1) Enchantment was a d… Read Full Bio ↴There is more than one artist with this name:
1) Enchantment was a doom/death metal band from Blackpool, United Kingdom. They released only a demo and 1994's full length CD called "Dance the marble naked". The band had a 6 record deal with Century Media and disbanded after one full length album.
2) Enchantment is a funk, soul, R&B band formed in Detroit. Members: Emanuel 'EJ' Johnson, David Banks, Joe 'Jobie' Thomas, Ed 'Mickey' Clanton, Bobby Green. Formed in the late 60s at Detroit's Pershing High School, Enchantment became one of the most enjoyable but underrated groups of the late 70s and early 80s. Consisting of lead singer Emanuel "EJ" Johnson, Bobby Green, Mickey Clanton, Joe Thomas and Dave Banks, Enchantment was for many years a local favorite, playing gigs in the Detroit area while hoping to ultimately score a record contract.
Enchantment had its first big break in 1976, as the group signed with the Roadshow label and recorded a debut album with young producer (and future Motown executive) Michael Stokes. Enchantment was a decent introduction to the group, but most importantly was the first showcase for Enchantment's strong harmonies and the wonderful falsetto lead vocals and songwriting skills of EJ Johnson. Johnson was more influenced by Eddie Kendricks than Philip Bailey, but in an era of falsetto lead vocalists (from Russell Thompkins of the Stylistics to Eugene Record of the Chi-Lites), his ability to both master emotional ballads and attack blistering upbeat tunes moved him to the head of the class. Enchantment's debut album boasted two top ten R&B hits, "Sunshine" and the beautiful ballad, "Gloria," both written by Johnson.
Enchantment's follow up, Once Upon a Dream, was a gem, far surpassing its predecessor. Featuring the crossover ballad "It's You That I Need" and the stepper "If You're Ready," it was, front to back, one of 1978's most listenable LPs and included both more mature group vocals and more elaborate backing work by great local Detroit musicians (including a ripping saxophone solo by Bob Seger sideman Alto Reed). Beyond the LP's hits were a slew of memorable album cuts, including "Silly Love Song" and the swing ballad "Angel In My Life." Unfortunately, while Once Upon A Dream should have thrust the group to A-list status, it became Enchantment's commercial peak. The group followed in 1979 with the solid Journey To the Land of Enchantment, and its hit, "Any Way You Want It," but problems at Roadshow Records began to affect the Enchantment's visibility and active promotion.
1980 brought the downfall of Roadshow and the group's ill-fated move to RCA's fledgling black music division. Soft Lights, Sweet Music was a disappointment, and the group quickly switched to Columbia Records, where they hoped that an affiliation with the world's largest record company would create great opportunities for increased crossover success. Unfortunately, Enchantment was lost in Columbia's monolithic organization and their two albums there died from lack of support. Their final recording, 1983's marvelous Utopia, reunited them with Michael Stokes and was a critical success (and is very much worth searching for), but barely dented the charts.
Enchantment continues to perform in multi-group Soul Music shows. EJ Johnson has also become a popular name in Gospel circles as both a writer and producer. He released his first solo CD, the impressive Totally With Me, in 1999. In 2003, Enchantment released a beautiful single version of "God Bless America" in honor of America's soldiers in Iraq (with proceeds to the United Way). The single found the group in absolutely fantastic vocal form and is worth finding both for the cause and for the quality of the music.
By Chris Rizik
My Oceans Vast
Enchantment Lyrics
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The tears from your eyes, shadows that sign
I hold the earth within my hands,
O take the beauty that glimpsed you first
Thrash the world within your shores
It's in your arms that I die
O be my thoughts to dance the earth with me
Take my hand as if it was yours and see
The glimpse of dreams your oceans bring
I hold the earth within my hands
O take the beauty that glimpsed you first
Thrash the world within your shores
It's in your arms that I die
Hold on to me all beauty is prospered in you
Your envy has poisoned the hearts of many
O of many, my oceans vast, I pour in you
For love I have journeyed a thousand times
Even upon the backs of many have I drowned
Here in your arms I would steal from fear
Suffer with me now and I might fright the world
The lyrics of Enchantment's "My Oceans Vast" speak of a person's journey through the difficulties of life, including fear, faith, and even the prospect of death. However, the song also speaks of the beauty that can be found in the world, particularly in the oceans. The singer speaks of holding the earth in their hands and taking the beauty that can be found in it, especially in the oceans. The lyrics also discuss the importance of empathy and connection with others, as well as the power of love and unity to overcome fear and hatred.
The use of vivid language and metaphor in the lyrics of "My Oceans Vast" creates a powerful emotional impact. The imagery of holding the earth in one's hands and the beauty of the oceans reflects the awe-inspiring wonder of the natural world while also acknowledging its fragility. The lyrics also suggest a connection between the natural world and the human experience, emphasizing the importance of empathy and solidarity to overcome adversity.
In conclusion, Enchantment's "My Oceans Vast" is a poignant and stirring song that speaks to the beauty and complexity of the human experience. Its use of metaphor and evocative language creates a sense of urgency and emotional resonance that will resonate with listeners.
Line by Line Meaning
The fear, passing faith, death upon my knees
I am filled with fear and dying; my faith is wavering and I am on the brink of death.
The tears from your eyes, shadows that sign
Your tears signify the darkness and sadness that surrounds us.
I hold the earth within my hands,
I am in control of the world around me.
O take the beauty that glimpsed you first
Take in the beauty that first caught your attention.
Thrash the world within your shores
Take control of the world within your reach.
It's in your arms that I die
I find peace and comfort in your embrace and am willing to die there.
Turn your eyes towards my sympathy
Look to me for comfort and understanding.
O be my thoughts to dance the earth with me
Join me in the beauty of the world and let our thoughts dance together.
Take my hand as if it was yours and see
Let us be as one and see the world through each other's eyes.
The glimpse of dreams your oceans bring
The dreams and possibilities of the world are limitless and found within the vastness of your oceans.
Hold on to me all beauty is prospered in you
Stay with me and everything beautiful will flourish within you.
Your envy has poisoned the hearts of many
Your jealousy has caused harm to others and corrupted their hearts.
O of many, my oceans vast, I pour in you
My love and emotions are poured into the vastness of your oceans.
For love I have journeyed a thousand times
I have traveled great distances and endured much for the sake of love.
Even upon the backs of many have I drowned
My love has caused me to feel overwhelmed and defeated, even in the presence of many people.
Here in your arms I would steal from fear
In your embrace, I find the courage to overcome my fear.
Suffer with me now and I might fright the world
Join me in my suffering and together we can create a powerful impact on the world.
Contributed by Camden N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Tasha
on Silly Love Song
Is this song silly love song about a woman or man