Gregorian is a German band headed by Frank Peterson that performs Gregorian… Read Full Bio ↴Gregorian is a German band headed by Frank Peterson that performs Gregorian chant-inspired versions of modern pop and rock songs. The band features both vocal harmony and instrumental accompaniment.

Originally, Gregorian was conceived as a more pop-oriented group in the vein of Enigma. Under this concept, they recorded the 1991 album Sadisfaction, with lead vocals provided by The Sisters of Oz: Susana Espelleta (Peterson's wife at the time) and Birgit Freud. However, this was the only album in that style.

In 1998, Peterson and his team Jan-Eric Kohrs, Michael Soltau and Carsten Heusmann re-invented the project to perform popular songs in the Gregorian style. The criteria for song selection were strict; in order to be considered, a song needed to be translatable into the 7-tone scale. For each album, songs were carefully chosen in addition to original songs written by Jan-Eric Kohrs, Amelia Brightman and Carsten Heussman. Twelve vocalists - previously acclaimed session and choir singers - were then hired to record the tracks.

Each Gregorian album is initially digitally tracked at Nemo Studios, Peterson's Hamburg studio. The vocalists then record their parts in a church atmosphere with dimmed lights and candles, in order to escape what Peterson referred to in a 2001 interview as the "cold and technical" studio atmosphere.

The concept proved to be successful, and the group proceeded to record several more Masters of Chant albums in the same style. Their 2004 album, The Dark Side, was a slight departure from the others, featuring a darker repertoire consistent with the title.

In 2005, The Masterpieces, a compilation album with a live DVD, was released. A fifth Masters of Chant album was released on 31 March 2006. In 2006, a festive album was also released, titled Christmas Chants. A sixth Masters of Chant album was released on 28 September 2007. In 2009 a seventh Masters of Chant album followed.
Gregorian in 2009

On 8 September 2010 the next album, titled The Dark Side of Chant, was announced to be published on 15 October 2010.

The members of the Gregorian choir group are Richard Naxton (Naxos), Johnny Clucas (Johnny), Chris Tickner (Chris T.), Richard Collier (Rich), Gerry O'Beirne (Gerry), Lawrence White (Lorro) and Rob Fardell (Rob F.).

Others who contribute to the vocals or sound of Gregorian are Sarah Brightman (under the pseudonyms Hepsibah or Sarah Hellmann), Amelia Brightman (Sarah Brightman's younger sister), Frank Peterson, and staff of Nemo Studio among others.

Against All Odds
Gregorian Lyrics

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How can I just let you walk away
Just let you leave without a trace
When I stand here taking every breath with you, ooh-ooh
You're the only one, who really knew me at all

How can you just walk away from me
When all I can do is watch you leave
'Cause we've shared the laughter and the pain

And even shared the tears

You're the only one who really knew me at all

So take a look at me now
Well there's just an empty space
And there's nothing left here to remind me
Just the memory of your face

Well take a look at me now
Well there's just an empty space
And you coming back to me, is against the odds
And that's what I've got to face

I wish I could just make you turn around
Turn around and see me cry
There's so much I need to say to you
So many reasons why

You're the only one who really knew me at all

So take a look at me now
Well there's just an empty space
And there's nothing left here to remind me
Just the memory of your face

Now take a look at me now
'Cause there's just an empty space
But to wait for you, is all I can do
And that's what I've got to face

Take a good look at me now
'Cause I'll still be standing here
And you coming back to me, is against all odds
It's the chance I've got to take

Take a look at me now.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Gregorian's song Against All Odds speak of heartbreak and longing for a lost love. The singer is questioning how they can let their significant other walk away without a trace, leaving behind only memories and an empty space where love once flourished. The pain of their absence is so intense that even breathing feels difficult without them. The singer reminisces about the good times they shared, laughter, pain, and even tears. Although they are left with nothing but memories, they hold onto the hope that their love will return one day, even against all odds. They express the profound emotions of wanting their lost love to turn around and see them cry and how they long to say so much to them. In the end, the singer acknowledges that while waiting for their love to return may be difficult, it is the chance that they have to take.

This song's lyrics are relatable to anyone who has gone through a heartbreak or a painful separation. The lyrics are powerful and evoke a sense of melancholy and vulnerability. The song's slow tempo and organ-like melody amplify the depth of despair and longing conveyed by the singer.

Line by Line Meaning

How can I just let you walk away
I am struggling to accept your departure without a fight and wondering how I can let it happen easily.

Just let you leave without a trace
Without a clear understanding of why, I am left with an unfilled void searching for an explanation.

When I stand here taking every breath with you, ooh-ooh
Every breath taken with you is a precious moment that I do not want to let go that easily.

You're the only one, who really knew me at all
You understood who I was, my uniqueness, my fears, my hopes, and everything about me that nobody else could see, making you irreplaceable.

How can you just walk away from me
Your sudden departure hurts me, and I can't comprehend how you can leave me in this pain.

When all I can do is watch you leave
I am powerless, and the only thing left for me to do is to watch you leave, feeling lost and abandoned.

'Cause we've shared the laughter and the pain
Together, we have experienced both the highs and the lows of life, creating a connection that can't be easily broken.

And even shared the tears
In our weakest moments, we found ourselves vulnerable, and we comforted one another with the tears we cried.

So take a look at me now
Look at my present state, and realize the impact of your departure on me.

Well there's just an empty space
Your presence in my life was so important that without you, there's just a gaping hole in my life.

And there's nothing left here to remind me
Without your presence, there's nothing left that serves as a reminder of you, and the memories shared together.

Just the memory of your face
The only thing left to hold onto is the memory of your face and how much it meant to me.

I wish I could just make you turn around
If only I could make you confront your emotions and see the effect your departure has had on me.

Turn around and see me cry
Face the harsh reality of the crying and hurting individual, in need of comfort and closure.

There's so much I need to say to you
There are so many words left unsaid, and I am left pondering how different things would be if only you had stayed longer.

So many reasons why
There are too many reasons why I want and need you back in my life - the joy you brought, the moments of laughter and love shared, and everything in between.

But to wait for you, is all I can do
All I have left now is to wait and hope that you will return, and I will be reunited with the love and warmth of your embrace.

And that's what I've got to face
The harsh reality that the hope of your return, no matter how much I yearn for it, is uncertain and unpredictable.

'Cause I'll still be standing here
In the wake of your exit, I'm still here, holding onto the hope of your return, and refusing to give up on the love shared between us.

And you coming back to me, is against all odds
The probability of you returning to me is unlikely, and I realize the improbability of the reunion, yet I still hold out hope.

It's the chance I've got to take
Despite the likelihood of the odds not being in my favor, there is a chance that you might come back, and I am willing to take that chance, no matter what it may entail.

Contributed by Alaina I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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