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/
Sign Of The Times
Europe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She turns around
Cause day and night she's waited patiently
Now a different kind of world out there
Is to be found
It's over not for everyone to see
This is the way it's meant to be
It's the way that we hold on tight
I know, it's the sigh of the times
It's the way that we make things turn
It's the way that we live and learn
I know, it's the sigh of the times
It wakes him up, he turns around
And now he's gone
He's been waitin' for this moment desperately
Now the time is right, he's turnin' back
He's going home
Yeah it's over now for everyone to see
This is the way it's meant to be
It's the way that we make things right...
And every time it's on my mind
I feel so insecure
It worries me to end up here alone
But every time I realize I need her more and more
I'd never make it on my own
It's the way that we make things right...
The lyrics to Europe's song Sign Of The Times describe a moment of realization and acceptance of a changing world. The song starts with someone waiting patiently for a new world to emerge and finally, it does, but not everyone can see it. The chorus highlights the importance of living in the present, keeping a positive attitude, and making the most of the changing times. The song also depicts a man returning home after waiting desperately for this moment to happen, showing that change can bring about positive transformation.
The second half of Sign Of The Times deals with emotions and fear of ending up alone. The singer is worried about being alone, but the realization hits that he needs someone more and more. The song ends on a note of hope and reassurance that things will work out in the end as long as they are living in the present and making the most of what they have. The lyrics suggest that change is a natural part of life, but one can cope and thrive by focusing on present experiences.
Overall, the song Sign Of The Times calls for living in the present and embracing the changing times, indirectly calling for resilience and adaptation to life's challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
When the word is out from the other side
When news spreads from a distant place
She turns around
She pays attention, is alert
Cause day and night she's waited patiently
She has waited anxiously for a long time
Now a different kind of world out there
Now a change has taken place in the world
Is to be found
There is something to be discovered
It's over not for everyone to see
It's finished but not everyone can see it
This is the way it's meant to be
This is how it should be, according to destiny or nature
It's the way that we make things right
Things are made right through our actions
It's the way that we hold on tight
We hold on tightly to what we believe in
I know, it's the sign of the times
I understand that this is an indication of current trends or events
It's the way that we make things turn
Things turn out according to how we handle them
It's the way that we live and learn
We learn by living our lives and making mistakes
It wakes him up, he turns around
Something awakens him and he pays attention
And now he's gone
He has disappeared, moved on
He's been waitin' for this moment desperately
He has longed for this moment with great urgency
Now the time is right, he's turnin' back
The timing is right and he's returning to where he came from
Yeah it's over now for everyone to see
It's done and now everyone can see it
And every time it's on my mind
Every time it crosses my mind
I feel so insecure
I become uncertain and anxious
It worries me to end up here alone
I'm concerned about being alone in the end
But every time I realize I need her more and more
But every time I understand that I require her even further
I'd never make it on my own
I'd never survive on my own
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOEY TEMPEST
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind