(1) Hailing from Poland, the neo-prog group Quidam released its first album in 1996 and quickly won both specialized press and audiences over. The angelic voice of singer Emila Derkowska and the group's ample use of flute in its arrangements secured it a respectable place alongside Collage and Abraxas in what has been called the '90s Polish contingent of neo-proggers.
In 1991, guitarist Maciek Meller, bassist Radek Scholl and drummer Rafal Jermakow, then all 18 and 19 years old, formed the hard rock/blues trio Deep River and began to play bars all around Poland. They were soon joined by keyboardist Zbyszek Florek and cycled through a number of singers until they found Emila Derkowska in 1993. The arrival of flutist Ewa Smarzynska provided the impetus to shift the musical direction toward a more symphonic sound. Songs grew slightly more complex but the group still wanted to appeal to wide audiences and thus the music developed around the neo-prog axis of IQ, Camel and late-period Pink Floyd. At this point the name was changed to Quidam, a Latin word meaning "someone" but here making specific reference to a poem by Kamil Norwid.
Quidam's live shows, fronted by the charismatic Derkowska, gained local fame. In April 1996, at the first festival of Polish Prog Rock, the group unveiled its eponymous debut, featuring its now classic tracks "Sanktuarium" and "Ptone." Released by the local label Ars Mundi, the album slowly trickled out of Poland and garnered favorable reviews. It featured guest appearances and songwriting credits from members of Collage. The group made its first international appearance in Holland in January 1997, building a following there and in France. Two nights in April that same year, Derkowska and Smarzynska were invited to perform the overture of Harbour of Tears on stage with Camel. Three months later the group performed at the festival ProgLive '97 in Corbigny (France).
In early 1998 Smarzynska called it quits and was replaced by Jacek Zasada, only weeks before the recording sessions for Sny Aniolow started. The album was released by Rock-Serwis in Poland and Musea in France, the latter under the title Angels' Dreams with re-recorded English vocals. Despite a more pop-oriented sound the specialized press remained very encouraging and in March of 1999 Quidam made its first overseas trip to headline the third Baja Prog festival in Mexicali, Mexico. Meanwhile, the relationship between Quidam and Camel developed in unexpected ways as bassist Colin Bass hired the group to open for him and back him up during his European tour promoting his solo album Outcast of the Islands.
Things slowed down for the next two years as the group prepared its third studio album, performing live only sparsely in Europe. Pod Niebem Czas came out in March 2002 on Rock-Serwis and three months later on Musea under the title The Time Beneath the Sky (although the vocals were not re-recorded this time).
On February 15th, 2003, in a sold out Teatr Miejski in Inowroclaw, Emila Derkowska said good-bye to the audience and the band. It was also the last gig of the rhythm section - Rafał Jermakow and Damian Sikorski decided to concentrate on a new band, MENSKI.
After a 12-month break the remaining members, Zbyszek Florek, Maciek Meller and Jacek Zasada, decided to carry on as Quidam. They started searching for new musicians and new artistic identity. The first one to join them was Maciek Wróblewski, the drummer known from his cooperation with Polish avant-musician Mariusz Lubomski. Mariusz Ziółkowski from the band AFTER from Włocławek was recruited as a new bass player. After many auditions, Bartek Kossowicz (ex-NEO) became the new frontman. In that way, a new chapter in the history of Quidam began.
Since May 2004 till January 2005 the band wrote and rehearsed new material. They "survived" and "revived", and on June 6th, 2005, they released "surREvival". After a month of intensive rehearsals Quidam were ready to play several concerts, both in Western Europe and in Poland. Their concert at the Śląski Theatre in Katowice was recorded for the first DVD in the band's career. "The Fifth Season – Live In Concert" was released in January 2006.
After the tour, Quidam entered the studio where they started working on the material for their next album, "Alone Together", scheduled for release on November 5th, 2007.
(2) Quidam is a french rock band from Clermont-Ferrand. The band is composed of three members: Yannick Demaison (lead singer and guitar), Pierre Bogros (bass) and Romain Carrier (drums). They did a first appearance for the concest 'les Inrockuptibles' in 2004. In 2005 one of their songs (Nos souvenirs) is attented on the CQFD album for Les Inrockuptibles . Their first LP 'En eaux profondes' was released in 2008.
