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
Illuminations
Eloy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The forests are my covers
Moonman, the watcher, with eyes so bright
Gives shelter like a brother
Birds wake my mind
As dawn paints a flame coloured skies
Dream curtains undrawn
An afternoon rainshower drawing near slowly
Clouds hold their treasure suspended like scales
The eagle encircles his mansioned sky boldly
Wild conversation as larks tell their tales
Birds wake my mind
As dawn paints a flame coloured skies
Dream curtains undrawn
New day of soft splendour is born
A star-spangled skies are my roof tonight
The forests are my covers
Moonman, the watcher, with eyes so bright
Gives shelter like a brother
Birds wake my mind
As dawn paints a flame coloured skies
Dream curtains undrawn
New day of soft splendour is born
Horizon serene
A rainbow where no man has been
Love within reach
A truth with no needing of speech
Where all dreams are one
As rain meets a boundless ocean
My days here I'll spend
A life of true peace and no end
Birds wake my mind
As dawn paints a flame coloured skies
Dream curtains undrawn
New day of soft splendour is born
In Eloy's song "Illuminations," the singer describes their setting as underneath a star-spangled sky with the forest as their covers. The Moonman, referred to as the "watcher," watches over them like a brother. The singer is awakened by the sound of birds as they paint the sunrise with flame-colored skies. As the day progresses, an afternoon rain shower draws near, and the clouds hold their treasure suspended like scales. The eagle encircles his mansioned sky boldly, and larks engage in wild conversation, telling their tales. The singer sees in this an idyllic and beautiful way to live, with love within reach, and a truth that needs no speech. The song ends with the singer in a place where all dreams are one, as rain meets a boundless ocean, and days are spent in life's true peace with no end.
This song is an ode to nature, and the beauty that it offers. It shows a deep appreciation for the world around us, and the singer's desire for a life in such an environment. The reference made about the Moonman is also poignant, as it shows that the singer views the stars and sky as a constant companion, watching over them like a brother. The imagery is vivid and beautiful, with the use of metaphors, particularly of the eagle and rain coming together as a symbol of boundless beauty.
Line by Line Meaning
A star-spangled sky is my roof tonight
The singer is sleeping under a sky that is full of stars.
The forests are my covers
The singer is covered by the trees and nature around them as they sleep.
Moonman, the watcher, with eyes so bright
Gives shelter like a brother
The moon is providing protection to the singer and feels like a brotherly figure.
Birds wake my mind
As dawn paints a flame coloured skies
Dream curtains undrawn
New day of soft splendour is born
As the sun rises and the colors in the sky change, the artist is awakened by the sounds of birds singing and feels refreshed by the new day ahead.
An afternoon rainshower drawing near slowly
Clouds hold their treasure suspended like scales
The eagle encircles his mansioned sky boldly
Wild conversation as larks tell their tales
The artist observes the beauty of nature during an afternoon rainstorm, with the clouds looking like scales and an eagle soaring confidently in the sky while larks communicate with each other.
Horizon serene
A rainbow where no man has been
Love within reach
A truth with no needing of speech
The singer sees a calm and peaceful horizon, a rainbow in a place where no one has ever seen, and feels love nearby without the need for words.
Where all dreams are one
As rain meets a boundless ocean
My days here I'll spend
A life of true peace and no end
The singer envisions a place where all dreams come true, where the rain and ocean meet, and they plan to spend their days living in true peace forever.
Contributed by Charlie G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
hix256
A star spangled sky is my roof tonight
The forests are my covers
Moon man the watcher with eye so bright
Gives shelter like a brother
Birds wake my mind
As dawn paints a flame coloured skies
Dream curtains undrawn
New day of soft splendour is born
An afternoon rainshower drawing near slowly
Clouds hold their treasure suspended like scales
The eagle encircles his mansioned sky boldly
Wild conversation as larks tell their tales
Birds wake my mind
As dawn paints a flame coloured skies
Dream curtains undrawn
New day of soft splendour is born
A star spangled sky is my roof tonight
The forests are my covers
Moon man the watcher with eye so bright
Gives shelter like a brother
Birds wake my mind
As dawn paints a flame coloured skies
Dream curtains undrawn
New day of soft splendour is born
Horizon Serene
A rainbow where no man has been
Love within reach
A truth with no needing of speech
Where all dreams are one
As rain meets a boundless ocean
My days here I'll spend
A life of true peace and no end
Birds wake my mind
As dawn paints a flame coloured skies
Dream curtains undrawn
New day of soft splendour is born
Fabricio Carvalho
I dont like 80's, but this is an exceptional masterpiece
pcuimac
That's like saying I don't like 1830.
hix256
A star spangled sky is my roof tonight
The forests are my covers
Moon man the watcher with eye so bright
Gives shelter like a brother
Birds wake my mind
As dawn paints a flame coloured skies
Dream curtains undrawn
New day of soft splendour is born
An afternoon rainshower drawing near slowly
Clouds hold their treasure suspended like scales
The eagle encircles his mansioned sky boldly
Wild conversation as larks tell their tales
Birds wake my mind
As dawn paints a flame coloured skies
Dream curtains undrawn
New day of soft splendour is born
A star spangled sky is my roof tonight
The forests are my covers
Moon man the watcher with eye so bright
Gives shelter like a brother
Birds wake my mind
As dawn paints a flame coloured skies
Dream curtains undrawn
New day of soft splendour is born
Horizon Serene
A rainbow where no man has been
Love within reach
A truth with no needing of speech
Where all dreams are one
As rain meets a boundless ocean
My days here I'll spend
A life of true peace and no end
Birds wake my mind
As dawn paints a flame coloured skies
Dream curtains undrawn
New day of soft splendour is born
pcuimac
This is soooooooo good! I love those keyboard solos.
mehdi kiani
I have been listening to this song since 1989,when i was a child,but now,decade by decade,it gives me adifferent feeling and mood.thanks to eloy🌟👑
Minuteman Videos
Can you get any better than this? God bless frank and Klaus
Алекс Cusaca
я пацаном услашал,в 80 гг.сейчас 50,на хорошей акустике…….это сейчас….,запредельно звучит,КЛАССИКА!!!!!!!
Ricardo Canales
Temazooooooo!!!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🍾
Frank Zeiss
4:50 gotta be on of the best band comebacks ever
fmtf niuprog
One of the best synths solos ever...5:18...