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)

One Way Ride
Hooverphonic Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Concentrate, you're on the middle
Of this one way ride
In the center lays the key
To get back off to a while
If you can't solve this riddle
I'm afraid you'll have to stay
In the ???
Of underestimated betrayal

See them point in your direction
See the indifference in their eyes
Just living in oblivion
Struggling with too many wires
So you've got to solve this riddle
Other wise you won't get back

So if I were you
I would concentrate on the morbid one way track

Overall Meaning

Hooverphonic's song One Way Ride is a haunting and enigmatic track, with lyrics that are infused with a sense of urgency and foreboding. The song begins with the singer urging the listener to concentrate, as they are on a one way ride and the center holds the key that will allow them to get back off to a while. However, if they cannot solve the riddle at the heart of the song, they will be trapped in the world of underestimated betrayal forever.

As the song progresses, the singer becomes more urgent in their tone, as they describe the way that others are pointing in the listener's direction and showing indifference in their eyes. The singer describes how the listener is struggling with too many wires and must solve the riddle or risk being trapped on this one way ride forever. The song ends with an ominous warning to concentrate on the morbid one way track, suggesting that the stakes are high and the consequences of failure will be dire.

The lyrics of One Way Ride invite interpretation and analysis, and could be interpreted in many different ways. It is unclear who the singer is, and what the "riddle" they are referring to might be. It is possible to think of the song as a metaphor for modern life, with the "one way ride" being a representation of the relentless march of time, and the "riddle" at the center of the song representing the struggle to find meaning and purpose in a constantly changing world. Alternatively, the song could be seen as a more personal meditation on betrayal and the need to be vigilant in relationships.

Line by Line Meaning

Concentrate, you're on the middle
Focus your attention, you are at a midpoint

Of this one way ride
Of a journey that can only go forward

In the center lays the key
The solution lies in the focal point

To get back off to a while
To return to a past state

If you can't solve this riddle
If you can't figure out the problem

I'm afraid you'll have to stay
You will be stuck in the current situation

In the ???
In a place where deception is underestimated

Of underestimated betrayal
Where deceit goes unnoticed

See them point in your direction
Notice how they are accusing you

See the indifference in their eyes
Observe their lack of concern

Just living in oblivion
Existing in a state of ignorance