IQ are a British neo-progressive rock band founded by Mike Holmes in 1982 f… Read Full Bio ↴IQ are a British neo-progressive rock band founded by Mike Holmes in 1982 following the dissolution of his original band The Lens. Although the band have never enjoyed major commercial success, IQ have built up a loyal following over the years and are still active as of 2009. Bassist John Jowitt and ex-keyboardist Martin Orford have also been members of Jadis.

The Neo-Progressive movement
IQ were one of a small number of British bands formed during the early 1980s, including Marillion, Pendragon, Twelfth Night, Pallas, and Quasar that continued with the progressive rock style forsaken by 1970s bands such as Genesis and Yes. The music press coined the phrase neo-progressive to describe these bands, often accusing them of simply copying the styles of other bands. This accusation has been strenuously denied by IQ, which are against of the use of the term "neo progressive"and claim to have a wide-ranging and eclectic selection of musical influences.

The line-up
From 1982, the line-up consisted of Peter Nicholls (vocals), Mike Holmes (guitar), Martin Orford (keyboards), Paul Cook (drums), and Tim Esau (bass). Nicholls left in 1984 to form a new band, Niadem's Ghost, and was replaced by Paul (P. L.) Menel, but subsequently returned in 1990. Nicholls also created the cover art for most of the albums on which he appears. In early 2005 member Paul Cook left the band, and was replaced on drums by Andy Edwards. On 20 July 2007 Martin Orford announced he was leaving IQ and was replaced by Mark Westworth from prog-rock band Darwin's Radio. Despite his departure, Martin continues to run the band's label GEP and is still closely involved with the band, although he announced in late 2008 that he will leave the music business entirely and hand over the reins of GEP to someone else (as yet unnamed) in early 2009.

Musical style
The band's musical style, especially earlier in their career, was reminiscent of Peter Gabriel and Steve Hackett era Genesis because of singer Peter Nicholls' vocal and stage-presence similarities to Gabriel and keyboardist Martin Orford's grandiose keyboarding. However, guitarist Mike Holmes' role was far more assertive in the band, giving them a harder edge musically. After Nicholls' departure, the band's style became increasingly commercial and radio-friendly - albeit without much success - on Nomzamo (1987) and Are You Sitting Comfortably? (1989), although each album still featured some progressive rock-style tracks. Beginning with Nicholls's return on 1993's Ever, the band returned to its prog rock roots, with longer tracks featuring intricate arrangements and complex musicianship.

Band members
Current members
Peter Nicholls – vocals, backing vocals (1981–1986, 1993–)
Mike Holmes – guitars (1981–)
Paul Cook – drums (1982–2005, 2009–)
John Jowitt – bass guitar, backing vocals (1993–)
Mark Westworth – keyboards (2008–)
[edit] Former members
Martin Orford – keyboards, backing vocals (1981–2007)
Paul (P.L.) Menel – vocals (1986–1990)
Tim Esau – bass guitar (1981–1990)
Les 'Ledge' Marshall – bass guitar (1990)
Mark Ridout – drums (1981–1982)
Andy Edwards – drums (2006–2008)
Discography
Albums
Seven Stories into Eight (cassette) (1982)
Tales from the Lush Attic (1983)
The Wake (1985)
Nomzamo (1987)
Are You Sitting Comfortably? (1989)
Ever (1993)
Subterranea (1997)
The Seventh House (2000)
Dark Matter (2004)
Frequency (2009)
Live Albums
Living Proof (live) (1986)
J'ai Pollette D'arnu (1991) (b-sides and live tracks)
Forever Live (1996)
Subterranea : The Concert (2000)
The Archive Collection: IQ20 (2003) ("official bootleg" of live concert)
Compilations
Nine in a Pond is Here (1985) ("official bootleg" of demos etc, CD version is abridged)
Seven Stories into Ninety Eight (1998) (original 1982 album plus new re-recorded version)
1. Capital Letters (In Surgical Spirit Land) 2. About Lake Five 3. Intelligence Quotient 4. For Christ's Sake 5. Barbell Is In 6. Fascination 7. For The Taking 8. It All Stops Here 9. Eloko Bella Neechi

The Lost Attic (1999) (rarities)
Limited edition Frequency Tour CD 1 (2008) (rarities and live tracks)
Limited edition Frequency Tour CD 2 (2008) (rarities and live tracks)
[edit] Videos
Forever Live (VHS/CD set 1996, DVD set 2007)
Subterranea : The Concert (DVD, 2000)
IQ20 - The Twentieth Anniversary Show (VHS 2000, DVD 2004)
Live From London (DVD, recorded 13 May 1985 in London, 2005)
IQ Stage (DVD, 2006)

Marzenie
I.Q. Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Przetańczyć z tobą chcę całą noc
I nie opuszczę cię już na krok
Czekałam jak we śnie abyś ty objął mnie
Więc teraz już wszystko wiesz

Przetańczyć z tobą chcę całą noc
Niech na nas gapią się no i co
Już każdy o tym wie że ty też kochasz mnie

Więc wszystkim na złość przetańczmy tę noc
Bo życie tak krótkie jest

Ja za tę noc chętnie oddam pięć najpiękniejszych lat
Nie liczy dni kto szczęście swe śnił
Stąd taki gest dzisiaj mam

Przetańczyć z tobą chcę całą noc
Wirować jak twój cień cały rok
Niech inni idą spać a my tak razem w takt
Wraz z nocą odchodźmy w świat

Ja za tę noc chętnie oddam pięć najpiękniejszych lat
Nie liczy dni kto szczęście swe śnił
Stąd taki gest dzisiaj mam

Przetańczyć z tobą chcę całą noc
I nie opuszczę cię już na krok
Czekałam jak we śnie abyś ty objął mnie

Więc tak jak chce los przetańczmy tę noc
Bo życie tak krótkie jest

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Marzenie" by I.Q. convey a strong desire to dance the whole night with someone and not let them go even for a moment. The singer has been waiting like in a dream for this person to embrace them, and now that it has happened, everything is clear. The chorus expresses the sentiment that they want to dance the whole night and let others stare at them because everyone knows that the person also loves them. They want to dance the night away in defiance of those who may disapprove, as life is short.

The lyrics also suggest a willingness to give up five of the most beautiful years for this one night. The singer doesn't care about counting the days, as it is the dream of happiness that matters. They have such a gesture today because of this desire. The bridge reiterates the longing to dance the whole night, to spin like the person's shadow for a whole year. While others go to sleep, they want to depart with the night and explore the world together.

Line by Line Meaning

Przetańczyć z tobą chcę całą noc
I want to dance with you all night long

I nie opuszczę cię już na krok
And I won't leave you for a moment

Czekałam jak we śnie abyś ty objął mnie
I've been waiting in my dreams for you to embrace me

Więc teraz już wszystko wiesz
So now you already know everything

Niech na nas gapią się no i co
Let them stare at us, who cares

Już każdy o tym wie że ty też kochasz mnie
Everyone already knows that you love me too

Więc wszystkim na złość przetańczmy tę noc
So let's dance this night to annoy everyone

Bo życie tak krótkie jest
Because life is so short

Ja za tę noc chętnie oddam pięć najpiękniejszych lat
I am willing to give up the five most beautiful years for this night

Nie liczy dni kto szczęście swe śnił
Who counts the days when they dream of happiness

Stąd taki gest dzisiaj mam
Hence I have this gesture today