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.
Icon
Marillion Lyrics
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Even if the old days were golden days
Even if the good old days were good
The past is a terrible place
The past is a terrible place to live
Misguided missiles
Skin creams and cars
Loaded with dreams
Computer games
Pretty faces
Loaded with life
Loaded with live ammunition
Even if the good old days were good
The past is a terrible place
The past is a terrible place to live
Saving up for Linda
Saving up for Pam
Saving up for Naomi
Icon therefore I am
Saving up for Mary
Saving up for Jane
A thousand pieces all over the room
Let´s do it all again
Icon therefore I am
Loaded with dreams
Loaded with life
I´m loaded with live ammunition
Loaded with dreams
Loaded with stories
Loaded with life
I only wish I knew you
How hard it is for me to spare
This kind of thing for you
If you sense a smokescreen here
A trick of dry ice
A trick of the dry eyes
The song "Icon" by Marillion is about the struggles of reminiscing and the weight of nostalgia. The lyrics express how the past may seem good or even golden, but it is actually a terrible place to live. It's a place where misguided missiles, skin creams, and cars loaded with dreams exist, along with computer games, pretty faces, and live ammunition. All of these things are loaded with the past, memories, and stories that are often difficult to escape.
The chorus repeats the idea that even if the good old days were good, the past is a terrible place to live. The verses mention various names, such as Linda, Pam, Naomi, Mary, and Jane. These names represent people for whom the singer saves up money, possibly for their company or love. The line "Icon therefore I am" suggests that the singer cherishes certain people in his life, so much so that his identity is defined by them.
The bridge talks about the kind of love or connection that the singer wishes he had with someone, but it's difficult for him to express it. The smokescreen and trickery are used as metaphors for the barriers that stand in the way of forming that connection. All in all, the song speaks to the power of memory and how it shapes our identities.
Line by Line Meaning
Even if the good old days were good
Acknowledging that the past may have held some positive aspects
Even if the old days were golden days
Reiterating the acknowledgement of the past having positive aspects
Even if the good old days were good
Continuing to acknowledge the past having some good times
The past is a terrible place
Despite some moments of positivity, the past as a whole can be a negative force
The past is a terrible place to live
Elaborating on the negative nature of living in the past
Misguided missiles
Weapons that may be off-target or misused
Skin creams and cars
Consumer products that may offer superficial, temporary enjoyment
Loaded with dreams
Products marketed to create a sense of aspiration or longing
Loaded with dreams
Repeating the idea that consumer products often come with aspirations attached
Computer games
Games that offer an escape into virtual reality
Pretty faces
Likely a reference to physical attractiveness as an ideal to aspire to
Loaded with life
The idea that video games and attractive people are marketed as sources of increased fulfillment or excitement
Loaded with live ammunition
The concept of something being weaponized or potentially dangerous
Even if the good old days were good
A repetitive reminder that there may be some positive aspects to the past
The past is a terrible place
A repetition of the idea that the past can be a negative force
The past is a terrible place to live
Reiteration of the negative nature of living in the past
Saving up for Linda
The idea of working and saving to obtain something or someone as an ideal
Saving up for Pam
Continuing the idea of working towards an ideal and investing time or resources
Saving up for Naomi
Further elaboration on the idea of investing resources for an ideal
Icon therefore I am
Implying that one's ideal or aspiration is what defines them as a person, making them an 'icon'
Saving up for Mary
Continuing the idea of working and investing to achieve an ideal
Saving up for Jane
Naming different personalities, potentially presenting the idea of multiple ideals to strive for
A thousand pieces all over the room
Possibly a metaphor for the search for identity or the pursuit of one's ideals leaving one feeling disheveled or chaotic
Let's do it all again
The idea of repeating past actions or striving for the same ideals again
Icon therefore I am
Repeating the idea that one's ideals define their identity and sense of self
Loaded with dreams
Referencing the idea that consumer products and other aspirations can be marketed as sources of fulfillment
Loaded with life
Repeating the idea of aspirations being presented as sources of a fulfilling life
I'm loaded with live ammunition
Potentially referencing the idea of being armed or prepared to pursue one's aspirations with vigor
Loaded with dreams
Repeating the concept that aspirations and consumer products can come with the promise of a heightened life experience
Loaded with stories
Potentially referencing the idea of personal narratives or experiences that help define one's sense of self
Loaded with life
Reiterating the idea that life comes with multiple events and experiences that can be fulfilling
I only wish I knew you
The expression of longing to understand or connect with someone
How hard it is for me to spare
The difficulty of finding the resources or time to pursue personal connections or growth
This kind of thing for you
Referring to pursuing better understanding of a person or situation
If you sense a smokescreen here
The idea that the situation or behavior being expressed may be masking something else
A trick of dry ice
Potentially a metaphor for a false or misleading appearance
A trick of the dry eyes
Continuing the idea of a deceptive appearance or behavior
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: STEVE HOGARTH, MARK KELLY, IAN MOSLEY, STEVE ROTHERY, PETER TREWAVAS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind