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)
Ten Million Demons
I.Q. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Come and chill yeah
Shawty wanna fuck for the thrill yeah
Like a dragon ball I cant kill yeah
Im a different nigga one in a million
(In a million)
In a million
(Shawty wanna, Shawty wanna, Shawty wanna)
Shawty wanna feel me hiding insecurities
Like a guest security
Love is always haunting me
(Why Why)
Yeah When I feel alone
(When I feel alone)
When I feel alone baby wake up and hear my phone
All this stress in my chest got my mind moving slow
It was moving slow like the pressure was in my bones
Pressure in my bones, demons in my dome leave me lone
Girl pick up the phone I don't wanna be no place but home
Bitch I'm in my zone fuck you and your tone leave me lone
Leave me alone Leave me alone just fucking leave me lone
Leave me alone Leave me alone Leave me lone
Tote a pole tote a pole tote a pole
Dig you in the snow, six feet down below
Leave me alone Leave me alone
Come and chill yeah
Shawty wanna fuck for the thrill yeah
Like a dragon ball I cant kill yeah
Im a different nigga one in a million
(In a million)
In a million
Shawty wanna feel me
Shawty wanna feel me
Shawty wanna steal me
Shawty wanna mess around and motherfucking kill me
Shit is unreal to me yeah
You know i'll love you anyway
Know ill trust you anyday
Uh girl I need you to stay stay stay stay
Yeah I'm in a race that I cant lose (Yeah)
Yeah Gucci Off-white on my shoes
Girl lets take it slow like a bayou
Just tell me who's heart your love applies too
No more no more love
No more no more hugs
No more of anything I'm sorry that I fucked up
Come and chill yeah
Shawty wanna fuck for the thrill yeah
Like a dragon ball I cant kill yeah
Im a different nigga one in a million
(In a million)
In a million
Shawty wanna feel
(Shawty wanna, Shawty wanna, Shawty wanna)
Shawty wanna feel me hiding insecurities
Like a guest security
Love is always haunting me
(Why Why)
Yeah When I feel alone
(When I feel alone)
When I feel alone baby wake up and hear my phone
All this stress in my chest got my mind moving slow
It was moving slow like the pressure was in my bones
The lyrics to I.Q.'s song Ten Million Demons is a reflection of the artist’s personal struggles with love, insecurity, and loneliness. The song opens with the artist inviting his lover to come to him and engage in a sexual relationship, assuring her that he is different from other men. However, the lyrics indicate that he is hiding insecurities and doubts about affection, as if he feels like he is being guarded by the security of a guest. The demons in his mind leave him feeling lonely and stressed, making him move slowly like he is carrying a heavy weight. The artist laments his relationship woes, admitting he has made mistakes and seeking forgiveness.
The song carries nuances of feelings associated with abusive relationships, possession, and toxic relationships. When the artist says "Shawty wanna feel me hiding insecurities/Like a guest security/Love is always haunting me," he is suggesting that his partner is trying to emotionally pull him close, while he is pulling away due to insecurity. The chorus features "Shawty wanna mess around and motherfucking kill me/Shit is unreal to me," conveying the fear of the consequences of staying in a toxic relationship. The song seems to end on a note of regret, with the artist acknowledging his faults and expressing his love and desire to make things right.
