1) A Britis… Read Full Bio ↴There are 7 artists/bands under the name of Renaissance:
1) A British progressive rock band - The first incarnation of Renaissance came out of the ashes of The Yardbirds in early 1968 when drummer Jim McCarty and guitarist/vocalist Keith Relf formed an acoustic based band. They added keyboardist John Hawken, bassist Louis Cennamo and vocalist Jane Relf (Keith's sister). This band released two albums (Renaissance (1969) and Illusion (1971)) before breaking up. Some of the members reformed as Illusion.
McCarty then reformed the band with singer Binky Cullom, bassist Jon Camp, keyboardist John Tout, drummer Terence Sullivan, and guitarist/composer Michael Dunford. Cullom was promptly replaced by Annie Haslam, then McCarty himself left soon after, but this group went on to become the "classic" lineup of Renaissance. They recorded a string of successful albums starting with the LP Prologue (1972). Throughout numerous personnel changes in the 70s, Haslam, Dunford and Camp remained the core of the band.
Their particular brand of mixing classical and classically-inspired music with melodic rock is arguably one of the most successful attempts at this sort of fusion. In the 80s, the band saw their popularity wane with a turn to shorter song forms dominated by synthesizers. After breaking up in the mid-80s, various combinations have reformed for concerts and recordings.
2) A Mexican rock band ( Mexican Renaissance)
3) A Japanese band. (Japanese Rеnaissance)
4) A Serbian medieval/renaissance assemble
5) Renaissance - The band was originally formed back in November 1991 by Chriss Ons (guitar) who decided to leave the band he was in at the time, Chronic Death. His band mates Dirk Vollon (bass) and Jürgen De Wispelare (drums) joined the new project, followed by Domingo Smets (guitar). The idea was to musically break out of restraining thrash/death metal sound and to incorporate more harmonic content & epic song structure into the songwriting, something which seemed impossible if staying in Chronic Death. The band set out to rehearse and by early '92 had some song ideas together, most of which would wind up on the bands debut demo Archway later that year. By late '92 The band got offered a split 7" EP (with the band Ancient Rites) on a small Belgian label, After Dark Records, and used the demo track "Windows" for that release. Meanwhile the band had also been brought to the attention of Hans de Wyngaert of the new label Shiver Records. A deal to release the 13 minute epic track "Tired Blood / Vaudeville" (split over 2 sides) on a 7" single was signed in early '93. Both EP's sold really well, yet while keeping on searching to find new band members, it was mainly Chriss who, assisted by Dirk, would continue writing new material using a small 4 track recorder. Despite the fact that it looked like the trio Chriss/Dirk/Santiago had become a studio project until other musicians were found, Shiver records offered them a CD deal. During the summer of '93, about a year after the bands first demo; Chriss and Dirk recorded a 40-minute piece called "The Death Of Art". The initial idea was to make a concept album and to focus on just the music, and add vocals later. A friend of the band, Canadian writer and philosophy student John Hymers, was asked to write a poem entitled "The Death Of Art", which would serve as working material for vocalist Santiago. After the final vocal tracks had been recorded, Chriss finished the project by himself due to a lack of input and interest from Dirk. The album finally saw release on Shiver Records in February 1994. The first pressing of the CD sold out in a matter of months, and the album has been repressed and licensed since (including a Polish issue in cassette format). Chriss took a break from writing and recording for about a year, only to start doing so again by mid '95, with Dirk Vollon sporadically collaborating. For the time being, the project name was also changed to Rinascimento, to avoid confusion with the other Renaissance, a band that released material mainly during the 70's. Tons of stuff was recorded over the following years, but, reluctant to release another record without the ability to perform any of it live, most of this demo material was shelved or not entirely completed - Chriss didn't really feel the "need" to make the music commercially available on a label so in 1998, a double CDR set aptly titled "Rinascimento - demos 1995-1998" was distributed among just a few friends of the band. Due to other interests and activities, the whole project was laid to rest by late 1998 ... (from the official website - http://renaissance_online.tripod.com/biography.html )
6) Renaissance - an Acapella Christian Quartet - In 1985 a new birth of music took place in Los Angeles, California that would change the landscape of acappella gospel music forever.
The quartet is comprised of soprano and first tenor Sharon Harris, first and second tenor George Pendergrass, baritone Adam Thompson, and first and second tenor Ronald Walker. All four are noted alumni of Southwestern Christian College in Terrell, Texas.
Every member of the group is also a distinguished lead singer in a league all their own. In addition to the Renaissance project, members of the group have also left an indubitable imprint on the world of Christian music. Not only has he released several solo albums, Ronald Walker has deposited a treasury of well-known songs particularly among church groups, sadly many of which still go without his credit today. Sharon Harris has lent her angelic voice to several projects including Los Angeles' own Southside Church of Christ Choir, Reflections, enjoyed a brief stint with Straight Company, and was a featured vocalist on "Acappella Gospel," produced by George Pendergrass and Keith Lancaster. Adam Thompson has provided "the bottom" on Ron Walker's projects, is a worship leader in Reseda, California, in addition to pursuing an acting career in Hollywood. Probably the most notable member of Renaissance to date is George Pendergrass who is known to people everywhere as the lead singer of the internationally known group, Acappella. His powerful voice is immediately recognizable and needs no introduction in most circles of the music industry. Featured on over 15 albums on the Acappella Music Group, George has also performed with U2, Michael W. Smith, on a Disney soundtrack and with a host of other well-known recording artists.
