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.
Yoo Doo Right
Can Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Doo right, yoo doo right, doo right, yoo doo right
Doo right, yoo doo right, doo right, yoo doo right
Doo right, yoo doo right, doo right, yoo doo right
I'm in love with my girl an' she's away
Man, you gotta move on, man, you gotta move on, man
I need your help, I need your love today
Now that you're in love with me
You made a believer out o'me, babe
You made a believer out o'me
Doo right, yoo doo right, a-doo right, a-yoo doo right
A-doo right, a-yoo doo right, a-doo right, a-yoo doo right
A-doo right, a-yoo doo right, a-doo right, a-yoo doo right
A-doo right, a-yoo doo right, a-doo right, a-yoo doo right
When they ask what's wrong I say o.k.
I'm in love with my girl, she's away
Man, gotta move on, man, you gotta move on, man
I need your help, I need your love today
Once I was blind, now I can see
Now that you're in love with me
You made a believer out o'me, babe
You made a believer out o'me, she says
Doo-wah, a-yoo doo right, a-doo-wah, a-yoo doo right
A-doo-wah, a-yoo doo right, a-yoo doo, a-doo it right
I need you, I need you 'night, a-doo-wah, a-yoo doo right
When they ask what's wrong I say I'm o.k.
Man, gotta move on, man, you gotta move on, man
I'm in love with my girl, she's gone away this day
A drum beat 21 hours a day
Once I was blind, now I can see
Once I was blind but now I can see
Now that you're in love with me
You made a believer out o'me, babe
You made a believer out o'me
She say doo, a-doo doo wah, she say doo, a-doo doo wah
She say doo, a-doo doo wah, she say doo, a-yoo doo right
She said yoo, it's alright, she said yoo, it's alright
She said yoo, a-yoo doo right, she said yoo, a-yoo doo right
When they ask what's wrong I say o.k.
Oh, I'm in love with my girl, she's away
I need your help, I need your love today
I send a letter right away
Once I was blind, but now I see
Now that you're in love with me
You made a believer out o'me, babe
Baby, baby, baby, it's o.k.
Say doo wah, a-yoo doo right, a-doo right, a-yoo doo right
A-doo right, a-yoo doo right, a-doo right, a-yoo doo right
A-doo right, a-yoo doo right, a-doo right, a-yoo doo right
A-doo right, a-yoo doo right, a-doo right, a-yoo doo right
When they ask what's wrong I say I'm o.k.
I'm in love with my girl, she's away
Man, you gotta move on, man, you gotta move on, man
I need your help, I need your love strong
A drum beat 24 hours a day
I know you're here, you're here to stay
You made a believer out o'me, babe
You made a believer out o'me, she say
Doo right, a-yoo doo right, doo right, a-yoo doo right
Doo right, a-yoo doo right, doo right, a-yoo doo right
Doo right, a-yoo doo right, doo right, a-yoo doo right
Doo right, a-yoo doo right, doo right, a-yoo doo right
Doo right, a-yoo doo right, doo right, a-yoo doo right
Doo right, yoo doo right, doo right, yoo doo right
Yoo doo right, yoo doo right, yoo doo right, yoo doo right
Yoo doo right, yoo doo right, yoo doo right, yoo doo right
Baby, yoo doo right, yoo doo right, baby, yoo doo right, yoo doo right
Baby, it's alright, yoo doo right, baby, it's alright, yoo doo right
Baby, it's alright, yoo doo right, baby, it's alright, yoo doo right
Baby, it's alright, yoo doo right, baby, it's alright, yoo doo right
Baby, it's alright, yoo doo right, baby, it's alright, yoo doo right
Baby, it's alright, yoo doo right, baby, it's alright, yoo doo right
Baby, it's alright, yoo doo right, baby, it's alright, yoo doo right
Yoo doo right, yoo doo right, yoo doo right, yoo doo right
Yoo doo right, yoo doo right, yoo doo right, yoo doo right
When they ask what's wrong I say I'm o.k.
I'm in love with my girl, she's away
Man, gotta move on, man, you gotta move on, man
I need your help, I need your love today
A drum beat 21 hours a day
Once I was blind, but now I see
Now that you're in love with me
You made a believer out o'me, babe
You made a believer out o'me
Gotta, gotta, doo-wah, gotta, gotta, a-doo wah
A-doo-wah, a-yoo doo right, a-doo-wah, a-yoo doo right
A-doo-wah, yoo doo right, a-doo-wah, yoo doo right
When they ask what's wrong I say I'm o.k.
