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.
Storm and thunder
Earth and Fire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A blackbird sings a song at dawn
Crystal drops of morning dew
are covering all the grass
The landscape wears its morningdress
The foliage of the wood shines bright
As green as emerald's light
causes a faintly glance
Some cows are grazing near a fence
While lowering clouds accumalate
Midges dancing above the lake
The haymakers, they go away
hiding for a storm
A flash of lightening struck
Storm and thunder
Beat the nature
Down gushes the rain
and wind cracks the trees
The lyrics of Earth and Fire's song Storm and Thunder describe the peacefulness of a morning in nature that is quickly turned upside down by a storm. In the beginning, the darkness of the night has ended, and the emergence of the dawn brings with it the singing of a blackbird. The dew on the grass, the bright green foliage of the nearby woods, and the grazing cows all contribute to an idyllic scene. However, the serene atmosphere is suddenly disrupted by lowering clouds and midges dancing above the lake. The haymakers quickly retreat, in anticipation of the incoming storm, and a sudden flash of lightning struck. The storm comes with a crashing beat that results in rain gushing down and wind cracking trees in half.
The lyrics of the song are a metaphor for life- everything can seem perfect, and all can be going well, and then suddenly, in a moment, everything can be turned upside down, and life becomes tumultuous. The song serves as a reminder to listeners that everything is always changing, and the thing that brings peace and joy one moment can turn into the source of chaos and danger the next. The lyrics of this song can thus function as a meditation on the fleeting nature of existence.
Line by Line Meaning
Darkness of the night has gone
The darkness of the night has ended.
A blackbird sings a song at dawn
A blackbird is singing a song as the sun rises.
Crystal drops of morning dew
Morning dew has formed on the grass.
are covering all the grass
The grass is covered in dew.
The landscape wears its morningdress
The natural scene is adorned in its morning beauty.
The foliage of the wood shines bright
The leaves on the trees shine brightly.
As green as emerald's light
The leaves are brilliantly green, akin to that of an emerald.
Over the fields vibrating air
The air over the surrounding fields is pulsating.
causes a faintly glance
This vibration causes a barely noticeable shimmer.
Some cows are grazing near a fence
A few cows are grazing near a fence.
While lowering clouds accumalate
Dark clouds are gathering.
Midges dancing above the lake
Midges are swarming above the lake.
The haymakers, they go away
The haymakers, fearful of a storm, have fled.
hiding for a storm
The haymakers have hidden from the impending storm.
A flash of lightening struck
A bolt of lightning has struck.
Storm and thunder
The storm and accompanying thunder have arrived.
Beat the nature
The storm is battering the natural world.
Down gushes the rain
Rain is pouring down heavily.
and wind cracks the trees
Strong winds are causing trees to crack and sway.
Contributed by Leah D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@F21012013R
One of the best Dutch bands. They have made great music. Still playing them.
@ecklestone8736
Dito!
@pleun315
Normaal ☝️😃
@chrisv73
Cargo, Kayak… SUPERSISTER!!
@heinvankempen2726
Hier al ruim 50 jaar....
@CheekyfromEssex
Really moves me on an emotional level 🇬🇧
@mennotimpo8746
R.I.P. Chris Koerts 😎☺️ thank you for the wonderful music
@melodiemaker86
RIP Chris 11-11-2022 (guitarist). Wish a well journey to your twin-brother Gerard
on keys(died 2019) who will wait for you in Heaven. Bassplayer and husband of singer Jerney Kaagman Bert Ruiter died also this year (24-03-2022). He participate the band in 1978.@gervanwunnik8363
On drums Ton van der Kleij died in 2015…
@melodiemaker86
@@gervanwunnik8363 Thank for sharing (dank je wel Ger)