
skies were blue
Before the sun could burn the dew
Times without years and
times without seasons
The lyrics of the song Seasons by Earth & Fire explore the idea of time and the changing of the seasons. The opening lines are reflective of a time before seasons existed, possibly referencing a time before the earth's rotation was established, and there was no way to measure time. The song then moves into a description of the different seasons and how they affect the world around us.
The lyrics view winter as a time to rest, to hibernate, and stay warm. The imagery used here is of hoar-frost on the trees, and the suggestion of staying in bed for another week. In contrast, summer is described as being too hot, and the need to find a shady spot to cool off. The song then moves to describe the rain in the different seasons, with autumn being the time when the leaves fall, and, in contrast, spring brings new life. The song even references the sound of new life being born in the spring.
Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of nostalgia, of trying to hold onto a time before the earth was ruled by the changing seasons. Yet, there is an acceptance of the ever-changing nature of the world and how the seasons bring new beginnings, continue life cycles and add meaning to our existence.
Line by Line Meaning
There were times before the skies were blue
In the past, there existed a time when the sky did not have its customary blue hue.
Before the sun could burn the dew
This was a time when the sunlight could not evaporate dew.
Times without years and seasons
In that era, the concept of timeframes such as years and seasons didn't exist.
But then when the seasons were there
Eventually seasons emerged.
All kinds of vibrations in the air
The winds brought different kinds of emotions.
The sky was blue
That's when the sky started to get its blue color.
And no scar on the velvet skin
The beauty of the surrounding environment was completely unscarred.
Winter: hoar-frost on the trees
Winter is a time when frost can be seen on the trees.
I think I'll stay asleep for another week
Due to the cold, it might be comfortable to sleep in for an extended time.
Summer: I can't protect myself from the heat
Summer can bring sweltering heat that is difficult to shield oneself from.
I think I'll find myself a shady seat
The best option might be to find shade in order to cool off.
There were times before the day was born
Long ago, there also existed a time before daybreak.
Before the rain could drown the lawn
Rainfall was not yet powerful enough to saturate the lawns.
The rain was wet, Transparent and like glass
Once rain did come, it was fresh and clear and easy to see through.
Autumn: sparrows in the sky
As autumn began, sparrows could be seen taking flight above.
While the leaves of the branches are dying
Yet, at the same time, the leaves on the trees were withering away.
Spring: sound of a new born life
Spring is a time when new life is born.
I think I'm moving on 'cause it's time
Moving on might be the proper way to progress to new things.
There were times before the skies were blue
This line is repeated from the start of the song, reemphasizing the idea of a time before the recognizable blue color of the sky.
Times without years and times without seasons
And again, it restates the notion that there was once a time when concepts such as calendars and weather patterns were not present.
Contributed by Anna D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Age Groot
Earth and Fire were a remarkable good band, started with this great George Kooymans composition Seasons but it proved out the twins were very talented songwriters resulting in a stream of high quality pop/rock,progressive rock singles. Sadly the high level lasted only 4/5 years. Love of life was the last great single. It's fair to say they were one of the best Dutch groups ever and deserved more succes abroad.
PanzerMike
Wonderful Dutch band. They made some really cool stuff. Jerney rocks!
Josef Nagy
Once this song was magic on scrappy vinyl..hearing it today is even more magic. Bands come and go, this band came to stay.
Mira P.
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José Maranhão
Love this band!
ludo281160
Earth & Fire was really together with Golden Earring(s) somewhat the best of Dutch international pop to give the world unforgettable classics never to forget at that period!
TheRembrandt1953
het lied van mijn jeugd,ik krijg er nog altijd kippevel van,hartlijk bedankt voor het posten.
Jilles Leuven
Ja, ook hier weer kippenvel en warm worden tegelijk. Wat een geweldig nummer zoals eigenlijk alle nummers van deze fantastische band!
pascall steur
geniale band ... geniale muziek
ビデオコミニュケーションクラブhvcc
I listened in real time.
I think that it is music not to let you feel oldness after time.