Between The Times
Eloy Lyrics

The lyrics to Eloy's "Between The Times" present a desolate and uncertain perspective of the future. The singer finds himself "rolling like a steamer on a far away ocean" indicating a feeling of being adrift or stranded. The fear of the unknown future is overwhelming as it presents the risk of a "deadly wave of memory-explosion". The singer is struggling with the emotions of the past which are aroused by certain memories and images. He fights to overcome the "pictures of emotion" in a bid to accept and embrace the sun, which may be a metaphor for a brighter future. He seems to seek solace in the image of a woman he identifies as "Jeanne". Her body "twinkles in fun" and he is asking her "what do you know?" indicating a sense of longing for someone to share in his quest for understanding.

The second verse sees the singer still grappling with the idea of the times between the past and the future. He experiences the presence of temptation symbolized by the presence of bells being carried by eight purple horses. It could symbolize that even as he tries to move forward, the lure of the past is still strong. He feels that the rules of surviving are set by unknown forces, which highlights the existentialist notion that we are all striving to survive in a world that is beyond our control. The singer's pain seems to be increasing and he recalls memories he associates with the woman he called Jeanne. Her eyes are cold drops of rain, a metaphor that suggests that her presence provokes strong emotions yet they leave him feeling vulnerable and exposed. The song is a contemplation of life and the highs and lows that come with it. It is a search for meaning and understanding of the experiences that shape our lives.