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.
With Grace
Elegant Machinery Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Enclosing everything
A burden on a string
That makes you sigh
Different shades of gray
Enclosing you every day
At times you want to fade away
CHORUS
I know how it feels
To stumble blindly
I know how it hurts
In moments just like these
Amnesia as a bliss
Your pesonnal abyss
Down in the metropolis
You are sublime
Bad choices that you make
And habits you don't change
I'm sure that they will break your
Heart in time
Let this world fulfill you
And please don't let it taunt you
I should attempt to tell you
To live your life with grace
CHORUS
CHORUS
In moments just like these
In moments just like these
The song "With Grace" by Elegant Machinery is a poignant and introspective reflection on the challenges and uncertainties of life. The opening lines acknowledge the overwhelming and daunting nature of existence, describing it as an all-encompassing burden that can feel suffocating at times. The imagery of "different shades of gray" reinforces the idea that life can be monotonous and lackluster, leading some to desire an escape or a way to "fade away through a lie."
The chorus provides comfort and understanding, assuring the listener that the singer knows how it feels to stumble blindly through life's obstacles and to experience the pain that can come with it. The second verse delves deeper into the personal struggles that can compound one's fears and anxieties. The idea of amnesia as a form of bliss suggests the appeal of forgetting or avoiding difficult memories or difficulties. The reference to the metropolis and the characterization of the listener as sublime further reinforces the idea that despite the difficulties of life, there is a sense of beauty and wonder to be found.
The final lines of the song are a plea to embrace life and to navigate it with grace. The acknowledgement of bad choices and potentially harmful habits suggests that the singer understands the difficulties of changing one's course, but also recognizes the inevitability of heartbreak if one doesn't try. Overall, "With Grace" is a compassionate and thought-provoking reflection on the human experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Life is a scary thing
Life is an intimidating experience.
Enclosing everything
It encompasses all that we do and experience.
A burden on a string
It's a weight that we carry with us always.
That makes you sigh
It can be exhausting and disheartening.
Different shades of gray
Life isn't always black and white.
Enclosing you every day
It surrounds and influences us continuously.
At times you want to fade away
Occasionally, it can seem unbearable.
Through a lie
It's natural to try to escape through fantasy sometimes.
I know how it feels
The singer understands this experience well.
To stumble blindly
To feel lost and uncertain on our path.
I know how it hurts
The emotions can be painful and overwhelming.
In moments just like these
Particular times can be especially challenging.
Amnesia as a bliss
Forgetting can be a relief sometimes.
Your pesonnal abyss
The singer describes this experience as a personal and deep struggle.
Down in the metropolis
The urban landscape can be a lonely place.
You are sublime
Despite it all, the singer finds and honors the inherent beauty in life and people.
Bad choices that you make
Some decisions can have negative consequences.
And habits you don't change
It can be challenging to shift away from what's familiar and comfortable.
I'm sure that they will break your
Ultimately, the singer believes negative habits and behaviors will hurt deeply.
Heart in time
The heart can be fragile, and pain can take time to heal.
Let this world fulfill you
The singer encourages living life fully.
And please don't let it taunt you
To actively choose a perspective that isn't negative or cynical.
I should attempt to tell you
The singer feels a responsibility to share what they've learned from their experience.
To live your life with grace
Choosing to move through the world with kindness and poise.
Contributed by Ellie W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.