Since their formation, Europe has released eleven studio albums, three live albums, three compilations and nineteen music videos.
Europe rose to international fame in the 1980s with their third album, 1986's The Final Countdown, which has sold over 3 million copies in the United States and 15 million copies worldwide (including album and single). Europe has sold over 25 million records worldwide. The band has had two top 20 albums on the Billboard 200 chart (The Final Countdown and Out of This World) and two top 10 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart ("The Final Countdown" and "Carrie").
Europe went on hiatus in 1992, reunited temporarily for a one-off performance in Stockholm on New Year's Eve 1999 and announced an official reunion in 2003. Since then the band has released six albums, Start from the Dark (2004), Secret Society (2006), Last Look at Eden (2009), Bag of Bones (2012), War of Kings (2015) and Walk The Earth (2017). They continue to have popular tours.
Europe has achieved new attention in the US due to being featured in a GEICO Insurance cable television commercial campaign viewed for many months across the US in 2015-16.
The band is mainly influenced by Whitesnake, Deep Purple, Rainbow, Led Zeppelin, Thin Lizzy, UFO and Michael Schenker Group.
Born in 1979 from the underground rock music scene in the outskirts of Stockholm, Sweden, a young band called 'Force' sprung from the suburbs to win national acclaim in the early 80s, emerging victorious in a nationwide talent contest. Their main influences were arena-ready British hard rock bands of the 70s such as UFO, Thin Lizzy, and Led Zeppelin. Winning a recording contract, core members Joey Tempest (vocals), John Norum (guitar) and John Leven (bass) re-named themselves 'Europe'.
They went on to record and release two spirited albums, 'Europe' and 'Wings of Tomorrow'. They broke through the musical mainstream in both Scandinavia and Japan. The band toured widely on the strengths of these two records, and, in 1984, they recruited new members Mic Michaeli (keyboards) and drummer Ian Haugland. The success these albums generated on their home soil as well as in the Far East landed them an international record deal with Epic Records in New York.
In 1986, Europe went on to release their third album, 'The Final Countdown', which was produced by Kevin Elson (who had notably worked with Journey and Mr Big). Upon its release, gaining major momentum from Moscow to Manhattan and Stockholm to Sydney and elsewhere, that album conquered the airwaves and the epic arena rock anthem that was its title track succeeded in penetrating the global psyche. The prominent (and now arguably legendary) keyboard riff and memorable melodies catapulted "The Final Countdown" into the top ten charts in the U.K and U.S., and it ended up reaching number one in 24 countries. Selling in excess of six million units and resulting in an extensive world tour, 'The Final Countdown' became a global phenomenon.
It was at this time that John Norum chose to leave Europe to pursue a solo career, and he was replaced by another well-known Swedish guitarist, Kee Marcello. About two years later, Europe emerged again with their fourth album, titled 'Out of This World'. Produced by Ron Nevison (who had worked with UFO, Thin Lizzy, and Heart), this album delivered what had become the trademark Europe melodies and inspiring musical arrangements. Also a remarkable success, Europe embarked on a second world tour, and they notably were the first international rock-act to perform behind the 'Bamboo Curtain' in Bombay, India in front of a 60,000-strong audience.
The follow-up to 'Out of This World' approximately came two years later. That album, titled 'Prisoners in Paradise', was inspired by the band's time residing in Los Angeles, California. Upon completion of yet another world tour in 1993, the members of Europe decided to take time out to pursue personal projects and record solo albums.
After an extended hiatus, the band came together again in 1999 (including original guitarist John Norum) on new year's eve in Stockholm Sweden to perform "Rock the Night" and "The Final Countdown", helping to usher in the new millennium. The performance not only marked Europe's first public appearance in almost a decade but also inspired a permanent reunion. Still, the band's members had difficulties getting their plans to come together.
In 2004, with John Norum firmly back in the band, the original Europe lineup returned to the world stage with "Start From the Dark" - a raw, cutting-edge rock album that delivered a brand new style of melodic rock. The release saw the band's welcome return to the road as they embarked on an extensive tour in Europe, the United States, and the Far East. Shortly thereafter, the band returned to the studio to record their 7th studio album titled "Secret Society" which was released in October 2006. Marking the most daring and innovative Europe album to date, "Secret Society" is both a return to their roots as well as a celebration of their collective musical experience and willingness to explore brand new territories. Followed by another world tour, the band continues to work hard to establish themselves yet again. It can be said that there are few bands from the 80's that still remain creative and relevant today with an edgy and modern sound.
