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.
Gala Gnome
Amon Düül II Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
"Ramma Damma," said the man in München-Stadt
'Spite the Dresden domicide
I'll use the Marshall Plan and all our bimbos groove
Volkswagens left from the millennial Reich
Krupp giggles, morbid mascara
Mercedes idolised by the golden cow
Could be flying to the moon
Maybe the nation will make it soon
Politicians praise the astronautic use
People bear the parliamental force chaos
Space programs borne by the majority
Ariel giggles typhoons through the orbit
Space programs paid by the underdogs
Ariel giggles pregnant hurricanes
The song Gala Gnome by Amon Düül II seems to be a satirical commentary on various contemporary issues in Germany during the time of its release in 1970. The first verse seems to be about the post-World War II reconstruction of Germany, with the singer suggesting that they could be building houses. However, the man in München-Stadt (Munich city) says "Ramma Damma," which could mean something like "bullshit" or "nonsense." The singer then mentions the "Dresden domicide," which could be a reference to the bombing of Dresden in WWII, and suggests that despite this, the Marshall Plan (an American aid initiative to rebuild Europe) and "bimbos" (perhaps referring to women who were seen as objectified or frivolous) will somehow make everything okay.
The second verse seems to be about the space race and the competing interests of politicians and regular people. The singer suggests that they could be flying to the moon, but then mentions politicians praising the "astronautic use" while people deal with chaos from the government ("parliamental force chaos"). The space programs, according to the singer, are borne by the majority but paid for by the underdogs. Meanwhile, Ariel giggles (perhaps referring to the spirit of the air, based on mythology) and typhoons and hurricanes ravage the earth.
Overall, the lyrics of Gala Gnome seem to be making a statement about the state of Germany as a nation, both in terms of its post-war rebuilding and its pursuit of technological progress. The satirical tone suggests a level of skepticism or disillusionment with the way things are going.
Line by Line Meaning
Could be building houses up
Possibly constructing dwellings upwards
"Ramma Damma," said the man in München-Stadt
The individual in München-Stadt uttered the exclamation "Ramma Damma"
'Spite the Dresden domicide
Despite the mass murder in Dresden
I'll use the Marshall Plan and all our bimbos groove
I will utilize the Marshall Plan and all our attractive females will dance
Volkswagens left from the millennial Reich
Volkswagens departed from the thousand-year Reich
Krupp giggles, morbid mascara
Krupp laughs, with dark makeup around their eyes
Mercedes idolised by the golden cow
Mercedes is revered by the wealthy elite
Kant giggles, was it or to be
Kant chuckles, contemplating existence and purpose
Could be flying to the moon
Perhaps traveling to the moon via flying
Maybe the nation will make it soon
Possibly the country will achieve this feat in the near future
Politicians praise the astronautic use
Government officials commend the utilization of space flight
People bear the parliamental force chaos
Individuals endure the turmoil caused by political power
Space programs borne by the majority
Space initiatives are supported by the masses
Ariel giggles typhoons through the orbit
Ariel laughs as typhoons travel through the orbit of the Earth
Space programs paid by the underdogs
Space endeavors are financed by those with less power
Ariel giggles pregnant hurricanes
Ariel laughs as hurricanes, heavy with rain, take form
Contributed by Noah A. 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?