(3) Quidam is also the name of a gothic death rock band from Spain. They released their first CD "Barking, Mewing, Hissing & Mocking" in 2005. They have played all over Europe including the 1st Pagan Love Songs Festival (Bochum, Germany) or the Leipzig (Germany) Gothic-Punk Festival. Learn more at band's homepage.
Blackbird
Quidam Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
Blackbird fly, Blackbird fly
Into the light of the dark black night.
Take these sunken eyes and learn to see
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to be free
Blackbird fly, Blackbird fly
Into the light of the dark black night.
Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise, oh
You were only waiting for this moment to arise, oh
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
The song 'Blackbird' by Quidam is a powerful and hopeful message of overcoming obstacles and finding freedom. The first verse opens with the image of a blackbird singing in the dead of night, a symbol of perseverance and strength in the midst of darkness. The lyrics then shift to a call for taking broken wings and learning to fly, a message of hope to those who may feel trapped or stuck in difficult situations. The line "All your life you were only waiting for this moment to arise" speaks to the idea that even in our darkest moments, we are always moving towards a better future, and that the challenges we face can ultimately help us grow and become stronger.
The refrain "Blackbird fly, Blackbird fly, Into the light of the dark black night" continues this theme of overcoming obstacles and finding freedom. The metaphor of flying into the darkness suggests that it is only by facing our fears and embracing the unknown that we can truly find liberation. The second verse shifts to the idea of learning to see with sunken eyes, perhaps speaking to the need for a change in perspective or a new way of looking at one's own life. The repetition of the refrain in the final verse serves as a powerful reminder that we are always moving forward and that even our broken wings can be mended and our spirits lifted.
Line by Line Meaning
Blackbird singing in the dead of night
The song opens with the image of a blackbird singing at a time (dead of night) when it's least expected, reflecting on unexpected and significant moments in life.
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
The blackbird is offering its broken wings as a lesson to rise up after facing failure, challenges or hard times.
All your life, you were only waiting for this moment to arise
This line is talking about how you have been preparing all your life, for this very moment - that this is your time to shine and that you've been waiting for it subconsciously or consciously.
Blackbird fly, Blackbird fly, Into the light of the dark black night.
This is the chorus - the blackbird is encouraging us to fly into our fears or uncertainties and come out on the other side, navigating through darkness or challenging times.
Take these sunken eyes and learn to see
The blackbird is again offering itself and asking us to take our own sunken, tired, defeated eyes and learn to see the world from a new perspective.
All your life, you were only waiting for this moment to be free
This line is similar to the first one, with the only difference of replacing 'arise' with 'be free', highlighting the theme of liberation, redemption or breaking free from something that was holding you back.
You were only waiting for this moment to arise, oh
Repeating the same line from the first verse as if emphasizing its importance, that the moment that you’ve been preparing all your life for is here and now.
You were only waiting for this moment to arise, oh
Repeating the same line from the first verse as if emphasizing its importance, that the moment that you’ve been preparing all your life for is here and now.
All your life, you were only waiting for this moment to arise, oh
This is a continuation of the previous line repeating it to emphasize the effect of the moment that you were waiting for that has finally arrived and the excitement of that moment.
Contributed by Jonathan F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@DameFinsternis
Excelente música y magníficas ilustraciones!
@samuelgonzalez4887
Totally Underrated! Estos muchachos son joyas en un lodazal.Que talento!
@guilleyyuly2862
exelente musica, ya tengo el album completo, is perfect.
@musicubano
Excelentes estos muchachos. ¿Quien se iba a imaginar que en Cuba tendríamos un grupo de New Age de esta calidad?
@JorgeDeFeriaUSA
The album "Pilgrim" is available for download in Amazon ($6.99). They are recording a second album and the music for the film "Anita" from director Yozuanel Cairo. Check QuidamPilgrim(dot)com
@daisy3580
It was 7 years ago. How can I find them now? Please, help, I love the music. It's absolutely amazing!