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
Holding On
VNV Nation Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A perfect place for us
That together we would learn to be
the best that we could be
In my naivety I ran
I fell and lost my way
Somehow I always end up falling over me
I woke to find
The future had no place
For me
I was unwanted in a world
That with my hands I helped build
Where once was honesty and pride
I now stand broken and alone
Just a shadow
Of what I was meant to be
They say that "Time will heal"
"The truth shall set us free"
Well that depends
On what it is
That you choose to believe
In this prison made of lies
We see what it is we want to see
And find comfort in this
Broken hall of dreams
Does anybody feel
The way I do?
Is there anybody out there?
Are you hearing me?
I believe in you
Will you believe in me?
Or am I alone
In this hall of dreams?
I believe in you
You believe in me
But I have no trust
In anything
Somehow I'm always
Always falling over me
Somehow I'm always
I'm always falling over me
The lyrics of VNV Nation's song "Holding On" convey a feeling of disillusionment and despair. The singer reflects on their past naivete, believing that the future would be perfect, and that they would learn to be the best version of themselves. However, the singer fell and lost their way, becoming unwanted in a world that they helped build. Once a person filled with pride and honesty, the singer now feels broken and alone. The singer questions the idea that time heals all wounds and that truth sets us free, suggesting that it depends on what we choose to believe. In a prison made of lies, we see what we want to see and find comfort in this broken hall of dreams. The singer wonders if anyone else feels the same way and if anyone is out there hearing them. They then express their belief in their audience and ask them to believe in return. Despite this plea for connection, the singer is still unable to trust anything, always falling over themselves.
Overall, "Holding On" captures the emotional journey of feeling lost and disillusioned in a world that once held promise. The lyrics suggest that the truth may not always be liberating, and that we may create our own prisons of lies. Despite this, the song ends on a hopeful note, with the singer still clinging to a belief that they can connect with someone and rebuild their trust.
Line by Line Meaning
I thought the future held
I used to believe that the future would be perfect
A perfect place for us
It would be perfect for us to live in
That together we would learn to be
We would learn together how to be our best selves
The best that we could be
To be the optimal version of ourselves
In my naivety I ran
I acted foolishly and recklessly
I fell and lost my way
I got lost and didn't know where to go
Somehow I always end up falling over me
I often end up hurting myself and making things worse
And one day
Eventually
I woke to find
I realized
The future had no place
The future was not ideal
For me
For myself
I was unwanted in a world
People didn't want me in their society
That with my hands I helped build
The world that I contributed to making
Where once was honesty and pride
Where there used to be truthfulness and dignity
I now stand broken and alone
Now I'm damaged and by myself
Just a shadow
Only a faint image of myself
Of what I was meant to be
Of the person that I was expected to become
They say that "Time will heal"
People often claim that time can help wounds disappear
"The truth shall set us free"
The truth of a situation can be liberating
Well that depends
It varies
On what it is
Based on the situation
That you choose to believe
That you opt to accept
In this prison made of lies
In this cage built of falsehoods
We see what it is we want to see
We perceive whatever we prefer to perceive
And find comfort in this
And derive solace from this
Broken hall of dreams
Shattered area of aspirations
Does anybody feel
Is there anyone who understands
The way I do?
What I'm going through?
Is there anybody out there?
Is anyone listening?
Are you hearing me?
Can you hear what I'm saying?
I believe in you
I have faith in you
Will you believe in me?
Can you have faith in me?
Or am I alone
Or am I by myself
In this hall of dreams?
In this place of shattered aspirations?
You believe in me
You have faith in me
But I have no trust
But I lack confidence
In anything
In anything at all
Somehow I'm always
Somehow I seem to be
Always falling over me
Constantly causing harm to myself
Lyrics © Freibank Musikverlags und vermarktungs GmbH
Written by: THOMAS LAW HOWIE, JIMMY VALLANCE, ANTHONY COLLINS, FRANCIS HARRIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@nakshulmashath
My Gf and I have been together for 4yrs now.She was listening to this song when she finally told me she's unable to bear anymore children:'(...While hearing this play.I told her "She's not alone and I'll always be Holding On" No Matter What.Now this song has more meaning when I hear it:'( :')
@XVeganDaveGodFreeX
Listen to Carbon and you'll feel better about not having kids!!
@kaitlynleehagar1148
2023 and this song still makes me think of a love I lost around this time of year in 2007.
@scorchobassplayer
ive been in many bad places, on a flight into Iraq,...when shit was going bad,.....didnt know if we were going to make it,...flying in a sandstorm,....my 3 buddies, i plugged them all into my ipod, for this song,...so if we died,...it'd be to a good song. VNV love your music!
@billyriley1479
This song always always gets me. Since 2005..... Still makes me think of a love I lost a long time ago...
@jeffjavens1215
OMG, same.
@deusvult77
I'm right there with you on that one....sigh
@KeyoHaze
This song, it's lyrics, feel like it came straight from the deepest, darkest parts of me. It hurts so much to listen to this song, but it's so true, so beautiful! Why does it often seem, that pain and despair, often create the most beautiful things?
@nelltomme7868
One of VNV Nations best songs
@Daimo83
And they NEVER do it live 😭