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.

Kick in the Eye
Bauhaus Lyrics

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And he spoke of pastures green
I was never told why
Each journey lasts an age
And my throat feels dry
It must be the lesson
Hidden deep inside
It must be the lesson
So roll the tide

So I began the crossing
My throat burned dry
Searching for Satori
The kick in the eye
I am the end of reproduction
Given no direction
Every care is taken
In my rejection

Kick in the eye
Kick in the eye
Kick in the eye
Kick in the eye

Every care is taken
With my rejection
And my abduction
To my addiction
Every care is taken
With my protection
And my abduction
From my addiction

Kick in the eye
Kick in the eye

Kick in the eye
Kick in the eye

Overall Meaning

The song "Kick in the Eye" by Bauhaus explores the concept of the unknown and journeys into the beyond. The first verse opens with "And he spoke of pastures green, I was never told why" which could be interpreted as the lyrics exploring the idea of a place beyond our current reality, something that we can't necessarily see or touch but know exists. The second line "Each journey lasts an age, and my throat feels dry" continues to allude to the idea of a long journey towards something, with the exhaustion from travel setting in. The following lines "It must be the lesson, hidden deep inside, so roll the tide" suggest that this journey one is taking will lead to some sort of discovery of a deeper understanding about oneself or the world around us.

The second verse shifts the focus towards a quest for enlightenment with lines such as "So I began the crossing, my throat burned dry, searching for Satori, the kick in the eye." The listener can interpret the crossing as a metaphor for a spiritual journey, with the end goal being enlightenment (Satori), which once again is likened to receiving a hard-hitting wakeup call or a "kick in the eye". The final lines, "Every care is taken with my rejection, and my abduction, to my addiction, every care is taken with my protection, and my abduction from my addiction," suggest that any journey towards enlightenment comes with its own set of challenges or addictions, and one must remain vigilant in both our rejection of negative forces and our protection against them.

Line by Line Meaning

And he spoke of pastures green
Someone spoke of idyllic and fruitful lands

I was never told why
No explanation or reason was given to me about this topic

Each journey lasts an age
Every voyage undertaken feels interminable

And my throat feels dry
My throat is parched and I am in a state of thirst

It must be the lesson
There is an important moral I must learn

Hidden deep inside
It is obscured and difficult to uncover

So roll the tide
Let the flow of circumstances dictate the course of events

So I began the crossing
I initiated the journey

My throat burned dry
I experienced intense thirst and discomfort in my throat

Searching for Satori
Looking for enlightenment and profound understanding

The kick in the eye
The sudden, painful realization or epiphany

I am the end of reproduction
I break the cycle of extermination and reproduction

Given no direction
No guidance or instruction was provided to me

Every care is taken
Each detail is given attention and diligence

In my rejection
When I am refused or denied

Kick in the eye
Sudden and painful realization or epiphany

Every care is taken
Each detail is given attention and diligence

With my rejection
When I am refused or denied

And my abduction
When I am forcibly taken away or kidnapped

To my addiction
To my compulsive desire or craving

Every care is taken
Each detail is given attention and diligence

With my protection
Ensuring my safety and well-being

And my abduction
When I am forcibly taken away or kidnapped

From my addiction
Removing me from my compulsive desire or craving

Kick in the eye
Sudden and painful realization or epiphany

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DANIEL GASTON ASH, DAVID JAY, KEVIN HASKINS, PETER JOHN MURPHY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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