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.
I Want More
Can Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We don't have to save a name,
Every day come sun array,
I say good's just playing for safe.
I don't have to say no more,
You've got more time waiting for,
Don't care if I break the law,
I want more and more and more.
Voice inscription play for safe,
You've got more time waiting for,
I want more and more and more and more
And more and more and more and more
And more and more and more and more
And more and more and more and more
And more and more and more and more
And.
The lyrics to Can's song "I Want More" speak to a sense of desire for something bigger, better, and more exciting than the present. The repetition of the phrase "I want more and more and more" creates a sense of urgency that is underscored by the driving beat and overall energy of the song. The idea of playing a game can be interpreted in multiple ways - perhaps it refers to societal expectations, or the overall experience of life itself. The line "I don't have to say no more" could suggest a sort of resignation to this game - the idea that there's no way out, and the only option is to keep playing.
Line by Line Meaning
Everybody plays a game,
Everyone engages in some sort of strategy or competition
We don't have to save a name,
We don't need to keep track of who wins or loses
Every day come sun array,
Everyday brings new opportunities or challenges
I say good's just playing for safe.
Being average or following the norm is playing it safe
I don't have to say no more,
No further explanation is needed
You've got more time waiting for,
There is still time to attain more or do more
Don't care if I break the law,
Rules or legalities are not a concern
I want more and more and more.
Greed or ambition motivates me to continually strive for more
Everybody plays a game,
Reiteration of the point that everyone is strategic or competitive in some way
Voice inscription play for safe,
Repeating the idea that it is common to play it safe
You've got more time waiting for,
Restating that there is still time to achieve more
I want more and more and more and more
Emphasizing the desire for excessive amounts or levels of success or wealth
And more and more and more and more
Further emphasizing the desire for potentially unattainable amounts or levels
And more and more and more and more
Continuation of the previous line's emphasis
And more and more and more and more
Final repetition of the desire for ever-increasing amounts or levels
And more and more and more and more
Final repetition emphasizing the insatiable desire for more
And.
The end of the song or statement
Lyrics © DistroKid, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVID W. JR. COBB, ROBIN EVERHART, MICHAEL P. MILEY, SCOTT C. PFAFF
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Benjamin Clasper
I first discovered the can and this song was the first one I heard back in 2011 when I was five years old when they were on top of the pops from 1976 in around august then and they were running repeats of the old episodes on bbc four and they’ve stuck with me ever since and I’m listening to them still now in 2023 and I’m 17 now
They’re one of a kind.
Kooka Munga
This song is unique and very playfull vibe and beat .
Jon Talbot
I saw these characters live in Cambridge about the time Future Days came out. The whole gig was one extended jam. Luckily we were so out of it we barely noticed. Still like to listen to them when taking a vacation from my more usual diet of blues, soul, funk etc.
Al Bum
Great song by a great band.
SJ Willis
Just come back alive again !!!! ♡♡
CAN . This is the antidote to crap supermarket music . Major respect to this man and his band . Loving it . 🤩✅✅✅
Andy Preston
Love it, love it, love it !!!!!
yusuf
What a great band
Bernd Jenter
You don't know how much I love.this band ! Thx
Maxx Black
Maybe as much as I do the greatest band ever loved every album still do ☮️
Steve Snowdon
Heard this for the first time today on 6 Music - wonderful stuff