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
If I Was
VNV Nation Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To bid the darkness in
When empty smiles can never hide the hollowness within
My thoughts race by like the scene outside
Through the windows of the train
I could cover my eyes but never hide
From the promises I made
Or a poor man or a king
Would I have the strength to start again
Walk the path that called to me
Somewhere out there waiting
Is a place where I'll know peace
Calling out and beckoning
Be I a poor man or a king
The station long departed
My fate entrusted to the rails
No certain destination
Except the life I'll hope to make
But were the choice presented
Couldn't relinquish or bequeath
The walls I built around the truth
I closely guard within
If I was a better man
Or a poor man or a king
Would I have the strength to start again
Walk the path that called to me
Somewhere out there waiting
Is a place where I'll know peace
Calling out and beckoning
Be I a poor man or a king
Give me your hand
Take your place here next to me
Let us walk this road together
No matter where it leads
Put aside your burdens
Put away your fears
Or I'll carry them as I'd carry you
Until the very end
Somewhere out there waiting
Is a place where we'd know peace
That calls to us
That beckons us
The place where we'd be free
Put aside your burdens
Put away your fears
I'd carry them as I'd carry you
'Till the very end
Put aside your burdens
Put away your fears
I'd carry them as I'd carry you
Until the very end
Somewhere out there waiting
Is a place where we'd know peace
Calling out and beckoning
A place where we'd be free
The song "If I Was" by VNV Nation talks about the idea of starting anew and finding peace. The lyrics describe a journey, both physical and mental, and the uncertainties that come with it. The first few lines paint a picture of a person sitting on a train, watching the world pass by outside. The darkness is slowly setting in, and he/she can no longer hide from his/her true feelings. The person questions himself/herself, whether he/she would have the strength to start over if he/she were a different person, say, a better or a poorer man, or a king.
The journey continues with the train having left the station, and the destination is unknown but the path is clear. The person has built walls around his/her truth and struggles with relinquishing them, but remains hopeful of finding peace one day. The chorus repeats the longing to be a better person, regardless of his/her status, and to find the path that beckons him/her. The song ends with the invitation to join the person on the journey and to put aside one's burdens and fears, with the promise to carry them until the very end.
Overall, the lyrics in "If I Was" reveal a strong desire for personal growth and the quest for inner peace. The song suggests that regardless of one's past and present, there is always an opportunity to start anew and pave the way to a better future.
Line by Line Meaning
The light of day is fading
The daylight is ending
To bid the darkness in
Giving way for the dark time of night
When empty smiles can never hide the hollowness within
Smiles cannot conceal inner sadness
My thoughts race by like the scene outside
Thoughts move as fast as the train outside
Through the windows of the train
Looking through the train's windows
I could cover my eyes but never hide
Closing eyes cannot resolve the situation
From the promises I made
Accounting for commitments made in life
If I was a better man
Considering what kind of person one could have been
Or a poor man or a king
Reflecting on different life circumstances
Would I have the strength to start again
Questioning the possibility of starting anew
Walk the path that called to me
Going on the path meant for oneself
Somewhere out there waiting
Thinking there's a better place out there
Is a place where I'll know peace
Where one's mind can be at rest
Calling out and beckoning
A yearning to be in that place
Be I a poor man or a king
Regardless of one's social status
Put aside your burdens
Let go of your issues
Put away your fears
No longer have fear
Or I'll carry them as I'd carry you
I'll support you, no matter what
Until the very end
Until the conclusion of life
The station long departed
The train had left the station some time ago
My fate entrusted to the rails
Considering where the train takes them
No certain destination
Not knowing where the journey leads to
Except the life I'll hope to make
Except for the future that is to come
But were the choice presented
If there was a chance to choose
Couldn't relinquish or bequeath
Couldn't give up what's been held onto
The walls I built around the truth
The emotional barriers built to protect oneself
I closely guard within
Watching over the guarded emotions
Give me your hand
Extend a hand in support
Take your place here next to me
Stand by my side
Let us walk this road together
Let's move forward together
No matter where it leads
Regardless of where the journey goes
Somewhere out there waiting
An ideal place waiting out there
Is a place where we'd know peace
A tranquil place for all
That calls to us
The desire to be in that place
That beckons us
To be lured to the place
The place where we'd be free
The location where one can achieve freedom
Contributed by Ruby F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@cameronfreitas3898
Beautiful song.
@texperalta7869
beautiful,....love it,....
@martinwalthert1709
Wunderschön! 🙏 ⚘
@blumrich1970
Beyond words...
@princessmoimm
<3
@viridianahernandezmiranda9208
:3
@loikkoi7720
#gnosticism