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
Gratitude
VNV Nation Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It is not belief, when there's nothing there to trust
Could not submit, would never bring myself to heel
Determination grows, as each truth is revealed
Torn and repaired, just to endure it all again
Without a reason for my place in all this pain
Though well concealed, the scars they just compound
My god, look at what we are now
Without regret for all the things that we have done
Thank you for all the doubts, and for all the questioning
For all the loneliness and for all the suffering
For all the emptiness, and the scars it left inside
It inspired in me, an impetus to fight
For the conviction, for the purpose found alone
For the strength and courage, that in me I've never known
And if it seems to you, that my words are undeserved
I write this in gratitude for whatever good it serves
Sometimes I wish, that you could see me now
In the rightful place, where I knew that I belonged
Sometimes I wish, that you might someday understand
To close the chapter, and lay to rest the past
But nothing would change, we make the best of what we have
For we are measured, by the actions of our lives
We bide our time, let the future unfold
Like immortals, in great legends to be told
My god, look at what we are now
Without regret for all the things that we have done
Thank you for all the doubts, and for all the questioning
For all the loneliness, and for all the suffering
For all the emptiness, and the scars it left inside
It inspired in me, an impetus to fight
To all who stood with me, when we stood as one
Thank you for guiding me, for bringing me home
And if it seems that I'm obliged to say these words
I write this in gratitude, the least that you deserve
The lyrics of VNV Nation's Gratitude express a sentiment of appreciation and strength gained through hardship and pain. The singer acknowledges that love cannot be cold, trust cannot be absent, and submission to hurt is not an option for them. They have been torn and repaired, scarred and shaped by their experiences, yet still remain standing. The singer expresses gratitude for the doubts, questioning, loneliness, and suffering they have endured, as these things have inspired them to fight and have led them to discover strength and purpose they never knew they had. They also express gratitude to those who have stood by them and guided them, acknowledging that they could not have reached this point alone.
The song is a powerful expression of resilience and gratitude, acknowledging the difficult realities of life while also finding hope and meaning in them. It is a reminder that strength and growth can come from pain, and that even the most difficult experiences can be a catalyst for positive change.
Line by Line Meaning
It is not love, if love is cold to touch
Love cannot be considered love if it's devoid of warmth and emotion
It is not belief, when there's nothing there to trust
Belief is impossible when there is no foundation for trust
Could not submit, would never bring myself to heel
I could never surrender and give in to a higher authority or power
Determination grows, as each truth is revealed
My drive and persistence to succeed increases with each new discovery
Torn and repaired, just to endure it all again
I have been through hardships, only to be mended and endure more
Without a reason for my place in all this pain
I question why I must suffer and don't understand the purpose of my pain
Though well concealed, the scars they just compound
Although I hide my scars well, they continue to accumulate and worsen
Until there's nothing left of what was once my former self
My pain and suffering have left me a mere shell of my former self
My god, look at what we are now
Without regret for all the things that we have done
We must look at ourselves and acknowledge the good and bad we have done without regret
Thank you for all the doubts, and for all the questioning
For all the loneliness and for all the suffering
For all the emptiness, and the scars it left inside
It inspired in me, an impetus to fight
I am grateful for the doubts, questioning, loneliness, and suffering I've experienced, because it has motivated me to persevere and fight
For the conviction, for the purpose found alone
For the strength and courage, that in me I've never known
I have developed conviction and purpose independently, and found strength and courage within myself that I never knew I had before
And if it seems to you, that my words are undeserved
I write this in gratitude for whatever good it serves
If you believe that the positive things I say about my struggles are undeserved, I express gratitude regardless of your opinion
Sometimes I wish, that you could see me now
In the rightful place, where I knew that I belonged
I desire for you to see me in the place where I truly belong
Sometimes I wish, that you might someday understand
To close the chapter, and lay to rest the past
I hope that you can comprehend my past and forget it
But nothing would change, we make the best of what we have
For we are measured, by the actions of our lives
We must accept what we've been given and make the best of it, as our worth is defined by our actions
We bide our time, let the future unfold
Like immortals, in great legends to be told
We wait for the future to unveil itself, like immortal characters in epic tales
To all who stood with me, when we stood as one
Thank you for guiding me, for bringing me home
And if it seems that I'm obliged to say these words
I write this in gratitude, the least that you deserve
I thank those who stood by me in unity, guiding me and making me feel welcomed. I show my gratitude with these words, as they deserve nothing less
Contributed by Josiah L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@theraven5850
Actual lyrics:
It is not love, if love is cold to touch.
It is not belief, when there's nothing there to trust.
Could not submit, would never bring myself to heal.
Determination grows, as each truth's revealed.
Torn and repaired, just to endure it all again.
Without a reason, for my place in all this pain.
Though well concealed, the scars they just compound.
Until there's nothing left of what was my former self.
My god, look at what we are now -
without regret for all the things that we have done.
Thank you for all the doubts, and for all the questioning
for all the loneliness and for all the suffering.
