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)

The Magnificent Tree
Hooverphonic Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Bought this guitar
At a shop called mars
But on the way back home
Strange things happened in my car
Started to play
All by itself
Creatures jumped from
The highest shelf

Until I touched string 12
This magnificent tree
Appeared in my mind
Even without leaves
ITS strength was divine
Synthesized gnomes
Penetrated this godly zone
Summer was thrown off
It's royal throne
This magnificent tree
Appeared in my mind

Even without leaves
It's strength was divine

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Hooverphonic's "The Magnificent Tree" can be interpreted in different ways, as the song's metaphorical meaning may resonate with individuals in different ways. The song could be interpreted as the singer's artistic inspiration or passion for music being evoked through a seemingly supernatural experience. The song begins with the singer purchasing a guitar from a store called Mars, and as they begin to play it, strange things occur in the car. With the playing of the twelfth string on the guitar, the singer experiences a creative breakthrough, and a "magnificent tree" appears in their mind. The tree is described as divine, despite having no leaves, and having the power to overthrow the power of summer from its throne.

The concept of the "magnificent tree" in the song could be interpreted as a representation of a strong artistic idea or passion that takes root in the mind of the singer. The "strange things" that occur during the car ride could symbolize the fantastical and magical experience of having a creative epiphany. The line "synthesized gnomes penetrated this godly zone" could be interpreted as a reference to the feeling of being overwhelmed by artistic inspiration and entering a "zone" that is both magical and godly.

Line by Line Meaning

Bought this guitar
I purchased a guitar

At a shop called Mars
The shop where I bought the guitar was named Mars

But on the way back home
During my journey back home

Strange things happened in my car
Unusual events occurred within my vehicle

Started to play
The guitar began playing itself

All by itself
The music was being produced without any effort from myself

Creatures jumped from
Strange beings emerged from

The highest shelf
The uppermost part of a structure

Until I touched string 12
The music stopped only when I touched the 12th string of the guitar

This magnificent tree
A remarkable tree

Appeared in my mind
It manifested within my thoughts