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
Streamline
VNV Nation Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Make it better by design
Perfected strategies, applied technologies
A brighter future for a darker age
Before me a vision, forged with great intentions
Of generations yet to come
Aerodynamic dreams, across the stratosphere
Write a new world symphony, for the 21st century
The dawning of the age to come
Streamline simplicity, the renaissance of humanity
Avenues of light to guide us home
Discard the old regimes, failed ideologies
Draw the lines and start again
Build towers that pierce the sky, the figurehead of individual minds
Horizons unlimited, and unified
Potential overdrive, free thought and open minds
As if beams of photons lit the night
Electronic alchemists, in the new metropolis
Enlightened living through practicality
Write a new world symphony, for the 21st century
The dawning of the age to come
Streamline simplicity, the renaissance of humanity
Avenues of light to guide us home
Write a new world symphony, for the 21st century
The dawning of the age to come
Streamline simplicity, the renaissance of humanity
Avenues of light to guide us home
Leave this world behind, retrofitted and redefined
The dawning of the age to come
Streamline simplicity, the renaissance of humanity
Avenues of light to guide us home
The lyrics to VNV Nation's "Streamline" suggest a deep sense of hope and determination towards creating a better future. The opening lines encourage the listener to create a future that is "splendid and graceful," one that is designed with perfected strategies and technologies that can make the future brighter in the midst of a darker age. There is a clear sense of optimism in these lines, as the singer imagines a future that has yet to come into existence but is built on the strength of great intentions and the efforts of many generations to come.
The vision described in "Streamline" is one that is aerodynamic and streamlined, where dreams can travel seamlessly across the stratosphere and contribute to tomorrow's way of life today. The singer urges the listener to discard old regimes and failed ideologies, drawing lines in order to build a new world that is entirely redesigned. The focus is on individual minds coming together to build horizon-busting towers that represent limitless potential, where open minds and free thought are the drivers of change. With practicality at the forefront, the lyrics encourage the listener to become an "electronic alchemist" in building this new world, creating enlightened living through technological advancements.
Line by Line Meaning
Build me a future, splendid and graceful
Create for me a future that is not only well-designed, but is also beautiful and elegant.
Make it better by design
Improve upon the current state of things by planning and implementing new, better designs.
Perfected strategies, applied technologies
Use perfected plans and technologies to move forward and make progress.
A brighter future for a darker age
Create a future that is bright and hopeful, despite the difficulties and challenges of the present.
Before me a vision, forged with great intentions
I have a vision for the future that is based on good, positive intentions.
Of generations yet to come
This vision is not only for the present, but for future generations as well.
Aerodynamic dreams, across the stratosphere
This vision involves futuristic, advanced technologies that allow humans to soar across the sky.
Foundations for tomorrow's way of life today
The groundwork for a better future is being laid now, in the present.
Write a new world symphony, for the 21st century
Create a new vision for the future that is worthy of a new century.
The dawning of the age to come
This is a new era, with new opportunities and challenges.
Streamline simplicity, the renaissance of humanity
Simplify our lives and embrace minimalism as a way to move forward and progress as a species.
Avenues of light to guide us home
We will find our way towards a better future through enlightenment, knowledge and understanding.
Discard the old regimes, failed ideologies
Get rid of outdated and failed systems of thought and governance.
Draw the lines and start again
Establish new boundaries and systems of governance to replace the old ones.
Build towers that pierce the sky, the figurehead of individual minds
Create towering symbols of human creativity and innovation that represent the power and potential of the human mind.
Horizons unlimited, and unified
There is no limit to what we can achieve if we work together.
Potential overdrive, free thought and open minds
We have the capacity to exceed our potential if we embrace free thinking and open-mindedness.
As if beams of photons lit the night
Our ideas and innovations will shine so brightly that they will be visible even in the darkest of nights.
Electronic alchemists, in the new metropolis
Embrace new technologies and innovations in urban areas to create a modern, futuristic society.
Enlightened living through practicality
Live a life that is both enlightened and practical, with a focus on progress and innovation.
Leave this world behind, retrofitted and redefined
We must move beyond the limitations of the past and redefine our world to create a brighter future.
Avenues of light to guide us home
We will find our way to this new world through our pursuit of enlightenment and knowledge.
Contributed by William B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Purple Cosmonaut
I like how positive this album is in comparison with their older ones. It gives me hope.
abruemmer77
today more than ever...
Johan Krüger Haglert
Abandon all hope.
Theodor Knurpsel
and here we are today
Aaron Burr
Absolutely beautiful, making me tear up. Didn't do this when I listened to it years ago.
Jason Baer
I think I love this song by them best because it's the only one that I can feel him being hopeful!
We need hopefulness today!
DharmaGuy
Try Airships from FuturePerfect. It's totally optimistic - steppng into this new world - I'm leaving ground . . . .
patrick noel
New Wave, electro, disco... all together gives a great sound. Thanks for the kick-up Ronan. You're the best.
MrRoztoc
Another underrated song by VNV.
These e-drum riffs borrowed by Al Corley - Square Rooms (Extended) (1984) and Dead or Alive's 'Murder Mix' of "You spin me round" (1985), but yeah, that's a great song!
Rob Arans
this song is actually a TEDtalk!!