I've spent a lifetime in a bad mental place. Only within the past two years have I finally been able and desirous of healing. For over a decade people would ask me, "don't you have any 'happy' songs to listen to?" The answer was always, "no, I'm not sure what I would I would listen to that resonates with me, that I would listen to repeatedly that I'd call 'happy' music. Well, now, VNV Nation has given me my 1st 'happy' music. Thank for that..

A stranger in the crowd Treading fire after dark Lost in a city Pulsing to a sound Of the spirit and soul A city that is breathing Living through the cables Alive across the wires Faces without names Playing devils and angels Lit up by the strobes Moving hypnotised I caught your reflection In the neon on glass An electric silhouette Against a static sky It's a beautiful dream It's a beautiful life It's just a reflection A world that must survive We're children of the past Who look beyond today Designing the present So when is the future We live in a dream Keeping visions alive It's just a reflection A world that never dies An image we create In our image we design It's a beautiful life So when is the future Time moves so fast In a single direction Fighting with a present Racing from the past We're searching for something That can never satisfy The reality of answers When lives are on the line I've waited a lifetime For the age of wonder A place that I remember In a splinter of time A stranger in a strange land Caught in the flow Still searching for answers Among the neon lights It's a beautiful dream It's a beautiful life It's just a reflection A world that must survive We're children of the past Who look beyond today Designing the present So when is the future We live in a dream Keeping visions alive It's just a reflection A world that never dies An image we create In our image we design It's a beautiful life So when is the future It's a beautiful dream It's a beautiful life It's just a reflection A world that must survive We're children of the past Who look beyond today Designing the present So when is the future We live in a dream Keeping visions alive It's just a reflection A world that never dies An image we create In our image we design It's a beautiful life So when is the future

I'm a 55 year old man who has just discovered this duo and need to get up to speed quickly.. wow I'm blown away.

Hearing this song was like hearing Enjoy the Silence for the first time.

Letra Stranger in a crowd Treading fire after dark Lost in a city Pulsing to the sound Of the spirit and soul A city that is breathing Living through the cables Alive across the wires Faces without names Playing devils and angels Lit up by the strobes Moving hypnotized I caught your reflection In the neon on glass An electric silhouette Against the static sky It's a beautiful dream It's a beautiful life It's just a reflection A world I must survive We're children of the past Who look beyond today Designing the present So when is the future We live in a dream Keeping visions alive It's just a reflection A world that never dies The image we create Now image we designed It's a beautiful life So when is the future Time moves so fast In a single direction Fighting with the present Racing from the past We're searching for something That can never satisfy The reality of answers When lives are on the line I've waited a lifetime For the age of wonder A place that I remember In a splinter of time A stranger in a strange land Caught in the flow Still searching for answers Among the neon lights It's a beautiful dream It's a beautiful life It's just a reflection A world we must survive We're children of the past Who look beyond today Designing the present So when is the future We live in a dream Keeping visions alive It's just a reflection A world that never dies The image we create Now image we designed It's a beautiful life So when is the future It's a beautiful dream It's a beautiful life It's just a reflection A world that must survive We're children of the past Who look beyond today Designing the present So when is the future We live in a dream Keeping visions alive It's just a reflection A world that never dies The image we create Now image we designed It's a beautiful life So when is the future

VNV Nation is like a fine wine, gets even better with age.

Been listening to VNV for years. Highly, highly underrated. This guy is genius.

🎵🎶🎶🎵 Stranger in a crowd Treading fire after dark Lost in a city Pulsing to the sound Of the spirit and soul 🎵🎶🎶🎵 A city that is breathing Living through the cables Alive across the wires Faces without names Playing devils and angels Lit up by the strobes Moving hypnotized I caught your reflection In the neon on glass An electric silhouette Against the static sky 🎵🎶🎶🎵 It's a beautiful dream It's a beautiful life It's just a reflection A world I must survive We're children of the past Who look beyond today Designing the present So when is the future 🎵🎶🎶🎵 We live in a dream Keeping visions alive It's just a reflection A world that never dies The image we create Now image we designed It's a beautiful life So when is the future 🎵🎶🎶🎵 Time moves so fast In a single direction Fighting with the present Racing from the past 🎵🎶🎶🎵 We're searching for something That can never satisfy The reality of answers When lives are on the line I've waited a lifetime For the age of wonder A place that I remember In a splinter of time A stranger in a strange land Caught in the flow Still searching for answers Among the neon lights 🎵🎶🎶🎵 It's a beautiful dream It's a beautiful life It's just a reflection A world we must survive We're children of the past Who look beyond today Designing the present So when is the future 🎵🎶🎶🎵 We live in a dream Keeping visions alive It's just a reflection A world that never dies The image we create Now image we designed It's a beautiful life So when is the future 🎵🎶🎶🎵 It's a beautiful dream It's a beautiful life It's just a reflection A world that must survive We're children of the past Who look beyond today Designing the present So when is the future 🎵🎶🎶🎵 We live in a dream Keeping visions alive It's just a reflection A world that never dies The image we create Now image we designed It's a beautiful life So when is the future 🎵🎶🎶🎵

Great song. Very catchy rhythm. Interesting lyrics. Ridiculously underrated artist. I regret only having discovered this artist with his song "Illusion" being used in the game Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice. A game that was so emotionally charged I was reduced to tears upon hearing the song. On a side note, anyone else notice how clean the streets are in Japan?

Not sure why this became so popular all of a sudden, but VNV nation deserves it.

Congrats to VNV Nation for the 5.1 million views, this is not a mainstream band and the numbers reflect that underground music is still alive in 2020

I can't listen to this song without getting teary-eyed. Thank you VNV Nation for creating such a beautiful song. 🌝

On Friday I discovered this song. Today? I can't stop listening to it and recommending it to everyone

The timing of these lyrics is so perfect.

That one rare time VNV nation does a video and it blows up to 5,1mill views. does my heart good to finally see in some form of another the message theyve been preaching for years for the good of the people gets to a broader audience

This song was suggested to me by UKposts a few weeks ago and I fell in love with it immediately, it has become the most played track on my Spotify. I just can't get enough of it.

I can't listen to this song enough. Brilliant. It's motivating pass the point of delereum. I walk to it. I dance to it. I chill with it. Soooooo good.

I'm writing this in March 2020, after COVID-19 hit the RESET button on the entire world. The Internet is our age of wonder, and at least we'll have good music in the times to come, no matter what. As a two-decade fan of the band, I just wanted to express my gratitude for all of the inspiration and beautiful memories along the way. ♥

I hadn't checked on VNV Nation in quite a while. Decided to look them up and found this. Good to see nothing has changed. Still doing great stuff.

Thank you so much! As a bald middle aged white man who loves nothing more than to walk around large urban metropolises alone, I know I am not alone! Thank you Ronan and everyone with VNV. I've met you many times over the years and have enjoyed every moment

I can't stop listening to this.

La Letra:

This video should end with the camera operator's hand tapping Ronan on the shoulder: "Excuse me, you dropped this a while back."

First heard VNV Nation on Goth / Industrial compilations from Hot Topic around 1998, great band that needs more recogination

I have insomnia, and can be awake for up to 30h at a time when my brain refuses to shut down. This song on repeat is my comfort

I just found this band and song while I was sick with the flu. It really boosted my spirits in a dark time and inspired me. Thanks, love your work guys!

Lyrics: Stranger in a crowd Treading fire after dark Lost in a city Pulsing to the sound Of the spirit and soul A city that is breathing Living through the cables Alive across the wires Faces without names Playing devils and angels Lit up by the strobes Moving hypnotized I caught your reflection In the neon on glass An electric silhouette Against the static sky It's a beautiful dream It's a beautiful life It's just a reflection A world I must survive We're children of the past Who look beyond today Designing the present So when is the future We live in a dream Keeping visions alive It's just a reflection A world that never dies The image we create Now image we designed It's a beautiful life So when is the future Time moves so fast In a single direction Fighting with the present Racing from the past We're searching for something That can never satisfy The reality of answers When lives are on the line I've waited a lifetime For the age of wonder A place that I remember In a splinter of time A stranger in a strange land Caught in the flow Still searching for answers Among the neon lights It's a beautiful dream It's a beautiful life It's just a reflection A world we must survive We're children of the past Who look beyond today Designing the present So when is the future We live in a dream Keeping visions alive It's just a reflection A world that never dies The image we create Now image we designed It's a beautiful life So when is the future It's a beautiful dream It's a beautiful life It's just a reflection A world that must survive We're children of the past Who look beyond today Designing the present So when is the future We live in a dream Keeping visions alive It's just a reflection A world that never dies The image we create Now image we designed It's a beautiful life So when is the future

I just fangirl screamed out loud at my job. Go ahead coworkers, stare at me. Worth it.

