Van Helden was born in Boston on February 17, 1970 to a Dutch-Indonesian father and a French-Lebanese mother, but travelled around the world as a child spending time in the Netherlands, Turkey and Italy, as his father was a member of the US Air Force. At the age of thirteen, he bought a drum machine and started DJing two years later.
He returned to Boston in 1988 but also moonlighted as a DJ in Boston clubs. He attended Boston University. He quit his legal review job in 1989 to work as a remixer/producer for Mega-Mixx Productions DJ Remix Service (co-founded by his long time manager, Neil Petricone) where he reworked and re-edited a number of club records for the DJ-only service, including Shawn Christopher's "Another Sleepless Night." He also took up an occupancy at 'The Loft', Boston's leading nightclub.
Mega-Mixx's success was short lived. Mismanagement brought the company to a halt in early 1991. Later that year, he and Petricone, along with founding A&R coordinator, Tony Zeoli, launched X-Mix Productions, a similar DJ Remix service, which still exists today (http://www.xmix.com). Catching the attention of legendary Strictly Rhythm and Nervous Records A&R guru, Glady Pizarro, in 1992 Van Helden released his first official single "Stay On My Mind" under the psuedonym Deep Creed, through Nervous Records.
He released "Move It To the Left" (credited to Sultans of Swing) in 1992 on the Strictly Rhythm label, which became a moderate club hit. His first track to make the Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart was "Witch Doktor" which made the top 5 in 1994.
The success of "Witch Doktor" led to opportunities to remix acts such as The Real McCoy ("Another Night", New Order ("Bizarre Love Triangle"), Blondie ("Atomic), Capella ("U Got To Know"), Lightning Seeds ("Jackie Lucky"), Deep Forest ("Marta's Song"), Jimmy Somerville ("Heartbeat"), Deee-Lite ("Dewdrops In The Garden") and Faithless ("Insomnia"). However, it was the "Professional Widow" remix that established him and became a dance hit around the world as well as a number one hit in the UK. Unfortunately, Van Helden did not receive a penny for this mix as he presented it uncommissioned, and thus was not entitled to compensation. However, it led to work remixing The Rolling Stones, Janet Jackson, Britney Spears and Puff Daddy as well as Daft Punk and the Sneaker Pimps, and adding to his reputation as one of the world's top house musicians.
Within dance music circles, Van Helden is widely credited for the introduction of the U.K. bred Speed Garage sound to the U.S. club scene with incredible set of remixes. The sound, identifiable by its deep bass subtones, long melodic breaks, and devestatingly hard hitting beats are exemplified in the following remixes beginning in 1995 with Jimmy Somerville "Heartbeat"; CJ Bolland's "Sugar Is Sweeter"; Faithless "Insomnia"; Tori Amos "Professional Widow"; Apollo 440 "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Dub"; and Sneaker Pimps "Spin, Spin, Sugar."
"Cha Cha" was another top ten dance hit from his first album Old School Junkies released in 1996, along with "The Funk Phenomena". A greatest hits album appeared the next year followed by a breakbeat album later in 1997. "U Don't Know Me," a collaboration with vocalist Duane Harden from the album, "2 Futur 4 U," was a number two hit on the Billboard dance chart, a Number one in the UK and a top 20 single on the pop charts in Australia and Canada.
In 1000 UK #1 Hits by Jon Kutner and Spencer Leigh, Armand Van Helden explained, "You Don't Know Me was a perfect example of putting 2 simple things together, the beats from Jaydee's Plastic Dreams and a disco loop from Carrie Lucas."
Van Helden released the Killing Puritans album in 2000 which contained the dance hit "Koochy". His single "Why Can't You Spend Some Time" made the number 34 in the UK in 2001. His New York: A Mix Odyssey album released in 2004 produced two hits:
* "Hear my Name" reached number 7 on the Billboard dance chart, was top 30 on world and internet charts, made number 34 in the UK, and reached the top 40 in Australia; and
* "My My My" reached number 4 on the world internet charts, number 5 in the Belgian and Dutch charts, number 6 in Australia, number 15 in the UK and top 30 in the world dance charts.
In 2010 Van Helden teamed with A-Trak to form the duo Duck Sauce. They had an international smash hit with "Barbra Streisand," which used an ingenious sample from Boney M.
