A key influence on industrial rock, their early music was described by critics Stephen Thomas Erlewine and John Dougan as well as industrial metal and "quasi-metal, dancing to a tune of doom and gloom," which gradually evolved over the years, incorporating elements of electronic music, synth-pop, gothic rock, and alternative rock, though always emphasizing Coleman's "savagely strident vocals."
Finding modest commercial success, Killing Joke have influenced many later bands, such as Nirvana, Ministry, Amen, Lamb of God, Nine Inch Nails, Napalm Death, Amebix, Big Black, Godflesh, Tool, Prong, Metallica, Primus, Jane's Addiction, Soundgarden, Foo Fighters, Faith No More, Blacklist, Shihad and Korn, all of whom have at some point cited some debt of gratitude to Killing Joke.
Euphoria
Killing Joke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The autumn leaves have fallen
I can hear the magpies laugh
I can′t shake this melancholy
And then the clouds break
A ray of sunlight, gloria!
As if a promise
Dark phantoms of the past
Some things are best forgotten
Like Orpheus, don't look back
The best years are waiting for you
And then the clouds break
A ray of sunlight, gloria!
As if a promise
Some strange kind of euphoria
And then the clouds break
A ray of sunlight, gloria!
As if a promise
Some strange kind of euphoria
And then the door breaks
A ray of sunlight, gloria!
As if a promise
Some strange kind of euphoria
Euphoria
Euphoria
Euphoria
The opening lines of Killing Joke's song "Euphoria" paint a picture of a bleak, autumn day, with bare tree branches and fallen leaves. The singer is plagued by a sense of melancholy that they can't seem to shake. But then, suddenly, the clouds break and a ray of sunlight shines through. The singer experiences a sudden rush of euphoria, as if some promise has been fulfilled.
The lyrics continue with a reference to Orpheus, the Greek mythological figure who famously looked back at his beloved Eurydice as they were leaving the underworld and lost her forever. The message here is clear: some things are best left in the past, and the best years are still ahead. The repeated refrain of "euphoria" emphasizes the sense of joy and promise that the singer feels.
Overall, "Euphoria" is a song about finding hope and joy in the midst of darkness and despair. It's about recognizing that the past can be painful, but the future is full of possibility. The use of natural imagery, with the changing seasons and shifting weather patterns, underscores the cyclical nature of life and the idea that even the darkest moments will eventually give way to light.
Line by Line Meaning
Overcast, the branches bare
The weather is gloomy and the trees look empty without their leaves.
The autumn leaves have fallen
It is autumn and the leaves have already fallen from the trees.
I can hear the magpies laugh
I am feeling sad and the sound of magpies laughing feels mocking.
I can′t shake this melancholy
I am unable to shake off this feeling of sadness.
And then the clouds break
Suddenly, the clouds part and the sun shines through.
A ray of sunlight, gloria!
The sunlight shining through feels like a cause for celebration.
As if a promise
This sudden sunlight feels like a promise of something good in the future.
Some strange kind of euphoria
This sudden burst of sunlight has brought on an unusual feeling of happiness and excitement.
Dark phantoms of the past
Memories of painful experiences haunt me like ghosts.
Some things are best forgotten
There are some memories that are better off not remembered.
Like Orpheus, don't look back
Like Orpheus in the Greek myth, I should not look back and focus on the present and the future.
The best years are waiting for you
The best years of my life are yet to come.
And then the door breaks
Suddenly, the door breaks open.
Euphoria
The sudden burst of happiness and excitement.
Euphoria
The sudden burst of happiness and excitement.
Euphoria
The sudden burst of happiness and excitement.
Writer(s): Martin Glover
Contributed by Emily R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Vale LB
Overcast, the branches bare
The autumn leaves have fallen
I can hear the magpies laugh
I can't shake this melancholy
And then the cloud breaks
A ray of sunlight – Gloria!
As if a promise
Some strange kind of euphoria
Dark phantoms of the past
Some things are best forgotten
Like Orpheus, don't look back
The best years are waiting for you
And then the cloud breaks
A ray of sunlight – Gloria!
As if a promise.
Some strange kind of euphoria
And then the clouds break
A ray of sunlight
Gloria!
As if a promise
Some strange kind of euphoria
And in the darkness
A ray of sunlight
Gloria!
As if a promise
Some strange kind of euphoria
Euphoria
Euphoria
Euphoria
Anno Mundi
MASTERPIECE! It's 2020 and I'm 47 now. Killing Joke changed my life when I watched Love Like Blood video in a b&w TV when I was a 12-year old kid. I love this band from my heart. Touches me. Always! Love you guys!
Jane T
I totally understand what You mean💜🖤🧡
ghostinthegaslight
Echoed! Love you guys. Killing Joke is dark glorious. Tragically hidden from society and superstardom. But a glittering diamond to those of us who found them.
guy gélinas
@Unsound Methods Re-qui-e-em!
Unsound Methods
@guy gélinas Requiem for me too!
Shanin Taylor
Since I saw in the Eighties, even have an original NANA's CREEPERS and a Biker Leather said in scribble. Killing Joke. Still rock it on my old Vespa in SF. Met the guys and they are powerful to talk with I t ll you. They have the ultimate padt from the Bauhaus, Christian Death eras. The top of the food chain. I would love to see the band with Ozzy once. The monsters of dark rock tour
Matt Evans
I'm 52 and an 80's child. Killing Joke was a great band to listen to when partying. This is an awesome song that I can listen to over and over. Long live KJ!
Emma Petrie
Im a 80s child and just discovered this band last year? 😢
G Art
Partying? You mean come to the political party? For this purpose: KJ is a very wise choice!
Ernesto Moran
Me too. Miss those days of alternative music.