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.
Oh Yeah
Can Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For you got to better not there
I see your own cheeks, saves that
It?s a time you're my lasting sign
They have got to sue the passing
As you do too everyday.
Still you point at them and then
Sometimes I'm the slave
Hitori de soko ni suwatteru
Atama no ikareta yattsu
Niji no ue kara shouben
Warera ga 'Nimo' to yobu?
No machi kara
Hanare gaki wo osore
Asa ga mada konai no wo
Saiwai na koto ni
The lyrics to Can's song Oh Yeah are enigmatic and difficult to decipher. There are many interpretations, but one possible reading is that the song is about a relationship that is coming to an end. The opening lines, "As your silver hair save that / For you got to better not there / I see your own cheeks, saves that," suggest that the singer is observing the physical changes that come with aging, and that the person being addressed is trying to hold onto their youth. The line "It's a time you're my lasting sign" could mean that the singer wants to remember this person as they are now, even as they change over time.
The following lines, "They have got to sue the passing / As you do too everyday / Still you point at them and then / Sometimes I'm the slave," are more difficult to interpret. It could be a commentary on the futility of trying to stop time, or a reference to the way that society pressures people to conform to certain norms. The chorus, which repeats the phrase "Oh yeah," adds to the sense of ambiguity.
The second verse, which is sung in Japanese, adds another layer of complexity to the song. The lyrics translate to "Sitting alone there / With five dandruff flakes on my head / Drinking from above the rainbow / Are we called 'Nimo'?" The meaning of these lines is even more obscure, but they add to the sense of mystery and intrigue that surrounds the song.
Line by Line Meaning
As your silver hair save that
Keep your silver locks, you're better off without them
For you got to better not there
It's better for you to be absent from this place
I see your own cheeks, saves that
You're going to need those rosy cheeks to survive
It?s a time you're my lasting sign
This moment will always remain as a meaningful memory
They have got to sue the passing
Others are just trying to get through life as well
As you do too everyday.
Everyone goes through the same daily struggles
Still you point at them and then
You judge others, despite your own shortcomings
Sometimes I'm the slave
I'm not always in control, I too have moments of weakness
Hitori de soko ni suwatteru
Sitting alone, pondering and reflecting
Atama no ikareta yattsu
The frustration in my head is overwhelming
Niji no ue kara shouben
A shower from above the rainbow
Warera ga 'Nimo' to yobu?
Do they call us 'Nimo'?
No machi kara
From the city
Hanare gaki wo osore
Fear the alienation from society
Asa ga mada konai no wo
In anticipation of the morning that hasn't arrived yet
Saiwai na koto ni
In moments of happiness
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Kevin Schmidt, James Maslow, Carlos Pena Jr., Logan Henderson, Kevin Rudolf, Jacob Kasher Hindlin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ceoofbased2877
Radiohead based their entire career on the first minute of this song.
@el_mal_de_ojo
Thom Yorke has gone on record multiple times saying that Can is one of his greatest influences. The intro to this song is the biggest supporting evidence to this claim.
@zackzallie8735
Like Spinning Plates and The National Anthem wouldn't feel out of place if you fit in randomly into Tago Mago
@YenaRecords
It's quite impressive the fact that Damo is both fluent in English, German, Japanese and Gibberish
@valeriofabbroni1357
In my first 15 years all songs were gibberish to me: it works wonderfully, the singing is just another layer of ryhthm and notes.
@YenaRecords
@@valeriofabbroni1357 Oh I was referring more to when Damo sing in actual gibberish on tracks like Peking O lol, but I feel you man
@idiotsavant751
There’s backward tracking on the vocals. It works!
@WocklessGamingforAnimeMoms
He was traveling around a lot.
@WocklessGamingforAnimeMoms
He was hitchhiking around.
@lucasr406
R.I.P Damo Suzuki 👑