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)
True To Life
Roxy Music Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I think of nothing
But living in darkness
And the diamond lady
Well she's not telling
I don't even know her name
It's amazing
In days of old
Imagination'd leave you standing
Out in the could
Dancing city
Now you're talking
But where's your soul
You've a thousand faces
I'll never know
There are complications
And compensations
If you know the game
Agitated in Xenon nightly
I'll take you home again
Travel way downtown
In search of nothing
But the sky at night
And the diamond lady
Well she's not talking
But that's alright
So I turn the pages
And tell the story
From town to town
People tell me
Be determined
Poor country boy
Too much luck
Means too much trouble
Much time alone
But arm in arm
With my seaside diamond
I'll soon be home
The lyrics of Roxy Music's song True To Life describe the singer's journey through the night, searching for meaning and connection. The opening lines create a sense of isolation and confusion, as the singer feels lost and alone in the darkness. The diamond lady is a mysterious figure who represents the singer's desire for companionship and understanding, but she remains elusive and distant. The singer is drawn to her beauty and allure, but he does not even know her name.
As the song progresses, the singer reflects on the changing times and the ways in which modern life has both expanded and contracted our sense of self. He longs for a deeper connection, a sense of soul that he feels is missing in the bustling, impersonal city. The repetition of the phrase "where's your soul" highlights this yearning, as the singer seeks to find meaning and connection in a world that often feels cold and distant.
Despite the challenges of life, the singer finds hope in his relationship with the diamond lady. Their connection represents the possibility of overcoming the difficulties and complexities of life, and finding a sense of home and belonging. The final lines suggest that even in the face of adversity, the singer remains determined to continue on his journey, always seeking out new experiences and connections.
Line by Line Meaning
So it gets to seven
As the night progresses
And I think of nothing
My mind is empty
But living in darkness
The darkness is consuming me
And the diamond lady
A beautiful woman who glitters like a diamond
Well she's not telling
She is withholding information
I don't even know her name
I don't have any knowledge about her
It's amazing
I am in awe
Times have changed
The world is different now
In days of old
In the past
Imagination'd leave you standing
Your imagination would leave you stranded
Out in the could
In the cold and lonely world
Dancing city
A city that never sleeps
Now you're talking
This is what I want to hear about
But where's your soul
What is your true purpose in this city?
You've a thousand faces
You have many personalities
I'll never know
I cannot comprehend
There are complications
There are many problems
And compensations
But there are always ways to make up for them
If you know the game
If you can navigate this world
Agitated in Xenon nightly
Feeling restless in the neon lights at night
I'll take you home again
Let me guide you back to your safe haven
Travel way downtown
Venture far into the city
In search of nothing
Without any purpose
But the sky at night
Only to appreciate the beauty of the night sky
And the diamond lady
In the company of the beautiful woman
Well she's not talking
But she is still distant and unapproachable
But that's alright
But I will not let that affect my mood
So I turn the pages
Move on to the next chapter
And tell the story
Experience and share the journey
From town to town
As I travel from place to place
People tell me
I hear from others
Be determined
Stay strong, persevere
Poor country boy
Even though I come from a simple life
Too much luck
Having too much fortune
Means too much trouble
Can cause complications and problems
Much time alone
Leaves me with a lot of solitude
But arm in arm
With a companion by my side
With my seaside diamond
Referring to the woman who shines like a diamond
I'll soon be home
I will eventually find my way back home
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: BRYAN FERRY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind