The band released their first album in 20 years, Something for Everybody on June 15, 2010.
Their style has been variously classified as punk, industrial and rock, but are most often considered to be the 70s/early 80s New Wave band that ushered in the synth pop of the 1980s, along with other acts such as Gary Numan and The B-52s.
Devo's music and stage show mingle kitsch science fiction themes, deadpan surrealist humor, and mordantly satirical social commentary, often dealing with the concept of De-Evolution, in sometimes-discordant pop songs that often feature unusual synthetic instrumentation and time signatures.
Their work has proved hugely influential on subsequent popular music, particularly New Wave, alternative and grunge music, they created some memorable music videos popular in the early days of MTV.
The name "Devo" comes from the concept of Devolution (also referred to by the band as de-evolution). This idea was developed as a joke by Kent State University art students Gerald Casale and Bob Lewis as early as the late 1960s. Casale and Lewis created a number of art pieces in the vein of Devolution. At this time, Casale had also performed with the local band 15-60-75. They met Mark Mothersbaugh around 1970, who introduced them to the pamphlet Jocko Homo Heavenbound, which would later inspire the song Jocko Homo
The pivotal moment for the formation of Devo was the Kent State shootings of May 4, 1970. Casale knew two of the murdered students, and even saw one student, Allison Krause, with exit wounds from the M1 Garand rifle. At this moment, Casale claims he changed the idea of Devolution into a serious concept.
The first form of Devo was the Sextet Devo which performed at the 1973 Kent State performing arts festival. It included Casale, Lewis and Mothersbaugh, as well as Gerald's brother Bob Casale on guitar, and friends Rod Reisman and Fred Weber on drums and vocals, respectively. This performance was filmed and a part was included on the home video The Complete Truth About De-evolution. This lineup only performed once. Devo returned to perform in the Student Governance Center (featured prominently in the film) at the 1974 Creative Arts Festival with a line-up including the Casale brothers, Bob Lewis, Mark Mothersbaugh, and Jim Mothersbaugh on drums.
Devo later formed as a quartet focusing around Mark Mothersbaugh and Gerald Casale. They recruited Mark's brothers Bob Mothersbaugh and Jim Mothersbaugh. Bob played electric guitar, and Jim provided percussion using a set of homemade electronic drums. This lineup of Devo lasted until 1976 when Jim left the band. The lineup was occasionally fluid, and Bob Lewis would sometimes play guitar during this period. In concert, Devo would often perform in the guise of theatrical characters, such as Booji Boy, and The Chinaman. Live concerts from this period were often confrontational, and would remain so until 1977. A recording of an early Devo performance from 1975 with the quartet lineup appears on DEVO Live: The Mongoloid Years, ending with the promoters unplugging Devo's equipment.
Following Jim Motherbaugh's departure, Bob Mothersbaugh found a new drummer in Alan Myers, who played a conventional, acoustic drum set with mechanical precision. Casale re-recruited his brother Bob Casale, and the popular line-up of Devo was formed. It would endure for nearly ten years.
Devo embarked on a Euro-Tour 2007 on June 16th in Barcelona. They also performed concerts in Brighton, London, Manchester and Glasgow. More information about it can be found here.
In May 2020 Devo re-opened their online store where face masks with logo designs and an infamous Energy Dome with the attacheable protective shield can be pre-ordered to help their fans protect themselves from Covid-19.
Satisfaction
Devo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can't get me no satisfaction
And I try and I try and I try, t-t-t-t-try, try
I can't get no
I can't get me no
When I'm riding in my car
And a man comes on the radio
About some useless information
Supposed to fire my imagination
I can't get no
No, no, no
Hey, hey, hey
That's what I say
I can't get no satisfaction
I can't get me no girly action
And I try and I try and I try, t-t-t-t-try, try
I can't get no
I can't get me no
When I'm watchin' my TV
And a man comes on to tell me
How white my shirts could be
But it can't be a man 'cause he does not smoke
Same cigarettes as me
I can't get no
No, no, no
Hey, hey, hey
That's what I say
And when I'm flying 'round the world
And I'm doin' this and I'm tryin' do that
And I'm trying to make some girl
Who tells me, "Baby, baby, baby, baby
Baby, baby, baby, baby
Baby, baby, baby, baby
Baby, baby, baby, baby
Baby, baby, baby, baby
Baby, baby, baby, baby
Baby, baby, baby, baby
Baby, baby, baby, baby
Baby, baby, baby, baby
Baby, better come back later next week"
Can't you see I'm on a losing streak
I can't get no
No, no, no
Hey, hey, hey
That's what I say
I can't get no (satisfaction)
I can't get me no (satisfaction)
I can't get no (satisfaction)
I can't get me no (satisfaction)
Oh, no, no, no I can't get no (satisfaction)
Oh, no, no, no I can't get me no (satisfaction)
Oh, no-no-no-no-no-no-no (satisfaction)
Oh, no-no-no-no-no-no-no (satisfaction)
Oh, no-no-no-no-no-no-no (satisfaction)
Oh, no, no, no I can't get me no (satisfaction)
Well, I can't get no (satisfaction)
The lyrics to Devo's song Satisfaction are a commentary on the frustrations and dissatisfaction of modern life. The singer of the song is unable to find satisfaction in any aspect of his life, whether it be his romantic relationships or his material possessions. The song focuses on the contrast between the endless marketing and advertising that bombards the singer โ as evidenced by the man on the radio and the man on TV โ and the emptiness that it ultimately delivers.
