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
Left Behind
VNV Nation Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You know too well that which awaits you
Something undefined there in the halflight
The demon without
The demon inside to plague and torment you
Feeling so sure, feeling so uncertain that something is wrong
Everyone's gone and you have been left behind
Everyone left the demon inside
Do you still hear their laughter
So hard to describe
You never forget the faces that haunt you
Awake or asleep, I know you can't tell
Unable to sleep
Unable to fight
Unwilling to wake to open your eyes
to face your oppressor
Still you go on convinced it will end
Can you remember
a day when it was not, not like this?
Unsure of yourself, unsure of your thoughts
Unable to know if what you think is right or wrong
Still you go on convinced it will end
Like someone pushes a blade through your mind
There on the edge where no-one will find you
Still hearing them laugh
Is there no light at the end for you
Why is everything wrong?
Here I am
Here I am with these words
Trying to say something I can't
Something I can't tell you
Nothing is wrong
The demons they have left you
You were not left behind
You were not left behind
So open your eyes
So open your eyes
Unable to sleep
Unable to fight
Unwilling to wake
Please open your eyes
For here I stand
unable to tell you what I am trying to say
Nothing is wrong
Please open your eyes
Nothing is wrong
You were not left behind
The song "Left Behind" by VNV Nation seems to be exploring the inner turmoil and fear of someone who feels left out and left behind by society. The opening verse talks about the fear of facing the unknown and the presence of an undefined demon, which might represent the person's inner demons that haunt and torment them. The following lines suggest a feeling of isolation, as everyone else has left and the person is stuck dealing with their internal turmoil alone.
The second verse describes the person's difficulty in coping with their emotions, and how they are haunted by memories and unable to find peace. The line "Unsure of yourself, unsure of your thoughts" suggests a lack of clarity in their mind, and the repetition of "Still you go on convinced it will end" highlights their determination to overcome their struggles.
However, the final verse brings a glimmer of hope into the narrative. The refrain of "Nothing is wrong, you were not left behind" sounds like a message of reassurance and support from a caring friend. The plea to "open your eyes" suggests that the person needs to face their fears and confront their demons, with the help of someone who understands their struggles.
Overall, the lyrics of "Left Behind" paint a powerful picture of someone who feels lost and alone, struggling to cope with their emotions and haunted by past experiences. However, the song also offers hope and support, suggesting that even in the darkest moments, there is always a way forward with the help of others.
Line by Line Meaning
So afraid to open your eyes
You are scared to look at the truth.
You know too well that which awaits you
You are aware of what is coming for you.
Something undefined there in the halflight
There is something unknown lurking in the shadows.
The demon without
The evil that exists externally.
The demon inside to plague and torment you
The internal battle of good versus evil that is torturing you.
Feeling so sure, feeling so uncertain that something is wrong
You are suspicious that something is amiss but can't put your finger on it.
Everyone's gone and you have been left behind
You feel abandoned as if everyone has turned their back on you.
Do you still hear their laughter
You can still hear their mocking voices in your head.
So hard to describe
It's difficult to articulate the agony that you are going through.
You never forget the faces that haunt you
The memories of those who caused you pain will always linger.
Awake or asleep, I know you can't tell
You are unable to differentiate between reality and nightmares.
Unable to sleep
You can't find peace even in slumber.
Unable to fight
You feel powerless and incapable of making a change.
Unwilling to wake to open your eyes to face your oppressor
You are hesitant to confront the one who is causing you harm.
Still you go on convinced it will end
Despite the pain, you believe that this will eventually come to an end.
Can you remember a day when it was not, not like this?
Do you recall a time when things were not so bleak?
Unsure of yourself, unsure of your thoughts
You lack confidence in yourself and are uncertain of your own beliefs.
Unable to know if what you think is right or wrong
You are struggling to discern between what is ethical and unethical.
Like someone pushes a blade through your mind
The agony of the situation is unbearable.
There on the edge where no-one will find you
You feel alone and beyond help.
Still hearing them laugh
You can hear the tormentors mocking you even when they're not present.
Is there no light at the end for you
You're wondering if there is any hope left for you.
Here I am with these words
I am here to comfort you with the right words.
Trying to say something I can't
I am attempting to convey a message that is difficult to express.
Nothing is wrong
Everything is okay, despite what you might think or feel.
You were not left behind
You have not been abandoned or forgotten.
So open your eyes
Look at the world with fresh eyes, without the darkness clouding your vision.
For here I stand unable to tell you what I am trying to say
I am struggling to find the right words to lift you up.
Contributed by Lillian T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Nicholas Stevens
VNV Nation has always been my favorite Artist. Ronan Harris really has a way of describing emotion that few people posses. I have had the fourtune of meeting him breifly. He has a great personality as well!
Sirko Paschke
Great Song!!!
DerDrache707071
Beautiful but so incredibly melancholic...
mirmirs
i love this song..
Robs Keider
it could be the present, could be the past or could be the future...however, i don't know. But I know it is so beautiful to listen. Great song, thx to share!
jared mckinney
such a good song.
gltopia
I'm in tears as I type. So..indescribable, again it is as if Ronan is a friend that knows exactly how I feel and have been trough. Every time I listen to their songs, I heal a little more, become a stronger person. I wish I could be more descriptive and clear, but not even I understand it myself.
CrazyforCookies
This describes my life....
jared mckinney
awsome.
꧁Ðark Dream Team꧁
ein traum