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)
Wonderland
Xymox Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
SEE THE MOTION AND CIRCLE ROUND
FEEL IT WHIRL THROUGH THE FIELDS
ALL THE YEARS WE WANDERED ABOUT
AND LET OUR YOUTH STRIP US OUT
NOW LOCK UP THE DOOR TO INDIGNATION
(WOULD YOU COME-LOOK AROUND-SEE THE MOTION-CIRCLE ROUND)
ALL APPEARS TO RECOVER
(ALL THE YEARS WE WANDERED ABOUT-LET OUR YOUTH-STRIP US OUT-COME WITH ME)
HERE WE ARE IN WONDER LEFT WITH ALL LEFT TO DISCOVER
WILL YOU STAY WATCH BY ME
AS ALL APPEARS TO RECOVER
(WOULD YOU COME-LOOK AROUND-SEE THE MOTION-CIRCLE ROUND)
ALL APPEARS TO RECOVER
(ALL THE YEARS WE WANDERED ABOUT-LET OUR YOUTH-STRIP US OUT-COME WITH ME-BREAK OUT)
AS ALL APPEARS TO RECOVER
(WOULD YOU COME-LOOK AROUND-SEE THE MOTION-CIRCLE ROUND)
ALL APPEARS TO RECOVER
(ALL THE YEARS WE WANDERED ABOUT-LET OUR YOUTH-STRIP US OUT-COME WITH ME-BREAK OUT)
ALL APPEARS TO DISCOVER
(SEE THE MOTION-CIRCLE ROUND-COME WITH ME-BREAK OUT
The lyrics to Xymox's song "Wonderland" speak of the joy and wonder that can be found in life if one is open to exploring and discovering. The song invites the listener to come and look around, to see the motion and circle round, and to feel the whirl through the fields. The lyrics also allude to the fact that we may have lost some of this wonder and joy as we have grown older and allowed the responsibilities and challenges of life to strip us of our youth. However, the song urges us to lock up the door to indignation and to come with the singer, who is inviting us to rediscover the wonder that seems to be recovering.
The chorus repeats the invitation to come and look around, to see the motion and circle round, and to come with the singer who is inviting us to break out and discover all that life has left for us to explore. The song suggests that there is still much wonder and joy to be discovered, and that we should embrace it rather than allowing ourselves to become stuck in a cycle of indignation and negativity.
Line by Line Meaning
WOULD YOU COME AND LOOK AROUND
Will you join me and observe our surroundings?
SEE THE MOTION AND CIRCLE ROUND
Notice the movement and flow around us
FEEL IT WHIRL THROUGH THE FIELDS
Experience the energy and vitality of the natural world
ALL THE YEARS WE WANDERED ABOUT
Reflecting on our past travels
AND LET OUR YOUTH STRIP US OUT
Realizing how we allowed our youth and innocence to be lost
NOW LOCK UP THE DOOR TO INDIGNATION
Let go of any resentment or bitterness we may hold
AS ALL APPEARS TO RECOVER
Noticing that things seem to be getting better
(WOULD YOU COME-LOOK AROUND-SEE THE MOTION-CIRCLE ROUND)
Inviting once again to witness the beauty around us
(ALL THE YEARS WE WANDERED ABOUT-LET OUR YOUTH-STRIP US OUT-COME WITH ME)
Calling to come together and move forward despite the past
HERE WE ARE IN WONDER LEFT WITH ALL LEFT TO DISCOVER
Acknowledging our amazement and curiosity for what lies ahead
WILL YOU STAY WATCH BY ME
Asking for companionship on this journey
(ALL APPEARS TO RECOVER)
Repeating the earlier observation of the improving situation
(COME WITH ME-BREAK OUT)
urging for others to follow and break free from any inhibitions
(SEE THE MOTION-CIRCLE ROUND-COME WITH ME-BREAK OUT)
Repeating the call to action, encouraging to embrace the beauty of life and all it has to offer
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PIETER NOOTEN, RONNY MOORINGS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@specialresourcecenterdhhan40
I REALLY wish this album was on Spotify.
@dizziemisslizzie9884
Absolutely delightful song from beginning to end....thanks for the reminder
Always loved this band
@stephenlopiano1599
One of my favorite Xymox recordings, along with the track that follows this one on the CD/Cassette entitled "Written in the Stars", they blend together well.
@TheYlekiot9
It would be hard for me to pick a fav on this album. I think my mind melded with these back in the 90's
@Schrammak
Ha! Saw them live at Club Heaven in Washington DC in the 90s. Fantastic night.
@rolandpalatino5934
Wow ! Great music and so uderrated !
Psychedelic and full of sensations.
Remembers me a lot of souvenirs ...
@777pusher
Takes me back to great days, uninhibited, somewhat reckless, but never out of control!!
@tommymarko7207
Excelente. Hipnótico de principio a fin. Buenazo!!!
@tommymarko7207
...primera vez que escucho este track, me gusta!!!
@tech23music
Haunting, beautiful, lovely, lost... like the one it reminds me of. Early 90s electro-bliss.