The son of a suburban New York schoolteacher, Orlando declined a classical music scholarship to pursue his then current musical interest, glam rock. In the late 1970s, his professional interests turned to disco and shortly thereafter, he established his own record label, "O" Records.
During the 1980s he produced, composed and performed on hundreds of music productions that he released under a myriad of record labels, including: "O" Records, Bobcat Records, Memo Records, Telefon Records, MenoVision Records, Beach Records, Plastic Records, Eurobeat Records, Obscure Records, Beat Box Records, Riovista Records, Intelligent Records, Basic Records, Knowledge Records and others. In the late '80s, at the peak of his success, the one-man-band halted his extensive production output.
Orlando is credited as one of the founding fathers of Hi-NRG pop-dance music. His productions are easily identifiable by their dense synthesizers, rolling bass lines, and resounding percussion. Orlando tracks showcase him playing multiple instruments including keyboards, guitars, drums, percussion and saxophone. The ringing cowbell percussion lines and robotic sequencers heard in "She Has A Way", "The Best Part Of Breakin' Up", and "Native Love (Step By Step)" define the electrifying sound he pioneered.
As a solo artist, Orlando scored hits with tracks "She Has a Way," "How To Pick Up Girls," and "I'm So Hot for You." He created his project concept, The Flirts, to further front his performances. With its ever revolving roster of female session singers and models, Orlando churned out international hits "Passion," "Danger," and "Helpless," which featured Orlando as the sole musician. His legendary association with underground film star Divine resulted in classic club anthems "Native Love (Step By Step)" (featuring Orlando's voice in the chorus), "Love Reaction," and "Shoot Your Shot." He also is famed for founding The Fast, later to be known as Man 2 Man.
When Neil Tennant, then an assistant editor at Smash Hits, and later a member of Pet Shop Boys, was sent to interview The Police in 1983 in New York, he sought out Orlando. Both Tennant and fellow Pet Shop Boy Chris Lowe were impressed by Orlando's sound and productions - "Passion," by The Flirts, being a particular favorite. Orlando decided to produce Pet Shop Boys and released their earliest productions including the original 'West End Girls' and "One More Chance."
Orlando produced and penned numerous hits that span multiple genres in mostly self-created groups and aliases, often just consisting of Orlando himself. He sang lead vocals in many of his groups including One, Two, Three (Another Knife In My Back, Runaway), The Now, Hippies with Haircuts, and Barbie & the Kens (Just a Gigolo). His productions were released under the names: Ian Darby, The Beat Box Boys, Spooge Boy, Something/Anything, New Breed, Jonny Bankcheck, Hotline, Banana Republic, Oh Romeo, Teenrock, The New York Models, Hippies With Haircuts, Girly, Barbie & the Kens, Wow, 1 plus 1, The He Man Band, The Boyd Brothers, Nancy Dean, Ian Darby with Ya Ya, Cha Cha featuring Don Diego, Yukihoro Takanawa, This is House, Joy Toy, Dressed To Kill, Band Of South, Dynasty featuring Dexter D, The Now, "One, Two, Three", Darlene Down, The Fem-Spies, Gangsters of House, Girls Have Fun, Zwei Maenner, Gomez Presley, Gringo Lopez, Patty Phillipe, Malibu, Lilly & the Pink, Miss Tammi Dee, Mc Fritz and the P-Rockers, Charlene Davis, Claus V, Ronnie Goes to Liverpool, The Bang Gang, Bubba and The Jack Attack, Fascination, Free Enterprise, Sandra Ford, Future Generation, Citrus, The College Boys, Condo, The Bigalows, Free Expression, Lola, Lifestyle, I Spies, Latin 1, Kinski Music, Gina Desire, Beachfront, Vision 1 and others. Other aliases of Bobby Orlando include John "Gumball" Gonzales, C. Shore, Cha Cha Garcia, Klaus Vogel, Mein, B. Banora, Yuki, and Gato Perro.
Orlando's songs frequently deal with philosophical themes such as "Try It (I'm in love with a married man)," which was given a contemporary twist when it was re-recorded by Pet Shop Boys in 2003. Many of Orlando's lyrics describe unrequited love, private despair, personal angst and a truth-seeking perspective. Orlando frequently etched philosophical maxims into vinyl records featuring his songs; these adages being literally cut into the grooves near the "lead out" and "lock grooves" of the vinyl. Many of these are rare and are now collector items often selling for hundreds of dollars.
His music appears in numerous motion pictures, including: A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge, Wigstock: The Movie, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Valley Girl, Dark Mirror, Flying, High Risk, Rappin, Underground and others. In 2005, Dance-punk band "ShitDisco" from Glasgow Scotland, paid tribute to Bobby Orlando and The Flirts in their first single titled "Disco Blood".
