The Fish era is often categorized as neo-progressive. They originally started as "Silmarillion" (from Tolkien's book) with heavy influences from classic Genesis but went on to develop their own distinctive sound. The band was formed in 1979 by Mick Pointer (drums), Steve Rothery (guitar), Doug 'Rastus' Irvine (bass), and others, soon adding vocalist Fish (real name Derek W. Dick), Diz Minitt (bass), and Brian Jelliman. By the time of their first album, 1983's Script for a Jester's Tear, the bass position had been taken over by Pete Trewavas and keyboards by Mark Kelly.
The studio albums Fugazi (1984), Misplaced Childhood (1985), and Clutching at Straws (1987), as well as the 1984 live album Real to Reel all sold respectably, and the band scored a hit single in Britain with Kayleigh in 1985.
When Fish left the band in 1988 after four albums he was replaced by Steve Hogarth. A former member of The Europeans and some-time collaborator with The The and Julian Cope, Hogarth brought a new energy to the band.
Across a further ten albums, Hogarth – along with existing members Rothery, Kelly, Trewavas, and Mosley – have reinvigorated and constantly redefined Marillion’s sound. They forged into new musical territories with a succession of inventive, emotional albums, displaying little regard to the vagaries of hit charts or radio playlists.
After the release of 1999’s marillion.com the band freed themselves from record company pressure once and for all by launching their own record label, the Intact imprint.
Thanks to their pioneering embrace of the Internet through their website http://marillion.com, Marillion have developed a unique and intimate relationship with their fans. From sponsoring entire tours of the USA to funding the recording of recent albums, Marillion’s global fan-base is unique in its affection and dedication. As a result, such passionate, wholesale support has allowed Marillion to step outside of the conventional music industry and find their own path.
In 2001 Anoraknophobia saw Marillion take the groundbreaking step of asking fans to pre-order an album 12 months before release. An amazing 12,000 people signed up, helping to finance the recording. The band once again took pre-orders for the 2004 release Marbles, but this time the money was channelled into a campaign fund to promote its launch. The success of singles Don't Hurt Yourself and You're Gone – the latter making it all the way to number 7 – vindicated the band's independent strategy.
Their 2007 album Somewhere Else reached number 24 in the UK album chart with their most recent single Thankyou Whoever You Are hitting the UK singles chart at number 15. The band shows no signs of fading away after more than 25 years of activity.
Their 15th album, "Happiness is the road", was physically released in October 2008 but was originally available exclusively from the band's website. It was released with little promotion and a deluxe pre-order package was made available as with Marbles. 'Happiness is the Road' is the second studio double album of a long career (2004's Marbles was the other). A UK and European tour followed the album's release, and the band is taking special effort to record every show in the "Happiness on the Road" tour, making the recordings available from the band's website.
Blue Angel
Marillion Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I met the Magdalene
She was paralysed in a street light
She refused to give her name
And a ring of violet bruises
They were pinned upon her arm.
Two hundred francs for sanctuary and she led me by the hand
And from glowing tongues of candles I heard her whisper in my ear
"J'entend ton coeur"
I can hear your
I can hear your
I can hear you heart
hear your heart
I hear your heart
The lyrics of the song Blue Angel by Marillion describe a stranger's encounter with a woman named Magdalene on a dark, Bible black night in Lyon. The woman is paralyzed in a street light and has violet bruises on her arm. She refuses to reveal her name, but offers the stranger sanctuary for two hundred francs. She takes him to a room filled with dancing shadows, where all the heartache disappears. And from the flickering tongues of candles, she whispers in his ear in French, "J'entend ton coeur", meaning "I can hear your heart".
The song appears to be describing a sexual encounter between two strangers, but there is a deeper meaning to it. The Magdalene can be interpreted as a symbol of a person's inner voice or conscience. The violet bruises on her arms can signify the bruises and scars that people carry with them from past hurts and traumas. The room of dancing shadows may represent a place where one can momentarily escape from the pain of life. And the whisper of "I can hear your heart" can be interpreted as a message of acceptance and understanding for all the emotional baggage that the stranger may be carrying.
Line by Line Meaning
The sky was Bible black in Lyon
The night sky had a dark, eerie quality to it in Lyon
When I met the Magdalene
When I met the woman who would later call herself Magdalene
She was paralysed in a street light
She was frozen, unable to move or escape, standing in a street light
She refused to give her name
She did not reveal her identity to me
And a ring of violet bruises
She had a circle of purple bruises on her arm
They were pinned upon her arm
The bruises appeared to be deliberately inflicted on her
Two hundred francs for sanctuary and she led me by the hand
She charged a fee of two hundred francs for sanctuary and took my hand, leading me somewhere safe
To a room of dancing shadows where all the heartache disappears
She took me to a secret place where one can forget all of their troubles
And from glowing tongues of candles I heard her whisper in my ear
I listened to her words, spoken softly, under the light of candles
"J'entend ton coeur"
I hear your heart
I can hear your
I can sense what's inside of you
I can hear your
I can feel the emotions inside of you
I can hear you heart
I can hear your heart beating, as if it was speaking to me
hear your heart
I hear your heart, speaking volumes of your pain and emotions
I hear your heart
I am listening to your heart, and it is telling me your deepest secrets
Contributed by Jason M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Anthony Cortez
Probably my favorite piece on the whole album
D.B. Martin
Agreed! I bought the album on the strength of Kayleigh, and I soon fell in love with Lavender and Heart of Lothian too. After a couple more plays though, it was always this part of the whole album that truly gave me chills, and it still does every time I listen to it again. The lyrics are so poetic and the music accompanies them beautifully, it's THE stand-out part of Bitter Suite.
Tom Sanchez
The most beautiful 2:15 in prog rock. This album has been one of my favorites since it came out, and it still sounds great, but this is the ultimate. Thank you for the post. It's one of the few things that made surviving the 1980's possible.
Winonasalibi
The sky was Bible black in Lyon, when I met the Magdalene. She was paralyzed in a streetlight. She refused to give her name. & a ring of violet bruises, They were pinned upon her arm. 200 francs for sanctuary & she led me by the hand, to a room of dancing shadows where all the heartache disappears. & from glowing tongues of candles I heard her whisper in my ear. 'J'entend ton coeur', 'J'entend ton coeur', I can hear your heart, I can hear your heart, Hear your heart.........
Tom Sanchez
These have to be the most beautiful lyrics ever--perfect for "Bitter Suite," but the instruments, Fish's vocals..brilliant. If you're still on YT and you still check comments, a thousand times, thank you1
Gaming with Emma
Winonasalibi i
progordie 1976
This one has a special place
Tim Mac
the WHOLE ALBUM IS FANTASTIC
Fanor Espinosa
Maravilloso
MAGNUM The Golden years 1974 - 88
great stuff!