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.
Come Alive
Daniel Ash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That's them, that's them
That's them, that's them
That's them, that's them
That's them, that's them
That's them, that's them
That's them, that's them
That's them, that's them
That's them, that's them
That's them, that's them
That's them, that's them
That's them, that's them
Come alive
Come alive
Come alive
Come alive
Come alive
Come alive
Come alive
Come alive
Come alive
Alive
At first glance, the lyrics to Daniel Ash's "Come Alive" seem rather simplistic and repetitive. However, upon closer examination, it becomes clear that they are meant to convey a sense of urgency and excitement. The repetition of "that's them" seems to suggest that something or someone important has arrived or is about to happen. What this might be is left up to interpretation, but it is likely that the singer is referring to a person or group who is very significant to them.
The chorus, with its repeated exhortation to "come alive," supports this interpretation. It is as though the singer is urging this important person or group to wake up, pay attention, and be fully present in the moment. There is a sense of immediacy and impatience in the lyrics, as if the singer cannot wait for this person or group to snap out of their lethargy and join in the excitement of the moment. Overall, while the lyrics to "Come Alive" may seem somewhat cryptic at first, they convey a clear sense of anticipation and excitement, urging the listener to be fully alive and present in the moment.
Line by Line Meaning
That's them, that's them
Referring to a group or individuals that are being identified or acknowledged
Come alive
An invitation for someone or something to become energized or active
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