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.
Witch Doctor
Devo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You want to know a secret that I said is true
Monkeys, we have more fun than humans ever do
Ooh ee ooh ah ah
Ting tang
Walla walla bing bang
Ooh ee ooh ah ah
Walla walla bing bang
We learned to climb and swing before we leaned to run
We like to party and there's room for everyone
Come join us if you really want to have some fun
Ooh ee ooh ah ah
Ting tang
Walla walla bing bang
Ooh ee ooh ah ah
Ting tang
Walla walla bing bang
You never see us tired ''cause we're way too smart for working
A monkey knows a lot more than a man
We like swinging in the trees and eating our bananas
Don't you know we never need a plan?
We never worry we just eat and sleep and play
That's how we make the most of each and every day
If you want to be a monkey, then this is what you say
Ooh ee ooh ah ah
Ting tang
Walla walla bing bang
Ooh ee ooh ah ah
Ting tang
Walla walla bing bang
Humans always seem to have their facts a little twisted
They think that monkeys don't get it in the tree
But if you could look at life in the same way the monkeys see it
Maybe you'd be over here with me!
The lyrics to Devo's "Witch Doctor" are an ode to the freedom and simplicity of monkey life. The song begins with an invitation to learn something from the lead singer, who claims to have a secret that is true. The secret, it turns out, is that monkeys have more fun than humans. The chorus features the nonsense phrase "ooh ee ooh ah ah," which is followed by the equally nonsensical "ting tang walla walla bing bang." These lyrics are reminiscent of primitive languages and evoke a sense of playfulness and freedom.
The verses then delve deeper into the appeal of monkey life. Monkeys are portrayed as carefree and happy, with no need for work or worry. They've perfected the art of partying, and there's always room for one more. The lyrics suggest that humans have lost touch with this simple way of living and have "twisted" their facts about monkeys. The song ends with an invitation to join the monkeys and see life from their perspective. In many ways, "Witch Doctor" is a celebration of the primal and the wild, and an invitation to let go of our modern worries and join in the fun.
Line by Line Meaning
You want to learn something that I can teach to you
I have knowledge to share and you're interested in learning from me.
You want to know a secret that I said is true
I have a truth to share that is not commonly known.
Monkeys, we have more fun than humans ever do
Monkey life is enjoyable compared to the complexity of human existence.
Ooh ee ooh ah ah
Monkey vocalization indicating enjoyment and excitement.
Ting tang
Repetitive noise with no clear meaning.
Walla walla bing bang
Repetitive noise with no clear meaning.
We learned to climb and swing before we leaned to run
Monkeys develop physical skills useful for survival before developing other skills.
We like to party and there's room for everyone
We enjoy socializing and there's always room for more to join in the fun.
Come join us if you really want to have some fun
You're welcome to join our playful community if you're truly interested.
You never see us tired 'cause we're way too smart for working
Monkeys are intelligent enough to prioritize rest over unnecessary work.
A monkey knows a lot more than a man
Monkeys have knowledge and skills that humans are not aware of or able to replicate.
We like swinging in the trees and eating our bananas
Monkeys enjoy their natural habitat and food sources.
Don't you know we never need a plan?
Monkeys live in the moment and don't worry about the future.
We never worry we just eat and sleep and play
Monkeys don't have the same anxieties and stresses that humans do.
That's how we make the most of each and every day
Monkeys prioritize enjoyment and relaxation to make the most of their time.
If you want to be a monkey, then this is what you say
Monkeys have a carefree lifestyle that may be appealing to some.
Humans always seem to have their facts a little twisted
Humans often misunderstand or misinterpret information.
They think that monkeys don't get it in the tree
Humans underestimate the intelligence and awareness of monkeys.
But if you could look at life in the same way the monkeys see it
Humans could benefit from observing monkeys' simple and joyful approach to life.
Maybe you'd be over here with me!
If humans adopted a monkey's perspective, they could join in the fun and simplicity of monkey life.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ROSS BAGDASARIAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind