Heavily influenced by acts like Yazoo, Human League, Depeche Mode, Rational Youth and Robert Marlow, Richard Johansson and Leslie Bayne started the band in 1988 under the name Pole Position.
Robert Enforsen joined the band as lead vocalist in 1989, and the band released their first demo, at which point they changed their name to elegant MACHINERY, a name derived from the album by Data.
Due to Leslie Bayne's stagefright, Johan Malmgren joined the band as a tour musician in 1992. He later became a permanent member.
The band was very successful in Sweden, with a number of successful singles and various awards. In the rest of Europe, their biggest break into the mainstream was with the single Process, which reached number 5 in the Spanish charts.
elegant MACHINERY disbanded in 1999.
In 2001, the band temporarily reunited (with Johan temporarily replaced by Jarmo Ollila of Daily Planet) for their first-ever American appearance, followed by a performance in Mexico. Over the next few years, the band performed a number of times in Europe.
In October 2004, after a successful gig at Romo Night in Gothenburg, the band decided to work on new music. Johan, Richard, and Robert have been joined by original member Leslie Bayne, and plan to release a new single in 2006.
During the band's hiatus, Robert Enforsen worked on a number of side projects, including Enforce, Hype, Gobble & Gag, and Red Light District. Meanwhile, Johan Malmgren joined the Swedish band S.P.O.C.K as a keyboardist, programmer and composer. Johan and Robert also produced the debut album "Lost in a Maze" of the Swedish-British band Univaque in 2004.
Repressive Thoughts
Elegant Machinery Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dressed up in memories again
And there is nothing I can do
When I see her coming I close my eyes
When I feel her presence I hear her lies
Smooth hands are reaching out
CHORUS
Strange words are reaching me
Just pulling me back down
Into the darkness of my fragile mind
Here tonight
I feel the beating of my heart
When a word of silence tears me apart
My anxiety is bringing me down
I'm trying so hard to repress what I see
But she's standing so strong in front of me
I'm so lost within her arms
REPEAT CHORUS
The lyrics of Elegant Machinery's song "Repressive Thoughts" showcase the struggle of a person with their inner demons, represented as a woman with forgotten shame dressed up in memories. The singer is helpless against her, and when she approaches, they close their eyes and hear her lies. The woman's smooth hands are reaching out to him, but he's unable to resist the pull of his fragile mind into the darkness. The chorus repeats the theme of strange words reaching him, condemning and pulling him back into the darkness of his mind. The singer is acutely aware of his anxiety and the beating of his heart, and even a word of silence tears him apart. Despite his efforts to repress his thoughts, the woman's presence is so strong that he feels lost within her arms.
The song speaks about the internal struggle against repressive thoughts and how they can be overpowering. The metaphor of the woman with forgotten shame dressed in memories is particularly interesting as it represents the power of the subconscious mind. The singer's reactions to her presence showcase a person's vulnerability and helplessness when their inner fears and anxieties surface. The song highlights the psychological impact of repressive thoughts and how one's mind can be a powerful force that can drag them down.
Line by Line Meaning
She comes like a stranger with forgotten shame
A person from the past, returning in a state of disgraceful and uncomfortable memory
Dressed up in memories again
Revisiting old times and memories
And there is nothing I can do
Feeling helpless in the face of past events and emotions
When I see her coming I close my eyes
Wanting to avoid confrontation and closing oneself off from the situation
When I feel her presence I hear her lies
Feeling as if the past person is attempting to manipulate or deceive
Smooth hands are reaching out
Possibly a metaphor for temptation or allure
Strange words are reaching me
Hearing unexpected things from the past person
Condemning me
Being harshly judged or criticized by the past person
Just pulling me back down
Dragging one back into negative emotions and memories
Into the darkness of my fragile mind
Returning to a state of mental vulnerability
Here tonight
At this particular moment
I feel the beating of my heart
Heightened physical reactions to the situation
When a word of silence tears me apart
Emotionally suffering from being ignored or avoided by the past person
My anxiety is bringing me down
Feeling overwhelmed and defeated by anxiety
I'm trying so hard to repress what I see
Working hard to suppress negative thoughts and emotions
But she's standing so strong in front of me
Feeling as if the past person is overpowering or dominating
I'm so lost within her arms
Feeling trapped in the hold of the past person
Strange words are reaching me
Once again, hearing unexpected and unwanted words
Condemning me
Reiterating harsh criticism or judgment
Just pulling me back down
Continuing to have a negative and detrimental impact on emotions and mental state
Into the darkness of my fragile mind
Returning once again to a state of mental vulnerability
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
apskaftet123
One of the best songs ever made
Jason Lebel
Fairly new to Elegant Machinery. This is a fantastic song. I grew up listening to Depeche Mode and Erasure. I'm so sad that I didn't hear of this group back in the 90's. these guys have such an awesome sound. I wish they were still producing music and touring, I would fly from the United States to see them, without a second thought!
Gwen Korinek
the guys ARE still producing music, they just released a new EP! And they are performing gigs all over Sweden, Germany and the rest of Europe! And South Africa...
Conny Wittig
I saw Elegant Machinery last weekend at NCN (Nocturnal Culture Night) in Deutzen. It was such a great gig. Next I go to Schwedt, Germany - there is a conzert on monday, the 2nd of october
BARCELONACAT1899
AMAZING FABULOUS Love it <3
Kalpesh Mistry
Love it
Kim Galle
I love this version!
Evi
so pure synthpop sound!it's perfect!!!
geten78
Lyssnar på elegant varje dag på mitt jobb. Tänkte på det häromdagen. Jag måste vara en av få som lyssnar varje dag på i snart 2 år. Har uppdaterat min mp3. Men alltid haft kvar 4 elegant låtar. Bästa syntgrupp enligt mig. tätt av depeche och kraftwerk
Richard C
I have this CD since 1993