The band was founded in 1967 as Opus Gainfull, but changed its name into Earth and Fire as early as in 1968. The Koerts twins were two of the founding members.
The band's big break in The Netherlands came in 1970 with Seasons, a song written by George Kooymans, guitarist of fellow The Hague rockers Golden Earring. The single reached #2 in the Dutch charts. Between 1970 and 1983 eighteen Earth and Fire singles charted in The Netherlands. Nine made it to the top ten, two (1972's Memories and 1979's Weekend) reached #1. The latter was also hit internationally.
The band released eight studio albums, of which Reality Fills Fantasy (1979) was the most succesful one, reaching #2 in the Dutch album charts.
The departure of founding member Chris Koerts in 1979 marked the beginning of the end for Earth and Fire. The group eventually folded in 1983, after which Jerney Kaagman embarked on a solo career, to little commercial success.
Earth and Fire briefly resurfaced briefly in 1987, without the Koerts brothers and with Ton Scherpenzeel (formerly of symphonic rock band Kayak) as its musical leader. 'Earth and Fire Mark II' released one single that failed to chart, and no albums.
21st Century Show
Earth and Fire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh oh oh
Twenty-first century show
Marching and moaning and crying
and dying in no time
Like home-lost pigeons
and full of suspicions in their mind
Come on now let them go
It’s the twenty-first century show
Nothing there they really need
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Twenty-first century
Neuro-surgeons are dreaming
of more and more
They’re begging and begging
'oh please' at your door
Let us go to the merry-go-round
Observations of a fool
It’s the twentieth centuries’ fool
But he stays really cool
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Twenty-first century
Our technical friend can be
a deadly friend in the end
Will wisdom survive this
technical friend
your friend
Let us go to the merry-go-round
Come on to the sun
I’m glad there is one
Let it shine
Let it shine
The song "21st Century Show" by Earth and Fire reflects on the fast-paced, confusing, and unpredictable nature of the modern world. The first few lines of the song describe people who are marching, moaning, crying, and dying in no time. They are compared to home-lost pigeons – lost souls, full of suspicions in their mind. In this context, the merry-go-round becomes a symbol of the constant, dizzying movement of life – a world where people are always on the move, but never really getting anywhere. The chorus repeats the phrase "twenty-first century show," emphasizing the central theme of the song.
The song then addresses the role of technology and its impact on society. The neurosurgeons in the song are dreaming of more and more, begging for more advancements. The reference to the "twentieth century fool" suggests that humanity has made mistakes in the past with technology and may repeat them in the future. However, the song ends on an optimistic note, with the singer glad that there is still sun shining. This can be interpreted as a message to appreciate the little things in life, amidst the chaos of the modern world.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh oh oh
Introduction to the song
Twenty-first century show
The song is about the current era
Marching and moaning and crying
and dying in no time
People are suffering and dying too soon
Like home-lost pigeons
and full of suspicions in their mind
People feel lost, vulnerable, and uncertain
Let us go to the merry-go-round
Come on now let them go
It’s the twenty-first century show
Nothing there they really need
People are seeking distractions and entertainment despite lacking a true purpose or meaning
Neuro-surgeons are dreaming
of more and more
They’re begging and begging
'oh please' at your door
People in power are highly ambitious and demanding more, regardless of the consequences
Observations of a fool
It’s the twentieth centuries’ fool
But he stays really cool
The singer refers to someone who's ignorant and unaware, yet indifferent to the problems of the world
Our technical friend can be
a deadly friend in the end
Technology can have negative consequences
Will wisdom survive this
technical friend
your friend
The song asks if we can use our knowledge and understanding to control technology from harming us
Let us go to the merry-go-round
Come on to the sun
I’m glad there is one
Let it shine
Let it shine
The artist implores listeners to seek inner peace and harmony amidst the chaos of the modern world
Oh oh oh
Outro of the song
Twenty-first century
Reiteration of the song's theme
Contributed by Declan C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.