Their earliest albums were hard rock that drew heavily from the space-rock and Pink Floyd styles of the same period. The 70’s gave them the occasion to issue some masterpieces, like for example "A Tab in the Ocean (1972) "Remember the Future" (1973) and "Recycled" (1975). Each is a conceptual album that is a nice blend of melodic guitar and keyboards with a vocal story. "Journey To The Centre Of The Eye" is a mindblowing epic with lots of echoplex guitar and dual Mellotrons which is quite in tune with the Krautrock stuff going on around them, yet is definitely British. "Magic is a Child" had shorter songs and were less less satisfying.
Nektar's entire back catalogue has been re-vamped and remastered and is about to be re-issued in the USA, supported by a tour. A new Studio CD "Book of Days" is targeted for 20th March 2007 release on EMI - Caroline.
The band has recently been joined for their upcoming tour by the bass player Peter Pichl (Running Wild and other bands).
The Prodigal Son
Nektar Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lord knows how we survived
In the end it's up to you and I
Changing times and changing names
To me it's all the same
Open your heart and let it fly
Away
You stand in the sun
Letting life have it's fun in that memory haze
Oh how we loved all those days
And yesterdays child
Forgotten but wild sleeps the memory of time
A past that still shines
The Prodigal son
The favors of some seem to melt into time
The higher you climb
And thoughts of a life
That exists in your mind is realities child
Not born, but so wise
Reach out and touch me
I'm walking, talking
The prodigal son
Reach out and touch me
Touch me, touch me, touch me
I'm walking, talking
The prodigal son
Reach out and touch me
I'm walking, talking
Still have myself and I reckon it's fun
To tell you who called those days
The prodigal son, favors to some
Prodigal son, born on the run
Reach out and touch me
I'm walking, talking
(repeat 'til end)
The lyrics to Nektar's The Prodigal Son tells a story about the passage of time and the memories that we hold on to, even as we move forward. The opening lines speak of a "foolish time full of foolish things" and how the singer doesn't know how they survived. However, despite this, they bring a sense of agency to the situation by saying that ultimately it's up to them to make it through. The verse then transitions to talk about changing times and changing names, which to the singer is all the same. It's only by opening our hearts and letting go that we can truly move forward and away from our past.
The chorus of the song is where the prodigal son is specifically mentioned. The favors of some seem to melt into time when you're climbing up higher, and it's the memories of our past that keep us grounded in reality. The prodigal son is described as someone who was "born on the run", and even though they may have had their share of favors, they are still forgotten and wild like a child. The singer invites us to reach out and touch them, as they are still walking, talking and living.
The lyrics to The Prodigal Son speak to the human experience of nostalgia and longing for the past. By framing it as a story about the prodigal son, the song reinforces the idea that we all have a bit of prodigality in our veins. We are all running from something, but in the end, it's up to us to let go and move on.
Line by Line Meaning
A foolish time full of foolish things
A period of immaturity filled with thoughtless actions
Lord knows how we survived
Expressing gratitude for making it through difficult times
In the end it's up to you and I
Taking responsibility for life's choices and outcomes
Changing times and changing names
Adapting to life's shifts and transformations
To me it's all the same
Believing that true essence remains unchanged despite superficial alterations
Open your heart and let it fly away
Encouraging emotional vulnerability and liberation
You stand in the sun
Embracing life's warmth and light
Letting life have it's fun in that memory haze
Reflecting on past experiences through a nostalgic filter
Oh how we loved all those days
Expressing affection for happy times gone by
And yesterdays child
Regretfully acknowledging the innocence and freedom of the past
Forgotten but wild sleeps the memory of time
Alluding to the bittersweet nature of nostalgia, where untamed joy coexists with wistful longing
A past that still shines
Recognizing that positive memories endure despite the passage of time
The Prodigal son
Metaphorically referencing the biblical parable of the rebellious son who returns home after wasting his inheritance
The favors of some seem to melt into time
Acknowledging that certain privileges or goodwill may diminish with age or altered circumstances
The higher you climb
Referring to the notion that success often comes at a cost
And thoughts of a life
Reflecting on one's personal experiences and inner world
That exists in your mind is realities child
Asserting that subjective perception informs one's sense of reality
Not born, but so wise
Suggesting that wisdom can be gained through adversity and reflection
Reach out and touch me
Inviting connection and intimacy
I'm walking, talking
Asserting one's vitality and liveliness
Still have myself and I reckon it's fun
Embracing one's independence and enjoying life
To tell you who called those days
Taking ownership of memories and experiences
The prodigal son, favors to some
Continuing the biblical metaphor to suggest one's search for meaning and belonging
Prodigal son, born on the run
Drawing parallels between one's personal journey and the parable's protagonist
reach out and touch me
Inviting connection and intimacy
I'm walking, talking
Asserting one's vitality and liveliness
Contributed by Alex V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Manu Grand Est
The song prodigal son is a masterpiece, !!! Great mélodie and mélancolique 🎸🎸🎸
CHARLES NOLAN
NEKTAR fan since 1975- "Remember the future, " and "Recycled" are the faves!
kevbo
R.I.P Roy thanks for the great music keep on keeping on.Kevbo
Kate Murphy
Wow: thank you for the upload
Kate Murphy
Thank you for the upload
Nels Cleath
Genius