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)

Ocean
I.Q. Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

如果冒险能搜到宝藏
那就放胆闯一闯
如果航海能寻到天堂
那就航向最深的海洋
相信幸福就握在手上
地图最远的地方
不让真相永远被埋葬
狂风暴雨也不能阻挡

我不怕那狂吼巨浪
我不怕那刺眼阳光
向前望伙伴是我力量
I will see tomorrow握紧船舵
日升日落也绝不放手
See tomorrow
骄傲的说我活得像我
I will see tomorrow谢谢朋友
明天也要为彼此加油
划过彩虹跨越巅峰朝航线大步走
大海上我看见过辉煌
星空月亮和极光
世界闯我拥抱着倔强
一座空岛充满了力量
或许你也抛弃过希望
搁浅跌撞受了伤
为了梦想要重拾信仰
就一起唱大声一起唱
我不怕那狂吼巨浪
我不怕那刺眼阳光
向前望伙伴是我力量
I will see tomorrow握紧船舵
日升日落也绝不放手
See tomorrow
骄傲的说我活得像我
I will see tomorrow谢谢朋友
明天也要为彼此加油
划过彩虹跨越巅峰朝航线大步走
我不怕那狂吼巨浪
我不怕那刺眼阳光
向前望伙伴是我力量
I will see tomorrow握紧船舵
日升日落也绝不放手
See tomorrow
骄傲的说我活得像我
I will see tomorrow
谢谢朋友

明天也要为彼此加油
划过彩虹跨越巅峰朝航线大步走

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Ocean" by I.Q. is a song about adventure and believing in oneself to accomplish great things. If one is willing to take risks, they might just find treasure or even paradise. The song encourages listeners to be fearless in the face of challenges and to never give up hope for a better tomorrow. The singer acknowledges that life might be tough, but they are not afraid of the storms or bright sunlights, and their strength comes from their fellow adventurers. They vow to hold onto the ship's wheel and never let go until they see the bright horizon of a new day. The song culminates in the lines "I will see tomorrow / Proudly saying that I live like myself / I will see tomorrow / Thank you, my friends / let's cheer for each other tomorrow and take big strides towards new horizons."

The song's lyrics seem to be inspired by the idea of the journey as a metaphor for life's journey. It encourages taking risks and working hard to achieve success. The singer seems to be suggesting that even though the journey may be tough, one can overcome obstacles and achieve their goals if they are determined enough. The song's themes of bravery, perseverance, and friendship make it a great anthem for anyone going through a challenging time.

Line by Line Meaning

如果冒险能搜到宝藏
If adventure leads to treasure hunting

那就放胆闯一闯
Then take a bold step forward

如果航海能寻到天堂
If the voyage can lead to heaven

那就航向最深的海洋
Then set sail for the deepest ocean

相信幸福就握在手上
Believe that happiness lies in your own hands

地图最远的地方
At the farthest point on the map

不让真相永远被埋葬
Do not let the truth be buried forever

狂风暴雨也不能阻挡
Not even raging storms can stop us

向前望伙伴是我力量
Looking forward with companions as our strength

I will see tomorrow握紧船舵
I will see tomorrow, gripping the helm

日升日落也绝不放手
Never letting go, from sunrise to sunset