Can was an experimental rock group founded in Cologne, Germany in 1968. Des… Read Full Bio ↴Can was an experimental rock group founded in Cologne, Germany in 1968. Describing themselves as an "anarchist community", they constructed their music largely through improvisation and editing, in a way similar to several avant-garde composers of the time. They had only occasional commercial success, but exerted a huge influence on subsequent rock and electronic music. They are generally held to be one of the finest of the original Krautrock bands, and are among the most important experimental artists in recent music history.
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.

Safe
Can Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

This is a briefing message to all those who try their best and make
Everything quite easy and who aren't sure either which is the right way
To them this is the safe way, safe as the mighty flow
And all those friends who are wrong as they're wrong, they're wrong

Safe as the mighty eye, you got me safe, safe, safe as the mighty eye
You got me safe, safe, safe as the mighty eye
You got me safe, safe, safe as the mighty eye
You got me safe, safe, safe as the mighty eye, you got me safe

Check it out, the sound, check the sound, sound
This is how they're wrong, this is how they're used to wrong
This is how they're used to wrong, this is how they're used to wrong
Safe as the mighty eye
Hear the helicopter, hear the thunder, boy, who left me without things
(This is how they're wrong, this is how they're used to wrong)
They're designed to write the humans out of their minds
(This is how they're wrong, this is how they're used to wrong)
This is how they're wrong, this is how they're used to wrong
This is how they're used to wrong, this is how they're used to wrong

(Safe, safe, safe as the mighty eye
You got me safe, safe, safe as the mighty eye) This is how they're wrong
(You got me safe, safe, safe as the mighty eye, you got me)

This is a briefing message to all those who try their best and make
Everything quite easy and who aren't sure either which is the right way
To them this is the safe way, safe as the mighty flow
And all those friends who are obviously wrong where they're wrong
There are so many ways to spend the day
So that it's hard to say if it's right or wrong
And there's even those who are so far away from what they do
That they don't even realize the thing

You got me safe as the mighty eye
You got me safe as the mighty eye, there are so many ways
Safe as the mighty eye, you got me safe as the mighty eye
You got me safe as the mighty eye, you got me safe as the mighty eye
You got me safe as the mighty eye
You got me safe as the mighty eye, you got me safe as the mighty eye
You got me safe as the mighty eye, you got me safe as the mighty eye
You got me safe as the mighty eye, you got me safe as the mighty eye
You got me safe as the mighty eye, you got me safe as the mighty eye

You got me safe as the mighty eye, you got me safe as the mighty eye
You got me safe as the mighty eye, you got me safe as the mighty eye

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Can's song "Safe" appear to be directed at those who try their best but still find it difficult to determine the right way. The lyrics suggest that there is a safe way - safe as the mighty flow - and that people who seem obviously wrong should be avoided. The repetition of the phrase "safe as the mighty eye" reinforces the idea of safety and security, while the final verse suggests that there are many different ways to spend the day and that some people may be too far removed from what they do to realize what they are missing. Overall, the song seems to encourage listeners to find the safe way and avoid those who are wrong.

One interesting fact about Can's song "Safe" is that it was released on their album "Delay 1968," which was recorded in 1968 but not released until 1981. This delay was due to legal issues between the band and their record label. Another interesting fact is that the song was written by Irmin Schmidt and Malcolm Mooney, who were both members of Can at the time. Mooney left the band soon after the album was recorded, citing mental and physical exhaustion.

Another interesting fact about "Safe" is that the song features a lot of repetition and layering, with multiple vocals and instruments creating a dense, almost hypnotic sound. The use of helicopters and thunder in the background adds to the sense of tension and drama. The lyrics themselves are somewhat cryptic and open to interpretation, with a lot of repetition and ambiguity.

Despite its delay and relative obscurity, "Safe" has been influential for many musicians and is considered a classic of the krautrock genre. The song's use of repetition and layering has been particularly influential, with many artists citing Can as a major influence on their own work. The use of unconventional instruments and sound effects also set the band apart from their contemporaries.

Chords (as played by Can):

Verse:
Am / / / Dm / / / / Dm / / / / Am / / / /
Am / / / Dm / / / / Dm / / / / Am / / / /

Chorus:
G / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
G / / / / / / / G / / / G / / / /

Bridge:
Am / / / / Dm / / / /
Am / / / / Dm / / / / G / / / / G / / / /

Line by Line Meaning

This is a briefing message to all those who try their best and make Everything quite easy and who aren't sure either which is the right way
For those who give their best, but still find it hard to determine the correct path, this song is a guide to the safer route.

To them this is the safe way, safe as the mighty flow
This song is their safe option, leading them like the powerful movement of water.

And all those friends who are obviously wrong
This song also highlights those close to us who are clearly on the wrong track.

Safe as the mighty eye, you got me safe, safe, safe as the mighty eye, you got me safe
Repeatedly stating the safety granted by the 'mighty eye', which symbolizes the clarity and protection provided by following the safer path.

Check it out, the sound, check the sound, sound
Encouraging the listener to pay attention to the song and its message.

This is how they're wrong, this is how they're used to wrong
Identifying some people as being accustomed to making wrong decisions.

Hear the helicopter, hear the thunder, boy, who left me without things
Introducing a sense of chaos, noise, and disorientation, possibly caused by making the wrong decisions.

They're designed to write the humans out of their minds
Suggesting that some external factors have contributed to people ignoring common sense and good judgment.

There are so many ways to spend the day So that it's hard to say if it's right or wrong
Highlighting the difficulty of differentiating between right and wrong when there are so many choices and possibilities.

And there's even those who are so far away from what they do That they don't even realize the thing
Some individuals may be so far from their true path that they don't even understand it anymore.

You got me safe as the mighty eye, there are so many ways
Reiterating the safety provided by the 'mighty eye' and acknowledging the many choices available.

You got me safe as the mighty eye, you got me safe as the mighty eye
Repeating the safety assurance provided by following the safer path.

Contributed by Joseph D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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