For all the emptiness, and the scars it left inside.
it inspired in me, an impetus to fight.
For the conviction, for the purpose found along.
For the strength and courage, that in me I've never known.
And if it seems to you, that my words are undeserved
I write this in gratitude for whatever good it serves.
Sometimes I wish, that you could see me now.
In the rightful place, where I knew that I belonged.
Sometimes I wish, that you might someday understand.
And close the chapter, and lay to rest the past.
But nothing would change, we make the best of what we have.
for we are measured by the actions of our lives.
we bide our time, let the future unfold.
Like immortals, in great legends to be told.
My god, look at what we are now -
without regret for all the things that we have done.
Thank you for all the doubts, and for all the questioning
for all the loneliness and for all the suffering.
For all the emptiness, and the scars it left inside.
it inspired in me, an impetus to fight.
To all who stood with me, when we stood as one.
Thank you for guiding me, for bringing me home.
And if it seems that I'm obliged to say these words
I write this in gratitude, the least that you deserve.
@lishooPL
To nie jest miłość, jeśli zimna jest w dotyku,
To nie jest wiara, gdy nie ma nikogo, komu można by zaufać,
Nie umiałem się poddać, nigdy nie zdołałbym się do tego zmusić,
Determinacja wzrasta, wraz z odkrywaniem każdej prawdy,
Rozdarty i sklejony, tylko po to, by znieść to wszystko jeszcze raz,
Bez powodu, dla którego tkwię w tym bólu,
Choć dobrze ukryte, blizny we mnie na zawsze pozostaną,
Dopóki nie zostanie nic z tego, kim kiedyś na prawdę byłem.
Mój Boże, spójrz, kim teraz jesteśmy,
Bez żalu za to wszystko, co zrobiliśmy,
Dziękuję ci, za wszystkie te wątpliwości i za wszystkie te pytania,
Za całą tą samotność i za każe cierpienie,
Za całą pustkę i blizny które pozostaną we mnie na zawsze,
Natchnąłeś mnie bodźcem do walki,
Za przekonanie mnie, że cel zostanie osiągnięty,
Za siłę i odwagę, których wcześniej nigdy nie znałem,
A jeśli wydaje ci się, że moje słowa są niewiele warte,
Piszę to z wdzięcznością, każdemu dobru, któremu posłuży.
Czasami chciałbym, abyś mnie teraz zobaczył,
We właściwym miejscu, do którego czułem, że należę,
Czasami chciałbym, żebyś kiedyś mnie zrozumiał,
Zamknął rozdział i odłożył przeszłość w zapomnienie,
Ale nic by to nie zmieniło, dajemy z siebie wszystko,
Bo mierzą nas czynami za naszego życia,
Czekamy aż nadejdzie nasz czas, aż przyszłość się wyjaśni,
Jak nieśmiertelni, o których w wielkich legendach się opowiada,
Mój Boże, spójrz, kim teraz jesteśmy,
Bez żalu za to wszystko, co zrobiliśmy,
Dziękuję ci za wszystkie te wątpliwości i za wszystkie te pytania,
Za całą tą samotność i za każe cierpienie,
Za całą pustkę i blizny które pozostaną we mnie na zawsze,
Natchnąłeś mnie bodźcem do walki,
Dla wszystkich, którzy byli ze mną, kiedy byliśmy razem,
Dziękuję za rady, za przywołanie do porządku,
A jeśli wydaje wam się, że mam obowiązek wypowiedzieć te słowa,
Piszę to by podziękować, chociaż tyle mogę dla was zrobić.
@FoeNyxRising
My abusive husband killed himself a month ago. This song reduced me to tears that, for the first time, felt healing. Instead of just moving negative energy out, there was positive energy coming in. One day I’ll be able to sing along to this song happily, and not through tears. Thank you.
@rallejc1603
NOVA ... ILLUSION .. GRATITUDE Meisterwerke ... Balsam für die Seele
@laileczko
This was my marriage..I finally, finally found the strength to change my life ..this song was on repeat until I could listen without crying...much gratitude Ronan
@renelongoria701
Then don't listen to From my Hands!
@thriveeq8252
If only I'd found it before I internalized the pain... was so numb I ended up with several unwanted tattoos.
@ourjourney3446
Der Beste Song ever. So kraftvoll. So voller Emotionen. Thank You so much.
@naoitneressa
"Thank you for all the doubts, and for all the questioning
For all the loneliness and for all the suffering
For all the emptiness, and the scars it left inside
It inspired in me, an impetus to fight
To all who stood with me, when we stood as one
Thank you for guiding me, for bringing me home
And if it seems that I'm obliged to say these words
I write this in gratitude, the least that you deserve".
@ryanc5572
Just cried. This song affects me so deeply.
@Zeheroth69
This song is really the utter epitome of who VnV is, and Ronin. They both really are such fantastic human beings. Those that makes you feel actually proud of to be a human. Should be a great example for everyone
@thriveeq8252
And this one! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXX_eaHbvxg :)