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.
Eye Shaking King
Amon Düül II Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Life runs full circle getting older
It happens to me, it happens to you
I do believe you still around me
You′re still around me all the time
I have no doubt one day in Heaven
I will see you again, i'll see you again, see you again
Break the beard and drink the wine, in my heart you′ll live forever
While we're here we shouldn't waste a day in life to say i love you
It′s now that i just wish so much to see you
Eye to eye
Eye to eye
When you came home the war was over
So many years before my time
I was so proud the day you told me
You haven′t hurt anyone, no one
Break the beard and drink the wine, in my heart you'll live forever
The to go is never right when we say goodbye
While we′re here we shouldn't waste a day in life to say i love you
It′s now that i just wish so much to see you
Eye to eye
Eye to eye
Eye to eye
Eye to eye
Break the beard and drink the wine, in my heart you'll live forever
The to go is never right when we say goodbye
While we′re here we shouldn't waste a day in life to say i love you
It's now that i just wish so much to see you
Eye to eye
Eye to eye
Eye to eye
Eye to eye
Eye to eye
Eye to eye
Eye to eye
Eye to eye
As another day begins
Life runs full Circle getting older
The lyrics to Amon Düül II's song "Eye Shaking King" convey a profound sense of longing and nostalgia for a loved one who is no longer present. The song speaks to the universal experience of growing older and the realization that time is fleeting.
The opening lines, "As another day begins, life runs full circle getting older," set the tone for introspection and reflection on the passing of time. The singer acknowledges that the process of aging happens to everyone, including both the singer and the person they are addressing. Despite the physical absence of this person, the singer believes that they are still present in some way, emphasizing the spiritual connection and the lasting impact they have had.
The chorus, "Break the beard and drink the wine, in my heart you'll live forever," suggests a symbolic act of breaking free from societal norms and expectations to truly cherish the memories and love shared. It conveys the idea that the essence of the loved one remains alive and timeless within the singer's heart. The lyrics also emphasize the importance of expressing love and appreciation while we are still alive, with the line "While we're here we shouldn't waste a day in life to say I love you." It serves as a reminder to seize the present moment and not take the people we care about for granted.
The repeated phrase "eye to eye" further emphasizes the desire for a personal, face-to-face connection with the absent loved one. It expresses the longing to once again see and truly understand each other, to have a meaningful exchange beyond words.
Overall, "Eye Shaking King" is a poignant reflection on the passage of time, the significance of love and connection, and the longing for a reunion with someone who has had a profound impact on the singer's life.
Line by Line Meaning
As another day begins
Just like every day starts anew
Life runs full circle getting older
Time passes and we continue to age
It happens to me, it happens to you
The process of aging is a universal experience
I do believe you still around me
I have faith that your presence lingers near me
You're still around me all the time
Your essence remains with me constantly
I have no doubt one day in Heaven
I am certain that one day in the afterlife
I will see you again, I'll see you again, see you again
I will have the opportunity to reunite with you
Break the beard and drink the wine, in my heart you'll live forever
Let go of grief and celebrate your memory, for you shall remain eternally in my heart
The to go is never right when we say goodbye
Parting ways is never easy or timely
While we're here we shouldn't waste a day in life to say I love you
While we are still alive, let us not miss any opportunity to express our love and affection
It's now that I just wish so much to see you
At this moment, I yearn deeply to behold your presence
Eye to eye
Face to face, in direct communion
When you came home the war was over
Upon your return, the conflict had ceased
So many years before my time
Many years had passed prior to my own existence
I was so proud the day you told me
I felt immense pride when you shared with me
You haven't hurt anyone, no one
You have not caused harm to anyone
Break the beard and drink the wine, in my heart you'll live forever
Let go of sorrow and raise a toast to your everlasting memory in my heart
The to go is never right when we say goodbye
Parting ways is always difficult and never ideal
While we're here we shouldn't waste a day in life to say I love you
While we are still alive, let us not miss any opportunity to express our love and affection
It's now that I just wish so much to see you
At this moment, I yearn deeply to behold your presence
Eye to eye
Face to face, in direct communion
Eye to eye
Face to face, in direct communion
Eye to eye
Face to face, in direct communion
Eye to eye
Face to face, in direct communion
Break the beard and drink the wine, in my heart you'll live forever
Let go of grief and celebrate your memory, for you shall remain eternally in my heart
The to go is never right when we say goodbye
Parting ways is never easy or timely
While we're here we shouldn't waste a day in life to say I love you
While we are still alive, let us not miss any opportunity to express our love and affection
It's now that I just wish so much to see you
At this moment, I yearn deeply to behold your presence
Eye to eye
Face to face, in direct communion
Eye to eye
Face to face, in direct communion
Eye to eye
Face to face, in direct communion
Eye to eye
Face to face, in direct communion
Eye to eye
Face to face, in direct communion
Eye to eye
Face to face, in direct communion
Eye to eye
Face to face, in direct communion
Eye to eye
Face to face, in direct communion
Writer(s): Christoph Karrer, Falk Ulrich Rogner
Contributed by Lillian R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Martin Hertsius
OMG, the drumming is absolutely incredible.
Syd bysyd
Brilliant!!!!!! Talented, and so imaginative. Love those pitch-shaking vocals too. Amon Duul II were one of the very best of the whole German 70's scene.
Astrid Olearczyk
Yes!!
Pronob Ashwin
These guys could very well be a band in 2020 and still sound fresh. 1970....OMG WTF!!!!
8MilesHigh
For a brief moment in history rock was something more than music...
Tore Høy
Brief
8MilesHigh
@Tore Høy Thank you!
Astrid Olearczyk
... yes!👍🏼
jsm216
Music like this endures and plenty of boundary-pushing, incredible music is still made today. You just have to know where to look.
Stan Menshic
OMG this is totally brilliant & wish there was so much more early A. D. 2 available like this, Wunderbar ;-)