Over the years Cabaret Voltaire's music continued to evolve, from its experimental, Velvet Underground-inspired beginnings in the mid 1970s to the pop-oriented dance music in the early 1990s. Each consequent phase saw the band pushing the boundaries of its time, proving highly influential for the many electronic artists that followed in its footsteps. The band pioneered many techniques that for years fuelled industrial music and consequent electronic genres such as house and techno. Among these were the cut-up techniques of William S. Burroughs and Brion Gysin, using snippets of spoken word (pre-dating sampling), and incorporating experimental video in their live shows (pre-dating VJ-ing).
The band first came to public attention in the late 1970s, during the era of post-punk and industrial music, with their debut album Mix-Up (1979) and the EP Nag Nag Nag with its seminal noise-punk title track. They honed their style with the follow-up albums Voice of America (1980) and Red Mecca (1981).
The early 1980s was an important transitional phase for the band, as it shifted towards more structured dance music. In late 1981, halfway during the recording of the album 2X45 (released in 1982), Watson left the group, which continued as a duo until their (de facto) disbandment in 1994.
In 1983, with the album The Crackdown, the Cabs switched labels from Rough Trade to Virgin and started using increasingly more digital technology. A prime example is their industrial funk dance floor hit Sensoria from 1984, which got picked up by MTV and saw the band starting to infiltrate the mainstream.
In the late 1980s and early 1990s Cabaret Voltaire continued their trajectory towards dance pop incorporating house and techno styles, with many tracks like Easy Life and later Colours fusing hooks with all the excitement of the then burgeoning rave scene in the UK.
By 1994, on the duo's last album The Conversation, Mallinder's input had become insignificant and he left the band after its release. From then on until his death in 2021, Kirk had sole legal ownership of the Cabaret Voltaire name. His view was that, as Watson and Mallinder had both left the band, he was left to carry it on. He used the name for remix projects of Kora and The Tivoli in 2010, and for the albums Shadow Of Fear (2020), Dekadrone (2021) and BN9Drone (2021).
Kirk had a staggering amount of solo outings under various names. His Sweet Exorcist collaboration with DJ Parrot opened the doors for Warp Records in their "bleep" days, was the harbinger for the sonic experimentation of Aphex Twin, Autechre, The Black Dog, and more. Other solo projects of Kirk were Sandoz, Biochemical Dread, Bit Crackle, Blacworld, Chemical Agent, Cold Warrior and Dark Magus, to name but a few.
Mallinder has since been involved in various projects, such as Ku-Ling Bros., Sassi & Loco, Hey, Rube! and most recently Wrangler.
As well as working on his own aural experiments, Watson now works as a critically-acclaimed sound recordist, developing some innovative techniques for Natural History radio and TV, such as the BBC's Galapagos series in 2006.
Keep On
Cabaret Voltaire Lyrics
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Nine On A Ten Scale
Keep On Rockin'
J. Carter, S. Hagar
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(Keep on a rockin', keep on a rockin')
(Keep on a rock n roll's gonna never die)
I was loud and electric at night
(keep on a rockin', keep on a rockin')
Got all shook up with Elvis
Yeah, yeah, I've been Beatled
I've been Rolling Stoned
Watch it!
A hot flash at Woodstock
Eye on board there
With your favourite song
The crowd was screamin'
(there was rock n roll)
When the spotlight hits me
I always steal the show
(Keep on a rockin', keep on a rockin')
(Keep on a rock n roll's gonna never die)
Baby I am the music
I am every note and I'm every chord
I'm the star of tomorrow
Yeah, I'm the holy ghost of the ever more
Oooh yeah
The crowd was screamin'
(there was rock n roll)
When the spotlight hits me
Put on my acts and I blow, like this
Fats Domino.
Shake, rattle, and roll all night long
When the rock is right, you can't go wrong, no
(no, you can't go wrong)
Some things never last
But the beat goes on and on and on and on
Oooh baby, you rock on
(Keep on a rockin', keep on a rockin')
(Keep on a rock n roll's gonna never die)
You just keep on a rockin', and you rollin'
Rock n rollin', rock n rollin' all night long
Baby, you just rockin', rock n rollin' all night
The lyrics to Cabaret Voltaire's song "Keep On" are a tribute to the enduring power and influence of rock and roll music. The singer identifies himself as a product of the fifties, a time when rock and roll was in its prime, and boasts about his experiences with Elvis, the Beatles, and the Rolling Stones. He also recalls being present at Woodstock, one of the most iconic events in rock history. The singer believes that he is the music itself and claims to embody every note and chord, as well as the spirit of the genre's future. The song emphasizes the energy and longevity of rock and roll, asserting that it will never die.
Through its lyrics, "Keep On" pays homage to some of the most influential rock and roll artists of the twentieth century. Elvis Presley, the Beatles, and the Rolling Stones are all mentioned specifically, as are Fats Domino and his signature hit "Shake, Rattle, and Roll." Woodstock, the famous music festival that took place in upstate New York in 1969, is also referenced, cementing the singer's status as an experienced and knowledgeable music fan. The repetition of the phrase "keep on a rockin'" throughout the song emphasizes the never-ending nature of rock and roll, and the belief that it will continue to inspire musicians and fans long into the future.
Line by Line Meaning
(Keep on a rockin', keep on a rockin')
Continuously perform rock music with high energy and passion
(Keep on a rock n roll's gonna never die)
Rock music will always endure and remain popular
I was born in the fifties
The singer was born in the 1950s
I was loud and electric at night
The artist had an energetic and lively personality, especially at night
(keep on a rockin', keep on a rockin')
Continuously perform rock music with high energy and passion
Got all shook up with Elvis
The singer was greatly influenced by Elvis Presley's music
Yeah, yeah, I've been Beatled
The singer was greatly influenced by The Beatles' music
I've been Rolling Stoned
The artist was greatly influenced by The Rolling Stones' music
Watch it!
Be prepared for what's coming next
A hot flash at Woodstock
The artist performed at the Woodstock music festival, which was known for its energetic and passionate performances
Eye on board there
The singer was enthusiastic about being part of the Woodstock music festival
With your favourite song
The artist performed the audience's favorite song at the Woodstock music festival
The crowd was screamin'
The audience was highly enthusiastic and excited
(there was rock n roll)
The music being performed was rock n roll
When the spotlight hits me
When the singer is the center of attention
I always steal the show
The artist's performance is always the highlight of the event
(Keep on a rockin', keep on a rockin')
Continuously perform rock music with high energy and passion
(Keep on a rock n roll's gonna never die)
Rock music will always endure and remain popular
Baby I am the music
The singer's identity is closely tied to rock music
I am every note and I'm every chord
The artist is deeply connected to every aspect of rock music
I'm the star of tomorrow
The artist is confident in their future success as a rock musician
Yeah, I'm the holy ghost of the ever more
The artist sees themselves as a spiritual and influential figure in the world of rock music
Oooh yeah
Expressing excitement and enthusiasm
Put on my acts and I blow, like this
The artist's performances are powerful and explosive
Fats Domino.
A reference to the musician Fats Domino, who was known for his influential contributions to rock and roll music
Shake, rattle, and roll all night long
Performing rock and roll music with great enthusiasm throughout the night
When the rock is right, you can't go wrong, no
Performing rock and roll music correctly will always result in a successful performance
(no, you can't go wrong)
There is no possibility of failing when playing rock and roll music correctly
Some things never last
Some things are temporary and will eventually come to an end
But the beat goes on and on and on and on
The rhythm of rock and roll music continues on endlessly
Oooh baby, you rock on
Expressing admiration for someone's performance or enthusiasm for rock and roll music
(Keep on a rockin', keep on a rockin')
Continuously perform rock music with high energy and passion
(Keep on a rock n roll's gonna never die)
Rock music will always endure and remain popular
You just keep on a rockin', and you rollin'
Encouraging the listener to continue performing rock and roll music with enthusiasm
Rock n rollin', rock n rollin' all night long
Performing rock and roll music with great enthusiasm throughout the night
Baby, you just rockin', rock n rollin' all night
Complimenting the listener's performance of rock and roll music with great enthusiasm throughout the night
Writer(s): John S.Carter Jr, Sammy Hagar Copyright: WB Music Corp.
Contributed by Joshua N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@soulminer
Top stuff. I'm sick of the elitists and purists saying the Cabs sold out when they recorded this. Funky and fun.
@plasticweapon
Martin Tweedy versatility and being able to lighten up, either as a listener or an artist, is very enriching.
@georgegiapitzis8204
Agreed. The Cabs have always been dance floor friendly
@heightenermusic5285
"Absolute Best House song of Cabaret Voltaire"... Couldn't agree more!
@mickfizz1
You can never go wrong with Phil Harding mixes, no matter what the song or the genre! Thanks for sharing.
@martymcfly5434
So true!!
@charliemagri1669
They are only credited as being underestimated, only because bands which make a bigger impact offer things which fit exactly into those times and then become outdated relatively quickly, but Cabaret Voltaire's music is always about forward thinking and always captures aspects about life which will always be relevant and essential.
I think the lesson here is that not everything in life which looks and sounds good is always so perfect!
@supereurobeat
Who would put a thumbs down on this song? Such a classic.
@mikaelmatrix166
Great song đź‘Ť
@johnmartin2510
Funky. I like it.. And i don't buy into that whole theology that Cab Volt sold out when they did this one.. I"m equally as much into PWL/Stock Aiken Waterman, as i am industrial/dark wave.