The Earth Band was, from a pop perspective, almost deliberately contrary, but combined the stylistic approach of progressive rock with Mann's keen ear for melody. Mann's interest in English 20th century classical music saw him re-create Gustav Holst's Planets Suite, garnering an unlikely UK hit with a version of the "Jupiter" movement that had lyrics added and entitled "Joybringer". Their 1973 album The Good Earth tapped into ecological concerns, a recurring theme in Mann's music in later years, and had a free gift of a piece of land in Wales with each album sold.
The membership of the Earth Band was relatively informal; Mick Rogers originally performed lead guitar and lead vocal duties before being replaced by Chris Thompson on vocals and Dave Flett on guitar. Drumming duties were fulfilled by Chris Slade, who was later to be a member of AC/DC and Asia in a long and varied career which perhaps can be summed up by his being released by AC/DC despite being, according to the rest of the band, the best musician in the band. Similarly, the technically skilled bass player Colin Pattenden, after leaving the Earth Band, became a sound consultant, running his own company designing and installing sound systems. There was much about the Earth Band that was potentially successful, but the contrariness of the band's approach and Mann's perfectionism meant that albums frequently came out with different track listings in different territories, or in alternative versions.
The breakthrough for the band in the US came when they had a No. 1 pop charts hit in early 1977 with Bruce Springsteen's "Blinded by the Light". While the Springsteen original from 1973's Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J. album has a folky, acoustic sound, the Manfred Mann's Earth Band version is driving rock, combining Mann's Moog synthesizer and organ work with Flett's guitar. Manfred can be heard singing at the end of "Blinded By The Light", in the round, with Thompson - it was this feature of the song that initially attracted him. The band took advantage of the publicity and re-released another Springsteen song, "Spirit in the Night", which had been recorded the previous year on Nightingales and Bombers, originally with Rogers on vocals although for some territories it was re-recorded with a vocal from Thompson.
Nightingales and Bombers, The Roaring Silence, and Watch are considered the highlight of the Earth Band's achievement. Watch produced another hit single in "Davy's On The Road Again", and the albums were innovative and original despite the dependence on covers of other artists' songs. Nightingales and Bombers took its title from a World War II naturalist's recording of a nightingale singing in a garden as warplanes flew overhead; the recording appears in a track on the album. Roaring Silence featured a guest appearance by jazz saxophonist Barbara Thompson, and Watch included two stand-out recordings from the bands live performances of "Davy's On The Road Again" and "Mighty Quinn".
Flett left before 1979's Angel Station to be replaced by Steve Waller, sharing the vocal duties with Thompson who was also intent on pursuing a solo career. 1980's Chance showed a move towards a more electronic approach, and produced several cuts that were hits in the UK and/or saw significant airplay in both the US and UK. The songs "Lies (All Through The 80's)", "Stranded", and "For You" (another Springsteen song) still receive significant airplay over 25 years since their release.
Mann became very active in the international anti-apartheid movement, and was banned from entering South Africa, the country in which he had been born. Instead members of the band made journeys to South Africa to record African musicians for the album Somewhere in Afrika, pre-figuring Paul Simon's Graceland. The album included a cover of The Police's "Demolition Man" and a well-received version of Bob Marley's "Redemption Song", which remains in the band's set today. American versions of the album also included Ian Thomas's "The Runner", whose music video had images of the Munich and Montreal Olympic Games, and which enjoyed much airtime in the lead-up to the Los Angeles Olympics.
Manfred Mann's Earth Band has continued recording to the present day, covering tracks by artists as varied as Paul Weller, Robert Cray, Del Amitri, and The Lovin' Spoonful. Mann has also released a solo project, Plains Music, based on Native American music, and his latest album, 2006, includes collaborations with the German rapper Thomas D and tracks featuring the music of, amongst others, the Super Furry Animals. The Earth Band remain active in live performances in Europe, with a line up that includes both Manfred Mann and Mick Rogers.
Most of the band's albums have been re-released in recent years and a 4-CD set featuring many previously unissued versions of tracks was released in August 2005. This includes material from the unreleased (and thought to be lost) Manfred Mann ChapterIII Volume 3 album and the first Earth Band album, Stepping Sideways. The fourth CD in the package includes both unreleased studio material and live performances.
