The band emerged in 1968 out of the scene of hippies and squatters in Munich, Germany, but their strong interest in music led them to go their own way. They took their name from the old Egyptian name Amon, being an Egyptian sun god, and Düül, a character from Turkish fiction. Their personnel changed constantly, but maybe the most permanent members were Renate Knaup (vocals), Chris Karrer (guitar, violin), John Weinzierl (guitar), Peter Leopold (drums), Falk Rogner (organ, synthesizer). After several successful albums with a style that reached from long improvisation to more structured rock songs they split. Later they tried several resurrections but none of them brought back the old days of glory.
Amon Düül was initially an anarchist commune, but it split into two factions, Amon Düül (sometimes called Amon Düül I for disambiguation) and Amon Düül II. ADI was more politically inclined, but ADII preferred making music. Their anarchist tendencies are clearly seen in their music, especially on the albums Yeti, Tanz Der Lemminge, and Wolf City.
The band can be seen as having two distinct periods in their glory days, the improvisational period and the compositional period. The improvisational period consisted of albums such as Phallus Dei and Yeti, and, to a lesser extent, Tanz Der Lemminge. These albums all featured long, improvisational tracks (Phallus Dei was entirely improvised, and disc two of Yeti was as well, but Tanz Der Lemminge only featured one improvisation). Their compositional period starts with Carnival in Babylon and is highlighted by Wolf City. In this period, the band moved to more structured composed pieces. Many fans saw this as a poor move, but some believed that Amon Duul II proved that they were just as good at composing as they were at improvising.
Amon Düül II's drummer Peter Leopold died on 8 November 2006.
Bass player Lothar Meid died on 3 November 2015.
Blue Grotto
Amon Düül II Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ludwig, du bist so wunderbar
Ach Ludwig, du machst mich wahnsinnig)
Ludwig
Where did you lose your smile
Your blue eyes
Are dark from sadness
Is pale from madness
Ludwig
Your knee fascinates me
Sensitive Dandy
Knight of the moonlight
Your kiss-proof make-up
Is melting at midnight
Prince of desire
Hypnotized by candlelight
You are so
Impertinent unreal
Curly King
Ecstasy is your possession
And not daily policy
Crawl 'round the Blue Grotto
Arm in arm with brother Otto
Swan-stoned Ludwig
You missed your flight to Disneyland
Where all your fantasies
Came to a plastic end
Swan-stoned Ludwig
You failed to find your princess
Playing with castles and coaches
Ends in distress
Your
Perfumed panther is watching the pleasure-ground
Dreamer of a self-made Atlantis
It was denied, to you to slay
Young Siegfried's mighty dragon
To join King Arthur's conference-table
Go down and meet, Ophelia
On her swimming bed of roses
She's the one to hold your hands
Sailing away, sailing away, sailing away
On velvet gloves and silky legends
To the Empire-Skyscraper-castle
You Royal-fairy-tale-rebel
The song "Blue Grotto" by Amon Düül II begins with a chorus singing "Ludwig, Ludwig, Ludwig, du bist so wunderbar, Ach Ludwig, du machst mich wahnsinnig" in German, which translates to "Ludwig, Ludwig, Ludwig, you are so wonderful, oh Ludwig, you make me crazy." The verses then proceed to address Ludwig directly, asking where he's lost his smile and noting that his once-blue eyes have darkened with sadness. The singer describes Ludwig as a sensitive dandy and a prince of desire, possessed by ecstasy and hypnotized by candlelight. The chorus then returns again, repeating the phrase "Ludwig, Ludwig" several more times.
The lyrics continue with references to fairy tales and legends, calling Ludwig a "curly king" and a "swan-stoned" dreamer who missed his flight to Disneyland and failed to find his princess. The singer urges Ludwig to "go down and meet Ophelia on her swimming bed of roses," referencing the character from Shakespeare's Hamlet who drowns herself. The chorus repeats again before the song concludes with the lines "Sailing away, sailing away, sailing away on velvet gloves and silky legends, to the Empire-Skyscraper-castle, you Royal-fairy-tale-rebel."
The meaning of the song is somewhat elusive, as the lyrics are filled with surreal imagery and references that seem to defy interpretation. However, it can be interpreted as a portrait of a sensitive and imaginative person who struggles with feelings of isolation and discontent, seeking escape in dreams and fantasies. The repeated chorus of "Ludwig, Ludwig" creates a sense of obsession or infatuation, perhaps suggesting that the singer is drawn to Ludwig's charisma or mystique.
Line by Line Meaning
Ludwig
Addressing someone named Ludwig
Where did you lose your smile
Asking Ludwig where he lost his happiness
Your blue eyes
Referring to Ludwig's eyes
Are dark from sadness
Implying Ludwig is sad or upset
Your baby-face
Referring to Ludwig's youthful appearance
Is pale from madness
Suggesting that Ludwig is crazy or insane
Ludwig
Addressing Ludwig again
Your knee fascinates me
Expressing fascination with Ludwig's knee
Sensitive Dandy
Describing Ludwig as a sensitive and fashionable man
Knight of the moonlight
Comparing Ludwig to a chivalrous knight
Your kiss-proof make-up
Referring to Ludwig's lipstick as kiss-proof
Is melting at midnight
Suggesting that Ludwig's make-up is smudging
Prince of desire
Describing Ludwig as someone who desires attention
Hypnotized by candlelight
Suggesting that Ludwig is entranced by candlelight
You are so
Referring to Ludwig again
Impertinent unreal
Suggesting that Ludwig is unrealistic and bold
Curly King
Describing Ludwig as a king with curly hair
Ecstasy is your possession
Implying that Ludwig is constantly seeking joy
And not daily policy
Suggesting that Ludwig is not practical in his desires
Crawl 'round the Blue Grotto
Encouraging Ludwig to explore the Blue Grotto
Arm in arm with brother Otto
Suggesting that Ludwig should explore with someone named Otto
Swan-stoned Ludwig
Referring to Ludwig as a swan-like figure who is high on drugs
You missed your flight to Disneyland
Suggesting that Ludwig missed an opportunity to be happy like in Disneyland
Where all your fantasies
Referring to Ludwig's dreams and hopes
Came to a plastic end
Suggesting that Ludwig's dreams were false or unrealistic
Swan-stoned Ludwig
Referring to Ludwig again
You failed to find your princess
Suggesting that Ludwig has not found someone special
Playing with castles and coaches
Referring to Ludwig's fantasies of grandeur
Ends in distress
Suggesting that Ludwig's desires lead to disappointment
Your
Referring to Ludwig's possessions or qualities
Perfumed panther is watching the pleasure-ground
Describing a watchful panther who is guarding Ludwig's territory
Dreamer of a self-made Atlantis
Suggesting that Ludwig desires to create a grand world for himself
It was denied, to you to slay
Suggesting that Ludwig was denied an opportunity to succeed in his goals
Young Siegfried's mighty dragon
Referring to an opportunity to achieve something great
To join King Arthur's conference-table
Implying that Ludwig wants to be a part of something grand
Go down and meet, Ophelia
Encouraging Ludwig to meet someone named Ophelia
On her swimming bed of roses
Describing Ophelia's relaxing environment
She's the one to hold your hands
Implying that Ophelia is Ludwig's potential match
Sailing away, sailing away, sailing away
Describing a journey away from a current situation
On velvet gloves and silky legends
Describing a glamorous journey
To the Empire-Skyscraper-castle
Describing a grand destination
You Royal-fairy-tale-rebel
Addressing Ludwig as a rebellious figure who desires grandeur
Contributed by Adam V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
David Metcalfe
on She Came Through the Chimney
Maybe it's "indigo sea" and not Indian sea on Sleepwalkers Timeless Bridge?