7) An all-female accapella group from the University of Maine, Orono.
Jekyll and Hyde
Renaissance Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Prisoner, he's back to back, face to face
Mirrored shadows always changing place
Separated man himself he divides
Opposite needs he can't see where to hide
A single double side - Jekyll and Hyde
This man was good, he was calm
He'd never do any harm
As caring as he could be
[Chorus:]
Now who's outside, inside, Jekyll and Hyde
Now who's outside, inside, Jekyll and Hyde
Deep down inside he hides
A twist that we maybe missed
Confusion and nasty trick of fate
Might be the break
Don't find yourself too late
Now who's outside, inside, Jekyll and Hyde
This man acid raving beast
His eyes, his rage unleash
He tears apart all at hand
Back to the wall is his stand
[Chorus:]
Duplicated man, inside, double tied
Prisoner, he's back to back, face to face
Mirrored shadows always changing place
Separated man himself he divides
Opposite needs he can't see where to hide
A single double side - Jekyll and Hyde
This man unsteady and unsure
Where did he go before
Slightly afraid you may see
Forgetting who you may be
[Chorus:]
The lyrics in Renaissance's song "Jekyll and Hyde" explore the duality of human nature and the struggle between good and evil that exists within us all. The title is a reference to the classic novel by Robert Louis Stevenson, "Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde," which is about a man who discovers a potion that turns him into a murderous alter ego.
The first verse describes the "duplicated man" who is both Jekyll and Hyde, the good and evil sides of his personality. He is "double tied" and a "prisoner" to his own inner conflict. The line "mirrored shadows always changing place" refers to the way in which his two sides are constantly shifting and reversing, blurring the line between what is real and what is not. The second verse goes on to suggest that the good side of this man was once dominant, but that he is now being consumed by his darker side.
The chorus asks the listener to question who is truly the "outside" and who is the "inside" of this man. Are the good intentions and caring nature the true self, or is it the rage and violence that lies beneath the surface? The final verse suggests that this man is starting to lose himself in his internal struggle, becoming "unsteady and unsure" and even "slightly afraid" of who he may become.
Overall, the lyrics of "Jekyll and Hyde" reflect on the fragile balance between good and evil within all of us, and the constant battle between the two.
Line by Line Meaning
Duplicated man, inside, double tied
This man is split in two – there are two versions of himself within him, each with its own separate desires and thoughts.
Prisoner, he's back to back, face to face
He is trapped, feeling like he’s at war with himself.
Mirrored shadows always changing place
The two opposite sides of himself are constantly shifting and battling for control.
Separated man himself he divides
He has split himself in two, but can’t choose which side he wants to be.
Opposite needs he can't see where to hide
Each side has different needs, but he can’t satisfy both and doesn’t know how to escape from this dilemma.
A single double side - Jekyll and Hyde
He’s like a coin with two faces, both sides of himself are one and the same person.
This man was good, he was calm
Jekyll used to be a good man, with nothing but positive intentions.
He'd never do any harm
He was never capable of any evil.
Gentle soul as you may see
Despite his turmoil, Jekyll was a kind-hearted person and it showed.
As caring as he could be
He showed love and compassion towards others as much as he possibly could.
[Chorus:]
The repetition of the question emphasizes the unpredictability and sense of confusion.
Now who's outside, inside, Jekyll and Hyde
The question is asked to illustrate how anyone can be a real mystery, including yourself.
Deep down inside he hides
He has secrets buried inside, that he doesn’t want to reveal.
A twist that we maybe missed
None of us saw this internal turmoil coming.
Confusion and nasty trick of fate
Jekyll never asked to have two sides, it just happened.
Might be the break
This conflict could be his downfall or salvation.
Don't find yourself too late
It’s important to recognize when something’s wrong before it’s too late.
This man acid raving beast
Jekyll has unleashed his darker side, becoming an uncontrollable creature.
His eyes, his rage unleash
He has lost all control of the rage within him.
He tears apart all at hand
He destroys everything in his way.
Back to the wall is his stand
He’s painted himself into a corner.
This man unsteady and unsure
Jekyll is no longer sure of who he is or what he wants.
Where did he go before
He’s now a stranger to himself and his past.
Slightly afraid you may see
He’s scared of the consequences of his actions.
Forgetting who you may be
He’s lost his sense of self and can’t remember who he is anymore.
Lyrics © DELLA BLUE MUSIC LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BETTY NEWSINGER, MICHAEL DUNFORD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind