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.
Spirit
Bauhaus Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Or waiting in the Wings
Lift your heart with soaring song
Cut down the puppet strings
Cut down the puppet strings
I wear a coat of drums
And dance upon your eyes
Change the lows to highs
Change the lows to highs
I fill you up with butterflies
Crown the heads of kings
Be glad of first night nerves
For fear gives courage wings
Fear gives courage wings
If I am on the sidelines
Chances are you'll miss
Wait alone and spotlit
For Doctor Theatre's kiss
The stage becomes a ship in flames
I tie you to the mast
Throw your body overboard
The spotlight doesn't last
The spotlight doesn't last
I could be with you
Or waiting in the wings
Lift your heart with soaring song
Cut down the puppet strings
Cut down the puppet strings
I may tap you on the shoulder
And whisper "go" in red
Strip your feet of lead my friend
Strip your feet of lead
Call the curtain
Raise the roof
Spirits on tonight
Call the curtain
Raise the roof
Spirits on tonight
Call the curtain
Raise the roof
Spirits on tonight
We love our audience repeat
The lyrics of Bauhaus's song "Spirit" suggest a theme of performance and theater, with imagery of puppets, stages, and spotlights. The first stanza presents two options, of either being with the listener or waiting in the wings, indicating a performer's decision whether to appear on stage or not. The subsequent lines encourage the listener to lift their heart with a "soaring song" and to break free from being controlled by puppet strings. The second stanza describes the performer wearing a "coat of drums," dancing, and changing the lows to highs as they aim to fill the listener with a sense of excitement and joy. The following lines claim that fear can actually be beneficial, as it gives courage wings.
The third stanza alludes to the possibility of missing a chance if the performer is on the sidelines, and urges the listener to embrace the first-night nerves and Doctor Theatre's kiss, which may refer to the rush of adrenaline experienced during a live performance. The lines "The stage becomes a ship in flames / I tie you to the mast" suggest a destructive, chaotic scene, but also imply that the performer is in control and keeping the listener safe. The song ends on a hopeful note with the repetition of the chorus, urging the performers to call the curtain and raise the roof, as the spirit is on tonight.
Overall, the lyrics of "Spirit" seem to celebrate the transformative power of art and performance, inviting the listener to embrace their inner courage and break free from any limiting constraints. The song encourages performers to fully commit and engage with their audience, while acknowledging the fleeting nature of the stage and the need to make the most of the moment.
Line by Line Meaning
Tonight I could be with you
I have the option to perform for you tonight.
Or waiting in the Wings
I could also be waiting for my turn to perform.
Lift your heart with soaring song
My goal is to uplift your spirit with my music.
Cut down the puppet strings
Let go of external control and be free to express yourself.
I wear a coat of drums
My music is like clothing that I wear on stage.
And dance upon your eyes
My performance captures your attention and imagination.
Turn the tables upside down
I challenge convention and break down barriers.
Change the lows to highs
I want to transform negative emotions into positive ones.
I fill you up with butterflies
My music creates an exciting and emotional experience for you.
Crown the heads of kings
Music has the power to elevate and empower individuals.
Be glad of first night nerves
Nervousness can be a sign of excitement and a source of strength.
For fear gives courage wings
Fear can be a motivator and a catalyst for growth.
If I am on the sidelines
If I'm not performing, you might miss out on my art.
Chances are you'll miss
It's possible that you might overlook my talent.
Wait alone and spotlit
I will wait patiently for my moment to shine.
For Doctor Theatre's kiss
I strive for the approval and recognition of the stage.
The stage becomes a ship in flames
The stage transforms into a chaotic and exciting experience.
I tie you to the mast
I aim to captivate and enthrall you with my performance.
Throw your body overboard
I want you to surrender yourself to the music and let go of your inhibitions.
The spotlight doesn't last
No matter how bright the moment, it must come to an end.
I may tap you on the shoulder
I might prompt you to take a chance and go for it.
And whisper "go" in red
I will encourage you to act with passion and energy.
Strip your feet of lead my friend
I want you to feel lighter and free of burdens.
Call the curtain
It's time to bring this performance to a close.
Raise the roof
Let's celebrate the success of this show!
Spirits on tonight
Tonight, we're all in high spirits!
We love our audience
We appreciate and value the support of our fans.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LEWIS TAYLOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
OBF
…Tonight I could be with you
Or waiting in the wings
Lift your heart with soaring song
Cut down the puppet strings
Cut down the puppet strings
I wear a coat of drums
And dance upon your eyes
Turn the tables upside down
Change the lows to highs
Change the lows to highs
I fill you up with butterflies
Crown the heads of kings
Be glad of first night nerves
For fear gives courage wings
Fear gives courage wings
If I am on the sidelines
Chances are you'll miss
Wait alone and spotlit
For Doctor Theater's kiss
The stage becomes a ship in flames
I tie you to the mast
Throw your body overboard
The spotlight doesn't last
The spotlight doesn't last
I could be with you
Or waiting in the wings
Lift your heart with soaring song
Cut down the puppet strings
Cut down the puppet strings
I may tap you on the shoulder
And whisper "go" in red
Strip your feet of lead my friend
Strip your feet of lead
I fill you up with butterflies
Crown the heads of kings
Be glad of first night nerves
For fear gives courage wings
Fear gives courage wings
Call the curtain
Raise the roof
Call the curtain
Spirits on tonight
I got be with you
Beating in the winds
Call the curtain
Raise the roof
Spirits on tonight
Call the curtain
Raise the roof
Spirits on tonight
We love our audience…
El Foreigner
The image is so crispy that it feels like it was recorded just a month ago!
BTW: Peter Murphy was seriously a beautiful dude
Sheydoll
Soooo beautiful ❤️
Moiz Audio
handsome bastard indeed
The Chad TI
I was thinking this too, looks like last week. Eerie.
Ian666peace
It's the cheekbones
Pamela
May his heart beat forever.🖤
lena
bauhaus’ performance art is so cool to watch. nobody is doing it like bauhaus
Siouxsie Xymox
I remember buying the CD 💿 Box set of every single album by these guys a few years ago and remember thinking this was such a weird song but eventually growing to love it And I showed this to my mom and she said that Peter Murphy looks like David Bowie
Bleach papi
This is one of my favorite bauhaus songs underrated
PumpkinPails
I only seriously started listening to their albums recently and I'm amazed how much he can sound like Bowie when he wants to, as well. I've heard his cover of Ziggy Stardust so many times and never even knew it wasn't Bowie.