As a founding member of the ground breaking Bauhaus, multi-instrumentalist Daniel Ash has distinguished himself in the world of contemporary music. He later went on to form Tones on Tail and Love and Rockets with members of Bauhaus.
After attending gigs in his teenage years, he made a promise to himself that no matter in what capacity; he would get up on that stage, even if he was only banging a tambourine. He started playing guitar at age 15, but later he confessed that he didn’t give it much effort, only learning three chords during his first three years. Driven by a love of Rock 'n Roll, Ash began playing in cover bands. The first gig he played was in the Glasgow Rangers Workman's Club. During this time, Ash started playing music with his Kindergarten mates David J and Kevin Haskins. With the addition of Peter Murphy, this lineup became Bauhaus.
Ash became friends with Peter Murphy during his teenage years. Ash went to art school and Murphy to work in a printing factory. They met up five years later and Daniel suggested forming a band. After rigging up a makeshift rehearsal space, Ash played an echo-laden 12-bar blues while Murphy sang a series of newspaper articles. Four weeks later they formed Bauhaus and recorded "Bela Lugosi's Dead".
That song, released in 1979, became the cornerstone of the gothic rock movement. From early on, Ash was intent on sounding original and often tried to “make the guitar not sound like a guitar.” His style is simplistic and visceral, frequently using an EBow or a guitar with a sustainer circuit.
Four years and as many albums later, Bauhaus broke up. Soon after, Ash put together Tones on Tail with Bauhaus drummer Kevin Haskins. In 1984, Tones on Tail was disbanded, and Ash founded the influential Love and Rockets in 1985 with Kevin Haskins and David J, also of Bauhaus.
Despite creating a unique guitar style seminal to several genres, he's often said that he's really not that interested in guitars. During the last ten years, he has been experimenting with electronic music, limiting the use of guitar as an extra element as opposed to the main focus. Since the last reformation of Bauhaus however, he's been returning to a more guitar based rock sound.
Blue Moon
Daniel Ash Lyrics
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You saw me standing alone
Without a dream in my heart
Without a love of my own
Blue moon
You knew just what I was there for
You heard me saying a pray for
You saw me
standing alone in the night, with no dream in my heart and no love of my own. The blue moon was the only witness to my solitude and longing. But as I stood there, the blue moon knew my true purpose. It heard my prayer for someone to love, someone I could truly care for. And in that moment, the blue moon seemed to understand my desire and empathize with my vulnerable state. It was as if the blue moon itself was a symbol of fate, shining light on my path towards finding true love.
The lyrics to Daniel Ash's "Blue Moon" are a poetic representation of the yearning for love and the power of destiny. The use of the blue moon as a symbol of fate is a common literary device, and it is masterfully executed in this song. The lyrics convey a sense of vulnerability and desperation, while also celebrating the power of love to change one's life. The song's use of repetition also adds to its emotional impact, reinforcing the central themes of loneliness and longing.
Contributed by Adeline H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.