Bonkers
Armand van Helden Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everythin' in my life ain't what it seems
I wake up just to go back to sleep
I act real shallow but I'm in too deep
And all I care about is sex and violence
A heavy bass line is my kind of silence
Everybody says that I gotta get a grip
Some people think I'm bonkers
But I just think I'm free
Man, I'm just livin' my life
There's nothin' crazy about me
Some people pay for thrills
But I get mine for free
Man, I'm just livin' my life
There's nothin' crazy about me
Bonkers
I wake up everyday it's a daydream
Everythin' in my life ain't what it seems
I wake up just to go back to sleep
I act real shallow but I'm in too deep
And all I care about is sex and violence
A heavy bass line is my kind of silence
Everybody says that I got to get a grip
But I let sanity give me the slip
Bonkers
Some people think I'm bonkers
But I just think I'm free
Man, I'm just livin' my life
There's nothin' crazy about me
Some people pay for thrills
But I get mine for free
Man, I'm just livin' my life
There's nothin' crazy about me
Mmm, yeah, I'm back in the floor now
I wake up everyday it's a daydream
Everythin' in my life ain't what it seems
I wake up just to go back to sleep
I act real shallow but I'm in too deep
And all I care about is sex and violence
A heavy bass line is my kind of silence
Everybody says that I got to get a grip
But I let sanity give me the slip
Bon, bon, bon, bon, bon, bon, bon, bon
Some people think I'm bonkers
But I just think I'm free
Man, I'm just livin' my life
There's nothin' crazy about me
Some people pay for thrills
But I get mine for free
Man, I'm just livin' my life
There's nothin' crazy about me
Bonkers
I wake up everyday it's a daydream
Everythin' in my life ain't what it seems
I wake up just to go back to sleep
I act real shallow but I'm in too deep
And all I care about is sex and violence
A heavy bass line is my kind of silence
Everybody says that I got to get a grip
But I let sanity give me the slip
Bonkers
Some people think I'm bonkers
But I just think I'm free
Man, I'm just livin' my life
There's nothin' crazy about me
Some people pay for thrills
But I get mine for free
Man, I'm just livin' my life
There's nothin' crazy about me
Mmm, yeah, I'm back in the floor now
Mmm, yeah, I'm back in the floor now
Mmm, yeah, I'm back in the floor now
Mmm, yeah, I'm back in the floor now
The lyrics to "Bonkers" by Armand Van Helden feat. Dizzee Rascal describe the feeling of living life on one’s own terms, regardless of what society thinks. The repetition of the opening lines “I wake up everyday it’s a daydream / Everything in my life ain’t what it seems” suggests a sense of disorientation and disconnection from reality. The singer also admits to being shallow, but deep down actually being invested in their own way of living.
The lyrics also mention the singer's fascination with sex and violence, which gives them a sense of release and freedom. Additionally, the heavy bass line that is mentioned multiple times throughout the song is representative of the chaos that can be found in life. Despite people urging the singer to “get a grip” or regain their sanity, they choose to continue living in their "bonkers" way as they believe it suits them best.
In summary, "Bonkers" is a rebellious anthem, urging listeners to embrace their wild side and live life on their own terms, regardless of what others may say.