Line by Line Meaning
Tapsx (Hey Hey Hey Hey)
Introductory line, serves no particular meaning
Come and chill yeah
Asks the listener to relax and enjoy the song
Shawty wanna fuck for the thrill yeah
Refers to a woman who wants to engage in sexual activity for excitement
Like a dragon ball I cant kill yeah
Refers to the artist's invincibility, like a character in a popular anime series
Im a different nigga one in a million
States that the artist is unique and stands out from the crowd
(In a million)
Repeats the previous line to emphasize the uniqueness of the singer
Shawty wanna feel
Refers to the woman wanting to experience intimacy with the singer
(Shawty wanna, Shawty wanna, Shawty wanna)
Repeats the previous line to emphasize the woman's desire for intimacy
Shawty wanna feel me hiding insecurities
Refers to the artist's vulnerability and how the woman wants to connect with him despite this
Like a guest security
Refers to how the artist tries to protect himself as if he were a VIP guest at a hotel
Love is always haunting me
States that the singer is always being pursued by love and cannot escape its grasp
(Why Why)
Repeats the previous line to emphasize the artist's confusion regarding love
Yeah When I feel alone
States that the singer feels lonely at times
(When I feel alone)
Repeats the previous line to emphasize the singer's feeling of loneliness
When I feel alone baby wake up and hear my phone
Asks the woman to be available for communication when he feels lonely
All this stress in my chest got my mind moving slow
Refers to the artist feeling overwhelmed and unable to concentrate
It was moving slow like the pressure was in my bones
Compares the artist's sluggishness to a physical weight on his body
Pressure in my bones, demons in my dome leave me lone
Asks to be left alone due to feeling weighed down by stress and troubled thoughts
Girl pick up the phone I don't wanna be no place but home
Asks the woman to answer his calls and expresses his desire to be at home
Bitch I'm in my zone fuck you and your tone leave me lone
Uses vulgar language to express the artist's need for alone time and his frustration with others
Leave me alone Leave me alone just fucking leave me lone
Repeated phrase emphasizing the artist's request for solitude
Tote a pole tote a pole tote a pole
Slang term for carrying a firearm, suggests being prepared for danger
Dig you in the snow, six feet down below
Threatening language, implies harm towards someone if they do not leave the singer alone
Come and chill yeah
Restates the previous line requesting the listener to relax and enjoy the song
Shawty wanna fuck for the thrill yeah
Restates the previous line referring to the woman's desire for excitement
Like a dragon ball I cant kill yeah
Restates the previous line emphasizing the singer's feeling of invincibility
Im a different nigga one in a million
Restates the previous line emphasizing the singer's uniqueness
(In a million)
Repeats the previous line, reiterating the artist's uniqueness
Shawty wanna feel me
Restates the previous line referring to the woman's desire for intimacy with the artist
Shawty wanna feel me
Repeats the previous line to emphasize the woman's desire for intimacy
Shawty wanna steal me
Uses wordplay to imply the woman wants to take the singer away from someone else
Shawty wanna mess around and motherfucking kill me
Uses hyperbole to express the artist's feelings of vulnerability and fear of harm
Shit is unreal to me yeah
States the artist's disbelief in the situation
You know i'll love you anyway
Expresses the artist's love for the woman regardless of the situation
Know ill trust you anyday
Reassures the woman of the singer's trust in the relationship
Uh girl I need you to stay stay stay stay
Expresses the artist's desire for the woman to stay in the relationship
Yeah I'm in a race that I cant lose (Yeah)
Uses metaphor to describe the singer's life and his perception of its importance
Yeah Gucci Off-white on my shoes
Uses brand names to express status and wealth
Girl lets take it slow like a bayou
Suggests taking the relationship slow like the slow-moving rivers in the southern United States
Just tell me who's heart your love applies too
Asks the woman to clarify who her love is directed towards
No more no more love
Expresses the artist's desire to end the relationship
No more no more hugs
Expands on the previous line, stating the absence of physical affection
No more of anything I'm sorry that I fucked up
Apologizes for mistakes made in the relationship and expresses the desire to end it
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Justice Robinson, Tay'Jon Steward
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@davidm3569
Still as fresh as the first listen. True musicians showcasing their talent, wit and how to hold an audience captive for hours. They deserve more exposure around the world and galaxy 👽
@diegorositto7917
A progressive blues in shuffle rythm. Beautiful. "Iq", one the best progressive rock bands in the history. Superb.
@progpuss
This band should be so much bigger , real talent overlooked.
@dedge8425
I can't believe how much digging it took to come across IQ on YouTube. At least, having missed all of their music up until this point, I have an incredible discography to listen to for the very first time.
@TheEdwardianLook
IQ The greatest secret in music history. Everyone sounding awesome.
@sabian53
Couldn't agree more, brilliant musicians
@MrHistorian123
IQ are like Camel in the 70s. The best outfit currently operating but flying well under the radar and never getting the exposure they deserved, but which was conferred on inferior bands. But you could say that about Arena, Pendragon, and even Marillion, as well as a myriad of other brilliant prog bands.
It's also worth remembering that this brilliant track didn't even make the main disc of The Road of Bones, but was only on the bonus disc.
@ricardomauricioaraya7625
God I wish I could see this guys live one day! just once, that's all I need!
@martinos877
i have seen the group live in De boederij in Zoetermeer.
@user-rr4kd4ok6h
The ultimate Neoprog band.. really exceptional as always..