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/
Stormwind
Europe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When the light is going down
I like to hear the wild wind blow outside my door
I have so much left to remember
I have so much left to forget
And I know I just don't have to search for more
But you want to change my world
Storm wind, you're just like a wind
Comin' to drag me away
Storm wind, what can I say
I just don't want you to stay
I like to walk around in dreams at night
And play with kings and queens 'til the morning light
I like to wake up in the morning unaware
Of the fact that you are calling me
To ask me if I want to be
Someone who you could love and always care for
The lyrics of Europe's song "Stormwind" speak about someone who cherishes their solitude in the company of their thoughts and the elements of nature. The singer mentions their preference for sitting by the fire as the light is fading, enjoying the wild wind that sweeps through their surroundings. With so much left to remember and forget, the singer acknowledges the need for emotional detachment and introspection, without having to seek or entertain anything more. However, there is someone who wants to change their world, represented by the storm wind that threatens to sweep them away.
The singer's reluctance to succumb to this force is evident in their repeated chorus: "Storm wind, you're just like a wind, comin' to drag me away. Storm wind, what can I say, I just don't want you to stay." The singer wants to be left alone, and resents the intrusion into their life that this storm represents. It's not clear who the "storm wind" represents - it could be a former lover, a persistent friend, or even an aspect of the singer's own psyche that they are struggling to confront. The second verse of the song highlights the singer's preference for the world of dreams, where they can walk with kings and queens and wake up blissfully unaware of any personal upheavals.
Line by Line Meaning
I like to sit beside the fire
I enjoy relaxing by the warmth of a fire
When the light is going down
At the end of the day
I like to hear the wild wind blow outside my door
I find comfort in the sound of nature
I have so much left to remember
I have a lot of memories
I have so much left to forget
Also many things I want to let go of
And I know I just don't have to search for more
I don't need anything else at this moment
But you want to change my world
You want to disrupt my peace and comfort
Stay out of my life
I do not want you to be a part of my life
Storm wind, you're just like a wind
Your presence is like a strong gust of wind
Comin' to drag me away
Taking me away from my peaceful state of mind
Storm wind, what can I say
I don't know how to articulate my feelings towards you
I just don't want you to stay
I want you to leave me alone
I like to walk around in dreams at night
I enjoy having vivid dreams
And play with kings and queens 'til the morning light
Engaging in imaginative scenarios
I like to wake up in the morning unaware
I prefer waking up without any distractions
Of the fact that you are calling me
I do not want to receive calls from you
To ask me if I want to be
Inquiring if I want a relationship with you
Someone who you could love and always care for
Someone who you can take care of and show affection towards
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOEY TEMPEST
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mαίρη Αρκ
I like to sit beside the fire
When the light is going down
I like to hear the wild wind blow outside my door
I have so much left to remember
I have so much left to forget
And I know I just don't have to search for more
But you want to change my world
Stay out of my life
Stormwind--you're just like a wind
Comin' to drag me away
Stormwind--what can I say
I just don't want you to stay
I like to walk around in dreams at night
And play with kings and queens 'til the morning light
I like to wake up in the morning unaware
Of the fact that you are calling me
To ask me if I want to be
Someone who you could love and always care for
Ági
This song is 35 years old, It's a hidden gem, so beautiful. Killer riffs and what a solo, it blows me away. Norum was really on fire here and he was only 19 years old when they recorded this song. Pure talent, the guitar god. He is my all time favorite and i want to see him play live once in my life especially this song. My dream would come true....❤
Christer Vainio
Norum never sounded more Schenker than this.
I just Love it, - John Norum and Europe
❤️
Simo-Pekka Sunila
1984
Alberto Tomba
@Christer Vainio Schenker was totally different than Norum. Both have own touch silly to compare
Christer Vainio
@Alberto Tomba So, you mean that Schenker isn't a big influence on Norums playing ?
Then you're the one who's silly.
Alberto Tomba
@Christer Vainio like Gary Moore etc. I listen all of them. Listening Norum is unique cause he reflects his feelings better than all of them.
You can name all of his influence doesn't matter Norum is in his own world
Dogge Doge
Early Europe stuff is musical treasure.
jgm de wilde
What happend with kee marcello?
Dogge Doge
@jgm de wilde It's good but lacks that nostalgic pure rock.
TheMayonakaTenshi
I purchased Wings of Tomorrow on tape at the Woolworth store in town a year after The Final Countdown was released. Came upon it by accident.
I listened to it constantly. Stormwind is my favorite song off the tape.