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
The Stranger
Eloy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
An evening wind is blowing cold
Ethereal tune a radio voice
Alone in the heart of the crowd
What's in the air
The feeling they share
Looking full of hope
Oh no no no
Sorry, sorry, sorry, I'm not the one you've been praying for
The savior from afar
Collar up high, a fresh cigarette
Vacant windows line the way
Men on the news with nothing to say
They tell the same tales every day
Suffering alone whispering cries
Trying to call
I can't help you
Sorry, sorry, sorry, I'm not the one you've been waiting for
Sorry, sorry, sorry, I'm not the one you've been praying for
The savior from afar
[ahhh aaaaa's]
Sorry, sorry, sorry, I'm not the one you've been waiting for
Sorry, sorry, sorry, I'm not the one you've been praying for
The savior from afar
The lyrics of Eloy's song, The Stranger, depict a walk down a seemingly endless street, where a cold evening wind blows and an ethereal tune can be heard from a radio voice. Despite being in the heart of the crowd, the singer feels alone, searching for something undefined in the air that others seem to share. The scene is desolate, with vacant windows and news reports telling the same tales of suffering every day. The singer is unable to help those in pain and apologizes for not being the savior they have been waiting and praying for.
The song is heavy with the themes of urban ennui and the struggles of modern society. The lyrics suggest a sense of disconnectedness and isolation, despite being surrounded by people. The disappointment of not being able to offer help or salvation permeates the song. The use of the ethereal tune underscores the sense of unease and otherworldliness, as though the singer is walking through a strange and unknown landscape.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm walking down a street with no end
The singer feels lost and without direction on this journey called life.
An evening wind is blowing cold
The surrounding environment is chilly, quite possibly reflective of the singer's current emotional state.
Ethereal tune a radio voice
A voice on the radio seems to be otherworldly, or maybe this is simply how the singer perceives the music.
Alone in the heart of the crowd
Despite being surrounded by other people, the singer is feeling isolated and estranged from everyone else.
What's in the air
There's an unspoken tension lingering in the atmosphere that's almost palpable to the singer.
The feeling they share
Although the singer feels disconnected from the people around him, they still all sense something in common with each other.
Looking full of hope
Despite the uncertain circumstances surrounding them, the people the singer sees still remain optimistic.
Oh no no no
The singer is reflecting on the fact that he can't fulfill other people's expectations for him.
Sorry, sorry, sorry, I'm not the one you've been waiting for
The singer can't meet the hopes and aspirations of others, and this weighs heavily on him.
Sorry, sorry, sorry, I'm not the one you've been praying for
The singer isn't the divine figure that others are searching for in their lives.
The savior from afar
The people around the singer are looking for someone to rescue them from their predicament, but the singer is not that person.
Collar up high, a fresh cigarette
The singer is trying to look cool and collected despite the turmoil he feels inside. He's smoking a new cigarette as a small comfort.
Vacant windows line the way
The buildings around the singer appear hollow and lifeless, adding to the overall feeling of isolation and hopelessness.
Men on the news with nothing to say
Watching the news only serves to reinforce the fact that no one has anything truly helpful to say or do in situations like these.
They tell the same tales every day
The news media cycles through the same stories over and over again, with no real solutions offered.
Suffering alone whispering cries
The people around the singer are trying to deal with their suffering alone, not wanting to burden anyone else.
Trying to call
Despite the lack of any meaningful assistance from others, the people are still attempting to find help wherever they can.
I can't help you
The singer acknowledges that he might not be able to offer any real assistance to those in need, despite wanting to help.
The savior from afar
Once again, the singer is recognizing that he's not the one who can save others from their troubles.
[ahhh aaaaa's]
The singer trails off into a wordless, anguished cry of frustration and helplessness.
Sorry, sorry, sorry, I'm not the one you've been waiting for
The singer is repeating the same sentiment, perhaps trying to remind himself that he can only do so much and that his limitations are not his fault.
Sorry, sorry, sorry, I'm not the one you've been praying for
Once again, the singer is apologizing for not being the divine figure that some people are hoping to find in their lives.
The savior from afar
No matter how much society wants to find a way out of its problems, the solution is not going to come from an external force. We need to find inner strength within ourselves to get through tough times.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: FRANK BORNEMANN, HANNES FOLBERTH, HANS-JUERGEN ARKONA, KLAUS-PETER MATZIOL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind