Originally formed under the name of Xanthippe, the project's current name is inspired
by the works of French philosopher Michel Foucault.
The band is, in reality, a one man project, with Tom composing, singing and producing
the songs while the Lyrics are written by Iris Idelson.
In "Utopia", O&C have attempted to merge together danceable melodies with thought-provoking concepts.
The album may be viewed as homage to the rise and fall of utopian
projects and their impact on the individuals who partook in them.
In his music, Tom is inspired by various genres and artists, from Skinny Puppy and Assemblage 23,
to Frank Zappa, the Residents and the Beatles.
These eclectic inspirations, along with Tom's own musical vision, come together to form the unique sound, that is Observe and Control.
Observe and Control have become known for their live performances, and have supported and performed
with such giants such as Apoptygma Berserk and Das Ich.
During live performances, Tom is accompanied by two additional musicians and his own guitar playing,
so as to achieve the sound that has become characteristic of O&C.
During its brief history, O&C has remixed tracks for some of the leading EBM and alternative acts today,
such as Matrix, Regenerator, Sero.Overdose, Namnambulu and F.O.D.
Grey
Observe & Control Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Witness my friends rust and turn to ash
Break down in phases
And yet my skin is perfect glass
I have kept this portrait in pristine care
I have kept my secret well
Until the day comes when the loneliness
Would you embrace me with open arms?
Would you encase me in a picture of my heart?
Dorian Gray, already headed to hell
Take me away, pick a side and place a bet
Dorian Gray, have you something to sell?
I've got your bodice and your dress
Turn back the time
To the fearless boy I was so long ago
She is love, she is filth
She can destroy my soul
Would you embrace me with open arms?
Would you encase me in a picture of my heart?
Dorian Gray, already headed to hell
Take me away, pick a side and place a bet
Dorian Gray, have you something to sell?
I've got your bodice and your dress
Dorian Gray, already headed to hell
Take me away, pick a side and place a bet
Dorian Gray, have you something to sell?
I've got your bodice and your dress
Intellect in itself is a mode of exaggeration
An artist should create beautiful things
But should put nothing of his own life into them
The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it
If the cave man had known how to laugh
History would have been different
I have kept my portrait clean
I have kept my secret well
Now the day has come
The sun has burned away
Follow me, follow me, follow me, follow me
Dorian Gray, already headed to hell
Take me away, pick a side and place a bet
Dorian Gray, have you something to sell?
I've got your bodice and your dress
The lyrics of "Grey" by Observe & Control delve into the themes of time, decay, and the suppressed desires of the human psyche. The opening lines "Live through the ages, witness my friends rust and turn to ash" speak of the inevitability of aging and mortality, highlighting the transient nature of existence. The reference to friends rusting and turning to ash could symbolize the passing of time and the decay of relationships.
The chorus of the song suggests a yearning for connection and acceptance, asking if someone would embrace the singer, encapsulating their heart in a picture. This desire for acceptance and love contrasts with the repeated mention of Dorian Gray, a character from Oscar Wilde's novel "The Picture of Dorian Gray." Dorian Gray is known for his obsession with preserving his youthful appearance, even at the cost of his soul. The song's lyrics suggest a parallel between the singer's longing for acceptance and the destructive path taken by Dorian Gray.
The bridge section of the song includes several thought-provoking phrases. "Intellect in itself is a mode of exaggeration" suggests that intellectualism can sometimes lead to overthinking and distorting reality. The mention of an artist creating beautiful things without putting their own life into them could imply a struggle to separate personal experiences from the art created. The line "The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it" echoes Dorian Gray's surrender to his desires in the novel.
Overall, "Grey" explores the complexities of human existence, the fear of aging and mortality, the search for acceptance, and the consequences of yielding to temptation.
Line by Line Meaning
Live through the ages
Experience the passage of time
Witness my friends rust and turn to ash
See my friends deteriorate and disappear
Break down in phases
Gradually fall apart
And yet my skin is perfect glass
Despite everything, I appear flawless
I have kept this portrait in pristine care
I have taken great care of my painting
I have kept my secret well
I have successfully hidden my true self
Until the day comes when the loneliness
Until the day arrives when the feeling of isolation
Is, oh, too much to bear
Becomes unbearable
Would you embrace me with open arms?
Would you accept me completely?
Would you encase me in a picture of my heart?
Would you capture my essence in a painting?
Dorian Gray, already headed to hell
Dorian Gray, already on a path of self-destruction
Take me away, pick a side and place a bet
Save me from my own demise, make a choice and take a risk
Dorian Gray, have you something to sell?
Dorian Gray, do you have something to offer?
I've got your bodice and your dress
I possess your physical possessions
Turn back the time
Go back in time
To the fearless boy I was so long ago
To the confident young person I used to be
She is love, she is filth
She represents both love and decadence
She can destroy my soul
She has the power to devastate me emotionally
Intellect in itself is a mode of exaggeration
Being intellectual can lead to overemphasis or distortion
An artist should create beautiful things
Artists should produce aesthetically pleasing works
But should put nothing of his own life into them
But they should not incorporate their personal experiences
The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it
The best way to overcome temptation is to surrender to it
If the cave man had known how to laugh
If early humans understood humor
History would have been different
The course of history would have changed
Now the day has come
Now the moment has arrived
The sun has burned away
The sunlight has dissipated
Follow me, follow me, follow me, follow me
Come with me, come with me, come with me, come with me
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: William Roy Francis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind