Their first single, the ambient house track "Der Erdbeermund", with a spoken vocal in German by Jo van Nelsen, peaked at number 11 on the German singles chart. Versions in English and French were also released (titled "Cherry Lips" and "Les lèvres cerises", respectively). An instrumental version was also a club hit in the United Kingdom, where it reached number 55.
Shortly afterwards, Culture Beat recruited New Jersey-born rapper Jay Supreme and singer Lana Earl to front the act. While the second single "I Like You" reached number 22 in the Netherlands, their fourth single "No Deeper Meaning" managed to reach as high as number 5 in the Netherlands and number 3 on the Canadian RPM Dance Chart. They released their first album, Horizon, in 1991 which went with only minor success.
Lana was replaced by British singer Tania Evans in 1993, and the act took a harder Eurodance sound. "Mr. Vain" became their biggest hit to date, reaching number-one in 13 countries including Germany, Australia and the United Kingdom. It was also their first mainstream hit in the United States, peaking at No.17 on the Hot 100. The single was certified three times Gold in Germany for selling over 750,000 units, it also managed to reach a Gold status in several other countries including US.
Subsequent singles "Got to Get It" and "Anything" were also pan-European hits, and their second album Serenity was awarded at the ECHO award for being the Best-selling German Act Abroad, with more than two million copies sold. This also got Torsten Fenslau nominated in the same year at the Echo for being the Best Producer of the Year, who also walked away as a winner.
On November 6, 1993, Culture Beat's founder Torsten Fenslau was killed in a car accident in Messel (district of Darmstadt) at age of 29. His brother Frank Fenslau took over the act as producer and manager.
The group returned the act in 1995 with a third album called Inside Out, preceded by a single of the same title "Inside Out" which reached number 5 in Germany and number 32 in the UK.
In 1997, Frank decided to take Culture Beat in a different musical direction diverging the act from the Eurodance sound into a more commercial pop sound. He also replaced Tania with Kim Sanders, who had previously scored a hit with "Impossible" by Captain Hollywood Project. Jay Supreme remained with the act for a short time after Tania's departure, but during recording of the next album he decided to leave the group and the Rap-vocals on the next album (only a few tracks contained Rap) were produced by rapper Next Up. Although, in 1998, the album Metamorphosis managed to reach No.12 at home, it was a minor chart success as it remained in the top-20 of the album chart for only four weeks, and spent overall 10 weeks appearing on the chart.
Three years later, Jacky Sangster replaced Kim as the fourth female lead singer for Culture Beat. The single called "Insanity" was released in 2001 which flopped in Germany; however, reached No. 1 in Israel. In 2003, to commemorate ten years since the release of the group's biggest hit, a new version of "Mr. Vain" was issued in Germany and reached No.7 in the singles chart. In 2004, a Greatest Hits package was released ahead of a planned new album with Jacky as vocalist, but was canceled before "Can't Go on Like This (No No)" was released. This single had minor success as well.
In January 2013, a compilation album was released, "The Loungin' Side of", which contains acoustic and lounge versions of hits taken from Inside Out and Metamorphosis.
Official website: http://www.culture-beat.com
Rendezvous
Culture Beat Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
to stop my sorrow and pain
I need to pray for redemption
the tears wash away my shame
hit rock bottom failed in defeat
hit rock bottom failed in defeat
hit rock bottom failed in defeat
hit rock bottom failed in defeat
hit rock bottom failed in defeat
hit rock bottom failed in defeat
hit rock bottom failed in defeat
my guest for a higher elevation is a nuisance
in a world of confusion and stress
compiled wit' my daily sinin'
is a burdon on my chest
release me, from the evil that lurks inside me
all I ask is that you to guide me
down the road of a righteous path
maybe then I can surpass
my oppressors, aggressors
placed obstacles before me I couldn't master
backstabbors, played me for a fool
friends I thought I knew, who were untrue
misguided me, lied to me, blinded me
to the point I couldn't see the forrest for the trees
hit rock bottom failed in defeat
Chorus:
I need to pray for redemption
and start all over again
I need to pray for redemption
the tears wash away my shame
I need to pray for redemption
to stop my sorrow and pain
I need to pray for redemption
the tears wash away my shame
hit rock bottom failed in defeat (8x)
faith, one should never give up
hold your head up high you must live up
to expectations large or small
individuality's the key to conquer all
mischief, followed me like a shadow
lost battles, left me shallow
still I kept pressin' on
bullets that grazed me made me strong
I knew if I believed in me
I would achieve great things and be redeemed
dreams deferred, end in dark alleys
pessimists, tend to dilly dally
perceive if you will a thought
can a leader be great who has no heart
never ending opportunity awaits
keep the faith
Chorus
The lyrics of Culture Beat's song Rendez-vous portray a story of someone who has hit rock bottom and failed in defeat. The singer is burdened by their daily sins and the evil that lurks inside them. They are seeking redemption and praying for a new beginning, hoping that their tears will wash away their shame and pain. The singer realizes that they need to hold their head up high to live up to expectations, no matter how large or small. They express a strong belief in themselves and their ability to achieve great things despite their past struggles.
The lyrics are poignant and relatable to anyone who has faced hardship and felt the need for redemption. The song's chorus emphasizes this message, with the line "I need to pray for redemption" repeated throughout. The verses highlight the singer's journey towards self-discovery and their belief in the power of faith and individuality.
