Clan of Xymox (also known as Xymox) blend an eclectic and vibrant mix of da… Read Full Bio ↴Clan of Xymox (also known as Xymox) blend an eclectic and vibrant mix of darkwave, electronic pop, gothic rock, and acoustic folk. From the Netherlands, Xymox was established in Nijmegen, the Netherlands by frontman Ronny Moorings and then live-in Anke Wolbert in 1983. Their first EP, Subsequent Pleasures added Pieter Nooten afterwards on keyboards and left a mark on an emerging Euro-wave market.

A chance meeting with Brendan Perry and Lisa Gerrard of Dead Can Dance led to an invitation to support that band on a UK tour, and then a recording contract with their record label, 4AD.

Their first two full length albums, self-titled Clan of Xymox and Medusa, comfortably settled Xymox into their own niche of blooming melodics and smooth grey lyrical originality, with Ronnie's songwriting coming as a fresh and very welcome abstract to the plastic and packaged synthpop of the late 80s. In 1989, Ronnie saw a chance to evolve and left 4AD, releasing Twist of Shadows which proved to be their most complete and mature offering thusfar, and was their most successful yet.

With the next two albums, Phoenix and Metamorphosis, fans were left with something of an out of body experience - as Xymox was sounding nothing like themselves. Metamorphosis was truly that however, its failure created a catalyst for Moorings to jump to yet another label, part ways with his bandmates, and pickup Mojca Zugna on bass. Zok records re-released Metamorphosis and a new EP - Headclouds. Moorings took a four year break to introspect and write, and gave fans the wondrous gift that is Hidden Faces, admittedly the logical followup to Medusa.

The new millenium ushered in success for Creatures, Notes From the Underground, Farewell, Breaking Point, The Best Of Clan Of Xymox and the latest DVD release Visible (2008) which serve to define what Clan of Xymox has become now - a velvet lined room smelling of roses and clove, the distant chime of crystal engaging crystal, and the slow lilting line of smoke forming nameless shapes as it draws you ever in.

Current Live Lineup:
Ronny Moorings - words, guitar, piano, voice
Mojca Zugna - bass, voice

Yvonne de Ray - keyboards
Mario Usai - guitar

Discography (as Clan Of Xymox):
1985 - Clan Of Xymox
1986 - Medusa
1997 - Hidden Faces
1999 - Creatures
2000 - Live
2001 - Subsequent Pleasures (reissue only CD)
2001 - Notes From The Underground
2001 - John Peel Sessions
2002 - Remixes From The Underground
2003 - Farewell
2004 - The Best Of Clan Of Xymox
2006 - Breaking Point
2008 - Visible DVD
2009 - In Love We Trust
2011 - Darkest Hour
2012 - Live at the Castle Party (Audio CD& DVD) Special Issue
2012 - Kindred Spirits (cover versions)
2014 - Matters Of Mind, Body And Soul
2017 - Days of Black
2020 - Spider on the Wall

As Xymox:
1983 - Subsequent Pleasures (Vinyl, 12" Limited to 500 copies)
1989 - Twist Of Shadows
1991 - Phoenix
1992 - Metamorphosis
1993 - Headclouds
1994 - Remix (bootleg)

The River
Xymox Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

WHAT MAKES A MAN
WHAT MAKES A WOMAN
HAPPY
WHAT MAKES YOU THINK
WHAT MAKE YOU SAY
LOVE
SOME SAY'S IT'S LIKE THE RIVER
HOW IT RUNS TO THE SEA

LOVE COULD BE THE RIVER

ONE MILLION PEOPLE
HOPING TO FIND
THE RIVER

ONE IS IN THE MIDDLE
ON THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA
LIKE A SPINE OF A TREE

IT'S ALL A RIDDLE TO ME

IT'S ALL A RIDDLE TO ME
TO ME

Overall Meaning

The River by Xymox is a song that delves into the complexities of human emotions and relationships. The lyrics speak about the desire for happiness, love and the pursuit of finding it like a river that runs to the sea. The song seems to pose the question of what really makes a man or a woman happy, what prompts them to think and say 'love'? The answer is elusive, and for the singer, it is 'all a riddle.' The song's lyrics are introspective and suggest a journey or a search for something, which in this case is love, or happiness.

The metaphor of the river runs throughout the song, suggesting a journey that the singer and perhaps many others take in search of love. The idea that love could be the river is significant since it implies that love is flowing, ever-changing and alive, just like a river. Additionally, the lyrics reference one person being at the bottom of the sea, like the spine of a tree, suggesting that perhaps, in the metaphorical sense, they have reached the end of their journey, sink or swim.

Overall, the song is open to interpretation, but it is clear that the singer is searching for something elusive, and the metaphor of the river emphasizes the journey aspect, suggesting that the process of searching for love is just as important, if not more important than finding it.

Line by Line Meaning

WHAT MAKES A MAN
What qualities or attributes define a man as a man?

WHAT MAKES A WOMAN
What qualities or attributes define a woman as a woman?

HAPPY
What brings true happiness to an individual?

WHAT MAKES YOU THINK
What is the reasoning behind your thoughts?

WHAT MAKE YOU SAY
What motivates you to express yourself verbally?

LOVE
The feeling of deep affection and care towards someone or something

SOME SAY'S IT'S LIKE THE RIVER
Some people compare love to a river in terms of its flow and movement

HOW IT RUNS TO THE SEA
Like a river flowing into the sea, love can also lead to one's ocean of emotions

LOVE COULD BE THE RIVER
Perhaps love is the river that flows within and between people

ONE MILLION PEOPLE
A large number of individuals seeking something

HOPING TO FIND
Desiring to discover or obtain something