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.
Israelism
Army of Lovers Lyrics
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Evenu shalom alechem
Evenu shalom alechem
Evenu shalom shalom
Shalom alechem
Evenu shalom alechem
Evenu shalom alechem
Evenu shalom shalom
Shalom alechem
Diamond market in the ghetto
Star of david on my chest
Sex is kosher on the sabbath
Jewish princess in my nest
Like aunt golda high on zion
Milk and honey are my drugs
Relic box of einstein's hairdo
Spring prediction cloud of bugs
The heavens cry loud in the open
I hear the angels sing
Shalom be'israel shalom be'israel
Shalom la'olam shalom be'israel
Evenu shalom alechem
Evenu shalom alechem
Evenu shalom alechem
Evenu shalom shalom
Shalom alechem
Evenu shalom alechem
Evenu shalom alechem
Evenu shalom alechem
Evenu shalom shalom
Shalom alechem
Glory in the circumcision
Oops there goes a freudian slip
Army of lovers on a mission
Forty years of desert trips
Drinking from a stinking fountain
The kabbala and jezebel
Dancing horah on a mountain
Party like a bitch from hell
The heavens cry loud in the open
I hear the angels sing
Shalom be'israel shalom be'israel
Shalom la'olam shalom be'israel
Evenu shalom alechem
Evenu shalom alechem
Evenu shalom alechem
Evenu shalom shalom
Shalom alechem
Evenu shalom alechem
Evenu shalom alechem
Evenu shalom alechem
Evenu shalom shalom
Shalom alechem
The heavens cry loud in the open
I hear the angels sing
Shalom be'israel shalom be'israel
Shalom la'olam shalom be'israel
Evenu shalom alechem
Evenu shalom alechem
Evenu shalom alechem
Evenu shalom shalom
Shalom alechem
Evenu shalom alechem
Evenu shalom alechem
Evenu shalom alechem
Evenu shalom shalom
Shalom alechem
Evenu shalom shalom
Shalom alechem
The lyrics of Army of Lovers' song Israelism are playful and provocative, mixing religious and cultural references that create a humorous and ironic effect. The song starts with a greeting in Hebrew, "Evenu shalom alechem," meaning "We bring peace to you," repeated several times throughout the song. The chorus also reaffirms the message of peace, singing "Shalom alechem" at the end of each verse.
The verses of the song are filled with imagery and wordplay, mixing Jewish stereotypes and pop culture references. The first verse mentions a "diamond market in the ghetto" and a "Star of David on my chest," suggesting both luxury and cultural pride. The next line, "Sex is kosher on the Sabbath," is a tongue-in-cheek reference to religious rules, followed by the image of a "Jewish princess in my nest," a nod to the fairy tale trope. The verse ends with a reference to "a relic box of Einstein's hairdo" and a "spring prediction cloud of bugs," suggesting a mix of science and superstition.
The second verse continues playing with cultural references, including the glory of circumcision, a nod to Freud's psychoanalysis theory ("Oops there goes a Freudian slip"), and the forty years of desert trips, a reference to the biblical story of the Israelites wandering in the wilderness. The verse continues with references to the Kabbalah, a form of Jewish mysticism, and Jezebel, a biblical queen known for her wickedness, and ends with an invitation to "party like a bitch from hell."
Overall, Israelism is a playful and irreverent celebration of Jewish culture and tradition, mixing humor, stereotypes, and pop culture references to create a fun and memorable experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Evenu shalom alechem
We bring peace upon you (Hebrew)
Evenu shalom shalom
We bring peace, peace
Shalom alechem
Peace be upon you (Hebrew)
Diamond market in the ghetto
A reference to Jewish people excelling in business, even in difficult circumstances
Star of david on my chest
The artist proudly displays their Jewish identity
Sex is kosher on the sabbath
A playful reference to Jewish customs around sex and the day of rest
Jewish princess in my nest
A reference to a beautiful Jewish woman in the singer's company
Like aunt golda high on zion
A reference to Golda Meir, a former Israeli prime minister
Milk and honey are my drugs
A reference to the prosperity and abundance promised to the Jewish people in the Bible
Relic box of einstein's hairdo
A strange and irreverent reference to a Jewish icon (Einstein)
Spring prediction cloud of bugs
Unclear meaning, potentially a reference to a Jewish holiday or custom
Glory in the circumcision
A reference to the Jewish ritual of circumcision and the pride associated with it
Oops there goes a freudian slip
A reference to the famous Jewish psychologist (Freud)
Army of lovers on a mission
The singer and their group are united in a cause or belief
Forty years of desert trips
A reference to the story of the Israelites wandering in the desert for 40 years
Drinking from a stinking fountain
An unpleasant or difficult experience related to being Jewish
The kabbala and jezebel
References to Jewish mysticism and a wicked queen from the Bible
Dancing horah on a mountain
A reference to a Jewish folk dance, potentially a symbol of joy and celebration
Party like a bitch from hell
An irreverent and potentially offensive reference to a Jewish custom or belief
The heavens cry loud in the open
Unclear meaning, potentially a reference to Jewish mourning practices
I hear the angels sing
A religious or spiritual experience
Shalom be'israel shalom be'israel
Peace upon Israel, peace upon Israel (Hebrew)
Shalom la'olam shalom be'israel
Peace to the world, peace upon Israel (Hebrew)
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALEXANDER BENGT MAGNUS BARD, ANDERS WILHELM WOLLBECK, DOMINIKA PECZYNSKI, JEAN-PIERRE MICHEL BARDA, MICHAELA DORNONVILLE DE LA COUR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind