Roxy Music became a successful act in Europe and Australia during the 1970s. This success began with their self-titled debut studio album in 1972. The band pioneered more musically sophisticated elements of glam rock while significantly influencing early English punk music, and provided a model for many new wave acts while innovating elements of electronic composition. The group also conveyed their distinctive brand of visual and musical sophistication with their focus on glamorous fashions. Ferry and co-founding member Eno have had influential solo careers. Eno became one of the most significant British record producers of the late 20th century. Rolling Stone originally ranked Roxy Music No. 98 on their greatest artists list ("The Immortals – The 100 Greatest Artists of All Time"), but dropped the group from the list when they updated it in 2011.
Roxy Music's final studio album was Avalon (1982), which was certified Platinum in the United States. In 2005, the band began recording what would have become their ninth studio album—and their first album with Eno since 1973 (he wrote two songs for it and also played keyboards). However, Ferry eventually announced that the material from these sessions would instead be released as a Ferry solo studio album, with Eno playing on "a couple of tracks", and that he believed the group would never again produce a record as Roxy Music. The album was released in 2010 as the Ferry solo studio album Olympia. It featured contributions from Eno, Manzanera, and Mackay (amongst many other session players).
In 2011, Roxy Music played a series of 40th-anniversary shows, but went inactive as a performing entity following the concerts. In 2019, Roxy Music were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
In 2022, Roxy Music reformed for a tour to mark the 50th anniversary of their debut studio album.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roxy_Music
Studio albums
Roxy Music (1972)
For Your Pleasure (1973)
Stranded (1973)
Country Life (1974)
Siren (1975)
Manifesto (1979)
Flesh and Blood (1980)
Avalon (1982)
Bitters End
Roxy Music Lyrics
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To shower dry cordials within
Too late to leap the chocolate gate
Pale fountains fizzing forth pink gin
While destiny begins to fly
The farmyard chorus sings its wake
Upstanding anthem to the sky
Too soon to realise their fate
I knew the sign you flew around
Up in the air so high above me
Never needed to look down
I never thought I'd be a rover
I didn't even look around
But now I know you've found another
So will someone please find me
Give now the host his claret cup
And watch Madeira's farewell drink
Note his reaction acid sharp
Should make the cognoscenti think
The lyrics of Roxy Music's song "Bitters End" suggest a scene of finality as a crimson chord (symbolic of the final, decisive ending) cascades and shower dry cordials (symbolic of solemnity/reverence) within. The following lines express a sense of desperation as it's now too late (to leap the chocolate gate) to reverse the situation. Pale fountains fizzing pink gin indicate a last, celebratory drink before a tragic end. The farmyard chorus singing its wake symbolizes the inevitability of fate, while the upstanding anthem to the sky marks the resignation of the characters. The singer speaks of the raven of October (the bird of death) that he knew was a sign, flying high above him, indicating his fate. The significance of the bird's flight can be interpreted both positively and negatively, as the singer didn't need to look down, yet the bird ultimately led to his doom. The lyrics show that the singer was a rover, wandering unconcerned with his surroundings, but now that he has lost his love to another, he realizes his mistake and appeals for someone to find him. The second half of the song depicts a host offering claret and Madeira, and as he drinks, the notes of his reaction ("acid sharp") should make the cognoscenti (people who are knowledgeable about a particular subject) think.
In conclusion, the lyrics showcase the finality of the situation and the inevitability of destiny, the celebration of life and the bitterness of death. The song's lyrics are a reflection of the band's artistic and musical style, which sought to fuse different styles and sounds to produce a unique and edgy sound. The song also demonstrates Ferry's interest in wordplay and symbolism, displaying his distinct writing style.
Line by Line Meaning
At last the crimson chord cascade
Finally, the red string of fate has unraveled.
To shower dry cordials within
It pours out drinks that have lost their emotional meaning.
Too late to leap the chocolate gate
It's too late to escape from a sweet and comfortable trap.
Pale fountains fizzing forth pink gin
Bubbly and effervescent contentment is being offered, even if it's temporary.
While destiny begins to fly
Just as destiny takes flight and cannot be controlled, so too does the song's fate.
The farmyard chorus sings its wake
Even as the world shifts around us, mundane daily life continues on.
Upstanding anthem to the sky
A stoic anthem is sung to the heavens.
Too soon to realize their fate
It is too early to comprehend the inevitable outcome of life.
You were the raven of October
You were a harbinger of misfortune to come.
I knew the sign you flew around
I was aware of the omen you represented.
Up in the air so high above me
You were so far removed from me.
Never needed to look down
You never had to worry about anyone below you.
I never thought I'd be a rover
I never imagined I'd be directionless.
I didn't even look around
I didn't even bother to explore my surroundings.
But now I know you've found another
But now I realize that you have moved on to someone else.
So will someone please find me
So can someone please find me, so I can also move on?
Give now the host his claret cup
Now is the time to offer the party's host his glass of red wine.
And watch Madeira's farewell drink
And observe the final drink being shared in this goodbye moment.
Note his reaction, acid sharp
Pay attention to his response; he may have an unpleasant and bitter reaction.
Should make the cognoscenti think
This reaction should give pause to the enlightened ones.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: BRYAN FERRY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind