VNV Nation's inspiration was originally the clash of the modern and classical European cultures, where mythology and technology live in an uneasy fusion, but this has since broadened to encompass a world view. The music ranges from electronic dance music to ballads and classically inspired music. Inspirations are taken from a wide range of styles including contemporary underground club culture, industrial, trance and classical music. The lyrics draw on philosophy, religion, literature, art, politics and different forms of symbolism, although VNV Nation does not advocate any ideology. It is a metaphor for expression. The letters VNV stand for "Victory Not Vengeance". The meaning behind this stylised motto is that one should strive to achieve, not sit in bitter regret.
VNV Nation's first releases were in 1990 with two self produced vinyl releases, "Body Pulse" and "Strength of Youth" (which are now long deleted with Ronan Harris himself not having a copy). After working on some VNV Nation tracks and supporting Nitzer Ebb on tour whilst living in Toronto, Canada, Ronan returned to London and released some tracks on sampler CDs. This caught the interest of German label Discordia and in July 1995, "Advance and Follow" was released. At around about the same time, Mark Jackson joined the band.
In January 1998, VNV Nation signed with the German label, Off Beat Records, releasing their second album "Praise the Fallen" in June 1998 and the EP "Solitary EP" in September 1998. With VNV Nation increasing in popularity, they began their first headline tour in Germany in September 1998.
In 1999, the Off Beat label collapsed, leading to VNV Nation (along with other artists such as Covenant, Suicide Commando and Velvet Acid Christ) collaborating with Stefan Herwig (a former A&R manager with Off Beat) to create Dependent Records. In late 1999, the album "Empires" was released, staying at number 1 in the German Alternative Chart (DAC) for seven weeks, and winning the award for DAC Album of the Year.
From "Empires" two singles were released "Darkangel", which tops the DAC for 5 weeks in mid 1999 and "Standing", which stays at no.1 in the DAC for 8 weeks in early 2000 (the maximum a single can remain in the DAC) winning a German Alternative Music Award for most successful single of 2000 and sharing the place for most successful single in the DAC's history with the Chemical Brothers. A limited edition of the "Standing" single was also released entitled "Standing / Burning Empires" which contained alternate versions and remixes by VNV Nation of tracks from "Empires". This remains one of the most sought after VNV rarities, fetching large sums on auction sites, although it has recently been released on iTunes to allow casual listeners to purchase it.
In March 2001, "Advance and Follow v2" was released as a limited edition, which was a remastered and partially re-recorded version of the original 1995 album "Advance and Follow". The band were never particularly happy with the first album due to it being recorded in less than a week, so the release was seen by the band as a way to put that right.
In October 2001, VNV Nation embarked on their "Futureperfect" tour of Europe and North America, promoting the album "Futureperfect" which was released in January 2002. It reached number 25 in the full German Album Charts, with the single "Beloved" reaching number 60 in the full German Singles Chart. Following the release of "Beloved", VNV Nation part ways with Dependant and create their own label "Anachron Records".
In June 2003, the Honour 2003 EP is released, promoting the "Pastperfect" live DVD, which following many delays and problems was finally released in May 2004. Following this the rest of 2004 and beginning of 2005 was spent producing the album "Matter and Form", which was released in April 2005. Preceeding the album release, one of the tracks "Chrome" was sold in March 2005 as a download on the VNV Nation website, as well as iTunes.
In April 2007, the album "Judgement" was released, and an extensive world tour in support of the album followed. In January 2009, VNV Nation published their plans for 2009 on their website, indicating that the long delayed "Reformation" EP would be available, but now as a full "CD Pack". Also due for release in 2009 is the new album entitled "Of Faith, Power and Glory".
In November 2017 Mark Jackson left the band to "pursue other paths in life".
To read more about Ronan Harris and his motivations behind the band and 2009's "Of Faith, Power and Glory," please visit http://www.dieselpunks.org/profiles/blogs/interview-ronan-harris-of-vnv
Beloved
VNV Nation Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The seasons took all they had come for
Now winter dances here
It seems so fitting don't you think?
To dress the ground in white and grey
It's so quiet I can hear
My thoughts touching every second
Circumstances affords me
No second chance to tell you
How much I've missed you
My beloved do you know
When the warm wind comes again
Another year will start to pass
And please don't ask me why I'm here
Something deeper brought me
Than a need to remember
We were once young and blessed with wings
No heights could keep us from their reach
No sacred place we did not soar
Still, greater things burned within us
I don't regret the choices that I've made
I know you feel the same
My beloved do you know
How many times I stared at clouds
Thinking that I saw you there
These are feelings that do not pass so easily
I can't forget what we claimed as ours
Moments lost though time remains
I am so proud of what we were
No pain remains, no feeling
Eternity awaits
Grant me wings that I might fly
My restless soul is longing
No pain remains, no feeling
Eternity awaits
My beloved do you know
When the warm wind comes again
Another year will start to pass
And please don't ask me why I'm here
Something deeper brought me
Than a need to remember
My beloved do you know
How many times I stared at clouds
Thinking that I saw you there
These are feelings that do not pass so easily
I can't forget what we claimed as ours
Moments lost though time remains
I am so proud of what we were
No pain remains, no feeling
Eternity awaits
Grant me wings that I might fly
My restless soul is longing
No pain remains, no feeling
Eternity awaits
Moments lost though time remains
I am so proud of what we were
No pain remains, no feeling
Eternity awaits
Grant me wings that I might fly
My restless soul is longing
No pain remains, no feeling
Eternity awaits
Moments lost though time remains
I am so proud of what we were
No pain remains, no feeling
Eternity awaits
Grant me wings that I might fly
My restless soul is longing
No pain remains, no feeling
Eternity awaits
The song “Beloved” by VNV Nation is an emotional ballad about the enduring nature of love and the pain of separation. The opening lines of the song describe the onset of winter, a metaphor for the coldness one feels after losing someone they love. The singer's thoughts turn to memories of his beloved, and he describes how much he has missed them. However, he realizes that circumstances have given him no second chance to let his beloved know how he feels.
Throughout the song, the singer struggles with the feeling of loss and the longing to be reunited with his beloved. He remembers the times when they were young and full of hope and dreams, soaring to great heights, and how they shared a connection that he cannot forget. He continues to see his beloved in the clouds, struggling with the fact that the feelings he has for them remain so vivid and strong even after all this time.
The chorus of the song expresses the singer's desire to be reunited with his beloved in eternity. He asks for wings that he might fly, expressing his restless longing to be with his beloved once again. Ultimately, the song is a moving tribute to the power of love and the enduring nature of human connections beyond the boundaries of life and death.
Line by Line Meaning
It's colder than before
The weather has become colder than it was previously
The seasons took all they had come for
The seasons taking away everything they promised to bring
Now winter dances here
The arrival of winter with its characteristic movements
It seems so fitting don't you think?
It appears quite appropriate and suitable, wouldn't you agree?
To dress the ground in white and grey
To cover the earth with snow and ice, its traditional wintery colours
It's so quiet I can hear
Everything is very quiet, I can even hear my thoughts
My thoughts touching every second
I am going through and reflecting on every single moment
That I spent waiting for you
The time I spent waiting for your arrival
Circumstances affords me
The situation allows me
No second chance to tell you
There is no opportunity for me to tell you again
How much I've missed you
Just how much I have yearned for your presence
My beloved do you know
My dear, have you realized yet?
When the warm wind comes again
Once the next warm wind season arrives
Another year will start to pass
Another year will begin to go by
And please don't ask me why I'm here
I'm here for reasons deeper than what I can explain
Something deeper brought me
There is a profound reason for my presence
Than a need to remember
It goes beyond a mere desire to recollect the past
We were once young and blessed with wings
We were once youthful with seemingly limitless potential
No heights could keep us from their reach
There was no limit to what we could achieve
No sacred place we did not soar
We could reach spiritual heights thought to be impossible
Still, greater things burned within us
We had immense aspirations and passions that drove us forward
I don't regret the choices that I've made
I am content with the decisions that I have taken
I know you feel the same
I'm sure that you share the same sentiment
How many times I stared at clouds
I have frequently gazed upon clouds
Thinking that I saw you there
Believing that I saw you in those clouds
These are feelings that do not pass so easily
These emotions are difficult to forget
I can't forget what we claimed as ours
I am unable to let go of what we once believed to be ours
Moments lost though time remains
Many instances and experiences may have passed but the effects linger
I am so proud of what we were
I am extremely content with what we once were
No pain remains, no feeling
There are neither hurts nor sensations remaining
Eternity awaits
The future is infinite
Grant me wings that I might fly
Give me the freedom to soar
My restless soul is longing
My soul yearns
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: RONAN HARRIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@yjakez
scatcom6 fuck that just made me cry man
my condolences
"Whatever we were to each other, That, we still are.
Call me by my old familiar name.
Speak to me in the easy way
which you always used.
Put no difference into your tone.
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.
Laugh as we always laughed
at the little jokes we enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me. Pray for me.
Let my name be ever the household word
that it always was.
Let it be spoken without effect.
Without the trace of a shadow on it.
Life means all that it ever meant.
It is the same that it ever was.
There is absolute unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind
because I am out of sight?
I am but waiting for you.
For an interval.
Somewhere. Very near.
Just around the corner.
All is well.".
@Tritium5678
It's colder than before
The seasons took all they had come for
Now winter dances here
It seems so fitting don't you think?
To dress the ground in white and grey
It's so quiet I can hear
My thoughts touching every second
That I spent waiting for you
Circumstances affords me
No second chance to tell you
How much I've missed you
My beloved do you know
When the warm wind comes again
Another year will start to pass
And please don't ask me why I'm here
Something deeper brought me
Than a need to remember
We were once young and blessed with wings
No heights could keep us from their reach
No sacred place we did not soar
Still, greater things burned within us
I don't regret the choices that I've made
I know you feel the same
My beloved do you know
How many times I stared at clouds
Thinking that I saw you there
These are feelings that do not pass so easily
I can't forget what we claimed as ours
Moments lost though time remains
I am so proud of what we were
No pain remains, no feeling
Eternity awaits
Grant me wings that I might fly
My restless soul is longing
No pain remains, no feeling
Eternity awaits
My beloved do you know
When the warm wind comes again
Another year will start to pass
And please don't ask me why I'm here
Something deeper brought me
Than a need to remember
My beloved do you know
How many times I stared at clouds
Thinking that I saw you there
These are feelings that do not pass so easily
I can't forget what we claimed as ours
Moments lost though time remains
I am so proud of what we were
No pain remains, no feeling
Eternity awaits
Grant me wings that I might fly
My restless soul is longing
No pain remains, no feeling
Eternity awaits
Moments lost though time remains
I am so proud of what we were
No pain remains, no feeling
Eternity awaits
Grant me wings that I might fly
My restless soul is longing
No pain remains, no feeling
Eternity awaits
Moments lost though time remains
I am so proud of what we were
No pain remains, no feeling
Eternity awaits
Grant me wings that I might fly
My restless soul is longing
No pain remains, no feeling
Eternity awaits
@yjakez
Jason Williams "Whatever we were to each other,
That, we still are.
Call me by my old familiar name.
Speak to me in the easy way
which you always used.
Put no difference into your tone.
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.
Laugh as we always laughed
at the little jokes we enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me. Pray for me.
Let my name be ever the household word
that it always was.
Let it be spoken without effect.
Without the trace of a shadow on it.
Life means all that it ever meant.
It is the same that it ever was.
There is absolute unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind
because I am out of sight?
I am but waiting for you.