Line by Line Meaning
I wake up everyday it's a daydream
Everyday life seems surreal to me
Everythin' in my life ain't what it seems
Things in my life aren't always what I expect them to be
I wake up just to go back to sleep
My days don't feel productive, so I retreat back to sleep
I act real shallow but I'm in too deep
I put on a front but I'm actually struggling with deeper issues
And all I care about is sex and violence
My mind is consumed by lust and aggression
A heavy bass line is my kind of silence
I find comfort in loud and intense music
Everybody says that I gotta get a grip
People are concerned about my erratic behavior
But I let sanity give me the slip
I'm not interested in conforming to society's standards of normal behavior
Some people think I'm bonkers
Some people view me as crazy or unstable
But I just think I'm free
I see myself as liberated from societal norms and expectations
Man, I'm just livin' my life
I'm simply living my life in the way that feels right to me
There's nothin' crazy about me
I don't see myself as being any crazier than the average person
Some people pay for thrills
Some people spend money to experience excitement
But I get mine for free
I find my own ways to experience thrills without spending money
Mmm, yeah, I'm back on the floor now
I'm back to enjoying the music and dancing
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Armand Van Helden, Dylan Mills, James Reeves, Tyler Fagan, Tyler Harris, Tyronne Fagan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Burek sa Mesom
BONKERS SONGTEXT
I wake up everyday its a daydream
Everything in my life aint what it seems
I wake up just to go back to sleep
I act real shallow but Im in too deep
And all I care about is sex and violence
A heavy bass line is my kind of silence
Everybody says I got to get a grip
But I let sanity give me the slip
Some people think Im bonkers
But I just think Im free
Man Im just living my life
There's nothing crazy about me
Some people pay for thrills
But I get mine for free
Man Im just living my life
There's nothing crazy about me
Bonkers
I wake up everyday its a daydream
Everything in my life aint what it seems
I wake up just to go back to sleep
I act real shallow but Im in too deep
And all I care about is sex and violence
A heavy bass line is my kind of silence
Everybody says I got to get a grip
But I let sanity give me the slip
Some people think Im bonkers
But I just think Im free
Man Im just living my life
There's nothing crazy about me
Some people pay for thrills
But I get mine for free
Man Im just living my life
There's nothing crazy about me
Mmmmmmmm
I wake up everyday its a daydream
Everything in my life isnt what it seems
I wake up just to go back to sleep
I act real shallow but Im in too deep
And all I care about is sex and violence
A heavy bass line is my kind of silence
Everybody says I got to get a grip
But I let sanity give me the slip
Bon, bon, bon, bon, bon, bon, bon, bon
Some people think Im bonkers
But I just think Im free
Man Im just living my life
There's nothing crazy about me
Some people pay for thrills
But I get mine for free
Man Im just living my life
There's nothing crazy about me
Bonkers
I wake up everyday its a daydream
Everything in my life aint what it seems
I wake up just to go back to sleep
I act real shallow but Im in too deep
And all I care about is sex and violence
A heavy bass line is my kind of silence
Everybody says I got to get a grip
But I let sanity give me the slip
Bonkers
Some people think Im bonkers
But I just think Im free
Man Im just living my life
There's nothing crazy about me
Some people pay for thrills
But I get mine for free
Man Im just living my life
There's nothing crazy about m
Emre Can
BONKERS- LYCRİS
I wake up everyday it's a daydream
Everythin' in my life ain't what it seems
I wake up just to go back to sleep
I act real shallow but I'm in too deep
And all I care about is sex and violence
A heavy bass line is my kind of silence
Everybody says that I gotta get a grip
But I let sanity give me the slip
Some people think I'm bonkers
But I just think I'm free
Man, I'm just livin' my life
There's nothin' crazy about me
Some people pay for thrills
But I get mine for free
Man, I'm just livin' my life
There's nothin' crazy about me
Bonkers
I wake up everyday it's a daydream
Everythin' in my life ain't what it seems
I wake up just to go back to sleep
I act real shallow but I'm in too deep
And all I care about is sex and violence
A heavy bass line is my kind of silence
Everybody says that I got to get a grip
But I let sanity give me the slip
Read more: Dizzee Rascal - Bonkers Lyrics | MetroLyrics
Chrizzle
This song is crazy live. Everyone is bouncing in sync, so dope.
Dermacrosis
Was the pun intended? ;)
I wish I could have been there, bouncing is about all I can do properly. You really do not want to see me dancing.
Cammy Little
I have been there live ITS BONKERS!
Larry Wyse
"Bonkers" has been Dizzee Rascal's most successful single worldwide. It became his second UK #1 hit and peaked at #3 in Ireland, becoming his highest charting Irish single. It even made the Australian charts, peaking at #13.
xsweight
📻📻📻
classmetazz
Even for a metal/jazz/fusion-guitarplayin' musician like me, this technobeat is extremely hard to resist, I can't stop moving and wanna rap along from the top of my lungs! Aaaaaaaaaawesomeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!
J.A.G
This is one of my favourite Tunes EVER!!
BIG BIG Thank You to all involved!!
For so many years of pure Joy Listening & Dancing to this Epic Tune!!
🙏👏👊
🎶💃🕺🎶
❤️&✌️
AnanAS Kowalski
Gdy się tego pierwszy raz posłuchało o mało łba nie urwało! NAJLEPSZY BIT JAKI W ŻYCIU SŁYSZAŁEM...
Marcos Villain
Essa musica é muito foda, escuta direto quando era mais novo
kingrich742
I love how Armand hits back with a killer tune every year!