Founded in 1969 by guitarist Frank Bornemann, the band has endured several line-up changes, with Bornemann being the only consistent member of the group. In the 1980s, after a series of major splits (like in 1984 although reformed in 1988) in the group, Bornemann pursued a more commercial direction. Despite attracting a large following, the band never gained popularity in the United States.
However, in later years, former members of the band re-joined, and in 1998 fans delighted in hearing Ocean 2, a return to the classic symphonic progressive genre that the band was so well known for. A sequel to the 1977's original, it is commonly thought among fans that it successfully recaptures the spirit of the band, and is a worthy follow-up to the much beloved classic.
Of the band's numerous records, fans generally consider Inside, Floating, Dawn, Ocean, Silent Cries & Mighty Echoes, Planets and Ocean 2 to be the superior albums.
Despite their nationality, the band is not generally considered krautrock due to their sound which has much more in common with English progressive groups such as Pink Floyd and Yes.
In 2009 after a decade of hiatus Frank Bornemann released a DVD celebrating their 40th anniversary and a new album called Visionairy.
In the following period he worked on a concept double album about the life of the Maid of Orleans, Jeanne d'Arc. The album The Vision, the Sword and the Pyre, Pt. 1 was released in 2017, followed by The Vision, the Sword and the Pyre, Pt. 2 in 2019.
Current Line-up:
Frank Bornemann
Klaus-Peter Matziol
Hannes Arkona
Hannes Folberth
Bodo Schopf
A Broken Frame
Eloy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lost in a broken frame
The colour is fading but for now
It seems all the same
The smile I loved in the mornings
Now miles away
Once restrained and then winning
Once so open and next discreet
The window's creaking
Are there foot-steps in the hall
No a tap must be leaking; I'm lonely!
All these noisy little nothings silly nothings drive me insane: it's scaring
Can you imagine just how I feel
I'm slipping, I'm drowning
Can't help it can't stop it can't I believe in something
Can't help it can't stop it can't I believe in something
Can't help it can't stop it can't I believe in something
Can't help it can't stop it can't I believe in something
The bit of certainty I had
Undermined and shaken: It's Fading!
The walls of sand are finally breaking
I'm slipping, I'm drowning
Can't help it can't stop it can't I believe in something
Can't help it can't stop it can't I believe in something
Can't help it can't stop it can't I believe in something
Can't help it can't stop it can't I believe in something
Nothing is collapsing it's all unchanged
But it is stuck on a broken frame
There's still a balance that will remain
And won't slip out of a broken frame
No further will I drift away
Abandoning my course: I stop it now
I'll catch a wave back to the shore not so far away: I stop now
Can't help it can't stop it can't I believe in something
Can't help it can't stop it can't I believe in something
Can't help it can't stop it can't I believe in something
Can't help it can't stop it can't I believe in something
Can't help it can't stop it can't I believe in something
Can't help it can't stop it can't I believe in something
The lyrics to Eloy's song "A Broken Frame" are about the feeling of being lost and unsure, feeling as though the life once known is now unreachable or lost. The opening line, "A face that shaped dreams," creates a sense of nostalgia and longing for a time when things seemed better. The line, "Lost in a broken frame," suggests that the singer is trapped in a situation that they cannot escape from, as if they are literally stuck in a frame that is no longer functioning properly. The lines "Once restrained and then winning / Once so open and next discreet" invoke a sense of confusion and contradiction, perhaps reflecting the singer's mixed emotions.
The sound effects in the background of the song contribute to the overall mood evoked by the lyrics. The drizzle of rain and the sound of a creaking window communicate a sense of loneliness and melancholy. The repetition of the phrases "Can't help it can't stop it can't I believe in something" and "I'm slipping, I'm drowning" further reinforce the sense of being trapped and overwhelmed. The final lines, "Can't help it can't stop it can't I believe in something / No further will I drift away / Abandoning my course: I stop it now," suggest that the singer has come to a decision to take control of their life and stop drifting aimlessly.
Line by Line Meaning
A face that shaped dreams
The person who once inspired me and guided my dreams
Lost in a broken frame
Now stuck in a difficult situation or mindset that is limiting my potential
The colour is fading but for now
It seems all the same
Things are changing but not for the better, and it's hard to see a way out
The smile I loved in the mornings
Now miles away
The joyful and hopeful spirit I once had is now gone, replaced with distance and a sense of loss
Once restrained and then winning
Once so open and next discreet
I used to be able to control myself and achieve success, but now I am unsure and cautious
Hear the drizzle of the rain
The window's creaking
Are there foot-steps in the hall
No a tap must be leaking; I'm lonely!
Small, insignificant sounds in the background amplify my feelings of isolation and loneliness
All these noisy little nothings silly nothings drive me insane: it's scaring
The trivial things in life that used to bring me comfort now cause me fear and anxiety
Can you imagine just how I feel
I'm slipping, I'm drowning
Can't help it can't stop it can't I believe in something
I feel like I am losing control and my hope is slipping away, and I can't find a way to believe in anything
The bit of certainty I had
Undermined and shaken: It's Fading!
The small amount of confidence I had in myself and the world is slowly disappearing
The walls of sand are finally breaking
I'm slipping, I'm drowning
The fragile support I had is crumbling, and I feel like I am sinking deeper into despair
Nothing is collapsing it's all unchanged
But it is stuck on a broken frame
My situation is not improving, but rather it is stagnating and holding me back from progress
There's still a balance that will remain
And won't slip out of a broken frame
Despite these challenges, I can still find some equilibrium and stability in my life
No further will I drift away
Abandoning my course: I stop it now
I will not allow myself to become more lost and aimless; instead, I will take control and steer myself back on course
I'll catch a wave back to the shore not so far away: I stop now
I have hope that I can find my way back to a place of happiness and peace, and I will take action to make it happen
Can't help it can't stop it can't I believe in something
Despite my efforts, I am still struggling to find hope and meaning in my life
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
therover65
One of my all time favourite rock album. Last track A Broken Mirror must listen.
Emmanuel Fernández Cortés
Chulada de disco.
Protivotrov
Total hit!