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.
Time Out For Fun
Devo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This is devo
We would like
to say Thingsgo both ways
New ideas stupid moves
Nightmares or dreams come true
Mucho work minus play
Dark clouds in the crystal ball
Tension mounts in a foreign place
The screw turns someone calls
[Chorus: x2]
Time out for fun!
Time out for fun!
So you're living under the gun
Circumstances have you on the run
A doctor frowns you feel bad
Take this you've just been had!
Don't you lose it now listen to us
Everything's going to be all right
Take a break take some time
Everything's going to be all right
Don't you lose it remember to take
[Chorus]
Don't you lose it now listen to us
Everything's going to be all right
Take a break take some time
Everything's going to be all right
Don't you lose it remember to take
[Chorus: x2]
So your life has just begun
Somebody else is saying that it's done
Nurses whisper others grin
Something's funny at your expense again
Don't you lose it now listen to us
Everything's going to be all right
Take a break take some time
Everything's going to be all right
Don't you lose it remember to take
[Chorus]
The lyrics of "Time Out for Fun" by Devo depict the realities of life and how sometimes taking a break from it all can help lessen the tension and stress that come along with it. The first verse acknowledges that life is a cycle that can often result in negative outcomes, with new ideas sometimes leading to stupid moves and dreams and nightmares coming true. The chorus serves as a reminder that it's important to take time out of the daily grind to have fun and alleviate stress.
The second verse expresses feelings of being trapped and on the run, with a doctor prescribing medication that only makes things worse. The song encourages listeners to take a break and remember that everything will be okay. The final verse touches on the idea that it's easy to feel like others are laughing at someone else's expense, when in reality, everyone is in the same boat in life.
The overall message of the song is to take a step back and not take life too seriously, to remember to have fun, and to focus on taking care of oneself. It's a call to action to prioritize self-care, particularly in times of stress and anxiety.
Line by Line Meaning
Hello,
This is devo
Introducing themselves as the alternative band called 'Devo'
We would like
to say Things go both ways
Things can have positive and negative outcomes, depending on how they're approached.
New ideas stupid moves
Nightmares or dreams come true
Mucho work minus play
Tension mounts in a twisted face
Dark clouds in the crystal ball
Tension mounts in a foreign place
The screw turns someone calls
During times of stress, any attempt to focus and solve problems often results in fear or confusion. The stakes can be high, obstacles unforeseeable, and there's no guarantee of success. Yet people must persist, push through their stress and anxiety, and confront the challenge head-on.
[Chorus: x2]
Time out for fun!
Time out for fun!
The chorus is a reminder to take a break from difficult or unpleasant situations and enjoy life, even if it's just for a little while.
So you're living under the gun
Circumstances have you on the run
A doctor frowns you feel bad
Take this you've just been had!
In life, when responsibilities or obligations pile up, happiness is hard to find. This inability to have control over one's circumstances exacerbates feelings of powerlessness and frustration.
Don't you lose it now listen to us
Everything's going to be all right
Take a break take some time
Everything's going to be all right
Don't you lose it remember to take
The song suggests that in spite of one's struggles, taking a break is not only okay, but often necessary to recharge and take control of one's situation. Then, apply their attentiveness and will to turn what's been a negative into a positive.
[Chorus]
The chorus repeats what was previously said, and reinforces the value of taking breaks and enjoying life
So your life has just begun
Somebody else is saying that it's done
Nurses whisper others grin
Something's funny at your expense again
At times, one can feel as though these various forces invigorate them, such as a fresh outlook, a friendly smile, or an unsuspecting bystander who manages to offer them comedic relief. At other times these same forces can hold one back, dragging them down with negativity and discouragement. While the band depicts an unsteady and unforgiving world, they simultaneously urge their listeners to keep calm and keep moving forward.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: GERALD CASALE, MARK MOTHERSBAUGH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
soy 34mb
Hello,
This is devo
We would like
to say Thingsgo both ways
New ideas stupid moves
Nightmares or dreams come true
Mucho work minus play
Tension mounts in a twisted face
Dark clouds in the crystal ball
Tension mounts in a foreign place
The screw turns someone calls
[Chorus: x2]
Time out for fun!
