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
Foreword
VNV Nation Lyrics
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These are your people.
You can live for yourself today,
Or help build tomorrow for everyone.
The lyrics to VNV Nation's song Foreword express a message of individual freedom and empowerment, while also emphasizing the importance of collective responsibility and action. The opening line, "This is your world," emphasizes the idea that each individual is responsible for their own existence and experience in the world. The next line, "These are your people," underscores the idea that we are all in this world together, and that our actions and choices impact not only ourselves but also those around us.
The next two lines, "You can live for yourself today / Or help build tomorrow for everyone," offer two contrasting options for how to approach life. On the one hand, we can choose to focus solely on our own needs and desires, living solely for ourselves. On the other hand, we can choose to use our time and energy to make a positive impact on the world, working to build a better tomorrow for everyone. By presenting these two options side by side, the lyrics suggest that both individual freedom and collective responsibility are important values, and that there is a balance to be struck between the two.
Overall, the message of Foreword is one of empowerment and hope, urging listeners to take ownership of their lives and make a positive contribution to the world around them.
Line by Line Meaning
This is your world.
The planet we inhabit is your responsibility and influence.
These are your people.
The individuals around you are your community and connected to you.
You can live for yourself today,
You have the option to solely focus on your own personal desires now,
Or help build tomorrow for everyone.
Or you can contribute to creating a better future for all individuals.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Magalie TerreHappy
"Foreword"
This is your world.
These are your people.
You can live for yourself today,
or help build tomorrow for everyone.
Das ist deine Welt.
Das sind deine Mitmenschen.
Du kannst heute für dich leben,
Oder für alle die Zukunft von morgen aufbauen.
C'est ton monde.
Ce sont tes gens.
Aujourd'hui tu pourrais penser qu'à toi,
ou aider à construire un lendemain pour tous.
Jason Mudrock
One of my favorite intros ever. Makes me want to live.
Damián Echeverría
Awesome intro ever... Hymn of the Nation's!!
LAB 444
Just a Warning what man creates we clean up.
Velatieren
Just got this album yesterday - and it OWNS :D PS: This track is named ''Foreword", not ''Forward" ;)
mark goodyer
One of the great albums
DeathSquadLegionaire
VNV Nation forever!!!
Nick Gryphon
I love how this song is in English, German (Language im learning), and French (my ex GF's language of choice). I miss her.
Magalie TerreHappy
"Foreword"
This is your world.
These are your people.
You can live for yourself today,
or help build tomorrow for everyone.
Das ist deine Welt.
Das sind deine Mitmenschen.
Du kannst heute für dich leben,
Oder für alle die Zukunft von morgen aufbauen.
C'est ton monde.
Ce sont tes gens.
Aujourd'hui tu pourrais penser qu'à toi,
ou aider à construire un lendemain pour tous.
mirmirs
wow...they are saying that live how you want and be happy...take chances and so on....;3 vnv nation
tangerine symmetry
Enigma Variations: Nimrod by Edwrad Elgar.
Also in 'The Globalist' by Muse ♡