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
Glamour Girl
Chicks on Speed Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She stands so still
Wears a feather bra
Her hair so high
It starts to sway
When she brushes her teeth
Five times a day
Night-time thrill
She's a glamour girl
And her looks just kill
Beware of her kiss
She'll suck you in
Five times a day
love her breasts
Forget the rest
burlesque attitude
Night-time thrill
She's a glamour girl
And her looks just kill
Beware of her kiss
The spikes never miss
She sucks you in
She's in a spin
she's a glamour girl
She's a glamour girl
chicks on speed
Chicks on speed
Oh yeah
The song "Glamour Girl" by Chicks On Speed is an upbeat and energetic tribute to a woman who exudes the epitome of glamour. The song starts by introducing the singer as a "glamour girl" who stands still and wears a feather bra with her hair styled high. The lyrics describe her brushing her teeth five times a day, showcasing her attention to self-care and her perfectionist tendencies. The chorus repeats the line, "She's a glamour girl," emphasizing the singer's admiration for her subject.
The lyrics further describe the glamour girl's burlesque attitude and nighttime thrill, hinting at her seductive nature. The song warns listeners to beware of her kiss, suggesting that she has the power to enchant and manipulate those who fall under her spell. The lyrics also highlight the glamour girl's breasts, claiming that they should be loved above all else.
Overall, the song celebrates the glamour girl's captivating appearance and sexual energy while acknowledging that there may be a darker side to her allure. The lyrics paint a picture of a woman who is in control of her own image and who commands attention from those around her.
Line by Line Meaning
She's a glamour girl
She presents herself as a glamorous woman.
She stands so still
She poses with great poise and composure.
Wears a feather bra
She flaunts her sexuality with a burlesque style outfit.
Her hair so high
She styles her hair extravagantly.
It starts to sway
Her hair moves with the beat of the music.
When she brushes her teeth
She is obsessed with keeping her appearance flawless.
Five times a day
She goes overboard with her self-care routine.
Burlesque attitude
She embodies a bold, provocative style.
Night-time thrill
She's particularly electrifying in a dimly lit environment.
And her looks just kill
Her appearance is stunning and captivating.
Beware of her kiss
She has a seductive charm that can be dangerous.
She'll suck you in
She has a way of drawing people in with her charm.
Love her breasts
She believes her physical attributes are her greatest asset.
Forget the rest
She thinks everything else about her is insignificant.
The spikes never miss
She's sharp and unyielding, always ready for a challenge.
She's in a spin
She's caught up in her own world of glamour and excitement.
Chicks on speed
This is a reference to the band performing the song.
Oh yeah
An expression of enthusiasm or excitement.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Vincent Rubino
I haven't been in love with a song more than this one in ages.
João M Franco
Oww same here , I found recently lol hehehe r u still listen it
Gerry76alpha
still love this and the 90's club sound background!!!
Philippe Beaudoin
Wooooh!! I havnt heard that track in 15 years (at least) ill listen it it 5 times a day now.
Ronald Dratwinski
you must turn up your speakers very loud to enjoy this kind of music. Chicks on speed in a club and this song means a lot of fun. : ) luv it
𝘽𝙧𝙤𝙠𝙚𝙣𝙎𝙞𝙜𝙣𝙖𝙡 3210
I still listen to this 5 times a day 🙂
Julie Mørup
So great - her voice :D
Jairo Ramos
Época boa =) Teenager <3
Walter van der Cruijsen
they're brilliant, lov'em
Chloane Abi Allam
This song made me laugh so hard😂