Army of Lovers featured
Alexander Bard (1987-2001, 2013), Jean-Pierre Barda (1987-2001, 2013), La Camilla (1987-1991, 1996, 2001, Jan-March 2013), Michaela Dornonville De La Cour (1991-1995),
Dominika Peczynski (1992-1996, 2001, March 2013).
Debut single 'When The Night Is Cold' was released in 1988. This song was not to be on debut album 'Disco Extravaganza' released in 1990 (re-named 'Army of Lovers when released in USA & UK in 1991). This was followed by the album 'Massive Luxury Overdose' (1991). La Camilla left the band and released a single 'I Am Not In The Mood For Lovers'. The Group replaced La Camilla with Michaela De La Cour, they re-released 'Massive Luxury Overdose' with extra tracks & with De La Cour on the new album artwork.
In 1992 the band came a four piece when Dominika joined the group and they recorded 'Hasta Manana' for the Abba tribute album.
Albums 'The Gods of Earth and Heaven' (1993) and 'Glory, Glamour & Gold'(1994) followed. The group dis-banded at the end of 1995. They re-formed to release 'Les Greatest Hits' in 1996, De La Cour did not want to be in the group anymore so original member La Camilla was asked back and she returned to record 4 new songs with the group. The Group split again in 1996.
In 2001 Army of Lovers reformed again (again with La Camilla) to release another Greatest Hits album (this time with 3 new tracks - all cover versions of other artist songs). The 2001 album was called 'Le Grand Docu-soap'.
Alexander Bard went on to be in BWO (Bodies Without Organs) and later in Gravitonas
In 2013 Army of Lovers was reformed once again in Melodifestivalen. The Swedish pre selection for Eurovision Song Contest 2013 with the song "Rockin’ the ride"
12 years after their last compilation album "Le Grand Docu-Soap", the reunited Swedish theatro-pop group releases a brand new greatest hits collection, plus 4 brand new songs ("Rockin' the ride", "Crashing down", "Signed on my tattoo" and "Tragedy"). Army of Lovers have always been special, controversial, colourful and creative, mainly due to their image and witty pop songs.
Their name alludes to a documentary Armee der Liebenden oder Revolte der Perversen (Army of Lovers or Revolution of the Perverts) about Rosa von Praunheim, which in turn alludes to the Theban Band.
Also Sprach Alexander
Army of Lovers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A flock of vultures gather
For the holy feast
The last vision of my life
A stormy cloud of feathers
What fire wouldn't touch
Are the remnants of my body
To vultures under a steaming sun
A funeral in perfect weather
A curried soul survive the feast
The ox has been my teacher
Moustachoid a sexual beast
The heredict friedrich nietzsche
May God leave someone else to be
The final zoroastrian
The lyrics to Army of Lovers song "Also Sprach Alexander" seem to describe a scene of death and decay, with a flock of vultures gathering beneath the "tower of death" for a "holy feast" on the remains of the singer. They describe their body as "remnants" and suggest that only what fire wouldn't touch is left for the vultures under a "steaming sun". The second verse adds some surreal elements, with a funeral occurring in "perfect weather" and the singer describing their soul as "curried", perhaps referencing the idea of the soul being a spice or seasoning. The song then takes a turn towards the absurd, with the singer talking about an ox that has been their teacher and a "moustachoid" sexual beast. The final line references the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche and suggests that they hope someone else will be the final Zoroastrian.
Overall, the lyrics of "Also Sprach Alexander" are highly symbolic and open-ended, leaving much room for interpretation. The imagery of vultures and a tower of death suggest themes of mortality and decay, while the surreal elements add a touch of humor and irony. The reference to Nietzsche and Zoroastrianism suggest a deeper philosophical and religious context, but the song remains cryptic and poetic, resisting any easy explanations.
Line by Line Meaning
Beneath the tower of death
The location is a foreboding and ominous one
A flock of vultures gather
A group of scavengers are present, indicating death
For the holy feast
The vultures have gathered to feed on the remains of a corpse
The last vision of my life
The artist is recounting their final moments
A stormy cloud of feathers
The vultures descending on the corpse creates a frenzied or tumultuous scene
What fire wouldn't touch
Even flames would not consume what remains of the corpse
Are the remnants of my body
The singer's body has been reduced to a state of decay
To vultures under a steaming sun
The scavengers are present in harsh and punishing conditions
A funeral in perfect weather
The funeral setting is ideal or idyllic, despite the artist's impending death
A curried soul survive the feast
The artist may survive after death through their remains being consumed
The ox has been my teacher
An allusion to Zen Buddhism, with the ox representing the path to enlightenment
Moustachoid a sexual beast
A reference to the artist's own sexual proclivities and desires
The heredict friedrich nietzsche
A reference to the philosopher's belief in the will to power and self-overcoming
May God leave someone else to be
The singer desires to be free of the burden and weight of existence
The final zoroastrian
A reference to the ancient Persian religion, with the singer being the last of their kind
Contributed by Connor P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.