AHHHH FUCK YESSS I LOVE VNV NATION!!!!! Since I was 15 and they changed my life. I'm 31 now. Forever my love, to you.🌹

Just saw my 7th VNV concert here in Texas a couple weeks ago! Been a fan 22 years, dancing to them never gets old 😃

VNV Nation has been my favorite musical group for 19 years. They inspired, motivated, and encouraged me in my youth and helped support me emotionally through some of the tougher parts of adulthood. Absolutely stoked to see them in Chicago again this winter. It will be my third show in Chicago and fifth overall.

At 0:29 a huge smile comes on my face every time. It's like someone has just switched on my heart.

Life has been so awful the last 2 years I had forgotten about VNV nation till today...god's I needed this song right now thank you. ❤

"A city that is breathing, living through the cables, alive across the wires" I honestly think Ronan is one the top 100 song writers of the past century, I'm 100% serious. Lines like this and songs like Illusion, Ghost, Carbon, Endless skies etc.

Legend has it this man is still walking on the streets of Japan, searching for the future.

Listen with headphones and hear the background synthesizer strings singing to you, it is heavenly.

There should be a love button...brilliant lyrics and music

If you listen to all VNV nations albums you realize what an amazing band they are. Every album has a different style or nuance, yet still maintains that distinct VNV nation style. I would love to see a continuation of that Resonance project they had as well.

I cant stop listen to this song!

People from the 50s and 60s thought we would have future stuff. People of the 70s and 80s thought we would have future stuff. People of the 90s and 00s thought we would have future stuff. A lot of dreams and ideas still remain dreams and ideas to this day. The future stuff never came to creation. When is the future?

Lyrics: Verse 1: Stranger in a crowd, trading fire after dark, lost in a city, pulsing to the sound. A spirit and soul, a city that is breathing, living through the cables, life across the wires. Faces without names, playing devils and angels, lit out by the strobes, moving hypnotized. I called your reflection in the neon on glass. An electric silhouette against a static sky Chorus: It's a beautiful dream, it's a beautiful life. It's just a reflection, a world I must survive. We're children of the past, who look beyond today, designing the present. So, when is the future? We live in a dream, keeping visions alive. It's just a reflection, a world that never dies. The image we create, now image we designed. It's a beautiful life. So, when is the future? Verse 2: Time moves so fast in a single direction. Fighting with the present, racing from the past. We're searching for something That can never satisfy. The reality of answers when lives are on the line. I've waited a lifetime for the age of wonder. A place that I remember, in a splinter of time A stranger in a strange land, caught in the flow. Still searching for answers among the neon lights. Chorus: It's a beautiful dream, it's a beautiful life. It's just a reflection, a world I must survive. We're children of the past, who look beyond today, designing the present. So, when is the future? We live in a dream, keeping visions alive. It's just a reflection, a world that never dies. The image we create, now image we designed. It's a beautiful life. So, when is the future? It's a beautiful dream, it's a beautiful life. It's just a reflection, a world I must survive. We're children of the past, who look beyond today, designing the present. So, when is the future? We live in a dream, keeping visions alive. It's just a reflection, a world that never dies. The image we create, now image we designed. It's a beautiful life. So, when is the future?

Actual lyrics: A stranger in the crowd Treading fire after dark Lost in a city Pulsing to the sound Of the spirit and soul A city that is breathing Living through the cables Alive across the wires Faces without names Playing devils and angels Lit up by the strobes Moving hypnotized I caught your reflection In the neon on glass An electric silhouette Against a static sky It's a beautiful dream It's a beautiful life It's just a reflection A world that must survive We're children of the past Who look beyond today Designing the present So when is the future We live in a dream Keeping visions alive It's just a reflection A world that never dies An image we create In our image we design It's a beautiful life So when is the future Time moves so fast In a single direction Fighting with a present Racing from the past We're searching for something That can never satisfy The reality of answers When lives are on the line I've waited a lifetime For the age of wonder A place that I remember In a splinter of time A stranger in a strange land Caught in the flow Still searching for answers Among the neon lights It's a beautiful dream It's a beautiful life It's just a reflection A world that must survive We're children of the past Who look beyond today Designing the present So when is the future We live in a dream Keeping visions alive It's just a reflection A world that never dies An image we create In our image we design It's a beautiful life So when is the future It's a beautiful dream It's a beautiful life It's just a reflection A world that must survive We're children of the past Who look beyond today Designing the present So when is the future We live in a dream Keeping visions alive It's just a reflection A world that never dies An image we create In our image we design It's a beautiful life So when is the future

I ♥️ this song. The song gives me strength is the daily vitamin.

The pondering in this song are so real to the current state of things and not having answers to some of them is really hard.

I have been following VNV Nation since the praise the fallen album and never saw them live. I have a ticket for the Montreal show on this tour.

Goddammit, the way the breakdown blends into the chorus makes me smile every time. You can really tell how much Ronan loves music by how all the notes sound perfect together and how he seems to know exactly how it will sound. Also love how it blends with him singing over it to make it seem like no big deal.

I have walked theses exact same streets couple of weeks before the release of this video. Im a westerner living in a small city and this song described exactly the futuristic vibe tokyo have 🖤

This song gives me hope for tomorrow.

Only artist that has consistently topped their last album. It astounds me how good VNV Nation is, and keeps getting better.

I'm sure this comment will get buried but I live in Tokyo right by where a lot of this is shot in downtown Shinjuku. I've been into you guys since the Napster days. Saw you live in Sheffield about 12 years ago, life changing show and it was shortly before I moved out here. You were the soundtrack to the early days of trying to live out my cyberpunk dream, thanks for the music :)

Just saw y'all live in Santa Cruz, I'd never even heard of you before but I'm hooked! I'm dealing with a lot of pressure from my family right now and a lot of stress stemming from that, but your show was the perfect outlet for me to just lose myself for a few hours and I needed that more than you know. Didn't catch his name, but if anyone in the band is reading this, please let the kind gentleman with the thick septum ring know that the shoe store employee he invited appreciates him 💕 thank y'all for doing what you do

I can never play this just the once. I want it on a continuous loop in my head. I've had no sleep for the past two days & it's past midnight now but this gives me so much energy that all I want to do is go to a club and dance till dawn.

Legend says that this man is still walking till this day!

The Future was yesterday The Future is today The Future is yet to come.

Just found this song and I love it immediately

The Lyrics deserve much respect, it's spiritual, philosophical, and deep as space..., space within.

Everyone who hasn't stopped dreaming in 2020, raise your hands!🙋‍♂️🙋‍♀️

Ronan - should have wrote this comment a long time ago, but thanks for being there for me through your music. Since 2000 and a magical night hearing 'Empires' for the first time with a friend, to having the luck to see you live - your music has long been a part of my life. Thank you. I lack the words to express how much it means to me, but ever onwards through the night!

And there are still people who say electronic music is soulless. Play them this.

Some of the few songs that still make me feel something

*lyrics* Stranger in a crowd Treading fire after dark Lost in a city Pulsing to the sound Of the spirit and soul A city that is breathing Living through the cables Alive across the wires Faces without names Playing devils and angels Lit up by the strobes Moving hypnotized I caught your reflection In the neon on glass An electric silhouette Against a static sky It's a beautiful dream It's a beautiful life It's just a reflection A world I must survive We're children of the past Who look beyond today Designing the present So when is the future We live in a dream Keeping visions alive It's just a reflection A world that never dies The image we create Now image we designed It's a beautiful life So when is the future Time moves so fast In a single direction Fighting with the present Racing from the past We're searching for something That can never satisfy The reality of answers When lives are on the line I've waited a lifetime For the age of wonder A place that I remember In a splinter of time A stranger in a strange land Caught in the flow Still searching for answers Among the neon lights It's a beautiful dream It's a beautiful life It's just a reflection A world we must survive We're children of the past Who look beyond today Designing the present So when is the future We live in a dream Keeping visions alive It's just a reflection A world that never dies The image we create Now image we designed It's a beautiful life So when is the future It's a beautiful dream It's a beautiful life It's just a reflection A world that must survive We're children of the past Who look beyond today Designing the present So when is the future We live in a dream Keeping visions alive It's just a reflection A world that never dies The image we create Now image we designed It's a beautiful life So when is the future

I just disovered this. Awesome song. Give me goose bumps.

I've been listening to VNV Nation since 2005-2006 probably more 2006 while I was on active duty again with the US NAVY . I helped get my younger brothers' highschool buddy fit and in shape for Army basic training as he knew I was in the Navy and had gone to BUD/s. My brother had turned him on to bands like And One and Funker Vogt and he dropped by one day with his hard drive and said "Here, take all my music😂😅❤!" I can dare say what he gave me saved my life and kept me sane cause that deployment was absolutely FUCKED, broke my back for the second time, completely destroyed my right shoulder beyond just shaking off, after ten years of building back to bench pressing 250+ just tossing my jacket in the back seat of my Bronco II would completely fuck it up and I'd have to start iver and build it back. New Year's 2007 I took a nasty high drop onto some hard shit and completely detached my right biceps tendon and opened up a gash on my right knee which was more of a tear than a cut. That was stitched up, stitches washed out in the shower two weeks later and I stitched it shut myself and the stitches just tore through the flesh😮😢. Anyway, I was clearly on medical hold at that point after having a 20,000lb naval patrol craft absolutely destroy my spine with an ugly load injury. Let's talk about cabin fever😢. Going from high speed low drag and ready to tackle SEAL training again to being absolutely broken physically drops life right into the dumps. I found Klub Therapy in San Diego and decided to go check it out. I made a lifelong friend in the Godfather of Goth Industrial music in San Diego in Bryan Pollard who graciously took me into the fold and I spent many nights in his Klub's just hanging out and feeling human again. It pushed me to DJ and do concert promotions when I returned home to SLC and I've been blessed to have brought many great Goth and Industrial and Synthpop bands to Utah since then. I was fortunate enough to take both of my sons and my brother to see VNV Nation live at The Complex last week for my eldest son's birthday and my brothers' early birthday celebration as they're just 6 days apart. Lo amd behold the same Army buddy of my brother and me was there who I hadn't seen in a decade or better who was in town as his Dad had just passed away suddenly and he was out to get away from the family drama. We got to spend the whole concert together and finally catch up after so long. Life is SO INTERESTING, AND THE WORLD IS DEFINITELY A SMALL PLACE!

It's a haunting contrast between beauty of the melodie and harshness of the picture. Gives me shivers.

God I love this song ,pumps me up to go to work, his voice is magical,

Warum hört man sowas gutes nicht im Radio Stattdessen immer nur diese miese Einheitsbrei Das ist geiler Sound 👍👍👍

Let's sing together : ---------------------------------------------- Stranger in a crowd Treading fire after dark Lost in a city Pulsing to the sound Of the spirit and soul A city that is breathing Living through the cables Alive across the wires Faces without names Playing devils and angels Lit up by the strobes Moving hypnotized I caught your reflection In the neon on glass An electric silhouette Against a static sky It's a beautiful dream It's a beautiful life It's just a reflection A world I must survive We're children of the past Who look beyond today Designing the present So when is the future We live in a dream Keeping visions alive It's just a reflection A world that never dies The image we create Now image we designed It's a beautiful life So when is the future Time moves so fast In a single direction Fighting with the present Racing… ------------------------------------------------------------- Cheers from Brazil ! \o/

My tune for the start of 2021... thank you xx

Technology is incredible. I’m driving through Saitama, Japan-visiting this country for their first time in my life. And I’m listening to this song, seeing images of Ronan walking through Tokyo and Kyoto.

