The music ranges from childish naivism to dark, harder grooves, but addictive melodies also play an important role in this melting pot of improvisation and absurdness. The samples used are taken from Norwegian radio shows for children, cassette-books about Africa, and interviews (done by the band) of young communist activists. The shadow puppet group Figuraturus tells the story of the starving tribe of African robots hunting for food.
Bagamoyo
Casiokids Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Eldgamle infødte husket den tid da det haddevært elefanter.
Hvor mange koner og kokepiner på hver?
Hvor mange av apachaens utstoppede dyr skal bæres gjennom bushen til Bagamoyo?
Det var som om det selveste afrikanske ekornet her var sprunget
ut av skogen og rett inn i dansen. Han var herre over tilhørerenes skjelehell.
Han kunne sette dem ien lykkelig eller krigersk sinnstemming som han selv ville.
Han roter i en av kassene sine og finner en mirakuløst intstrument han har båret
med seg hele veien; et fotografi apparat.
Her gror det kaktus.
Her holder giraffene og nesehorene til.
Men mot vest, ligger dypt nede et månelandskap;
det afrikanske lavland. Her gror det kaktus.
Her holder giraffene og nesehornene til.
Deres kunst var mer rytmisk resitasjon enn en egentlig sang.
Her gror det kaktus.
Her gror det kaktus.
Her gror det kaktus.
Etterhvert som dansen ble fortsatt etter time etter time fikk de dansende et utrykk av himmelsk fryktsalighet.
Som om de virkelig alle var villige til og dø for hverandre.
Denne sangen var lang og hadde virkelig ynde,
den må ha inneholdt en skildring av den visdom og kjærlighet som fantes hos de gamle tannløse og skallede
kjerringene.
The lyrics to Casiokids's "Bagamoyo" describe a scene of African wildlife and culture. The first verse mentions various animals such as buffalo, eland antelopes, and rhinoceroses, as well as native people who recall a time when there were even elephants. The second verse introduces the concept of a dance, with a mysterious figure who controls the mood of the audience using rhythm and possibly drums. This dancer also reveals a surprise instrument, a camera, which he has carried with him all along. The third verse shifts the focus to the landscape, highlighting the presence of cacti, giraffes, and rhinoceroses. The last verse touches on the transformative power of the dance, as the dancers express a sense of sacred fear and devotion to each other. The poem also alludes to the wisdom and love of the elderly women who are part of this culture.
One interesting fact about Bagamoyo is that it is a real place in Tanzania, located on the coast of the Indian Ocean. The town was once a major center of the East African slave trade and also served as a departure point for explorers such as Richard Burton and John Speke. In addition, Bagamoyo is known for its arts and culture scene, with numerous museums, galleries, and festivals. It is possible that Casiokids drew inspiration from these historical and cultural associations when writing the song.
Another fact about the song is that it features a mix of Norwegian and English lyrics, which is typical of Casiokids's style. The band also incorporates eclectic musical influences, such as African rhythms, electronic beats, and indie pop melodies. Bagamoyo was included on their second album, "Aabenbaringen over aaskammen," released in 2011. The album received widespread critical acclaim and helped to establish Casiokids as one of the most exciting and innovative bands in Norway.
Line by Line Meaning
I min tid var det bøffler, elandantiloper og nesehorn, i en gong.
During my time, there were buffalos, eland antelopes, and rhinos all at once.
Eldgamle infødte husket den tid da det haddevært elefanter.
The elderly natives remembered when there were elephants.
Hvor mange koner og kokepiner på hver?
How many wives and cooking stoves per person?
Hvor mange av apachaens utstoppede dyr skal bæres gjennom bushen til Bagamoyo?
How many of the Apache's stuffed animals should be carried through the bush to Bagamoyo?
Det var som om det selveste afrikanske ekornet her var sprunget ut av skogen og rett inn i dansen. Han var herre over tilhørerenes skjelehell.
It was as if the African squirrel had jumped out of the forest and straight into the dance. He was the master of the spectators' movements.
Han kunne sette dem ien lykkelig eller krigersk sinnstemming som han selv ville.
He could put them in a happy or warlike mood as he pleased.
Trommene av og til ble satt for virkningens skyld.
The drums were sometimes set for the sake of effect.
Han roter i en av kassene sine og finner en mirakuløst intstrument han har båret med seg hele veien; et fotografi apparat.
He rummages through one of his boxes and finds a miraculously instrument he has carried with him the whole way; a camera.
Her gror det kaktus.
Here, cactus grows.
Her holder giraffene og nesehorene til.
Here, the giraffes and rhinos live.
Men mot vest, ligger dypt nede et månelandskap; det afrikanske lavland. Her gror det kaktus. Her holder giraffene og nesehornene til.
But to the west, lies a lunar landscape deep down; the African lowland. Here, cactus grows. Here, the giraffes and rhinos live.
Deres kunst var mer rytmisk resitasjon enn en egentlig sang.
Their art was more rhythmic recitation than an actual song.
Her gror det kaktus.
Here, cactus grows.
Her gror det kaktus.
Here, cactus grows.
Her gror det kaktus.
Here, cactus grows.
Etterhvert som dansen ble fortsatt etter time etter time fikk de dansende et utrykk av himmelsk fryktsalighet. Som om de virkelig alle var villige til og dø for hverandre.
As the dance continued hour after hour, the dancers took on an expression of celestial fearfulness. As if they were all truly willing to die for one another.
Denne sangen var lang og hadde virkelig ynde, den må ha inneholdt en skildring av den visdom og kjærlighet som fantes hos de gamle tannløse og skallede kjerringene.
This song was long and had real grace; it must have contained a portrayal of the wisdom and love that existed among the old toothless and bald women.
Contributed by Claire E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Mathematics
Saw these guys live in Oslo this summer :D was awesome!
Bean Beats
I hope they play this song when they come to Minneapolis!!!
underlig
Håller med, fantastiskt bra musik
Håvard Slettvold
tok greit av på Roskilde '08! en av de beste konsertene på hele festivalen =D
Kim Krohn Berle
Interessant det her.. Daft Punk konsept i egendefinert stil :P Nei men det her var drit kult.. Gleder meg til å høre mer av de, og live.. Slotsfjellfestivalen 08! 5/5 fra meg =)
Taari
Geniale, geniale sangen!!
BulletproofCupid
Haha, flotte greier, på tide at Bagamoyo fikk sin egen musikkvideo ^_^
Reziner
Super!
Brenda palma
💜🎶
buskepjusken
Nydelig video, nydelig musikk!