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
Shadow And Light
Eloy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Unable to react
And with the heart of stainless steel
You only count the facts
You fought your soul with all your might
Do you believe this could be a glorious fight
Wish to be seen that way
You alone challenging life
Jumping the waves of a day
You fought your soul with all your might
Do you believe this could be a glorious fight
Shadow and light are same
Shades inbetween a game
You get drunk on stary skies
And inhale the coolness
There's this deepness of sentiment
Running through you
The world flowing in streams
And is the most precious dream
Warm and mild
And now crystalline clear
You can face life without fear
You're a romantic but scared of yourself
Always suspecting attack
Afraid to be caught vulnerable
Unable to react
You fought your soul with all your might
Do you believe this could be a glorious fight
The lyrics of "Shadow and Light" by Eloy invoke a feeling of conflict, both within oneself and with the world around. The singer describes a person who is analytical and unemotional, who approaches fate as if it were a machine and counts only the facts, shutting down any hint of emotion or intuition. This person is afraid of vulnerability and constantly suspects attack, causing them to be fearful and hesitant to act. The chorus suggests that the conflicts they face are actually one and the same - a game of shades in between shadow and light, with the possibility for glory.
The verses suggest that despite the singer's friend's seemingly cold exterior, there is a deep well of sentiment and soulfulness within them. They get "drunk on starry skies" and are moved by the world flowing in streams - it is the most precious dream, warm and mild. However, the fear and hesitation that holds them back from fully embracing life and being vulnerable always keeps them at arm's length from true connection.
Overall, the lyrics of "Shadow and Light" speak to the human condition of grappling with conflicting emotions, and the desire to strike a balance between analytical thought and emotional intuition in order to fully embrace life.
Line by Line Meaning
You take fate like a machine
You approach your destiny with an emotionless and mechanical manner, lacking any sense of spontaneity
Unable to react
You are passive and unresponsive in the face of challenges or uncertainty, lacking the willpower or courage to take action
And with the heart of stainless steel
You are emotionally detached and unyielding, refusing to let your feelings influence your actions or decisions
You only count the facts
You base your judgments solely on objective and measurable evidence, disregarding intuition or subjective experience
Cynically you talk to me now
You address me with a pessimistic and distrustful attitude, regarding the world as flawed and corrupt
Wish to be seen that way
You desire to project a certain image of yourself to others, willing to sacrifice your authenticity for social acceptance or admiration
You alone challenging life
You confront the challenges of existence by yourself, seeking self-reliance and independence in the face of adversity
Jumping the waves of a day
You navigate the ups and downs of daily life with fluidity and resilience, adapting to changing circumstances
Shadow and light are same
You acknowledge the duality of existence, recognizing that good and evil, joy and sorrow, are inextricably linked and inseparable
Shades inbetween a game
You view the nuances and complexities of life as a game, with various shades of meaning, interpretation, and significance
You get drunk on stary skies
You become intoxicated by the beauty and wonder of the night sky, losing yourself in its vastness and mystery
And inhale the coolness
You breathe in the refreshing and rejuvenating atmosphere of nature, finding solace and inspiration in its simplicity and purity
There's this deepness of sentiment
You experience a profound and meaningful emotional connection to the world around you, feeling a sense of awe, wonder, and transcendence
Running through you
This sentiment is an integral part of your being, permeating every aspect of your identity and worldview
The world flowing in streams
You perceive the world as an interconnected and dynamic system, with everything in a constant state of flux and transformation
And is the most precious dream
You cherish this vision of reality as the highest and most valuable aspiration of human existence, worth pursuing and preserving at all costs
Warm and mild
This vision of reality is characterized by comfort, security, and gentleness, a refuge of peace and harmony against the chaos and strife of the world
And now crystalline clear
You have gained a clear and lucid understanding of your place in the world and your purpose in life, free from confusion or doubt
You can face life without fear
You have overcome your anxieties and insecurities, ready to embrace whatever challenges and opportunities come your way with confidence and courage
You're a romantic but scared of yourself
You have a sensitive and idealistic nature, but you are also afraid of confronting your own weaknesses and vulnerabilities
Always suspecting attack
You are constantly on guard against potential threats or dangers, anticipating hostility or betrayal from others
Afraid to be caught vulnerable
You fear the consequences of exposing your true self to others, afraid of being judged, rejected, or hurt
Unable to react
You are immobilized and paralyzed by your fears, unable to take action or make decisions for fear of making a mistake
You fought your soul with all your might
You have struggled to reconcile your inner desires and beliefs with the external pressures and demands of the world
Do you believe this could be a glorious fight
You wonder if this existential struggle is a worthy and meaningful pursuit, a challenge that can lead to personal growth, enlightenment, and fulfillment
Contributed by Taylor B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Cleber Olympio
This was the track used by Globo TV Network in Brazil, in a special show that records the main facts and images in the end of a year (the Annual Retrospective), between the 80's and 90's.
Weldelon Soares
É verdade. Me lembro dela no "Retrospectiva 97".
Edward Szczepanski
GREAT TRACK
Renan Mendes
dangerous tune !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nikolaos Mosxakis
very good........................................................
Washington Assis
Amazon music!