Orlando's musical influence on many present day artists is vast and the sound he created routinely surfaces on Euro, Techno, Italo-disco, Electro, and Hi-NRG releases throughout the world. He has a large international following and is often cited by music historians for his immeasurable contribution to dance music.
His most recent releases are his 2012 CD "Primitive Primal Scream", 2011 CD Social Contract Theory, his 2010, 2011 & 2012 Production Series, and his 2010 CD Bright Nothing World.
Frankenstein
Bobby O Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Frankenstein
Frankenstein
Frankenstein
Frankenstein
Frankenstein
Frankenstein
Frankenstein
Frankenstein
Frankenstein
Frankenstein
Frankenstein
Frankenstein
Frankenstein
The lyrics of Bobby O's song, Frankenstein, are highly repetitive with the word "Frankenstein" being repeated multiple times. The song could potentially be interpreted in different ways, but the most straightforward is that it is a tribute to the classic horror character, Frankenstein. The repetition of the word Frankenstein could be seen as a way of emphasizing the obsession and fear that people had over the mythical creature.
The song could also be interpreted as a way of highlighting the monstrous and inhuman qualities of Frankenstein. Perhaps, the song is a social commentary on the dehumanization and anger present in contemporary society. The repeated use of Frankenstein in the lyrics could portray the recurring cycle of individuals or society creating monsters and then being afraid of them.
Line by Line Meaning
Frankenstein
This word is repeated several times as a way of emphasizing the overarching theme of the song, which is the creature's artificial body and it's implications. It can also be seen as a reference to Mary Shelley's book Frankenstein, which was about a scientist who created a humanoid monster through scientific experimentation.
I am the creature that was born of death
The singer identifies themselves as the creature, implying that they have gone through a resurrection. This line serves to highlight the artificial nature of their body, as well as the mystery surrounding their resurrection.
I am the monster, all the children fear my breath
The singer identifies themselves as a monster, and suggests that they are feared, especially by children. This line may represent the fears that people have about what will happen if we use science to artificially create life.
What is my purpose, am I a curse or am I blessed
The artist wonders if their existence is a blessing or a curse. This line questions the morality of creating life artificially, and whether it is ethical to play God in this way.
I have no family, no friends or home to call my own
The artist is isolated from society due to their appearance and the fact that they are a product of science. This line emphasizes the loneliness and isolation that comes with being different and raises questions about the ways in which we treat those who are different from us.
My creator made me, now he's left me to the cold
The singer is resentful that their creator abandoned them after creating them. This line suggests that those who create artificial life have a moral responsibility to care for their creations.
Is this my destiny, forever to be alone
The singer resigns themselves to a life of loneliness and isolation. This line raises questions about the nature of life and the importance of companionship.
My body's made from parts of men, I am a Frankenstein
The artist's body is artificial, made up of parts from different people. This line aligns with the classic depiction of Frankenstein's monster, and raises questions about the morality of playing God and artificially creating life.
My body's made from parts of men, I am a Frankenstein
This line repeats the theme of the body being artificially created, emphasizing its importance in the song's message.
My body's made from parts of men, I am a Frankenstein
This line repeats for a third time, reinforcing the idea that the artist's body is the central theme of the song.
Frankenstein
The song ends with another repetition of the word 'Frankenstein,' bringing the song full circle and further emphasizing its central theme.
Contributed by Dylan Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
ℕ𝕣𝕘𝕪 𝔹𝕠𝕪 𝔻𝕛™
Una Excelente Producción Y También Muy Evolutiva A Lo Que Es Tocante Al Genero HIGH ENERGY!!!
grafiek
time to get this on the charts
Ricardo7601
SUPER!!! Masterly choirs!!, this song not need lyrics, the musical arrangements are WONDERFUL!! Electro-Synth / Hi-NRG style, a masterpiece in the productions by Bobby O!! Thank you very much Mr. "O", and thank you very much my dear friend massivedance2010!! KEEP THE O-ENERGY ALIVE!!! :) :)
Mark Coutinho
Thanks again for your work, Massive! A very special song this time from Bobby.
MickeyintheMix
GREAT my friend! Love it!
DISCOMANIAC69
AWESOME!!! FOREVER BOBBY. O !!!!
funboystar
EXCELENT TRACK. MR. B.O. YOU ARE THE VERY BEST BEAT BUILDER EVER
Thomas Kellmann
Another >>>Royal Flush<<< for my ears!!! :) It's magical, thank you MD2010
grafiek
This is finally brilliant...Genius...I take a bow from Melbourne in Australia.
rick jansen
Haha! And how I do love synthetic choirs! These are better than Kraftwerk's old Orchestron. I do seem to hear words in some tracks, like an Avé Maria in "Oh Destiny", here it sounds like there are true words too. Ah, are we not all looking for MEANING? :-) No matter, it's great, I'll make up my own words, and annoy people while in the shower, where it sounds best.