Bauhaus was a rock band formed in 1978 in Northampton, England. The group c… Read Full Bio ↴Bauhaus was a rock band formed in 1978 in Northampton, England. The group consists of Peter Murphy (vocals), Daniel Ash (guitar), Kevin Haskins (drums), and David J (bass). The band was originally named Bauhaus 1919 after the German art movement until they dropped the numerals within a year of formation. They combined a number of influences (punk, glam rock, funk, and dub) to create a very dark but very passionate sound, appealing to many looking for something new after punk. Their sound proved very influential, inspiring or bringing attention to a whole wave of post-punk groups delving in the intense, dark and creepy style that would eventually come to be known as goth rock. Bauhaus remains one of the most popular groups of its era and genre.

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 “were getting along really well, but there was an incident that occurred.” As a result, “some of us just felt that we didn’t want to carry on as a working unit.” In an interview with SuicideGirls, bassist David J said about the breakup: “You 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. That’s my answer.” Peter Murphy claimed in another interview that he “he 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,” but in the end “That rocky character worked and I think it was a bit right to finish it, really.”

Murphy also stated in his MySpace blog that “there’s a lot more to it than this ‘incident’ that I’ve heard bandied about. In any group’s business there are constant incidents, so what? Committing to being in a band takes tolerance, love, and a massive commitment. I’ve walked on that stage at times when I could emotionally barely manage to and give it all just the same. If I’d let some disagreement or bad word distract me from that goal, then I’d 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 they’re unlike many English bands; there was a kinship and priority given to each other as family. I personally sympathize with that. ‘There is no love where there is no Love.’”

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 weren’t released until almost thirty years later.

In Fear of Fear
Bauhaus Lyrics

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You fear the lesson
And fear to walk
And fear to pass on
Your fear to talk

The teacher was feared
Your parents too
Then you became

The fear of you

Fear

Look to yourself
Climb over the wall
And see behind
That you're not so small
Then you won't blame fear
When competing too much
As you fall on your back
As you fail to touch

Fear

And I say to you
When your fear is strong
When you fear your life
Then your fear is wrong
Set free your past
So shredding the skin
Then you won't fear
The fear of sin

Fear

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Bauhaus's song In Fear of Fear convey the overwhelming presence of fear and self-doubt in individuals that can have a paralyzing effect on them. The song is an ode to fear and how it holds humanity captive. The opening lines of the song "You fear the lesson, and fear to walk, and fear to pass on, your fear to talk" highlight how fear can deprive individuals of their confidence and voice.

The second verse of the song talks about how fear is often inherited from our elders - "The teacher was feared, your parents too, then you became the fear of you." This verse highlights how fear can be passed down from one generation to another, becoming a vicious cycle that's difficult to break. The phrase "the fear of you" mirrors the fear that one has for their parents and teachers and how they too become the object of fear for their future generations.

The chorus directs the listener to overcome their fear by looking within themselves, 'Climb over the wall and see behind that you're not so small. " When one breaks free from the grip of fear, it's easy to come to terms with the things they cannot control, and as a result, they won't blame fear for their failures. The last verse speaks of liberation from fear as the singer urges listeners to shred their previous self to free themselves from the fear of sin. In conclusion, In Fear of Fear provides a nuanced look into the ways fear can limit people's progress and personal growth.

Line by Line Meaning

You fear the lesson
You are scared of learning and growing

And fear to walk
You are hesitant to move forward and take action

And fear to pass on
You worry about influencing others negatively

Your fear to talk
You are afraid to express yourself openly and honestly

The teacher was feared
The authority figure made you feel intimidated and scared

Your parents too
Your upbringing instilled a sense of fear in you

Then you became
You internalized that fear and it became a part of you

The fear of you
You project your own fears onto others and you become the scary one

Look to yourself
Take a deep introspective look at yourself

Climb over the wall
Push past your own limitations and barriers

And see behind
Get a new perspective and see the bigger picture