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
Still Waters
VNV Nation Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Static noise of moving lines
Isolated, locked in time
Along the crowded streets
Faces unknown pass me by
Filtered signals in the noise
Reveal what paper masks disguise
Some have all and some have nothing
Some find themselves losing everything
Some are lost and never found
Some will lead and some will follow
Some only answer to themselves
Some need truth, some need lies
Some will create, some destroy
Some will be healed, some will be torn apart
Though few will ever know why
Some will be loved and some will love
Some will hold on to what some let go
The heart that makes them feel alive
Events by which they are defined
Some accept and some deny
Some would believe but still doubt everything
Some will live and some will die
Fighting over reasons why
Every voice part of the sound
The noise that doesn't cease
Signals resonate in time
Over again, the waters rise and then subside
Sending waves around the world
Still waters, open skies
Every voice part of the sound
The noise that doesn't cease
Signals resonate in time
Over again, the waters rise and then subside
Sending waves around the world
Still waters, open skies
Sending waves around the world
Still waters, open skies
Every voice part of the sound
Sending waves around the world
Still waters, open skies
The song "Still Waters" by VNV Nation delves into the idea of being lost in a sea of people, surrounded by the noise of everyday life. The opening lines paint a picture of a bustling city with moving lines of people and the static noise that accompanies it. The persona in the song feels isolated and locked in time, seemingly disconnected from the world around them. As they observe the different people passing by, they reflect on how some have everything while others have nothing, how some are lost and never found.
The chorus of the song speaks to the idea of how every voice is part of the sound, and how the noise never ceases. It's a reminder that we are all connected in some way, that our actions and words have ripple effects that resonate across the world. The final lines: "Sending waves around the world, still waters, open skies" conjure up imagery of a vast expanse, free from the noise and chaos of everyday life, a place where we can find peace and reflect on our place in the world.
Overall, "Still Waters" is a reflective, contemplative song about feeling lost in a sea of people, and how we are all connected in ways we may not fully understand.
Line by Line Meaning
Here among the streets
Amidst the busy streets
Static noise of moving lines
The constant commotion of the urban environment
Isolated, locked in time
Feeling disconnected and stuck in the moment
Along the crowded streets
Through the congested pathways
Faces unknown pass me by
Strangers crossing paths without recognition
Filtered signals in the noise
Discerning the hidden messages in the chaos
Reveal what paper masks disguise
Exposing the true identities hidden behind superficial facades
Some have all and some have nothing
Unequal distribution of wealth and opportunities
Some find themselves losing everything
Individuals experience loss and hardship
Some are lost and never found
People get lost in different ways and are never recovered
Some will lead and some will follow
People have different leadership and followership qualities
Some only answer to themselves
Certain individuals have a strong sense of autonomy
Some need truth, some need lies
People have different preferences for honesty and deception
Some will create, some destroy
People have varying abilities to create or destroy
Some will be healed, some will be torn apart
Humanity is subjected to different degrees of emotional recovery or trauma
Though few will ever know why
Despite the complexity of human experience, few can explain their existence
Some will be loved and some will love
People have different relationships and experiences with love
Some will hold on to what some let go
People have varying levels of attachment and detachment
The heart that makes them feel alive
Love and passion provide vitality and purpose in life
Events by which they are defined
Life events shape our sense of identity
Some accept and some deny
Different reactions to life's events
Some would believe but still doubt everything
People can hold contradictory beliefs or struggle with faith
Some will live and some will die
Mortality is an inevitable part of human existence
Fighting over reasons why
Human beings engage in conflict over various causes
Every voice part of the sound
Individuals contribute to the collective conversation
The noise that doesn't cease
The never-ending noise of humanity
Signals resonate in time
Messages conveyed through time
Over again, the waters rise and then subside
Cycles of life, death, and rebirth
Sending waves around the world
The interconnectedness of humanity
Still waters, open skies
The calmness and vastness of nature
Contributed by Charlie I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@bullballsallday
Here among the streets,
Static noise of moving lines -
Isolated locked in time.
Along the crowded streets,
Faces unknown pass me by,
Filtered signals in the noise,
Reveal what paper masks disguise.
Some have all and some have nothing,
Some find themselves losing everything -
Some are lost and never found.
Some will lead and some will follow,
Some only answer to themselves.
Some need truth, some need lies.
Some will create, some destroy.
Some will be healed, some will be torn apart,
Though few will ever know why.
Some will be loved and some will love,
Some will hold on to what some let go.
The heart that makes them feel alive -
Events by which they are defined.
Some accept and some deny,
Some would believe but still doubt everything.
Some will live and some will die -
Fighting over reasons why.
Every voice part of the sound
Noise that doesn´t cease
Signals resonate in time
Over again the waters rise
and then subside
Sending waves around the world
Still waters open skies
Every voice part of the sound -
Noise that doesn´t cease,
Signals resonate in time.
Over again the waters rise,
and then subside,
Sending waves around the world -
Still waters, open skies.
Sending waves around the world -
Still waters, open skies.
Every voice part of the sound -
Sending waves around the world,
Still waters, open skies.
@EyolfAki
Einfach nur episch, beginnt langsam und baut sich zu einem richtigen Kracher auf! Den Song werd ich auch im hohen Alter noch regelmäßig hören, soviel steht fest.
@ekim1966
This is amazing! The juxtaposition of the thoughtful lyrics and beauty of the song with the dystopian images from the movies, then finally coming together in the scene of green fields is brilliant and moving. VnV Nation is my favorite band of all time. Kudos for this.
@MrMarouka
Glad I am not the only person who feels this way. They appeal to every sensibility I have. I love these guys.
@VNVgirl
You're not alone! :) They are beautiful and make me emotional always. :)
@Pile_of_carbon
One of my favourite tracks when I'm out running.
@Bergkamp25
ich liebe vnv nation und bei diesem lied hab ich hühnerhaut am ganzen körper. fantastisch. Ein Lied, nicht vergleichbar mit Enjoy the silence,aber auf der gleichen höchsten Stufe anzusiedeln. Grüsse aus Basel
@IngratoDespina
I can only echo that. Long live VNV! Just saw them live first time last month and omg what a show! Hoping to see them again in London this year. Can't wait for the new album either!
@enderpotato0088
One of my favorite tracks by VNV!
@bullballsallday
Here among the streets,
Static noise of moving lines -
Isolated locked in time.
Along the crowded streets,
Faces unknown pass me by,
Filtered signals in the noise,
Reveal what paper masks disguise.
Some have all and some have nothing,
Some find themselves losing everything -
Some are lost and never found.
Some will lead and some will follow,
Some only answer to themselves.
Some need truth, some need lies.
Some will create, some destroy.
Some will be healed, some will be torn apart,
Though few will ever know why.
Some will be loved and some will love,
Some will hold on to what some let go.
The heart that makes them feel alive -
Events by which they are defined.
Some accept and some deny,
Some would believe but still doubt everything.
Some will live and some will die -
Fighting over reasons why.
Every voice part of the sound
Noise that doesn´t cease
Signals resonate in time
Over again the waters rise
and then subside
Sending waves around the world
Still waters open skies
Every voice part of the sound -
Noise that doesn´t cease,
Signals resonate in time.
Over again the waters rise,
and then subside,
Sending waves around the world -
Still waters, open skies.
Sending waves around the world -
Still waters, open skies.
Every voice part of the sound -
Sending waves around the world,
Still waters, open skies.
@jens-uwelawrenz3561
A great classic still yet of our time, brilliant....