I'm in love with my girl, she's away
Man, gotta move on, man, you gotta move on, man
I need your love, I need your love today
Once I was blind, but now I see
Now that you're in love with me
You made a believer out o'me
You made a believer out o'me, baby
It's alright, it's alright, it's alright, baby, it's alright
It's alright, baby, it's alright, it's alright, baby, it's alright
I'm in love with my girl, she's away
Once I was blind
Now that you're in love with me
You made a believer out o'me
You made a believer out o'me
A-doo-wah, a-yoo doo right, a-doo-wah, a-yoo doo right
A-doo-wah, a-yoo doo right, a-doo-wah, a-yoo doo right
A-doo-wah, a-yoo doo right, a-doo-wah, a-yoo doo right
A-doo-wah, a-yoo doo right, a-doo-wah, a-yoo doo right
When they ask what's wrong I say I'm o.k.
I'm in love with my girl, she's away
I need your help, I need your love today
Drum beat 21 ho-hours a day
Once I was blind, but now I see
Now that you're in love with me
You made a believer out o'me, baby
Alright, it's alright, alright, it's alright
Alright, it's alright, alright, it's alright
Alright, it's alright, alright, it's alright
Alright, it's alright, alright, it's alright
Need your love, need your love
Need your love, need your love
Once I was blind, but now I can see
Now that you're in love with me
You made a believer out o'me
You made a believer out o'me
Man, you gotta move on, man, man, you gotta move on, man
Man, you gotta move on, man, man, you gotta move on, man
I need your help, I need your love
A drum beat 24 hours a day
Once I was blind, but now I can see
Now that you're in love with me
Man, you gotta move on, man, you gotta move
Man, you gotta move on, man, you gotta move
I need your help, I need your love
A drum beat 21 hours a day
A-doo-wah, a-yoo doo right, a-doo-wah, a-yoo doo right
Once I was blind, but now I see
Now that you're in love with me
You made a believer out o'me, baby
You made a believer out o'me...
When they ask what's wrong I say I'm o.k.
I'm in love with my girl, she's away
Man, you gotta move on, man, you gotta move
Man, you gotta move on, man, you gotta move
Man, you gotta move on, man, you gotta move
Man, you gotta move on, man, you gotta move
I need your love, I need your love
A drum beat 21 hours a day
Doo right, a-doo right, a-doo right
Man, you gotta move on, man, you gotta move
Man, you gotta move on, man, you gotta move
Man, you gotta move on, man, you gotta move
Man, you gotta move on, man, you gotta move
It's alright, it's alright, it's alright, it's alright
It's alright, it's alright, it's alright, it's alright
I'm in love with my girl, she's away
The song "Yoo Doo Right" by Can is known for its repetitive structure and hypnotic rhythm, characteristic of the Krautrock genre. The song starts with the phrase "Doo right, Yoo doo right," repeated throughout the song, as the singer expresses his love for his girl who is away. He says that he needs the help and love of his friends and that once he was blind, but now he can see, and it's all thanks to his girl who made a believer out of him.
The song's lyrics are open to interpretation, but some argue that it's about the transformative power of love, while others say it's a representation of the hedonistic lifestyle of the band.
The song was recorded as a 20-minute jam session and later edited down to 20 minutes for commercial release.
Line by Line Meaning
Doo right, yoo doo right, doo right, yoo doo right
Encourages the listener to take action and do the right thing.
I'm in love with my girl an' she's away
Expresses longing for a distant lover.
Man, you gotta move on, man, you gotta move on, man
Acknowledges the need to move forward despite the pain of separation.
I need your help, I need your love today
Requests assistance and emotional support from a trusted friend or partner.
Once I was blind but now I see
Reflects on personal growth and newfound clarity in life.
Now that you're in love with me
Expresses gratitude for reciprocated feelings of love.
You made a believer out o'me, babe
Credits the lover for restoring faith and trust in love.
When they ask what's wrong I say o.k.
Hides emotional pain from others.
Once I was blind, now I can see
Reiterates personal transformation and newfound clarity.
You made a believer out o'me, she says
Reinforces the idea that the lover helped the artist believe in love again.
I need you, I need you 'night, a-doo-wah, a-yoo doo right
Expresses desire and dependence on the lover.
I'm in love with my girl, she's gone away this day
Expresses heartbreak and longing for a recently separated lover.
A drum beat 21 hours a day
Reinforces the idea of constant, rhythmic intensity in life.
