A lot of their initial popularity came from positive press in the UK (when many other Krautrock bands were shunned by UK media such as NME) and airplay on John Peel's BBC radio programmes, which led to extensive touring in the UK. They also gained exposure in Germany by doing soundtrack work for German filmmakers.
Keyboardist Irmin Schmidt and bassist/producer Holger Czukay had studied electronic music together under Karlheinz Stockhausen circa 1966. Schmidt was inspired to start the group following a trip to New York where he was "corrupted' by Andy Warhol and The Velvet Underground. As well as Schmidt and Czukay, the initial lineup included guitarist Michael Karoli, a former pupil of Czukay; and drummer Jaki Liebezeit.
Their first vocalist was an American sculptor, Malcolm Mooney, who joined them living in an old castle with their own music studio, Inner Space. Mooney added a sort of "outsider artist" approach to his improvised vocals, but the chaotic lifestyle was damaging to his mental health and he eventually fled back to the USA on advice of a psychiatrist. He later contributed to the 'reunion' album Rite Time in the mid '80s.
Mooney was replaced by Kenji "Damo" Suzuki, found busking outside a café in Munich. With Damo Suzuki they made their classic albums Tago Mago (1971), Ege Bamyasi (1972) and Future Days (1973). Suzuki left the group in 1973, marrying his German girlfriend and becoming a Jehovah's Witness; he subsequently resumed touring and recording as a solo artist. He sadly passed away on 09.02.2024 at the age of 74.
Following Suzuki's departure the music at first became even more atmospheric and electronic-based, with Karoli and Schmidt providing occasional vocals. However they then moved towards conventional music forms such as disco and reggae. The disco-influenced single I Want More was an international hit in 1976. The lineup was bolstered in 1977 by the addition of former Traffic bassist Rosko Gee and percussionist Rebop Kwaku Baah, while original bassist Czukay was relegated to making electronic sound effects.
The group split in 1979 but reunited briefly in the mid-80s and early 90s.
Bring Me Coffee or Tea
Can Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're just on my knee
Bring me coffee or tea
Call me "pretty little bee"
Whisper in my ear, lad
You're still my parent friend
Throw me out of my bag
I feel pretty in the chimney, I feel
I feel pretty in the chimney, I feel
I feel pretty in the chimney, I feel
You just smile at me
You're just on my knee
Bring me coffee or tea
Call me "pretty little bee"
Whisper in my ear, lad
You're still my parent friend
Throw me out of my bag
Ask me "Are you dead
Dead, dead?"
You just smile at me
You're just on my knee
I feel pretty in the chimney, I feel
I feel pretty in the chimney, I feel
I feel pretty in the chimney, yes, I'm again
I feel pretty in the chimney, yes, I'm again
I feel pretty in the chimney, yes, I'm again
Yes, I'm again, yes, I'm again
Oh!
Yes, I'm again, yes, I'm again
Yes, I'm again, yes, I'm again
Yes, I'm again, yes, I'm again
Yes, I'm again, yes, I'm again
Yes, I'm again
Yes, I'm again
The song "Bring Me Coffee or Tea" by Can is a bit of an enigma. The lyrics seem to be focused on the singer's desire for someone to bring them coffee or tea and call them a "pretty little bee." The second verse appears to be talking to someone the singer is close to, calling them their "parent friend" and asking them if they think the singer is dead. The chorus turns to a repeated phrase of feeling "pretty in the chimney."
There are a few ways to interpret these lyrics. Some have suggested that the singer is experiencing a kind of dissociation or a surreal dream. The repeated references to being pretty in the chimney and the question of whether the singer is dead add to this interpretation. Others see the song as a commentary on the power dynamics of a relationship - the singer wants to be taken care of and called cute while also asserting a kind of independence by feeling pretty in an unconventional location.
Overall, "Bring Me Coffee or Tea" is an intriguing and ambiguous song that can be interpreted in a variety of ways. The lyrics, combined with the band's experimental sound, create a hypnotic and enigmatic listening experience.
Line by Line Meaning
You just smile at me
The singer is acknowledging someone smiling at them.
You're just on my knee
The singer has someone sitting on their lap.
Bring me coffee or tea
The singer wants someone to bring them coffee or tea.
Call me "pretty little bee"
The artist wants to be called a pet name.
Whisper in my ear, lad
The artist is asking someone to whisper in their ear.
You're still my parent friend
The singer considers the person to still be a close friend, like a parent.
Throw me out of my bag
The singer wants someone to help them, perhaps by taking them out of a difficult situation or problem.
Ask me "Are you dead?"
The artist is inviting someone to ask them an unexpected or humorous question.
I feel pretty in the chimney, I feel
The artist feels good or confident in an unconventional or surprising place, such as a chimney.
Yes, I'm again
The artist is repeating a phrase or feeling, emphasizing its importance or impact.
Contributed by Blake F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.