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.
The Road to Babylon
Manfred Mann's Earth Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We lay down and wept and
Wept for these I am
We remember, we remember, we
Remember these I am
A golden helmet blinded minds
Among ten thousand swords
A golden thunder silenced songs
Among ten thousand voices
On the road to Babylon
Well, well, well, beware that golden helmet
Well, well, well
There's no easy way to go
Well, well, well
No easy road to follow
Well, well, well
A golden ocean turned to fire
And burned ten thousand ships
Along the road to Babylon
Golden dreamer touched the sky
Alone in empty silence
On the road to Babylon
Well, well, well
Beware that golden thunder
Well, well, well
That dreamed and sang the song
Well, well, well
The empty sound of sorrow
The Road to Babylon by Manfred Mann's Earth Band is a song that seems to be a warning against the dangers of wealth and power. The first verse contemplates the longing for lost lands and the sorrow for the memories of what used to be. It seems as if the singer is mourning for the loss of the "I am," which may represent a sense of identity or a connection to a higher power.
The following verses describe the dangers of wealth and power, as represented by the "golden helmet" and "golden thunder." The helmet "blinded minds," symbolizing the corruption and moral degradation that often accompanies extreme wealth and power. The thunder "silenced songs," perhaps indicating that even art and music cannot escape the destructive force of unchecked greed.
The final verse describes the destruction that this pursuit of wealth and power inevitably brings. The "golden ocean turned to fire" and "burned ten thousand ships," showing the destruction wealth and power can bring. The dreamer who "touched the sky" is now "alone in empty silence," perhaps indicating that the pursuit of wealth and power ultimately leads to a sense of isolation and loneliness.
Overall, The Road to Babylon serves as a warning against the dangers of greed, wealth, and power, and the potential destruction it can bring.
Line by Line Meaning
By the waters of Babylon
We were near the river or sea of the land of Babylon.
We lay down and wept and
We sat and cried helplessly.
Wept for these I am
Our tears were shed for what we have lost.
We remember, we remember, we
We recall the past events vividly.
Remember these I am
This is what we remember.
A golden helmet blinded minds
Opulence and influence can corrupt minds.
Among ten thousand swords
Among a multitude of deadly weapons.
Along the road to Babylon
On the journey towards Babylon.
A golden thunder silenced songs
Great power and authority can suppress voices and creativity.
Among ten thousand voices
Among a multitude of people speaking out.
On the road to Babylon
On the journey towards Babylon.
Well, well, well, beware that golden helmet
Be aware of the dangers of wealth and authority.
Well, well, well
Repeated warning to take caution.
There's no easy way to go
The path ahead is challenging.
No easy road to follow
There are no simple solutions or easy answers.
A golden ocean turned to fire
The abundance and wealth turned destructive and consumed everything.
And burned ten thousand ships
Destroyed many vessels or opportunities.
Golden dreamer touched the sky
A person with great aspirations and goals reached for the stars.
Alone in empty silence
Despite success, the person was left feeling unfulfilled and lonely.
Well, well, well
Repeated warning to take caution.
Beware that golden thunder
Be aware of the power and influence that can suppress creativity and voices.
That dreamed and sang the song
The same source of authority and influence also provided inspiration and hope.
The empty sound of sorrow
Despite inspiration, there still remained a pervasive sadness or emptiness.
Contributed by Alyssa J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@nomoremrniceguy8667
In 1975 one of my stoner friends turned me on to Manfred Mann's Earth Band. Still to this day I listen to the album's The Good Earth, The Roaring Silence and Watch. Yes folks, I'm old as hell and still have all my vinyl albums....all 8000 of them!!!
@LuvBorderCollies
8k...Wow! I still have a small collection of 70s into early 80's. Bought a turntable about 20 years ago to make sure I had a device to still listen the vinyl. :)
@johnherlan6875
scratch scratch click
scratch scratch click
how we all hated that sound from vinal and now to hear it is so cool and brings back so many memories
@antoniodias4718
"Messin'" 1973 "Nightingales & Bombers" 1975 are excellent too!!!
@ryanmurphy6690
What do you think of Chapter 3?
@antoniodias4718
@@ryanmurphy6690 I think it's very good. Jazz-rock but in fact it was the beginning of MMEB moving on slowly to progressive rock and hard-rock and leaving a bit jazz.
@blascabrera6510
Si señor.obra maestra de Manfred M.mi disco favorito.y tiene buenos......
@jimmymadoc1
back in the eighties, i would sit in the dark with headphones on and the light from early LED meters flashing at me . this album kept me sane but my ( then) wife thought i was stoned, instead of inspired. miss the 80's, don't miss her
@WuwuandNillump
Jim Boden I think it’s funny 😂
@thugacateddotcom
that made me laugh