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)

In Wonderland
Hooverphonic Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I′m painting roses
Heavy rain
Colours run
You call my name
I can't hear you
Way up high
Twinkle twinkle
Stars don′t cry

I will be heard
I will be seen
When I am queen
And what I've heard

And what I've seen
Will all make sense
When I am queen
Mirror mirror
On my wall
Tell me how
And when to call
The looking glass
That shows no pain

In Wonderland
We′re all the same

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Hooverphonic's song "In Wonderland" speak to the idea of escapism and seeking refuge in a place where everything is perfect and everyone is equal. The imagery of painting roses and heavy rain represents the struggle of trying to create something beautiful amidst chaos and turmoil. The line "I can't hear you, way up high" highlights the feeling of being disconnected and isolated from the rest of the world, while "twinkle twinkle, stars don't cry" reinforces the idea that even the things that seem perfect are not immune to pain and suffering.

The chorus of the song speaks to the desire for power and control over one's life: "I will be heard, I will be seen when I am queen." The singer longs for a time when everything will make sense and her experiences will be validated. The use of the phrase "mirror mirror on my wall" is a reference to the classic fairytale, Snow White, where the mirror symbolizes the truth that is both validating and threatening.

The final lines of the song, "In Wonderland, we're all the same," suggest that the singer has found temporary relief from her struggles, but that this utopian world is not sustainable. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the individual to create their own reality and find meaning in their experiences.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm painting roses
I'm trying to make something beautiful out of the ordinary

Heavy rain
A symbol of change and transformation

Colours run
The beauty of the world is fleeting

You call my name
I feel like I'm being pulled in too many directions

I can't hear you
I'm feeling overwhelmed and not able to focus

Way up high
I'm dreaming of a better future

Twinkle twinkle
Hope and a reminder to keep looking up

Stars don't cry
The universe is indifferent to our struggles

I will be heard
I have a voice and want to be listened to

I will be seen
I want to be recognized for my efforts

When I am queen
When I finally achieve my goals