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/
Dreamer
Europe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Late one night
He's tryin' to count the stars
In each of the signs
All alone by the riverside
And time passes by
Gathering thoughts of the past
So they say he's a madman
And he don't understand
But I know that he's tryin' hard
To act like a man
All those years he has suffered,
My friends
All those years of pain
But I don't think he knows for sure
If those years were in vain
He's a dreamer
And he's fightin' for his life
He's tryin' to understand
He's a dreamer
But he wants to carry on
Yet I know he's a lonely man
The lyrics to Europe's song "Dreamer" tell a story about a man who is alone by the riverside, trying to count the stars in each of the signs while gathering thoughts of the past. The lyrics convey a sense of melancholy as the man may be crying and reflecting on his life. The songwriter implies that the man is misunderstood and dismissed as a madman who doesn't understand. However, the songwriter seems to know that the man is trying hard to act like a man and has suffered for many years. As the song progresses, the lyrics reveal that the man is a dreamer and is fighting for his life and trying to understand. The man is lonely, but he wants to carry on.
The song is an emotional commentary on the human experience of feeling isolated, misunderstood, and struggling with one's past. It is also a reminder that dreams and perseverance can be a powerful force to help individuals overcome their hardships. The beauty of the song lies in its simplicity and ability to capture the feeling of longing and introspection.
Line by Line Meaning
He is down by the riverside
He's by the river
Late one night
It's nighttime
He's tryin' to count the stars
He's attempting to count the stars
In each of the signs
In each of the Zodiac signs
All alone by the riverside
He's all by himself
And time passes by
Time passes
Gathering thoughts of the past
Reflecting on his past
And maybe he'll cry
He might shed tears
So they say he's a madman
Some people believe he's insane
And he don't understand
He doesn't comprehend
But I know that he's tryin' hard
I believe he's putting in effort
To act like a man
To behave like an adult
All those years he has suffered,
He has endured years of hardship
My friends
Addressing the audience
All those years of pain
He's experienced years of agony
But I don't think he knows for sure
He's uncertain
If those years were in vain
If his struggles were pointless
He's a dreamer
He's an idealist
And he's fightin' for his life
He's battling to survive
He's tryin' to understand
He's attempting to comprehend
He's a dreamer
He's an optimistic person
But he wants to carry on
He desires to continue on
Yet I know he's a lonely man
I realize he's a solitary individual
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOEY TEMPEST
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tbariefrachmanibnkamalalaz9371
I Love this song, it remind me when I was young through my hard time and didn't know had to do for the future life 😢
@AngryPostmanStockholm
Absolutely beautiful, and Joey's way of singin almost make me cry - he is one underrated singer!!
@Caroline84fighter
Love this song ❤
@brandonlee9791
This band is a good story teller, & the 80's had a wild imagination. I lost a sister 😭⚰️ & listening 🎧 to this is like pain in my soul and sorrow for tomorrow 😔.
@gennaroventrice6793
Canzone molto bella e melodica , la ascolterei per ore ! Gruppo fantastico !❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
@agi9586
This song always helps me trough the hard times.
@billjohansson9993
My memory:
June 1986, last dance at our prom.
I danced with my secret crush and I never wanted the song to end...
When I got home I kept thinking of the girl and our dance.
Then I started the radio, GOOSEBUMPS, it started to play the same song... This song!
I always think of here when I hear the song! (Nope, I never got the courage to try to get it to another level!...)💔
@reasohou6581
Masterpiece!
@JustSomeGuyWithaGirlPicture
Makes me cry
@radmangal6837
Stilll As beautiful as listening for the firsth time... decades ago💗