Time out for fun!
So you're living under the gun
Circumstances have you on the run
A doctor frowns you feel bad
Take this you've just been had!
Don't you lose it now listen to us
Everything's going to be all right
Take a break take some time
Everything's going to be all right
Don't you lose it remember to take
[Chorus]
Don't you lose it now listen to us
Everything's going to be all right
Take a break take some time
Everything's going to be all right
Don't you lose it remember to take
[Chorus: x2]
So your life has just begun
Somebody else is saying that it's done
Nurses whisper others grin
Something's funny at your expense again
Don't you lose it now listen to us
Everything's going to be all right
Take a break take some time
Everything's going to be all right
Don't you lose it remember to take
[Chorus]
MILO
Lyrics:
Hello,
This is devo
We would like
to say Thingsgo both ways
New ideas stupid moves
Nightmares or dreams come true
Mucho work minus play
Tension mounts in a twisted face
Dark clouds in the crystal ball
Tension mounts in a foreign place
The screw turns someone calls
Time out for fun!
Time out for fun!
So you're living under the gun
Circumstances have you on the run
A doctor frowns you feel bad
Take this you've just been had!
Don't you lose it now listen to us
Everything's going to be all right
Take a break take some time
Everything's going to be all right
Don't you lose it remember to take
Time out for fun!
Time out for fun!
Don't you lose it now listen to us
Everything's going to be all right
Take a break take some time
Everything's going to be all right
Don't you lose it remember to take
Time out for fun!
Time out for fun!
So your life has just begun
Somebody else is saying that it's done
Nurses whisper others grin
Something's funny at your expense again
Don't you lose it now listen to us
Everything's going to be all right
Take a break take some time
Everything's going to be all right
Don't you lose it remember to take
Time out for fun!
Time out for fun!
Max Tiefenbacher swedish contemporary artist
This is devo
We would like
to say Thingsgo both ways
New ideas stupid moves
Nightmares or dreams come true
Mucho work minus play
Tension mounts in a twisted face
Dark clouds in the crystal ball
Tension mounts in a foreign place
The screw turns someone calls
[Chorus: x2]
Time out for fun!
Time out for fun!
So you're living under the gun
Circumstances have you on the run
A doctor frowns you feel bad
Take this you've just been had!
Don't you lose it now listen to us
Everything's going to be all right
Take a break take some time
Everything's going to be all right
Don't you lose it remember to take
[Chorus]
Don't you lose it now listen to us
Everything's going to be all right
Take a break take some time
Everything's going to be all right
Don't you lose it remember to take
[Chorus: x2]
So your life has just begun
Somebody else is saying that it's done
Nurses whisper others grin
Something's funny at your expense again
Don't you lose it now listen to us
Everything's going to be all right
Take a break take some time
Everything's going to be all right
Don't you lose it remember to take
conhippoproductions
I love how devo has mastered making a song that is both catchy and with good meaning behind it. Devo is honestly the greatest band ever.
Píchass
actually, both the song and message are extremely generic. This was their "pop" phase that they died in, so it's expected
Diaz Mathis
@Píchass what is the message?
Píchass
@Diaz Mathis it's pretty much "take it easy"; nothing too deep or hard to come up with
Píchass
@MF Nickster it makes sense given the content of the music video, but like with Beautiful world a lot of the meaning is lost solely on the record
mycuff2
I think they were the most "fun" band from the 80's. I bet they had some good times, so sad they lost Bob. Love DEVO
Romero Family Fun Challenge
It was an amazing time in San Diego in the 80's I saw them in concert. I remember DEVO was gratified around our school. Everyone sang devo songs -- even in the jack-in-the-box drivethrough.
Gianni Tsunami
Yea they also lost the drummer a year before bob 2 , they have two replacements. But the original line up is always nostalgic. Sorry this response is 8 years later. Lololol. Hello. We are D-E-V-O
@chrisvilliers5762
Which bob 1 or 2
Faby Sambora SCCP
Todas as vezes que ouço choro, saudades dos anos 80 💚💛🇧🇷