Hooverphonic is a Belgian rock/pop group formed in 1995. Though initially p… Read Full Bio ↴Hooverphonic is a Belgian rock/pop group formed in 1995. Though initially placed in the trip-hop genre, they quickly expanded their sound to the point where they could no longer be classified so easily. The band originally called themselves Hoover but later changed their name to Hooverphonic due to other groups using the Hoover name.

The band achieved international recognition through the inclusion of the track 2Wicky (from A New Stereophonic Sound Spectacular) on the soundtrack to Bernardo Bertolucci’s 1996 film Stealing Beauty (Io Ballo da Sola).

The original members of the group were vocalist Liesje Sadonius, keyboardist Frank Duchêne, bass guitarist and programmer Alex Callier, and guitarist Raymond Geerts. Sadonius left Hooverphonic on amicable terms shortly after the release of A New Stereophonic Sound Spectacular and was replaced by Geike Arnaert in early 1998. Duchêne left the band after Blue Wonder Power Milk. Arnaert left the band in 2008 and was succeeded by Noémie Wolfs. On March 26, 2015 the band announced that that Noémie Wolfs would be leaving the band "in mutual agreement."

Hooverphonic released their fifth studio album No More Sweet Music in November 2005, featuring four singles: Wake Up, You Hurt Me, Dirty Lenses and We All Float. One year later they released a Best Of album called Singles 96-06. This was their last release under the Sony label.

Hooverphonic released their sixth studio album The President of the LSD Golf Club on 8th October 2007 in Sint-Niklaas, Belgium and Holland, which includes the single Expedition Impossible. European Release January 2008 (although available via mail-order). This was an independent release, recorded at the Willie Nelson studios in the USA.

On October 10, 2008 the management announced that Geike Arnaert would be leaving the band.

After Geike Arnaert and the band parted ways, it took them two years to find a worthy successor to Arnaert. In November 2010 Noémie Wolfs was announced as the new leading lady. A brand new album called The Night Before followed soon after. The new singer was introduced on Belgian television in State Broadcaster VRT's late night show "De Laatste Show" on Thursday November 4th. The title track of the album is their biggest singles' chart success to date. Also, the album soon equaled the success of A Magnificent Tree.

On March 26, 2015 it was announced that Noémie Wolfs would be leaving the band.

Hooverphonic released In Wonderland on March 18, 2016. This release features a number of vocalists including: Emilie Satt, Janie Price (AKA Bird), Felix Howard, Litlo Tinz, Christa Jérôme, and Tjeerd Bomhof.
They were supposed to represent Belgium at the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 in Rotterdam with their song "Release Me". The event was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hooverphonic was the only Eurovision entrant for 2020 who refused to take part in the "Love Shine a Light" performance, where entrants each contributed sections of the song, although a photograph of Luka Cruysberghs was included with the other participants making a hand heart at the end.

On 9th November 2020, Luka Cruysberghs left the band and, on the same day, Geike Arnaert announced her return. Also on the same day, they released a new version of Mad About You for the song's 20th anniversary.

Discography

• A New Stereophonic Sound Spectacular (1996)
• Blue Wonder Power Milk (1998)
• The Magnificent Tree (2000)
• Hooverphonic Presents Jackie Cane (2002)
• Sit Down And Listen To... (2003)
• No More Sweet Music (2005/6)
• Singles 96/06 (2006)
• The President of the LSD Golf Club (2007/2008)
• The Night Before (2010)
• With Orchestra (2012)
• Reflection (2013)
• In Wonderland (2016)

If You'd Really Know Me
Hooverphonic Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Caught in my troubled mind
I don't know how to talk
My head is slowly closing every lock
Why do you want me to become something I'm not?
'Cause I won't comply with every thought

Sometimes I love to be on my own
Makes me forget about the mess

That you tend to create inside my head
But when you're gone I'm in distress
If you'd really know me
You would sing a different song
If you'd really know me
You wouldn't leave me alone
When I need you the most

We were caught by a killer wave
Of drunken hazy words
We were drowning in a sea of emotional dirt
But in the end, we were saved by common sense
But in the end, you finally got what I meant

Sometimes I love to be on my own
Makes me forget about the mess
That you tend to create inside my head
But when you're gone I'm in distress
If you'd really know me
You would sing a different song
If you'd really know me
You wouldn't leave me alone
If you'd really know me
You would sing a different song
If you'd really know me

You wouldn't leave me alone
When I need you the most

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Hooverphonic's song "If You'd Really Know Me" explore the struggles of communication and being understood in a relationship. The singer is caught in their troubled mind and struggles to articulate their thoughts and feelings to their partner, who seems to want the singer to be someone they're not. Despite wanting to be alone to escape the chaos in their head, the singer also feels distress when their partner is not around. The chorus emphasizes that if the partner truly knew the singer, they would treat them differently and be there for them when they need them most.

The verse about being caught in a "killer wave" of "drunken hazy words" may suggest that the two were arguing or fighting while under the influence. While they were able to salvage their relationship with "common sense," the singer is still left feeling misunderstood and alone. The line "you tend to create inside my head" shows that the singer may feel like their partner's words and expectations are causing them to doubt themselves and their identity.

Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of frustration and yearning for understanding in a relationship. The singer feels like they are not being seen for who they truly are, and wishes their partner would accept them as they are.

Line by Line Meaning

Caught in my troubled mind
I'm feeling overwhelmed and anxious

I don't know how to talk
I find it difficult to express myself

My head is slowly closing every lock
I'm feeling closed off and isolated

Why do you want me to become something I'm not?
I feel like you're trying to change me

'Cause I won't comply with every thought
I won't blindly follow your every idea

Sometimes I love to be on my own
Being alone is a way for me to cope

Makes me forget about the mess
It helps me escape from the chaos in my mind

That you tend to create inside my head
Your actions and words can be overwhelming for me

But when you're gone I'm in distress
Being alone for too long can also be painful

If you'd really know me
If you truly understood me

You would sing a different song
Your behavior towards me would change