Eyeless in Gaza is a post-punk/new wave musical duo of Martyn Bates and Pet… Read Full Bio ↴Eyeless in Gaza is a post-punk/new wave musical duo of Martyn Bates and Peter Becker, based in Nuneaton, United Kingdom. They have described their music as "veer[ing] crazily from filmic ambiance to rock and pop, industrial funk to avant-folk styles." Formed in 1980, the group went into hiatus in 1987 as Martyn Bates pursued a number of solo projects and collaborations, re-emerging in 1993.

Becker, a laboratory technician, had played in a covers band before buying and experimenting with a Wasp synthesizer (he released a solo cassette-album in June 1980 and a second a year later). Bates, a hospital worker, had previously been a member of Reluctant Stereotypes, and released a cassette of experimental electronic music in January 1980. Shortly afterwards they met and together they formed Eyeless in Gaza, both contributing vocals and several instruments. The band name is a reference to the novel Eyeless in Gaza by Aldous Huxley. Bates has said he chose the name "for the sound of it... I was reading the Huxley book when I met Pete... It sounded perfectly nice." But Bates has also acknowledged an allusion to the "biblical myth" of Samson, saying, "I feel attracted by religion. I feel that people don't pay enough attention to the spiritual side of their life; it is a very interesting side of the human psychism and it fascinates me."

After a self-released single, they signed to Cherry Red Records, releasing debut album Photographs as Memories in February 1981. After three further albums for Cherry Red and an album for Norwegian label Uniton, they added Aztec Camera drummer Dave Ruffy for single Welcome Now (1985), recruiting former Sinatras/In Embrace drummer Joby Palmer for the next album, Back from the Rains.

The group then went on hiatus after Becker married and relocated to Spain, with Bates concentrating on solo work. They reunited in 1990 to collaborate with Anne Clark on her album The Law Is an Anagram of Wealth. In 1991 Bates formed Hungry I with former Primitives drummer Steve Dullahan.

They returned in 1993 with singer Elizabeth S for the Fabulous Library album and continued as a duo since. Bates also recorded between 1994 and 1998 with M.J. Harris (Napalm Death/Scorn) under the name Drift, and in the early 2000s with keyboardist Alan Trench in Twelve Thousand Days. He has also continued to release solo material. In 2012, Martyn Bates and Peter Becker appeared on Right North, the eleventh album, a double digipack, of the international collective 48 Cameras.

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Twilight
Eyeless In Gaza Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Twilight comes right,
twilight
will turn bright

Walking in this rain
I never want to claim
a sinking heart,
I only want the ploud

I only want the brave,
walking in this rain
I never want to claim
the cheating heart,
I only want the ploud
I only want the brave
walking thru all this twilight

Twight comes right
twilight
will turn bright

Walking out of day
when I couldn't say what I want,
coming to a change
where a new day waits
with a glowing...
take this change
ride this change
make it mine
in so many ways
every single day
marks a new beginning.

Once again
to sense a strength
walk from light to dark,
once again
to sense this strength that
tastes so sweet,

each day
a brand new start.

Overall Meaning

The opening line of Eyeless In Gaza's song "Twilight" captures the essence of the song's message. The line reads “Twilight comes right, twilight will turn bright” indicating that the song is about the ups and downs of life. The song's narrator is walking in the rain and is feeling disillusioned with life. They have a heart that is sinking, but they are also seeking an escape from their reality through hope and bravery. They refuse to claim a heart that is cheating and instead focus on what they want, which is the ploud (whatever it may be) and bravery. The sense of uneasiness is exemplified with "walking thru all this twilight", the reference to the in-between time.

The second verse is the singer leaving the day behind and coming to terms with change. Initially, they struggle to say what they want, but the new day provides them with a new beginning as they ride the change and make it their own. Every single day brings fresh opportunities, a new beginning, and a chance to move forward. The chorus repeats between each verse, reinforcing the message of change and hope.

Overall, "Twilight" is a song about perseverance, hope, and change in the face of adversity. The rain and twilight represent difficult times one has to face, but it is the new beginnings and finding the strength within oneself that brings the light back into one's life. The song's tone is hopeful with a slow, soothing melody that creates a sense of acceptance of the in-between moments, and the realization that those moments are a bridge to a better time.

Line by Line Meaning

Twilight comes right,
The night is approaching

twilight
The dim light before it becomes dark

will turn bright
The morning will come soon

Walking in this rain
Moving forward in difficult circumstances

I never want to claim
I don't want to admit

a sinking heart,
Being sad and upset

I only want the ploud
I just need the storm to pass

I only want the brave,
I only need courage to get through this

the cheating heart,
Being disloyal and unfaithful

walking thru all this twilight
Moving through difficult times

Walking out of day
Leaving the past behind