Bauhaus first broke up in 1983. Peter Murphy began a solo career while the other members continued as Tones on Tail and later as Love and Rockets. Both enjoyed greater commercial success in the United States than Bauhaus had, but disappeared from the charts in their homeland. The band reunited for a 1998 tour and on a more permanent basis in 2005. The group announced plans to disband again following the release of their final album Go Away White in 2008.
The release of Go Away White signaled the end of the band and there was no supporting tour. Drummer Kevin Haskins said in an interview that they βwere getting along really well, but there was an incident that occurred.β As a result, βsome of us just felt that we didnβt want to carry on as a working unit.β In an interview with SuicideGirls, bassist David J said about the breakup: βYou have a test tube, and you pour in one chemical, and you pour in another chemical, and something happens. It starts to bubble. Pour in another chemical, and it starts to bubble a bit more. You pour in a fourth chemical, and it bubbles really violently, and then explodes. Thatβs my answer.β Peter Murphy claimed in another interview that he βhe was most satisfied with the bonding on an emotional level. It was good to be working together and to put the past behind us and it was very positive. The result was coming out really fast, so it was exciting and it was very enjoyable,β but in the end βThat rocky character worked and I think it was a bit right to finish it, really.β
Murphy also stated in his MySpace blog that βthereβs a lot more to it than this βincidentβ that Iβve heard bandied about. In any groupβs business there are constant incidents, so what? Committing to being in a band takes tolerance, love, and a massive commitment. Iβve walked on that stage at times when I could emotionally barely manage to and give it all just the same. If Iβd let some disagreement or bad word distract me from that goal, then Iβd need to question my integrity. Anton Corbijn once related to me how Bono of U2 talked about one of the reasons that U2 had survived was that theyβre unlike many English bands; there was a kinship and priority given to each other as family. I personally sympathize with that. βThere is no love where there is no Love.ββ
A Bauhaus reunion was aborted in 2022 after Peter Murphy forced the band to cancel the tour as he entered rehab.
(2) Bauhaus was also the name of an Italian jazz rock band. They made recordings in 1974 but they werenβt released until almost thirty years later.
BOYS
Bauhaus Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is it so high
We don't think so
We don't think so
Are we looked at
Are we set back?
Can we fake him
Time is breaking
Changing faking
Grind us up now
Not too hard now
Features so fine
Rouge and eyeline
Things I fancy
Just like Nancy
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Fashions alter
Often falter
Crepe soles out now
No more fights now
Make-up's taking
Lots of shaving
On my eyelash
You sure it don't clash
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Slim-line trousers
Facial powders
Flooding my mind
Be sure there's no lines
Eye me up now
Pamper me now
Please don't pass by
Or I shall cry
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
The Bauhaus song "Boys" reflects the band's punk and gothic roots, with nihilistic and existentialist lyrics that mirror the social and political turmoil of the late 1970s and early 1980s. The verses seem to describe the tension between individuality and conformity, as well as the ambiguity and fluidity of gender roles and sexual identity. The chorus, with its repetitive chorus of "Oh oh oh," adds to the hypnotic and trance-like quality of the music.
The opening lines "We tried to fly/Is it so high/We don't think so/We don't think so" can be seen as a metaphor for the impossibility of reaching one's aspirations and dreams, or the disillusionment and disappointment that come with success. The lines "Are we looked at/Are we set back/Can we fake him/Emulate him?" suggest a desire to fit in with society's norms and expectations, to belong and to be accepted. The idea of time being "breaking/Changing faking" points to the fleeting and transient nature of time and how it affects our sense of identity and purpose.
The lines "Features so fine/Rouge and eyeline/Things I fancy/Just like Nancy" seem to be an ode to female beauty and glamour, but also a subversion of traditional gender stereotypes and norms. The lines "Slim-line trousers/Facial powders/Flooding my mind/Be sure there's no lines" also blur the lines between masculine and feminine aesthetics, with the male narrator embracing a more androgynous and gender-bending look.
Overall, "Boys" is a song that packs a punch with its stark and powerful imagery and sound. It is a reflection of the darker and more rebellious side of punk and goth music, and a testament to the Bauhaus's unique and influential sound.
Line by Line Meaning
We tried to fly
We attempted to reach great heights
Is it so high
Is it truly unattainably high?
We don't think so
We don't believe so
We don't think so
We don't believe so
Are we looked at
Are we being observed?
Are we set back?
Are we held behind?
Can we fake him
Can we imitate him?
Emulate him?
Mirror his behavior?
Time is breaking
Time is wearing away
Changing faking
Presenting false personalities to keep up with changes
Grind us up now
Working us too hard
Not too hard now
Don't overwork us
Features so fine
Attractive looks
Rouge and eyeline
Blusher and eyeliner
Things I fancy
Objects I desire
Just like Nancy
Just like a woman named Nancy
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Fashions alter
Styles change
Often falter
Often with missteps
Crepe soles out now
Soft rubber soles no longer in style
No more fights now
No longer any confrontations
Make-up's taking
Make-up plays a large role
Lots of shaving
Lots of hair removal
On my eyelash
On my eyelashes
You sure it don't clash
Are you sure it doesn't look bad?
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Slim-line trousers
Trousers with a thin silhouette
Facial powders
Face powders
Flooding my mind
Consume my thoughts
Be sure there's no lines
Make sure there are no creases
Eye me up now
Eye me now
Pamper me now
Care for me now
Please don't pass by
Please don't ignore me
Or I shall cry
Or I'll break down and cry
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Lyrics Β© Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Daniel Gaston Ash, David John Haskins, Kevin Michael Dompe, Peter John Murphy
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jay Sharp
My sleuthing skills aren't what they used to be... What's this take originally FROM?
I only ever had Gotham (live)
Having seen it in person then subsequently buying it on VHS and the double CD ... π
And the b side version from my bela lugosi CD...
Unless ....
Did i overlook it on the best ofs or crackle? Those were the three best ofs i had
Ian ballantyne
Superb. I don't understand why this version has never been re-leased
Jay Sharp
My sleuthing skills aren't what they used to be... What's this take originally FROM?
I only ever had Gotham (live)
Having seen it in person then subsequently buying it on VHS and the double CD ... π
And the b side version from my bela lugosi CD...
Unless ....
Did i overlook it on the best ofs or crackle? Those were the three best ofs i had
Ian ballantyne
@Jay Sharp This take was recorded (presumably after the 'Bela Session' cd version, which you mentioned) and originally released as the b side (along with a short demo of Dark Entries) of Bela Lugosi's Dead in 1979. As far as I know, it's never been released on any compilations (sadly) at least not in the UK. I much prefer this take compared to the Bela Session one. It seems as though the band weren't totally happy with that take, and so recorded and released this one instead. I love what Kevin Haskins added to this take, as I'm a drummer myself!
Ian ballantyne
@TheVictrolaLady No, unfortunately it's not on Crackle.
TheVictrolaLady
@ianballantyne6892Β yep I was thinking about something different. I listened to the Crackle album after posting. I love this song. π₯° Unfortunately, I don't have it on CD.
Richard Grove
Wicked
Stephanie
πI β€U ALL.....Boys..mk
Button Willow
Is this song about David Bowie?
DJAnthrocide
Yes. The title alone makes it obvious...
DJAnthrocide
But you are very perceptive to notice, to be clear...