The refrain โI canโt get no satisfactionโ is a memorable expression of frustration and desperation that is repeated throughout the song. The use of repetition emphasizes and amplifies the sense of dissatisfaction and despair that the singer feels. Despite wanting to find meaning and happiness, he is constantly thwarted by the world around him.
The song also makes a subtle social commentary on the hollowness and conformity of modern consumer culture. Devo points out that even if we are offered endless possibilities and choices, we are still left feeling empty and unfulfilled. This is conveyed through the perspective of the singer who is trapped in a cycle of trying to find satisfaction in consumer goods and experiences, but never succeeding.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't get no satisfaction
I am unable to find contentment or happiness in life
I can't get me no satisfaction
I am unable to find any contentment or happiness in life
And I try and I try and I try, t-t-t-t-try, try
Despite my efforts, I still cannot find what I am seeking
I can't get no
I am totally dissatisfied with my current situation
When I'm riding in my car
During my daily commute or travels
And a man comes on the radio
When a radio announcer starts speaking
He's tellin' me more and more
The singer is informing me of more and more things
About some useless information
This information is not useful or interesting to me
Supposed to fire my imagination
The artist believes this information will help me be imaginative or excited
No, no, no
I am rejecting or disagreeing with what the artist is saying
Hey, hey, hey
I am trying to communicate a point
That's what I say
I am repeating and reinforcing my point
I can't get no girly action
I am unable to find female companionship or romance
When I'm watchin' my TV
During the time I spend watching television
And a man comes on to tell me
When a television personality begins informing or advertising to me
How white my shirts could be
The advertisement is about laundry detergent or other fabric cleaners
But it can't be a man 'cause he does not smoke
The artist is using sarcasm to point out the irrelevance of the advertisement
Same cigarettes as me
The singer is making an observation about the similarity between themselves and the supposed target audience of the advertisement
I can't get no
I am totally dissatisfied with my current situation
And when I'm flying 'round the world
During my travels across the world
And I'm doin' this and I'm tryin' do that
I am working hard and trying to be productive
And I'm trying to make some girl
I am attempting to form a romantic or intimate relationship with a woman
Who tells me, "Baby, baby, baby, baby
The woman is showing no interest in forming a relationship and is instead rejecting the singer's advances
Baby, baby, baby, baby
The woman is being dismissive and uninterested
Baby, baby, baby, baby
The woman is continuing to be uninterested
Baby, baby, baby, baby
The woman is still not interested in the singer
Baby, baby, baby, baby
The woman is once again showing no interest in forming a relationship with the singer
Baby, baby, baby, baby
The woman is continuing to be disinterested
Baby, baby, baby, baby
The woman is still showing no interest in the artist
Baby, better come back later next week"
The woman is implying that the singer should try again at a later date
Can't you see I'm on a losing streak
The singer is experiencing a string of failures and setbacks, including this recent rejection
Oh, no, no, no I can't get no (satisfaction)
The artist is reiterating their unhappiness with their current situation
Oh, no, no, no I can't get me no (satisfaction)
The artist restates their inability to find contentment or happiness in life
Oh, no-no-no-no-no-no-no (satisfaction)
The artist once again underlines their dissatisfaction
Oh, no-no-no-no-no-no-no (satisfaction)
The singer repeats their unhappiness with their current situation
Well, I can't get no (satisfaction)
The artist continues to be unhappy and dissatisfied
Lyrics ยฉ Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Abkco Music Inc.
Written by: Keith Richards, Michael Jagger
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@gmcg923
Devo-The original punk rock nerds. This is why I'm a punk rock nerd in 2023.
@vinnykster
Yup! They were Wayyyyyyyyy before bands like Weezer. And I love Weezer
@zroy9263
This is one of the best covers that I've ever heard! The opening grooves at the beginning of this jam are funky as hell! The opening of the drum beats grooves into the nasty bass licks then slides into the wicked guitar riffs! That shit is funky! The vocals are also perfect for the style and sound of this groove! This song is youthful and timeless. It's creative and ahead of its time. It has elements of funk, punk, new wave, and rock.
This song captured the essence of the times. It also captures the brilliance and genius of DEVO!
@vorlons100
totally agree just fab
@squirrels2nuts
it's actually the original
@vorlons100
@@squirrels2nuts how is that
@squirrels2nuts
@@vorlons100 devo owns the song
@vorlons100
they sure do@@squirrels2nuts
@devilfan2k
Balls of steel doing this cover and hitting a grand slam of decomposed delight
@BrianMax
I was in high school 1978-1982, so Devo was a HUGE part of my teenage experience.