1) a Dutch progressive roc… Read Full Bio ↴There is more than one artist with this name.
1) a Dutch progressive rock band founded in 1969.
2) an American rapper and Hip-Hop producer.
3) Bigband from Valašska, Czech Republic.
4) a Hip-Hop artist from the Sunshine Coast in Australia.
1) Focus is a Dutch progressive rock band founded by classically trained organist/flautist Thijs van Leer in 1969, along with guitarist Jan Akkerman.
They are one of the most well-known and influential rock bands from the Netherlands. They successfully fuse inspired jazz, rock, and blues improvisation, classical musical structures, and accessible pop melodies into a powerful and instantly recognizable sound.
Akkerman's technical mastery of the guitar and the often unpredictable brilliance of his improvisations were the perfect counterpoint to Van Leer's extensive knowledge of musical styles and disciplined approach to composition. Van Leer's tongue-in-cheek musical references include the reworking of motifs from an early Monteverdi opera in the extended piece "Eruption" on the Moving Waves album, the contrapuntal passage in the middle section of "Carnival Fugue" on the Focus 3 album, the Renaissance-era harmonic progressions in "Anonymous II" (also on Focus 3), and the quote from the first chorale of J.S. Bach's oratorio St. Matthew's Passion in the track "Father Bach" on "Mother Focus".
Focus are possibly best known for their "Hocus Pocus", a top 40 hit from the Moving Waves LP, which included inspired bits of yodeling (believe it) and explosive guitar work.
The works of both composers display an impeccable melodic sense more often found in pop songs and Broadway showtunes than in progressive rock compositions. It is to the regret of many rock fans that Thijs van Leer and Jan Akkerman were unable to continue their collaboration, as together they were more than the sum of their formidable parts.
Akkerman's "House of the King" (from the "In and Out of Focus" album) is the title theme of 'Don't Ask Me', a science-based British TV show of the 1970s that made household names of Dr. Magnus Pyke and Professor David Bellamy. It is also the title theme of Steve Coogan's BBC2 sitcom Saxondale. It is often mistaken for a Jethro Tull song.
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2) There is also an American rapper and Hip-Hop producer called Focus. His civil name is Bernard Edwards Jr. He has produced tracks for The Game, Tony Yayo, Stat Quo, Bishop Lamont, Dr. Dre, Jennifer Lopez and Beyoncé among others. In 2003, he founded the label
a.Fam Entertainment, Inc. See http://www.myspace.com/Icouldntthinkofabettername and http://www.myspace.com/noimaginationorcreativity.
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3) Focus is a big band (jazz ensemble) from Valašska, Czech Republic.
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4) Focus is also the name of an upcoming Hip-Hop artist from the Sunshine Coast in Australia. Check out http://www.myspace.com/alsocouldnotthinkofabettername for more.
Hamburger Concerto
Focus Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hoe kan Herodes het licht verdragen
Dat in uw duisternisse blinkt
En wordt gevierd en aangebeden
Zijn hoogmoed luistert naar geen reden
Hoe schel die in zijn oren klinkt
Hij tracht d'onozelen te vernielen
Door 't doden van onnozele zielen
In Bethlehem en op de akker
En maakt de geest van Rachel wakker
Die waren gaat door beemd en hei
The lyrics you provided are actually from a traditional Dutch Christmas carol called "O Kerstnacht, schoner dan de dagen" (O Christmastime, more beautiful than the days). The lyrics reflect on the story of Christmas, particularly focusing on the contrast between the darkness of Herod's rule and the light that shines in the night of Christ's birth.
The first line, "O kerstnacht, schoner dan de dagen" (O Christmastime, more beautiful than the days), sets the tone for the song, expressing the idea that Christmas night is a special and beautiful time. The next line, "Hoe kan Herodes het licht verdragen" (How can Herod tolerate the light), refers to King Herod's fear and jealously upon hearing about the birth of Christ, who is often referred to as the "light of the world."
The subsequent lines describe Herod's arrogant refusal to listen to reason and his pursuit of destroying the innocent. The mention of Rachel's spirit being awakened refers to the biblical story of the Massacre of the Innocents, where Herod ordered the killing of all male infants in Bethlehem to eliminate any threat to his throne.
Overall, the lyrics express the contrasting themes of darkness and light, the power of Christ's birth, and the oppressive nature of Herod's rule. The carol captures the reverence and reflection associated with the Christmas story, reminding listeners of the eternal significance of Christ's coming into the world.
Line by Line Meaning
O kerstnacht, schoner dan de dagen
Oh, Christmas night, more beautiful than the days
Hoe kan Herodes het licht verdragen
How can Herod bear the light
Dat in uw duisternisse blinkt
That shines in your darkness
En wordt gevierd en aangebeden
And is celebrated and worshipped
Zijn hoogmoed luistert naar geen reden
His pride listens to no reason
Hoe schel die in zijn oren klinkt
How harshly it sounds in his ears
Hij tracht d'onozelen te vernielen
He tries to destroy the innocent
Door 't doden van onnozele zielen
By killing innocent souls
En wekt een stad en landgeschrei
And causes a city and country outcry
In Bethlehem en op de akker
In Bethlehem and on the field
En maakt de geest van Rachel wakker
And awakens the spirit of Rachel
Die waren gaat door beemd en hei
Who wandered through meadows and heath
Lyrics © THE MUSIC GOES ROUND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jorge Suárez
Best Focus album. And one of the best in rock history.
Rafael 7503
moving waves no se queda atras
MrCranberries17
Yes, you’re right the best apple ever did awesome music used to listen to this when I was young quite a bit
phill stitt
Every album was the best one!!!
Marcio
Absolutamente de acuerdo
julio martinez
Absolutely agree.
Name in Stirs
I’m french and from Strasbourg, I love Focus and it’s amazing to know there’s a song made by these geniuses which is not only great, but also in french, and refers to the monument that makes the pride of your city ❤️
drumdad54 sdl
A standout track, it is. Absolutely beautiful.
Marcio
Of course: La Cathedrale De Strasbourg
Andre van der Wolf
Thijs van Leer used to spent his holidays with his parents during his childdhood in Elzas!