Lies
Manfred Mann's Earth Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We're all gonna live out the Hollywood dream
Everything's gonna be just what it seems
Gonna find a better way to run our cars
All through the Eighties
'Cause the race is on, we're gonna land on Mars
All through the Eighties
All through the Eighties
Information - there'll be more and more
All through the Eighties
Will the man on the street finally know the score
But I saw a kid with no smile on his face today
Where is my place in this bright future, I heard him say
I've lost my hope there isn't anywhere to play
(Pull up the trees and put up a parking lot)
The play's been written we'll all be in the cast
All through the Eighties
And our feet are gonna point away from the past
All through the Eighties
Will supersonic travel be our ticket to ride
We'll have cruise missiles, they think as they fly
But I saw a kid with no smile on his face today
Where is my place in this bright future, I heard him say
I've lost my hope there isn't anywhere to play
(Pull up the trees and put up a parking lot)
Time will go and the years fly by
All through the Eighties
And we'll have another slice of American Pie
All through the Eighties
Credit card living, push button cash
All through the Eighties
We'll pay our money and we'll take our trash
All through the Eighties
And another generation will "Talk about their Generation"
But I saw a kid with no smile on his face today
Where is my place in this bright future, I heard him say
I've lost my hope there isn't anywhere to play
(Pull up the trees and put up a parking lot)
I saw a kid with no smile on his face today
Where is my place in this bright future, I heard him say
I saw a kid with no smile on his face today
Where is my place in this bright future, I heard him say
[fading]
The song "Lies" by Manfred Mann's Earth Band is a commentary on the age of technological advancements and the promises of the 80s. The lyrics paint a picture of a future that is promising with all the advancements in technology, but also depicts the grim reality that comes with it. The song talks about how everything is going to change in the 80s, and how the future is going to be brighter. It talks about how we are going to find a better way to run our cars, and even land on Mars. The video screen is also predicted to open up more doors, and there will be more information circulated.
However, the song raises a question about the "man on the street" and what they will know about all these advancements. The chorus talks about seeing a kid with no smile on his face, questioning where his place is in this bright future. The song then takes on a more ominous tone, suggesting that more credit card living and push-button cash will be the norm, and we'll pay for our trash in the future. The lyrics showcase how the future might not be as bright as we put it out to be.
Overall, the song is a commentary on the future and the technological advancements that will transform the world in the 80s. The song not only offers insightful commentary but also predicts the future in a way that was almost too accurate.
Line by Line Meaning
We're all gonna live out the Hollywood dream
We are all going to believe in an idealized version of life
Everything's gonna be just what it seems
Our society will create an illusion of perfection
Gonna find a better way to run our cars
We will search for improved methods of transportation
All through the Eighties
During the entire time of the 1980s
'Cause the race is on, we're gonna land on Mars
We are in competition to reach Mars
The Video Screen will open up the door
Technology will give us greater access to information
Information - there'll be more and more
We will have an abundance of knowledge available to us
Will the man on the street finally know the score
Will the average person become aware of the truth
But I saw a kid with no smile on his face today
The artist had a recent encounter with a sad child
Where is my place in this bright future, I heard him say
The child was questioning their role in a supposedly optimistic future
I've lost my hope there isn't anywhere to play
The child was feeling hopeless because there was no space to enjoy themselves
(Pull up the trees and put up a parking lot)
This line is a reference to the Joni Mitchell song 'Big Yellow Taxi' and is a commentary on environmental destruction
The play's been written we'll all be in the cast
Our lives are predetermined and we are just playing parts
And our feet are gonna point away from the past
We will move forward and leave the past behind
Will supersonic travel be our ticket to ride
Will high-speed transportation be a defining feature of the future
We'll have cruise missiles, they think as they fly
Our military technology will advance
Time will go and the years fly by
The passage of time is inevitable
And we'll have another slice of American Pie
We will experience another significant event in American history
Credit card living, push button cash
We will rely heavily on electronic transactions
We'll pay our money and we'll take our trash
Our consumption-focused lifestyle will produce waste
And another generation will "Talk about their Generation"
Future generations will discuss their experiences
I saw a kid with no smile on his face today
The artist reiterates their previous encounter with a sad child
Where is my place in this bright future, I heard him say
The child's question remains unanswered and represents a larger societal issue
[fading]
The song fades out and leaves the listener to reflect on its messages
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
DJ Dave
who's here after listening to logic's newest album - no pressure
Monty Cantsin
@Zyndetta: It was written by Denny Newman who is a blues guitarist. He's played with Mick Taylor and is worth checking out.
Redbird Industry
iamblackgambit no gambit you got it from me
TheBLACKGAMBIT
@Redbird Industry i know
Redbird Industry
@TheBLACKGAMBIT logic actually chopped this beat up shows it in an interview with hardknocktv
TheBLACKGAMBIT
@Alone 1629 lol right?? 6ix did all his songs?
Kathie Myrenaes
I have been a huge fan of Manfred Mann for years, and then of course, Chris Thompson. I remember when I was working at a record store, back in the day, and this album came in. We thought it was so progressive, talking about he 1980s!! But, seriously, unfortunately, life didn't change much, did it?! Still, as far a music goes, this is a brilliant song! Love it!
Alfreedo Sanchez
Nice sample from a rock song, can’t believe that was even possible
wolf310765
As the Dj for 11th Floor Radio, I enjoy the fact that we can play a full album, any album, without any commercial breaks. Among the vast selections this, I must say is one of the faves. The album 'Chance' that is.
Aaron Bean
Same here! My late brother turned me onto this album when I was 10, same time it came out.