LYRICS Stranger in a crowd Treading fire after dark Lost in a city Pulsing to the sound Of the spirit and soul A city that is breathing Living through the cables Alive across the wires Faces without names Playing devils and angels Lit up by the strobes Moving hypnotized I caught your reflection In the neon on glass An electric silhouette Against a static sky It's a beautiful dream It's a beautiful life It's just a reflection A world I must survive We're children of the past Who look beyond today Designing the present So when is the future We live in a dream Keeping visions alive It's just a reflection A world that never dies The image we create Now image we designed It's a beautiful life So when is the future Time moves so fast In a single direction Fighting with the present Racing from the past We're searching for something That can never satisfy The reality of answers When lives are on the line I've waited a lifetime For the age of wonder A place that I remember In a splinter of time A stranger in a strange land Caught in the flow Still searching for answers Among the neon lights It's a beautiful dream It's a beautiful life It's just a reflection A world we must survive We're children of the past Who look beyond today Designing the present So when is the future We live in a dream Keeping visions alive It's just a reflection A world that never dies The image we create Now image we designed It's a beautiful life So when is the future It's a beautiful dream It's a beautiful life It's just a reflection A world that must survive We're children of the past Who look beyond today Designing the present So when is the future We live in a dream Keeping visions alive It's just a reflection A world that never dies The image we create Now image we designed It's a beautiful life So when is the future

The best part of my life is any time I have been in the realm of Ronan's vocals and his hugs, whether it was before his guest DJ set at the Castle in Ybor City, FL or after the show at the old Masquerade location thanks to Nathan (DJAesthetic). I have had a very blessed existence being surrounded by dapper men like him.

I DO NOT GET TIRED OF LISTENING!!!!

I have insomnia and this is one of the songs I listen too when I've been awake for soon long that nothing feels real anymore, I would lie if I said it puts me to sleep, but instead it puts me at ease, like after a few drinks

They say having the music here takes away sales - Are you kidding? I went and bought the whole album based on THIS song.

Every time I watch this video and music it just remind me how beautiful this world can be.

Just discovered this, wow!

Thank you for the great GREAT concert yesterday on M'era Luna Festival! I will never forget that concert!

VNV =VICTORY NOT VENGEANCE!!!!!!!

Listen to it with headphones. Just a tip. That dominating synth bass is something you don't wanna miss on that song. It's brilliant. Headphones, earphones, whatever. If you guys ever love music made with synthesizers and a computer, take your headphones and listen to that shit. I love it ❤

This song is magnificent and I can't believe I just discovered it! Listened at least 20 times in the last few days. A song for our times and quite prophetic. Spreading the word. Please come back and play Toronto when you can!

I just saw them...2018... I can die happy.😎

Ronan- I've had a very rough day due to Crohn's disease and this is exactly what I needed at the right time. Thank you for your incredible music, it helps me get through difficult times. Love and respect, -Jake

He's just walking...but the music makes it so epic.

Beautiful music in an age of uncertainty

I'm so glad I came across vnv nation, I'm blown away by their music and all they represent

Fantastic video of Tokyo's nightly live - brings back memories to my first visit to Japan in 1967. The years after I went to Nagasaki.

Dieser Song bleibt sofort im Kopf, hätte nicht gedacht das es noch so gute Musik gibt, scheiß auf Mainstream Musik aus dem Radio, Eure Lieder toppen alles. Vielen Dank für den mega Sound den ihr kreiert.

This song bumps like no other. Gets me everytime. Peace and love. Cheers to the future!

I love this trac, so does my wife and our neighbors. This track is a masterpiece.

One of the best-edited music videos ever.

Kraftwerk, Depeche Mode, Jean-Michel Jarre in one song! Wow....

Love at first "hear"!

Agent 47 searching for John Wick but got lost and wondering around the streets enjoying the moment.

One of the best bands ever. They did it again with this song. Long time listener use to dance all your songs 10 plus years ago in Detroit Leland city club.

Absolutely magic as always! Vnv never let me down!

Thank you, Ronan, for everything over the years. You capture the struggle of being human in a world that's both visceral and electronic, and the sense of futility, desire for hope, and need for connection that abides, whether it's in a time of apocalypse, of uncertainty, or the everyday. The big secret no one ever tells you is that no matter how much experience you may gain over the years you've lived, you always feel like yourself.

So many of your fans in Japan would have wanted to know that you were in our backyard. These are places we walk. These are places we know. This video is like watching a Disney parade through the eyes of our children. Totally would have taken you out for sushi!

Anyone else here from Anthony Vincent's Real Slim Shady 27 styles video?

One of the BEST Synthpop tracks available.

Masterpiece