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/
Here Comes The Night
Europe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's gonna be a long and lonely night
Oh Lord, I pray it's gonna be alright
As I walk down this dusty road
My heart weights down like a heavy load
My spirit finds its way across the ocean
I have got to get back home somehow
She stole my heart, oh how my spirit cried
Cause I had to leave and it broke me up inside
Here comes the night
It's gonna be a long and lonely night
I see tomorrow in a different light
This long and lonely night
I've got a weary head and worn out shoes
A bottle of rum and as I sing the blues
The bitter wind sends shivers down my spine
I'm a ramblin' man with a ramblin' mind
I left my loved ones far behind
She stole my heart, oh how my spirit cried
Cause I had to leave and it broke me up inside
Here comes the night
It's gonna be a long and lonely night
Oh Lord, I pray it's gonna be alright
This long and lonely night
Oh bless my soul, what have I done
I'm bound to face this world alone
A drifter I was meant to be
With no one there for company
But if one day down there road I can,
Would you look my way
Would you take me back again
Here comes the night
It's gonna be a long and lonely night
Oh Lord, I pray it's gonna be alright
This long and lonely night
As my souls cries out for leaving
The lyrics to Europe's "Here Comes the Night" describe the loneliness and longing of a man who has left his loved ones behind and is now wandering alone on a dusty road. Despite the weight on his heart and the bitterness he feels, he desperately hopes that everything will be alright, a sentiment expressed throughout the song. He is a "ramblin' man" with a "ramblin' mind," one who has been forced to leave someone who stole his heart and now cries out for him to return.
The lyrics reveal a sense of nostalgia and sadness, as the man reflects on the past and expresses his desire to return to his lost love. He sings of his weariness, both physically and emotionally, and of the rum he drinks to dull the pain. The cold and bitter wind serves as a metaphor for his desolate state of mind, while the long and lonely night represents the uncertain future he faces. Towards the end of the song, the man realizes the mistake he has made in leaving those who loved him and hopes for the possibility of redemption and forgiveness.
Overall, the lyrics to "Here Comes the Night" poignantly convey the anguish and hope of a man who is lost and alone, yet still holding onto the possibility of a better tomorrow.
Line by Line Meaning
Here comes the night
The singer acknowledges that darkness is approaching.
It's gonna be a long and lonely night
The singer is aware that they will be alone and feels that time will stretch before them.
Oh Lord, I pray it's gonna be alright
The singer expresses a hope that things will turn out okay.
As I walk down this dusty road
The artist establishes a sense of place.
My heart weights down like a heavy load
The artist feels burdened with emotion.
My spirit finds its way across the ocean
The singer's sense of self transcends physical boundaries.
And my soul cries out for leaving now
The singer wants to leave their current situation.
I have got to get back home somehow
The artist yearns to return to a place of comfort and familiarity.
She stole my heart, oh how my spirit cried
The artist reminisces on a past relationship that deeply affected them, causing emotional pain.
Cause I had to leave and it broke me up inside
The artist explains that the reason for their pain is that they were forced to leave the person they loved.
I see tomorrow in a different light
The singer's perspective has shifted, and they now see the future differently.
I've got a weary head and worn out shoes
The artist is tired and has been walking for a long time.
A bottle of rum and as I sing the blues
The singer is using alcohol and music to cope with their emotional pain.
The bitter wind sends shivers down my spine
The singer is physically uncomfortable due to the cold wind.
I'm a ramblin' man with a ramblin' mind
The singer sees themselves as a wanderer, both physically and mentally.
I left my loved ones far behind
The artist had to say goodbye to people they care about.
Oh bless my soul, what have I done
The artist expresses regret for their actions.
I'm bound to face this world alone
The singer acknowledges that they will have to deal with their struggles on their own.
A drifter I was meant to be
The singer sees themselves as someone who is always on the move.
With no one there for company
The artist is currently alone and does not have anyone to keep them company.
But if one day down there road I can,
The artist holds onto a hope that they may be able to return to a happier time in the future.
Would you look my way
The artist is addressing someone they want to see again.
Would you take me back again
The singer is asking to be welcomed back into someone's life.
This long and lonely night
Repeated throughout the song, the phrase emphasizes the artist's current state of mind and situation.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOEY TEMPEST
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@atulur
No one understands why this particular song had never made it to the final album. It could have been a hit! The harmonies are just awesome.
@MichaelSmith-lc9rc
So love this song and how joey uses technique to express great sadness in his vocals.It should have made an album but wasn't until at least 12yr later the song was featured on a compilation
@katycarbajo5423
Me encanta la voz de Joey, maravilloso, amo esa canción
@helga7184
This song is heartbreaking! tears the soul apart..
@iedamaria6788
A voz mais linda do mundo! Amo essa música e todas da banda Europe.
@user-pc8jf9su4p
I love this Song and the Voice of Joey. It's a beautiful song ❤❤
@katycarbajo5423
Música de calidad, es que no te aburrres de oirla
@agi9586
My loved one is so far away from me. This song tells how I feel.
@conchihurtadogallego4767
Precioso tema de Europe .Oh Joey maravilloso!!.
@johnlewis8139
Such an emotional song why was never released is beyond me.