She say doo, a-doo doo wah, she say doo, a-doo doo wah
Highlights the lover's repeated expression of affection.
She said yoo, it's alright, she said yoo, it's alright
Offers reassurance and comfort to the singer.
I send a letter right away
Shows the artist's effort to reach out to the distant lover.
Baby, baby, baby, it's o.k.
Repeats the sentiment of reassurance and comfort.
I need your help, I need your love strong
Emphasizes the need for unwavering support and caring from the lover.
A drum beat 24 hours a day
Further emphasizes the idea of constant intensity in life.
I know you're here, you're here to stay
Expresses the artist's confidence in the lover's commitment to the relationship.
Doo right, a-yoo doo right, doo right, a-yoo doo right
Repeats the message of the importance of doing the right thing.
Baby, yoo doo right, yoo doo right, baby, yoo doo right, yoo doo right
Reiterates the artist's admiration and appreciation for the lover.
Once I was blind
Points out the singer's previous lack of clarity or understanding.
Alright, it's alright, alright, it's alright
Repeats the message of comfort, that everything will be okay.
Need your love, need your love
Expresses the ongoing need for love and emotional support.
Man, you gotta move on, man, man, you gotta move on, man
Repeats the need to move forward despite emotional pain.
You made a believer out o'me...
Repeats the idea that the lover restored the singer's faith in love.
Doo right, a-doo right, a-doo right
Final repetition of the idea of doing the right thing.
It's alright, it's alright, it's alright, it's alright
Final repetition of the message of comfort and reassurance.
Contributed by London L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@FrankHillemann
@Boris Polonski Yeah – It was probably one of the best times in your life. I can only vaguely imagine what it must have been like for you. It must have been great to have such a teacher :)
You sound like, if you don't like to be influenced by the techno "tree in the wood of electronic music trees that emerged and has grown in that time", do you? Or is it just me wrongly interpreting your last sentence as something that you regret?
From my perspective, as one who likes your music, I don't think that was a bad thing. This phenomenon influenced many 80/90 kinds and youths. I mean, we all children of our times and this was something completely new, completely different. In retrospective, I think it was an inevitable next step in the long way human music culture walked, walks and will always be walking.
Herby Hancook made Electro. Radiohead started using synths, Acid Jazz was born, and I could make this list never stop what let the music explode between 1970 and today. What flows is the evolution of music, and some people's influences started new ways, new lines of growth, and it will happen again and again. Hopefully, it will always produce unique individuals that will sometimes influence others to create something distinct and breathtaking. I mean, "Can" and his members like Jaki influenced you, and you and Jaki as "Club off Chaos" influenced one or another musician. "Can" have even their "grandchildren" in this century, if I think of bands like "Stabile Elite".
I am happy with all the artists that gave me such deep insight into all kinds and influences of music and showed me the richness of our musical universe with all its big and small stars. Everyone opened my eyes to new galaxies, and hopefully, I will never stop to look for new ones. :) I hope that was not too poetic, huh ;D Again, thanks for your music, and greeting from Berlin :)
@uglugl54
This piece - timeless and everlasting! Fantastic Groove and extatic voice. African Drums with Underground Guitarpatterns... 54 years soundung like yesterday and maybe tomorrow!
@hotelmario510
What I love about this song is that it is always longer than you think it is
@andyscherer1081
if wikipedia is to be believed this is 20 minutes out of 6 hours they were playing this song for
@DeineMatnr2
What i hate about this song is that it is always shorter than i wish it is
@eisenprinzpl9114
Anfang der 70er das erste mal gehört, gekauft, dann dazu gekifft, anschließend flogen uns die Socken weg. Es gab nichts vergleichbares. Bis heute. Ausser später vielleicht Tago Mago.
@josephclose5300
Beatles Stones Floyd : get in line. I love you all, but Can is a heroic gem in all of it. This is a timeless anthem!
@WocklessGamingforAnimeMoms
Not a huge Beatles Fan.
@hans-peterhohberg6747
beim anhören habe ich den süßlichen geruch in der nase oder das drehen auf der tanzfläche, auch einen warmen körber spüre ich, wow da kommen erinnerungen und das mit 70. wir hatten einfach die geilste zeit ever to crow up
@rogerantonybennett5272
I'm starting to hear it frequently again, 50+ years
And I keep hearing new music all the time.
@kippspyropoulos1212
Not many bands had the balls to put these long kick ass jams on their albums cuz they knew they wouldn’t get on the radio.. thank you CAN for saying F. U. to the MAN! What a wonderful f’n tune!!!