Overall, the song is a powerful anthem for those who are seeking redemption and a way to move forward from their past mistakes. It highlights the importance of holding onto faith and self-belief in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
I need to pray for redemption
I want to pray to start my life anew and seek forgiveness for my past mistakes
to stop my sorrow and pain
I want to relieve myself of the sadness and hurt I feel within
the tears wash away my shame
I hope that by shedding tears, I can rid myself of guilt and disgrace
hit rock bottom failed in defeat
I have experienced a great loss or setback and feel as though I have failed
my guest for a higher elevation is a nuisance
My desire to improve and be better is causing me trouble in a world filled with confusion and stress
compiled wit' my daily sinin'
Along with my daily mistakes and wrongdoings
is a burdon on my chest
Is weighing heavily on my heart and mind
release me, from the evil that lurks inside me
Help me rid myself of the wickedness or negativity that resides within
all I ask is that you to guide me
I just want someone to support and lead me in the right direction
down the road of a righteous path
Help me stay on the path of goodness and morality
maybe then I can surpass my oppressors, aggressors
With guidance and support, I hope to overcome those who have caused me harm or held me back
placed obstacles before me I couldn't master
Thrown challenges in my path that I struggled to overcome
backstabbors, played me for a fool
People who I trusted have betrayed or deceived me
friends I thought I knew, who were untrue
People who I believed to be my friends have turned out to be disloyal or untrustworthy
misguided me, lied to me, blinded me
People who I trusted led me astray, deceived me and prevented me from seeing the truth
to the point I couldn't see the forrest for the trees
I was so deluded that I couldn't see the bigger picture
hit rock bottom failed in defeat (8x)
I have reached a low point, faced failure, and feel defeated
faith, one should never give up
One should never give up on their beliefs or hopes
hold your head up high you must live up
Keep a positive attitude and live up to one's potential
to expectations large or small
Whether it's high expectations or even small ones, one should strive to meet them
individuality's the key to conquer all
Being true to oneself is the way to overcome all challenges
mischief, followed me like a shadow
Misfortune and trouble always seem to follow me
lost battles, left me shallow
Defeat has left me feeling empty and incomplete
still I kept pressin' on
Despite the hardships, I kept going
bullets that grazed me made me strong
The challenges that I faced have helped make me stronger
I knew if I believed in me
I understood that if I trusted in myself
I would achieve great things and be redeemed
I could accomplish great things and redeem myself
dreams deferred, end in dark alleys
If one puts off pursuing their dreams, they may end up in a place of darkness and despair
pessimists, tend to dilly dally
Negative people often hesitate and procrastinate
perceive if you will a thought
Consider this thought, if you please
can a leader be great who has no heart
Can someone lead effectively if they lack sincerity and compassion?
never ending opportunity awaits
There are endless possibilities to take advantage of
keep the faith
Remain optimistic and hopeful
Lyrics © Melodie Der Welt GmbH, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: WALTER MERZIGER, ARNO KAMMERMEIER, PETER HAYO, FRANK BUELOW
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Luis Cavalcanti
Say it from the top of the empire state
Say it from the heart of the golden gate
That you wanna be with me
You wanna be with me
And no longer will you wait
Say it from the top of the eiffel tower
Say it every minute and every hour
And baby, if you will get through
You just have to ask me for a rendez-vous
I don't wanna wake up lonely
I don't wanna sleep alone
I don't wanna spend my whole life on my own
I can make your heart beat stronger
I can make the stars shine bright
So what are you afraid of?
You don't have to hide what you feel inside
Say it from the top of the empire state
Say it from the heart of the golden gate
That you wanna be with me
You wanna be with me
And no longer will you wait
Say it from the top of the eiffel tower
Say it every minute and every hour
And baby, if you will get through
You just have to ask me for a rendez-vous
(rendez-vous)
If you wanna tell me something
Why don't you just come around?
Maybe you will lose
If you wait until the final round
I can make your day much sweeter
I can be your dreams at night, yeah
So what are you afraid of?
You don't have to hide what you feel inside
Say it
Say it
Say it from the top of the empire state
Say it from the heart of the golden gate
That you wanna be with me
You wanna be with me
And no longer will you wait
Say it from the top of the eiffel tower
Say it every minute and every hour
And baby, if you will get through
You just have to ask me for a rendez-vous
Yago Astur
Can anyone recognise all the places in Barcelona that appear in the videoclip?
0:20 0:30 The Liceo/Liceu after the fire in 1994.
0:50 1:50 Güell Park
1:27 Royal Square (Plaça Reial/Plaza Real)
1:30 Reference to the rose and the book as the symbol of Saint George's Day in the city.
2:06 France Train Station (Estació de França/Estación de Francia)
2:27 Montjuic cemetery
At the moment these places and referencies
FifaSuchti90
One of the most underrated songs of the 90s!
Brandon Moore
@CRichie I couldn't agree with you more
Gothoogle
One of my most cherished tracks ! Beautiful and uplifting !
Brandon Moore
@Gothoogle Culture Beat Rendez-Vous is wonderful song
bnschmdt
I love this beautiful song
Brandon Moore
@bnschmdt so do I
Carlos Hoof
Vocal maravilhoso de Kim Sanders 👌👏🎧
Brandon Moore
@carloshoof5685 I agree
Alpin Tok
A great song from 90s. I love it.👍🏻😊
Brandon Moore
@Alpin Tok Culture Beat Rendez-Vous is a great song!