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.
On the Run
Manfred Mann's Earth Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're on the run from the Law
You weren't happy, had to have much more
Now the heat is on
The heat is on
Don't look back
Hideaway
'Cause the heat is on
The heat is on
You know you're in the hands of fate
You've done the worst
You must appreciate why
The heat is on
The heat is on
Run away on the night flight
Oh they got you on the run
You gonna live in the twilight
Oh the heat is on
Took your gold, took your chance
You got the money
And you got romance
Now, the heat is on
The heat is on
The time has come for you to go
You keep running
But it seems so slow
'Cause the heat is on
The heat is on
[repeat to fade]
The lyrics of Manfred Mann's Earth Band's "On The Run" tell a compelling story of a character who is on the run from the law. The singer is warning the character not to look back and to keep going because there's no going back now. The character took risks that resulted in his predicament, and now he's running away to avoid the consequences.
The singer advises the character to appreciate why things have gotten to this stage as he/she is now in the hands of fate. The character has no other option but to keep running away, and despite the escape, it feels like it's all happening in slow motion. The chorus repeats, emphasizing that the heat is on, and the character is in for a tough time.
The song's tone is somber, and the lyrics' story is of failure, crime, and escape. However, the song's melody is upbeat, creating a contrast between the story and the mood. Nevertheless, the story serves as a warning for people to make sound decisions and avoid the consequences of their actions.
Line by Line Meaning
You're on the run from the Law
You are being pursued by law enforcement because of your actions
You weren't happy, had to have much more
Your unsatisfied desire for more led to your current situation
Now the heat is on
You are in a highly tense and dangerous situation
The heat is on
The tension and danger of the situation has increased
Don't look back
Do not reflect on the past or past mistakes
Hideaway
Find a place to hide from law enforcement
You keep going, just another day
You continue to evade the law, trying to survive another day
'Cause the heat is on
The danger and tension of the situation continues to escalate
You know you're in the hands of fate
You now realize that fate has led you to this situation
You've done the worst
You have committed a grave wrongdoing
You must appreciate why
You must understand the cause of your predicament
Run away on the night flight
Escape on the nighttime plane
Oh they got you on the run
The law enforcement is pursuing you relentlessly
You gonna live in the twilight
The future is uncertain and dangerous, you must live in the present moment
Took your gold, took your chance
You have lost your wealth and your opportunities
You got the money
You did however obtain some wealth
And you got romance
You also found love during your journey
Now, the heat is on
The danger and tension has risen to greater heights
The time has come for you to go
You must escape and flee the current situation
You keep running
You continue to evade the law
But it seems so slow
The time drags on as you try to flee from law enforcement
'Cause the heat is on
The danger and tension remains high until you are caught or escape completely
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ANTHONY SHAWN CRISS, CARLTON RIDENHOUR, JAMES HENRY BOXLEY III, KEIR LAMONT GIST, VINCENT E. BROWN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
João Paulo Lopes
Amazing sound, this album was record in Albufeira Portugal with a lot of amazing people in 1980 ( 32 years ago) great music, great band top level
Andy Monaghan
Absolutely Mantastic. Love MMEB especially with Chris on vocals. Cheers
Roger Enquist
Great song, great feeling!
Dill T Dog
I used to own a copy of this album on vinyl. Unfortunately it was lost many years ago and due to my transient lifestyle never replaced.
It's a great album though.
Thomas Maier
Ghosts turning back to your soul...great Manfred Mann
Johannes Jung
One of the best songs ever!
Tucker Carlson is a stupid faggot
hahaha
C
I’ve been searching for this song for so long! I was 15 or 16 when this was my favorite song!
kumar
Thanks U - Tube..
I searched this songs for 25 years..finally got this gem..
Daniel Petersen
The first LP I ever bought. I was 10 years old, it's 31 years ago now 👍