For an interval.
Somewhere. Very near.
Just around the corner.
All is well."
@testpattern23
yjakez push and pull I will not feel
secrets stored I cannot tell
the forces in me appeal
the simple story I repel
I heard in heart and felt in mind
the stories I once felt
jaundiced in kind
the feeling and what they dealt
Truth is fickle and untold
the stories as unwound
the experience in bold
the feelings unbound
To tell the truth I have hope
My heart flutters the same
that this within us will cope
With the horrors of the inane.
@qbd3v14nt
Lyrics
It's colder than before
The seasons took all they had come for
Now winter dances here
It seems so fitting don't you think?
To dress the ground in white and grey
It's so quiet I can hear
My thoughts touching every second
That I spent waiting for you
Circumstances affords me
No second chance to tell you
How much I've missed you
My beloved do you know
When the warm wind comes again
Another year will start to pass
And please don't ask me why I'm here
Something deeper brought me
Than a need to remember
We were once young and blessed with wings
No heights could keep us from their reach
No sacred place we did not soar
Still, greater things burned within us
I don't regret the choices that I've made
I know you feel the same
My beloved do you know
How many times I stared at clouds
Thinking that I saw you there
These are feelings that do not pass so easily
I can't forget what we claimed as ours
Moments lost though time remains
I am so proud of what we were
No pain remains, no feeling
Eternity awaits
Grant me wings that I might fly
My restless soul is longing
No pain remains, no feeling
Eternity awaits
My beloved do you know
When the warm wind comes again
Another year will start to pass
And please don't ask me why I'm here
Something deeper brought me
Than a need to remember
My beloved do you know
How many times I stared at clouds
Thinking that I saw you there
These are feelings that do not pass so easily
I can't forget what we claimed as ours
Moments lost though time remains
I am so proud of what we were
No pain remains, no feeling
Eternity awaits
Grant me wings that I might fly
My restless soul is longing
No pain remains, no feeling
Eternity awaits
Moments lost though time remains
I am so proud of what we were
No pain remains, no feeling
Eternity awaits
Grant me wings that I might fly
My restless soul is longing
No pain remains, no feeling
Eternity awaits
Moments lost though time remains
I am so proud of what we were
No pain remains, no feeling
Eternity awaits
Grant me wings that I might fly
My restless soul is longing
No pain remains, no feeling
Eternity awaits
@fg-qo5vw
Lost my husband in 2001. Ronan held me as i cried after his show in sf. I named my pup after him! I grieve to this day for my husband and honor Ronan for his compassion. This is my song to my husband
@ixe1895
Lost my husband way too young too and VNV has been there with their music more times than I can count and I do have a wonderful memory at their show in Atlanta with my husband before he died....
@ohiodemocraticpartydisabil6760
About 8 yrs ago was at a very bad time in my life as I have had many but Ronan reached out to me a few times via email and helped me through it. I thank him for giving me more years to my life
@stormyweather2773
Bless you ..I hope you hold his love in your heart till you reunite 💕
@ryanf4106
i wish i could have had the love you had.
@SR-no8sr
@@ixe189511¹¹
@scatcom6
In 1986 I lost the love of my life. I still feel her around me. She would have loved this song.
@yjakez
scatcom6 fuck that just made me cry man
my condolences
"Whatever we were to each other, That, we still are.
Call me by my old familiar name.
Speak to me in the easy way
which you always used.
Put no difference into your tone.
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.
Laugh as we always laughed
at the little jokes we enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me. Pray for me.
Let my name be ever the household word
that it always was.
Let it be spoken without effect.
Without the trace of a shadow on it.
Life means all that it ever meant.
It is the same that it ever was.
There is absolute unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind
because I am out of sight?
I am but waiting for you.
For an interval.
Somewhere. Very near.
Just around the corner.
All is well.".
@RocketOcean18
I'm so sorry for ur loss
@littleotterrr7981
scatcom6 if you want a friend I will be one