Chicks on Speed's attitude, combining punk rock aesthetics and feminism -- inspired among all by the cultural criticism of such people as Situationists, Valerie Solanas or Stewart Home -- towards music-making is mischievous, prankish and not a little bit ambiguous; they have jokingly called themselves a "fake band", as a sort of parody of producer-led girl groups like Spice Girls. On the other hand they are very serious about running the whole business; with single and album releases, promotional videos, tours and their own record label, not to mention their art exhibitions, performances, fashion designs and similar activities. The ambiguity is about whether they want to remain an experimental art project or aspire towards being a pop act making it all the way to the charts.
The critical and audience responses to Chicks on Speed have been mixed: they have had their championing proponents -- such as British journalists Piers Martin and Jill Mingo (who works as their PR/press officer), and pHinn (who has maintained their extensive "Official Unofficial" fan site since 2000 at pHinnWeb) -- who think that their approach is fresh and innovative, not to speak about their dedicated hardcore fans, but negative comments have been heard too from the critics (often male) who think Chicks on Speed are just faddish and dilettante-ish, their cultural criticism only half-baked and contrived sloganeering (this was obvious, for example, by the less-than-enthusiastic reception their 2004 album Press the Spacebar had among many critics). The worst audience response to Chicks on Speed was probably had when in June 2004 they played as the warm-up act for the Red Hot Chili Peppers' UK tour, which reached its climax at Hyde Park, London: Chicks on Speed were bottled off of the stage virtually on every date by the Red Hot Chili Peppers fans who were less than understanding towards the Chicks' art-punk attitudes and their Hymn "We Don't play Guitars".
The 2004 Manchester UK needs to be seen on context, Anthony Kiedis criticised the audience reaction to the Chicks without realising that such a reception in Manchester is often an indicator of future long-term success, for example the 1966 reaction to Bob Dylan ("Judas") and the Sex Pistols Lesser Free Trade Hall gig (‘That’s rubbish! We could do so much better than that.")
Chicks on Speed's very first release was the cassette Analog Internet in 1997 on their own Stop Records. Their first vinyl release, Warm Leatherette 7" (1998), was a stripped-to-the-bone cover version of Daniel Miller's 1978 song he recorded as The Normal. The record was produced by Tobi Neumann, with a backing track by Dj Hell. In 2000 the band relocated to Berlin. Chicks on Speed have toured all over the world: in Europe, Americas, Australia and Asia. As additional live members have been Ann Shenton of Large Number (ex-Add N to (X)).
Chicks on Speed have released the albums The Un-Releases (2000) (a compilation of rare tracks), the debut album proper Chicks on Speed Will Save Us All (2000), 99 Cents (2003) (one of its tracks, 'Wordy Rappinghood', featured such guest vocalists as Peaches, Miss Kittin and Nicola Kuperus of ADULT.) and Press the Spacebar (2004) (together with Spanish band No Heads and producer Cristian Vogel). Furthermore, in 2000 they released a four-track EP Chix 52, with cover versions of the songs by The B-52's. In 2001 was released another EP, with German postrock band Kreidler, called The Chicks on Speed / Kreidler Sessions. They have worked also with such producers as Glove (Tobi Neuman and Thies Mynther), Vienna's Cheap Records artists Christopher Just, Patrick Pulsinger and Gerhard Potuznik; also Ed DMX of DMX Krew, Hecker, Mika Vainio and Pan Sonic and others. Chicks on Speed also appeared as guests on the live album of Finland's Club Telex Noise Ensemble. British band Sand and Finnish Pan sonic are some other artists they have performed with live. Chicks on Speed have had close contacts with the people of Vienna's Mego label, and have created cover art for both albums of Fenn O'Berg. Fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld did a photo session for the sleeve of their Fashion Rules single (2002). COS have also collaborated with other fashion designers, Jean Charles de Castelbajac and Jeremy Scott.
COS have released cover versions from the songs of such artists as The B-52's, Nick Cave, Cracker, Delta 5, Malaria!, David Bowie and Tom Tom Club.
There are music videos for Chicks on Speed's singles Glamour Girl (directed by Deborah Schamoni/Smoczek Policzek, 2000), Kaltes Klares Wasser (there are two versions of this: the first directed by Juliane Solmsdorf in 2000, the second for MTV's distribution by Deborah Schamoni/Smoczek Policzek, 2001), and We Don't Play Guitars (featuring Peaches, 2003). Chicks on Speed also have some more experimental type of videos such as Don't Work, Trade (2000), Trading Post (?), and Sellout (2001). Additionally, there is a one-hour length documentary video Chicks On Speed, A Retrospective (directed by Juliane Solmsdorf, 2001), consisting of home videos from the band's archives. Deborah Schamoni has made an experimental and surreal dance piece short film Visitors (2005), where Chicks on Speed arrive as aliens to New York City, slowely getting beaten up and eventually becoming homeless and losing each other, made for Deitch Projects, New York. Other new videos include 2 edits for the song Super Surfer Girl, by Mariah Garnet.
Chicks on Speed's first book, It's A Project, was published in 2004 by UK's Booth-Clibborn Editions: being a picture book type of collection of press clippings and personal memento, with a CD of rare and unreleased tracks, dress designs, and so on; all packed in a fabric bag.
The group members have run three record labels: Go Records, Stop Records, and Chicks on Speed Records, the latter one which is still active, having also released albums from other artists such as Sylvesterboy (a.k.a. Schorsch Kamerun of the Hamburg punk band Die Goldenen Zitronen), DAT politics, Le Tigre, Kevin Blechdom (formerly of Blectum From Blechdom), Angie Reed (formerly of Stereo Total), Ana da Silva (formerly of The Raincoats) Anat Ben David and Susanne Brokesch.
Chicks on Speed are about to release their 4th album , titled CUTTING THE EDGE, the first single "Art Rules" produced by COS and Christopher Just stars the Art Star Douglas Gordon was released on Chicks on Speed Records mid 2008 and second single Super Surfer Girl, with remixes by whomadewho and Christopher Just. Cutting The Edge will be release in March 2009 on Chicks on Speed Records-
COS LOVE AND LISTEN 2 CSS whomadewho Anat Ben-David Le Tigre Peaches miss kittin yelle
Kiki Moorse, once collaborator of COS from 1998 - 2006 is currently pursuing solo projects www.kikimoorse.com
Strobelight
Chicks On Speed Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
"Is that you baby?"
"Yeah."
"Got something to tell you."
"Oh, what?"
I want to see you tonight
I want you to walk in the door
I want you to lay on the floor
We make love, under a strobe light
Underneath the strobe light
Wanna make love to you under the strobe light
Wanna make love to you under the strobe light
Strobe light - Woah oh oh
Strobe light - Woah oh oh
Yeah!
But the light goes to my head!
Everything I see is red
Baby when I kiss your hair
I feel electricity in the air
I'm gonna kiss your eyes
Then I'm gonna kiss your neck
Then I'm gonna kiss your tummy
The I'm gonna kiss your pineapple
Tonight's the night
For love under the light
Strobe light, strobe light
Underneath the strobe light
Wanna make love to you under the strobe light
Wanna make love to you under the strobe light
Strobe light - Woah oh oh
Strobe light - Woah oh oh
Yeah!
I just wanna make love to you
I just wanna make love to you
Underneath the strobe light
Strobe light, strobe light
Strobe light, strobe light
Strobe light
Strobe, strobe, strobe, strobe, strobe light
The song "Strobelight" by Chicks On Speed is a playful and seductive song about making love under a strobe light. The lyrics describe the desire to see the loved one and make love with them under the flashing lights. The singer in the song wants their loved one to come over, lay on the floor, and make love on the strobe light. The strobe light, which can induce a sense of disorientation, adds a sensual and exciting element to the song.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the importance of the strobe light in making love, with the phrase "wanna make love to you under the strobe light" being repeated several times. The lyrics also describe the physical sensations that come with intimacy, such as feeling electricity in the air and kissing various parts of the body, including the neck and tummy. The song ends with a repetition of the word "strobe light" as the singer expresses their longing to make love under its flashing lights.
Overall, "Strobelight" is a fun and daring song that celebrates the intensity and pleasure of physical intimacy. The strobe light, with its ability to create a sense of disorientation, adds an exciting and whimsical element to the song's portrayal of love and desire.
Line by Line Meaning
Where's my telephone?
Asking for the availability of the telephone to call someone.
"Is that you baby?"
Answering the phone call and identifying the person on the other end.
"Yeah."
Confirming their presence on the phone call.
"Got something to tell you."
Excitedly teasing the person on the other end, signaling that they have something important and exciting to say.
"Oh, what?"
Curiously prompting the person on the other end to reveal what they have to say.
I want to see you tonight
Expressing a strong desire to meet the person on the other end tonight.
I want you to walk in the door
Inviting the person on the other end to walk in the door and come inside.
I want you to lay on the floor
Expressing a desire for the person on the other end to lay down on the floor.
Cause tonight's the night
Signaling that this particular night is extremely special and significant.
We make love, under a strobe light
Expressing a sexual desire to make love with the person on the other end, particularly under a strobe light.
Underneath the strobe light
Reiterating the desire to perform sexual activity under the strobe light.
Wanna make love to you under the strobe light
Repeating the strong desire to engage in sexual activity together under the strobe light.
Strobe light - Woah oh oh
Emphasizing the significance of the strobe light in adding an alluring and exciting quality to the sex act.
Yeah!
Expressing enthusiasm and excitement for engaging in this sexual activity.
But the light goes to my head!
Acknowledging that the strobe light can have an intense effect on the body and mind.
Everything I see is red
Describing the visual effect of the strobe light on the surroundings - everything appears red.
Baby when I kiss your hair
Expressing tenderness and affection by kissing the person's hair.
I feel electricity in the air
Describing a sensation of romantic and/or sexual sparks flying during this intimate moment.
I'm gonna kiss your eyes
Placing importance on the act of kissing, by detailing exactly where the kissing will take place.
Then I'm gonna kiss your neck
Continuing to detail the sequence of kissing, starting from the eyes and moving on to the neck.
Then I'm gonna kiss your tummy
Adding another element of tenderness and affection to the sequence of kissing, by including the person's tummy as a destination.
The I'm gonna kiss your pineapple
In a playful and flirtatious manner, the person is detailing an act of sexual activity by describing the kissing of the person's private parts.
Tonight's the night
Reiterating the significance of tonight and how it represents a rare opportunity for intimate moments.
For love under the light
Describing the nature of the intimate act under the strobe light.
Strobe light, strobe light
Repeating the words as a natural continuation of describing the act under the strobe light.
I just wanna make love to you
Reiterating the main message of the song - a strong desire to engage in sexual activity with the person on the other end of the phone call.
Strobe light
Repeating the phrase one final time, likely as a way of emphasizing the importance of the strobe light in this intimate moment.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CINDY WILSON, FRED SCHNEIDER, KATE PIERSON, KEITH STRICKLAND, RICKY WILSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind