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
Escape To The Heights
Eloy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A mystic silent sound
No more spirit rising
Wasteland all around
Bursting open the wall
No longer down hearted
I am hearing the call
My mind is feeling my heart
No movement on my own
Cannot shake the present
No visions here to roan
Bursting open the wall
No longer down hearted
I am hearing the call
My mind is feeling my heart... heart.... heart...
Deserted faces crowding me
Staring cold ahead
Not consious of their destiny
My heart won't be lead
I'll escape to the heights now
I'll escape to the heights
Now.... now.... now.... now....
Deserted faces crowding me
Staring cold ahead
Not consious of their destiny
My heart won't be lead
I'll escape to the heights now
I'll escape to the heights now.... now.... now.... now....
Yonder in the distance
A glowing ray of light
Escape from isolation
The shadows in the night
I'll escape to the heights
Achieving new frontiers
I've a reason to fight
Rejecting old values
Leave the darkness behind
I'm feeling my freedom now.... now.... now.... now....
The lyrics of Eloy's "Escape to the Heights" portray the singer's disillusionment with the emptiness and desolation of civilization. The song opens with a mystic, silent sound that signifies the end of civilization and the wasteland that is left behind. The singer bursts open the wall that confines him, representing his breaking free from the confines of modern society. He is no longer downhearted and hears the call of his heart and mind, both of which have been suppressed by the pressure to conform. However, there are evil eyes all around him, making it impossible for him to move on his own.
The chorus of the song is the singer's declaration of his intent to escape to the heights, to a higher plane of existence where his heart can soar. He rejects the old values that have held him down and embraces the freedom that is offered by the glowing ray of light in the distance, away from the shadows of the night. The song ends with the singer achieving new frontiers and feeling his freedom.
Overall, the song is a critique of modern society and its emphasis on materialism and conformity, and advocates for the freedom to follow one's heart and mind.
Line by Line Meaning
Civilization ending
The end of civilization is near.
A mystic silent sound
An eerie and mysterious silence.
No more spirit rising
There is no longer any hope or joy.
Wasteland all around
The landscape is barren and desolate.
Bursting open the wall
Breaking through the barriers.
No longer down hearted
I am no longer defeated or discouraged.
I am hearing the call
I am listening to the voice within me.
My mind is feeling my heart
My thoughts are in sync with my emotions.
Evil eyes around me
I am surrounded by malevolent stares.
No movement on my own
I am stuck and unable to move forward on my own.
Cannot shake the present
I am unable to escape my current situation.
No visions here to roan
I have no direction or purpose in this place.
Deserted faces crowding me
I am surrounded by empty and lifeless people.
Staring cold ahead
They are looking into nothingness.
Not conscious of their destiny
They have no meaning or purpose in life.
My heart won't be lead
I will not be swayed or influenced by them.
I'll escape to the heights now
I will rise above this and find a better place.
Yonder in the distance
In the far-off horizon.
A glowing ray of light
A beacon of hope and possibility.
Escape from isolation
Breaking free from loneliness and isolation.
The shadows in the night
The darkness surrounding me.
Achieving new frontiers
Going beyond what I thought was possible.
I've a reason to fight
I have a purpose and motivation to keep going.
Rejecting old values
Leaving behind what was once important to me.
Leave the darkness behind
Moving away from negativity and pessimism.
I'm feeling my freedom now
I am experiencing liberation and autonomy.
Lyrics © Melodie Der Welt GmbH
Written by: FRANK BORNEMANN, HANS-JUERGEN ARKONA, KLAUS-PETER MATZIOL, HANNES ARKONA, HANNES FOLBERTH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind