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)
limbo
Roxy Music Lyrics
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Is calling
Down in limbo
Moonlight lush life
Bears strange fruit
Down in limbo
A moth to a flame
You never get near enough
You try again
Closer now
Oh how we dance
The spirit holding us
In a trance
Bamboo dancer
No stranger
Down in limbo
Can you tango?
Takes two to
Down in limbo
You are the one
Now is the time
Let your memory beat the drum
On the street car line
Voodoo warning
Is calling
Down in limbo
Moonlight lush life
Bears strange fruit
Down in limbo
Creole tattoo
I buy you
Down in limbo
Heartbeat you mistreat
I owe you
Down in limbo
The song "Limbo" by Roxy Music beckons us down to the mystical and eerie world of limbo with its ominous opening line, "Voodoo warning is calling down in limbo." The lyrics paint a picture of a dark and alluring world where strange things are happening under the cover of moonlight. The lush life in limbo is compared to strange fruit, which brings to mind the eerie Billie Holiday song about lynching in the American South. The lyrics beckon us to join in the dance in limbo, but we are warned that we can never get near enough. The spirit holds us in a trance, and we become bamboo dancers led by an unseen force. In this world, the ones we encounter are no strangers, and we are asked if we can tango. It takes two to tango, and we are the ones who must take the lead. As the lyrics continue, we see the influence of Creole culture with the mention of a Creole tattoo and an owed heartbeat. In this mysterious world of limbo, memories become the beat of the drum and the streetcar line.
Overall, the lyrics to "Limbo" create an image of a dark, alluring, and mystical world that beckons us to join in the dance but warns us of the dangers of getting too close. The rhythm of the words, as well as the unique use of language and imagery, create a sense of enchantment and a feeling of being drawn into another world.
Line by Line Meaning
Voodoo warning
There is a warning or sense of danger in the air that is related to voodoo practices.
Is calling
The warning is beckoning people to pay attention to it or take heed.
Down in limbo
The warning is originating from a place known as limbo, which could be a metaphor for a place between the living and the dead or a space of uncertainty.
Moonlight lush life
The ambiance or atmosphere of the setting is one of luxury, perhaps highlighted by the natural beauty of a full moon.
Bears strange fruit
There is an element of danger or mystery present that is represented by some unexpected or unusual outcome.
Down in limbo
The same place of warning and uncertainty is referenced again.
Come with me now
The singer is inviting someone to join them or follow them into the situation, despite the warning present.
A moth to a flame
The person being invited is like a moth drawn toward something dangerous or alluring.
You never get near enough
Despite the person's attraction to the situation or setting, they are always kept at a distance from truly experiencing it.
You try again
The person's attempts to get closer or experience the situation continue despite being unsuccessful in the past.
Closer now
The person has made progress in getting closer to the situation, even if they are not there yet.
Oh how we dance
There is a sense of movement and rhythm present, perhaps metaphorically referring to how people interact in the situation or in life in general.
The spirit holding us
There is a force present that is keeping people in the situation, perhaps even against their own will or better judgment.
In a trance
People are under a spell or hypnotized by the force or vibe present, making it difficult for them to think or behave rationally.
Bamboo dancer
This could be a reference to a type of dance, or it could be a metaphor for how people are moving or swaying in the situation.
No stranger
Everyone present in the situation knows each other or is familiar with the setting.
Down in limbo
The setting of the situation is referenced again, reiterating the sense of danger or uncertainty present.
Can you tango?
Tango could be a literal reference to a type of dance or a metaphor for how people are maneuvering or interacting in this situation.
Takes two to
Whatever is happening in the situation requires the participation of at least two people.
Down in limbo
The same uncertain, dangerous setting is still present.
You are the one
The artist is emphasizing the importance of the person they are addressing in the situation.
Now is the time
The artist is suggesting that a specific moment in time is significant and is encouraging action in that moment.
Let your memory beat the drum
The singer is encouraging someone to use their memories or experiences to guide them in this situation.
On the street car line
This location could be literal, but it could also symbolize a path or journey that people are on together.
Creole tattoo
This could be a literal reference to a type of tattoo, but it could also represent some aspect of culture or heritage that is important in the situation.
I buy you
This line is somewhat unclear, but it could mean that the singer is offering to pay for something or invest in someone in some way.
Down in limbo
The last reference to limbo indicates that whatever is happening in the situation is still very much a part of this uncertain, dangerous space.
Heartbeat you mistreat
Someone has been treated poorly or hurt in some way in the situation, likely by someone they care about or have a close relationship with.
I owe you
The artist may be acknowledging that they have caused harm to someone or that they are indebted to them in some way.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRYAN FERRY, PATRICK LEONARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@santyalameda5115
This song always makes me want to be sailing ⛵️ on the ocean 🌊 . Something in it feels so mysterious and free! Bryan ferry is eternal ❤
@tompettersson3814
This always makes me wanna drive my 1988 Saab 900 Turbo.
@mariastellagranata8396
Bryan Ferry, mon amour
@pamela8329
Never enough of Bryan Ferry.❤️
@sabinescheer7803
Have a crush on him too, for me the sexiest man alive ❤
@AchtungBaby77
Hypnotic, majestic and captivating - Ferry is king!
@marymcdoangh5835
At this very moment I flew in from Ireland to see Roxy at the O2. Beautiful song and great album. Byran is a remarkable artist. 👏 ❤️
@milar.7263
Bryan 😍😍😍😍
@ka.yo4006-tp3wc
I love this song! Great!
@veraargentieri733
Bete noir 1987 capolavoro di disco ❤