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.
Turn Around
Devo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
then you turn around
take a look at who you are
it's pretty scary
you're so silly
well it's revolting
you're not much
take a step outside the city
and you turn around
take a look at what you are
well it's revolting
you're really nowhere
you're so wasteful
so foolish
no big deal
(booji boy)who said don't look back
don't you believe 'em
you go for that corner seat in the restaurant
'cause they're gonna try and get behind ya
don't you let 'em do it
you know what i'm talkin' about?
you hear me talking?
it's pretty scary
it's so revolting
take a step outside the country
then you turn around
take a look at where you are
well it's amazing
take a good look
you're no big deal
you're so petty
it's a laugh
take a step outside the planet
you turn around and round
now take a look at where you are
it's pretty scary
The song "Turn Around" by Devo is an introspective song that prompts listeners to take a step outside themselves and examine their lives from a different perspective. The lyrics urge listeners to look at themselves and the world honestly, even if the truths they encounter are scary or uncomfortable. The lyrics suggest that many people are wasteful, petty, foolish, and not much of anything at all. The song builds on this jarring concept by prompting listeners to take a step outside their cities, countries, and even the planet, to see where they stand in the grand scheme of things. Ultimately, the song is about challenging oneself to be more self-aware and to strive to be better, even when the truth is hard to swallow.
Line by Line Meaning
take a step outside yourself
Try to see yourself from someone else's perspective.
then you turn around
Look at yourself objectively.
take a look at who you are
Evaluate your personality, behavior, and beliefs.
it's pretty scary
Realizing and acknowledging your flaws can be unsettling and frightening.
you're so silly
You act foolishly and do not take things seriously.
well it's revolting
Your behavior is disgusting and offensive.
you're not much
You are not significant or important.
if you're anything
This is all you have to offer and nothing more.
take a step outside the city
Get out of your comfort zone and environment.
take a look at what you are
Examine your behavior and habits.
you're really nowhere
You lack direction and purpose in life.
you're so wasteful
You use resources carelessly and irresponsibly.
so foolish
You make unwise decisions and choices.
no big deal
Your existence is not significant or valuable.
who said don't look back
Don't ignore your past or mistakes when evaluating yourself.
don't you believe 'em
Don't listen to those who discourage critical self-reflection.
you go for that corner seat in the restaurant
Be cautious and observant of your surroundings.
'cause they're gonna try and get behind ya
People will try to manipulate or take advantage of you.
don't you let 'em do it
Don't let others control or influence you negatively.
you hear me talking?
Are you listening and understanding?
take a step outside the country
Travel to unfamiliar places and cultures.
well it's amazing
You will be surprised by what you discover about yourself and the world.
take a good look
Evaluate yourself honestly and thoroughly.
you're so petty
You focus on trivial and unimportant matters.
it's a laugh
Your behavior is ridiculous and absurd.
take a step outside the planet
Think about humanity and the universe on a larger scale.
you turn around and round
You are stuck in a cycle of ignorance and self-absorption.
it's pretty scary
It is terrifying to consider your place in the vastness of the universe.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: GERALD CASALE, MARK ALLEN MOTHERSBAUGH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dean Hatch
<3
Take a step outside yourself
Then you turn around
Take a look at who you are
It's pretty scary
You're so silly
Well, it's revolting
You're not much
If you're anything
Take a step outside the city
And you turn around
Take a look at what you are
Well, it's revolting
You're really nowhere
You're so wasteful
So foolish
No big deal
Who said, don't look back
Don't believe 'em
You go for that corner seat in the restaurant
'Cause they're gonna try and get behind you
Don't you let 'em do it
You know what I'm talkin' about?
You hear me talkin'?
It's pretty scary
It's so revolting
It's pretty scary
It's so revolting
It's pretty scary
It's so revolting
It's pretty scary
It's so revolting
Take a step outside the country
Then you turn around
Take a look at where you are
Well, it's amazing
Take a good look
You're no big deal
You're so petty
It's a laugh
Take a step outside the planet
You turn around and round
Now take a look at where you are
It's pretty scary
Aderic
I never knew Nirvana's version was a cover. I like both versions!
TimeTravelinc
Aderic I agree. Especially since Devo was the rebels of the 80s like Nirvana was the rebels of the 90s. (Music-wise). Still love both bands and what they've given us.
Wouldn't mind if someone mashed both versions of this. Would be tough, but it would be fun at the same time.
Ben Jamin
Me either
sktrl
I hate this comment, just really lame.
Aderic
@sktrl How lame is it?
Metal Scientist
Me too. But Kurt wasn't smart enough to write lyrics like this.
Robodude
I might not have listened to this song twice if Nirvana hadn't covered it.
Jade Vigil
Like Hod THIS
thankful for both versions
so fucking good
Cory Anthony
Like Hod kurts version was way better lol
Melissa Wright
Me too