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.
Questions
Manfred Mann's Earth Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I went to those who close the open door
And turning the key I sat and spoke to those
inside of me
They answered my questions with questions
And they pointed me into the night
Where the moon was a star painted dancer
They reached to my centre of reason
And pulled on the touchstone that's there
The shock of that light had me reeling
And I fell into the depths of despair
Turning the key I sat and spoke to those
inside of me
They answered my questions with questions
And they set me to stand on the brink
Where the sun and the moon were as brothers
And all that was left was to think
They answered my questions with questions
And they pointed me into the night
And the power that bore me had left me alone
To figure out which way was right
The song "Questions" by Manfred Mann's Earth Band features dream-like imagery that depicts a journey of self-discovery. The singer shares about a dream in which they visit a group of people who represent their inner selves. The dreamers turn the key and unlock the door to their own consciousness, revealing a world of light and beauty. However, the questions they receive in reply to their own inquiries only lead to more questions, and they are left to contemplate the meaning of their existence.
The song's message is one of introspection and self-exploration. The singer must come to terms with the fact that there are no easy answers, and that the truth lies within, waiting to be discovered. The dream state serves as a metaphor for this journey, indicating that the answers we seek may not always be clearly visible in the waking world. The overall mood of the song is somber and reflective, suggesting that the process of soul-searching is often a difficult and challenging one.
Overall, "Questions" is a thoughtful and introspective piece that encourages listeners to look inward for answers to life's biggest questions. It speaks to the universal human desire for meaning and purpose, and suggests that although the journey may be difficult, the rewards of self-discovery are well worth the effort.
Line by Line Meaning
In a dream it would seem
I had a dream and it feels like it could be real, although it was not.
I went to those who close the open door
I visited people who could actually prevent me from entering my desired location.
And turning the key I sat and spoke to those inside of me
After unlocking, I talked to my inner self while seated comfortably.
They answered my questions with questions
My inner self responded to my queries with their own questions, which made me think deeper.
And they pointed me into the night
My conscience directed me to venture into unfamiliar territory.
Where the moon was a star painted dancer
The moon appeared like a star that danced gracefully, as if it were painted.
And the world was just a spectrum of light
The whole universe seemed like it was just a display of color, light, and energy.
They reached to my centre of reason
They accessed my innermost logic and rationality.
And pulled on the touchstone that's there
They touched the fundamental beliefs and values that I hold dear.
The shock of that light had me reeling
The realization that followed hit me hard and made me disoriented.
And I fell into the depths of despair
I became so depressed and hopeless that I feel like I was sinking to the bottom.
They set me to stand on the brink
They pushed me closer to a point-of-no-return or a critical juncture.
Where the sun and the moon were as brothers
The sun and the moon appeared to have a harmonious relationship, like they were related.
And all that was left was to think
After all that has happened, I had no choice but to ponder and reflect.
And the power that bore me had left me alone
The energy or force that once carried me and gave me strength seemed to have abandoned me.
To figure out which way was right
I was left to decide and identify the right course of action on my own.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Chris Slade, Christopher Algernon Thompson, Colin Roy Pattenden, David Henry Flett, Manfred Mann
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Angelinaisone
<3 wonderful music, magical lyrics <3
IIn a dream it would seem
I went to those who close the open door
And turning the key, I sat and spoke to those inside of me
They answered my questions with questions
And they pointed me into the night
Where the moon was a star-painted dancer
And the world was just a spectrum of light
They reached to my center of reason
And pulled on the touchstone that's there
The shock of that light had me reeling
And I fell into the depths of despair
They answered my questions with questions
And set me to stand on the brink
Where the sun and the moon were as brothers
And all that was left was to think
They answered my questions with questions
And pointed me into the night
The power that bore me had left me alone
To figure out which way was right
@TheWolf1340
I loved that band and loved that album!
And for those who had questions, listen the so good voice of Chris Hamlet Thompson:
In a dream it would seem
I went to those who close the open door
And turning the key, I sat and spoke to those inside of me
They answered my questions with questions
And they pointed me into the night
Where the moon was a star-painted dancer
And the world was just a spectrum of light
They reached to my center of reason
And pulled on the touchstone that's there
The shock of that light had me reeling
And I fell into the depths of despair
Turning the key, I sat and spoke to those inside of me
They answered my questions with questions
And set me to stand on the brink
Where the sun and the moon were as brothers
And all that was left was to think
They answered my questions with questions
And pointed me into the night
The power that bore me had left me alone
To figure out which way was right
@DosBear
Questions Lyrics
In a dream it would seem
I went to those who closed the open door
And turning the key
I sat and spoke to those inside of me
They answered my questions with questions
And they pointed me into the night
Where the moon was a star-painted dancer
And the world was just a spectrum of light
They reached to my center of reason
And pulled on the touchstone that's there
The shock of that light had me reeling
And I fell into the depths of despair
Turning the key
I sat and spoke to those inside of me
They answered my questions with questions
And they set me to stand on the brink
Where the sun and the moon were brothers
And all that was left was to think
They answered my questions with questions
And they pointed me into the night
And the power that bore me had left me alone
To figure out which way was right
@jarkkoautio8318
One of the greatest songs and vocal performances ever.
@kinorspielmann4649
Oh really?
@markferrett700
Agree 💯 %
@lauramariedavanzo6675
💯%agree 👸🤸
@stepinfetchit9394
Wonderful modern interpretation of Schubert! I love it!!!!!!!!!
@user-lb6zz7er8b
Roaring silence one that will forever be in my collection till death.nothing more to say about it.
@leonharddeierl5265
Kenne disen Song jetzt seit 1980 und werde es nicht leid ihn mir anzuhören. Einfach genial und wunderschön.
@HewbhurtGabon
Thanks! Love this song so much.
@user-ne7rd7jl3s
집앞 정자에 앉아 차한잔 마시며 주말이면 언제나 듣는음악. 굿이에요. 나의 넘버원 곡
@uniqlim1396
언제 들어도 미묘한 감정이 드는 음악..
언제들어도 그 시절의 기억과 그 시대가 생각나는 음악…