Eloy is a progressive rock band from Germany, whose musical style includes … Read Full Bio ↴Eloy is a progressive rock band from Germany, whose musical style includes symphonic and space rock, the latter being more prevalent on earlier albums. The band took their name from the Eloi, a futuristic race of people in the H.G. Wells novel The Time Machine.

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

In Disguise
Eloy Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Ballet on ice
You will fall before you know, hey!
Watch where you go
You beat the retreat
Everythime you have to choose, hey!
You'll always lose
The back is where you've found your seat
Happy that you've got off cheap

Cameras
Replace your eyes
Offering life in disguise
Integrity
There's two of a kind
Depends on how it's defined
Cameras
Replace your eyes
Offering too many lies
But time's a healer
Don't react
Just call it fate
The governing few
Saluted like uniforms, hey!
Where were you born
Talk when you're asked
Sing when you see dotted lines, hey!
Don't take your time
Don't you ever contemplate
Before you find out it's too late
As long as your illusionsto put you to confusion, distant
Distant
Nothing will force you ? to ever react, react
Beat back

You sport a line of sight
Which comes close to being blind

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Eloy's song "In Disguise" have several layers of interpretation. Initially, it talks about a ballet performance on ice where the performer falls, and the advice to be careful where you go. The lines "You'll always lose, the back is where you've found your seat, happy that you've got off cheap" implies that the person feels satisfied with being a spectator rather than getting too involved, afraid of the consequences of making a choice.

The next set of lines talks about cameras that replace our eyes, offering life in disguise, and too many lies, reflecting how we are constantly bombarded with manipulated images and half-truths through various media. The lines "Integrity, there's two of a kind, depends on how it's defined" suggests how the idea of integrity is subjective and can vary from person to person.

The song then talks about the governing few being saluted like uniforms and asking where were we born, implying that social hierarchies and discrimination based on nationality still exist. The final lines talk about not contemplating before taking action and having a narrow line of sight, which is almost blind. It implies a warning that we must be aware of our choices and not just blindly follow the crowd.

Line by Line Meaning

Ballet on ice
Life is difficult and unpredictable, like a ballet performance on ice

You will fall before you know, hey!
Problems and challenges can arise suddenly and catch you off guard

Watch where you go
Pay attention to your surroundings and the path you choose

You beat the retreat
You tend to avoid challenges and give up easily when faced with difficulties

Everythime you have to choose, hey!
Making decisions can be difficult and stressful

You'll always lose
You lack confidence and tend to make poor choices

The back is where you've found your seat
You tend to stay in the background or avoid taking a leading role

Happy that you've got off cheap
You're content with mediocrity or settling for less than you're capable of achieving

Cameras
Society and technology often scrutinize people's actions and behaviors

Replace your eyes
People can become so focused on external validation that they lose sight of their own desires and aspirations

Offering life in disguise
Society can offer a false sense of security and fulfillment

Integrity
Honesty and moral principles are important, but not everyone values them equally

There's two of a kind
People's perceptions of integrity can vary widely, leading to misunderstandings and conflict

Depends on how it's defined
The meaning of integrity can be subjective and open to interpretation

Offering too many lies
Society can promote false narratives and propaganda

But time's a healer
With time, wounds can heal and perspective can shift

Don't react
Don't let emotions cloud your judgment or escalate a situation

Just call it fate
Accept that some things are outside of your control and are meant to be

The governing few
Those in power often receive praise and admiration, regardless of their actions

Saluted like uniforms, hey!
People in power are often revered like military officers in uniform

Where were you born
Social status and privilege can dictate a person's fate and opportunities

Talk when you're asked
You're expected to follow authority and not question the status quo

Sing when you see dotted lines, hey!
You're encouraged to conform and follow established norms and rules

Don't take your time
There's a sense of urgency and pressure to conform and succeed

Don't you ever contemplate
You're discouraged from independent thought and critical thinking

Before you find out it's too late
If you don't take action or make changes, you may regret it in the future

As long as your illusions to put you to confusion, distant
As long as you remain trapped in illusions and false beliefs, you'll be emotionally disconnected

Nothing will force you to ever react, react
If you don't take action and confront problems, nothing will change

Beat back
You need to fight against complacency and mediocrity

You sport a line of sight
Your perspective and worldview are limited and narrow

Which comes close to being blind
You need to broaden your horizons and gain new experiences to gain a more accurate view of the world.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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