Following their summer 2008 European tour, Europe returned to the studio to record and then release their eighth studio effort, " the Last Look at Eden." The band's latest work is "Bag of Bones," which they released in April 2012. Vocalist Joey Tempest remarked that he thought he'd "made a hardcore classic rock record with the blues knocking on the door." Showing that the group has still got it, the album debuted at #2 on Sweden's top album chart and has been certified Gold in Sweden while also receiving strong sales throughout Europe and in the U.K.
www.europetheband.com/
Bag of Bones
Europe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Darker days I've never known
Where's this feeling coming from
Lord, I miss my happy home
I said why now, why now
Should be having the time of my life
I said bag of bones, I'm just a bag of bones
Must be some kind of homecoming song
And my city lies in ruins
In the stone cold light of day
And I'm sifting through the rubble
How did it get this late
Baby, how did it get this late
Bag of bones, I'm a bag of bones
The darkest sky I've ever known
Now here's a life I can't walk out on
I gotta deal with what's going on
I said why now, why now
I was having the time of my life
I said bag of bones, I'm just a bag of bones
Must be some kind of homecoming song
Homecoming song
And my city lies in ruins
From the last couple of days
And I'm sifting through the rubble
How did it get this late
And my city lies in ruins
From the last couple of days
And I'm sifting through the rubble
How did it get this late
Yeah, my city lies in ruins
In the stone cold light of day
And I'm out late after curfew
How did it get this late
Bag of bones, I'm a bag of bones
Must be some kind of homecoming song
The song "Bag of Bones" by Europe speaks about the feeling of emptiness, despair, and confusion that can be experienced during times of trouble and hardship. The artist refers to himself as a bag of bones, suggesting that his physical and emotional strength have been depleted, leaving him feeling weak and vulnerable. The lyrics express a sense of nostalgia for a time when things were happier and a longing to return to that state.
The chorus seems to contradict the verses by saying that this must be some kind of homecoming song. This could indicate a sense of comfort in returning to a familiar place or state of being, even if it is not one of happiness. The artist may be acknowledging that the feeling of emptiness and despair is a part of his journey and that he must embrace it in order to move on.
The imagery of the city lying in ruins and the artist sifting through the rubble further emphasizes the sense of destruction and the need to rebuild. The lines "how did it get this late" suggest a feeling of regret for not acting sooner to prevent the situation from escalating.
Overall, "Bag of Bones" is a powerful and introspective song that speaks to the universal experience of facing hardship and the struggle to find meaning and hope in difficult times.
Line by Line Meaning
Bag of bones, I'm a bag of bones
I feel very tired and weak, as if I'm just a collection of bones and nothing else
Darker days I've never known
I'm going through a very difficult and challenging time right now
Where's this feeling coming from
I don't understand why I feel this way, and I'm trying to figure out the root cause
Lord, I miss my happy home
I'm feeling nostalgic for a time when I was happier and more content
I said why now, why now
I'm surprised and upset that all of this is happening at this particular moment in my life
Should be having the time of my life
I expected to be enjoying myself and having fun, but instead I'm going through a tough time
Must be some kind of homecoming song
I'm trying to make sense of my feelings and experiences, and this song reminds me of home and a simpler time
And my city lies in ruins
The place where I live is in a state of chaos and destruction
From the last couple of days
This has only happened recently, and I'm still trying to process it
And I'm sifting through the rubble
I'm trying to pick up the pieces and make sense of what has happened
How did it get this late
I'm wondering how things got so bad, and why I didn't see it coming
Now here's a life I can't walk out on
I have to face my problems head-on and deal with them, rather than running away
The darkest sky I've ever known
Things are very bleak and uncertain for me right now, and I'm struggling to see a way forward
I gotta deal with what's going on
I have to face my problems and try to find solutions, rather than ignoring them
And I'm out late after curfew
I'm feeling rebellious and like I'm breaking the rules, even though there may not be any actual curfew
Contributed by Dominic K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@xtremeunderratedmusic
SUPPORT my Channei HERE: paypal.me/XtremeUnderratedMusi
1. Riches To Rags 00:00
2. Not Supposed To Sing The Blues 03:05
3. Firebox 08:18
4. Bag Of Bones 12:05
5. Requiem 17:35
6. My Woman My Friend 18:04
7. Demon Head 22:29
8. Drink And A Smile 26:27
9. Doghouse 28:49
10. Mercy You Mercy Me 32:47
11. Bring It All Home 37:18
@roberton245
I like so much this album and I have the feeling that is so much underrated. I would like to see Mercy You Mercy Me, and Doghouse played live. I think the would sound just perfect.
@giuseppe2237
Europe sono ๐๐๐๐ธ๐ฅ
@moshlem666
... ๐ค ๐ธ๐ช
@guitarlife3765
๐ธ๐ค
@xtremeunderratedmusic
Europe rules...
@moshlem666
... ๐ค ๐ธ๐ช
@moshlem666
... EUROPE ๐ธ๐ช (formerly FORCE ๐ธ๐ช) from Sweden, Scandinavian exellence ... ๐ค ๐ธ๐ช
@xtremeunderratedmusic
They had release a demo as FORCE?
@moshlem666
@@xtremeunderratedmusic ... no, I don't think so ... they performed under the banner FORCE ๐ธ๐ช between 1979 - 1982 and were probably still searching for their destiny back then ... ๐ค ๐ธ๐ช
@xtremeunderratedmusic
SUPPORT my Channei HERE: paypal.me/XtremeUnderratedMusi
1. Riches To Rags 00:00
2. Not Supposed To Sing The Blues 03:05
3. Firebox 08:18
4. Bag Of Bones 12:05
5. Requiem 17:35
6. My Woman My Friend 18:04
7. Demon Head 22:29
8. Drink And A Smile 26:27
9. Doghouse 28:49
10. Mercy You Mercy Me 32:47
11. Bring It All Home 37:18