Their first single was 1993's "Stutter", which was a word-of-mouth hit largely due to the promotional efforts of Radio 1 DJ and Deceptive Records label boss Steve Lamacq. In spite of a period of relative quiet, Elastica's fame grew throughout 1994 as Frischmann's relationship with Blur's Damon Albarn made tabloid headlines. Elastica's first LP, Elastica, entered the charts at #1.
Further UK chart hit singles followed: "Connection" and "Waking Up". In 1995 there was a lawsuit from Wire claiming that many of the band's melodies were taken from Wire compositions. Notably, Wire's "I Am the Fly" has a chorus similar to Elastica's "Line Up", and the intro of "Connection" is nearly identical to Wire's "Three Girl Rhumba". Indeed the band had originally intended to sample the intro of the song directly. The Stranglers also passed comment that Elastica's "Waking Up" bore a marked resemblance to their song "No More Heroes". The band did not deny these accusations and were not ashamed by these similarities, stating that all pop bands have borrowed ideas and all music was eventually recycled.
Elastica were able to garner better American sales than other Britpop bands, replacing Sinéad O'Connor on Lollapalooza in 1995. "Connection" and "Stutter" were huge airplay favorites on modern rock radio in the United States and also both charted Pop. Among their extensive tour schedule the band performed at Glastonbury in 1995, where their set was interrupted by a streaker, a George Best look-alike, who would briefly join the band as a keyboard player in 1997.
After extensive touring, the band began to experience personnel problems. In 1997, bassist Annie Holland left the band, citing repetitive strain injury following excessive touring as her reason for departure. In 1999 Donna Matthews left the band. There were several line up changes and keyboard players. Various supporting musicians came and went. Their second album was much delayed after several years of recording. There were worrying rumours of entire albums being scrapped and band tensions due to the perfectionism of Frischmann. The "lost years" of the band were often compared to the Stone Roses recording their Second Coming album.
A quickly recorded lo-fi self-titled EP was released in 1999, and the follow-up LP, The Menace, was finally released in 2000 to moderate sales. A less focused effort than their debut, the album nonetheless contained some interesting moments and more electronic songs than before. One of the high points was "How He Wrote Elastica Man" featuring Mark E. Smith (of The Fall) on vocals, and a cover of Trio's 1982 hit "Da Da Da". A new line up was revealed with two keyboard players replacing Matthews for tour dates.
The band made their long-awaited UK comeback at the Reading Festival in 1999, where they headlined the Radio 1 stage. A largely successful UK tour followed in 2000 to support the release of The Menace, although their festival appearances that year were marred by illness. The band released a final single "The Bitch Don't Work" on limited edition 7" and announced their break-up in September 2001.
Elastica's song "Connection" was used in May 2004 in Garnier television commercials, and was also used as the theme of Trigger Happy TV.
Da Da Da
Elastica Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What you will and what you won't
What you can and what you can't
This is what you got to know
Loved you though it didn't show
Ich lieb dich nicht, du liebst mich nicht
Ich lieb dich nicht, du liebst mich nicht
Ich lieb dich nicht, du liebst mich nicht
Da da da
Da da da
Da da da
Da da da
Da da da, I don't love you, you don't love me
Da da da, I don't love you, you don't love me
Da da da, I don't love you, you don't love me
Da da da, I don't love you, you don't love me
Da da da
Da da da
Da da da
Da da da
I know why you went away
Understand you couldn't stay
Wonder where you are today
After all is said and done
It was right for you to run
Ich lieb dich nicht, du liebst mich nicht
Ich lieb dich nicht, du liebst mich nicht
Ich lieb dich nicht, du liebst mich nicht
Ich lieb dich nicht, du liebst mich nicht
Da da da
Da da da
Da da da
Da da da
Da da da, I don't love you, you don't love me
Da da da, I don't love you, you don't love me
Da da da, I don't love you, you don't love me
Da da da, I don't love you, you don't love me
Da da da
Da da da
Da da da
Da da da
Da da da
Da da da
Da da da
Da da da
The lyrics of Elastica's song "Da Da Da" are simple yet evocative, focusing on the themes of love, love lost, and the lack of communication often found in relationships. The first stanza is a reflection on the various aspects of relationships that we all struggle with, including what we do and don't do, what we may or may not be capable of, and what we truly want from others. The second stanza continues to explore these themes by acknowledging the pain that comes with unrequited love and the inevitability of heartbreak.
The chorus of the song, which repeats the phrase "Da da da" several times, serves as a sort of refrain, almost like a mantra, reinforcing the idea that the singer and their lover have nothing to say to each other anymore. The repetition of the phrase serves to emphasise the emptiness and silence that has come to define their relationship, signalling the end of their romance.
Overall, "Da Da Da" is a melancholy but relatable take on the complexities of love and relationships, providing a reflection of the confusion and disappointment that can come with failed connections.
Line by Line Meaning
What you do and what you don't
You must be aware of what you choose to do or not do
What you will and what you won't
You must be aware of what you are willing to do or not do
What you can and what you can't
You must be aware of your own abilities and limitations
This is what you got to know
It is important to have knowledge of these things
Loved you though it didn't show
I had feelings for you even though I didn't express them
Da da da
I don't have anything of importance to say
I don't love you, you don't love me
We don't have any romantic feelings towards each other
I know why you went away
I understand the reason behind your departure
Understand you couldn't stay
I comprehend that it was not possible for you to remain here
Wonder where you are today
I am curious about your current location
After all is said and done
When everything is finished and summed up
It was right for you to run
Leaving was the correct decision for you
Lyrics © THE ROYALTY NETWORK INC.
Written by: Gert Krawinkel, Stephen Remmler
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Roiy Benkel
What you do and what you don’t
What you will and what you won’t
What you can and what you can’t
This is what you got to know
Loved you though it didn’t show
Ich lieb dich nicht du liebst mich nicht [4X]
da da da [4X]
Da da da, i don’t love you, you don’t love me [4X]
Da da da [4X]
I know why you went away
Understand you couldn’t stay
Wonder where you are today
After all is said and done
It was right for you to run
Ich lieb dich nicht du liebst mich nicht [4X]
da da da [4X]
Da da da, i don’t love you, you don’t love me [4X]
Da da da [4X]
Da da da [4X]
TheMarkcia
...catchy tune, so good to see material other than their lauded debut, going out to buy this LP, didn't know it existed, got some research to do...Such a shame they disappeared off the face of the planet...Once a fan always a fanx
Captain Freedom
Easily one of the very best 80s covers.
Roiy Benkel
What you do and what you don’t
What you will and what you won’t
What you can and what you can’t
This is what you got to know
Loved you though it didn’t show
Ich lieb dich nicht du liebst mich nicht [4X]
da da da [4X]
Da da da, i don’t love you, you don’t love me [4X]
Da da da [4X]
I know why you went away
Understand you couldn’t stay
Wonder where you are today
After all is said and done
It was right for you to run
Ich lieb dich nicht du liebst mich nicht [4X]
da da da [4X]
Da da da, i don’t love you, you don’t love me [4X]
Da da da [4X]
Da da da [4X]
nakkeleLE
Great cover of a great song... I love it, and Stephan Remmler too. ;-)
Damien Aylward
Don't think anyone can replicate the original nearly 40 years old when trio introduced us too daw daw daw and I'm still loving it very catchy tune even if the song means absolutely nothing..well it was the 80's😂😂👌👌👍👍
mii
great cover. I've added this to my FB group dedicated to covers. It's called "The Guilty Pleasure of the Cover Version" Feel free to join in.
starshaped41
I love this sound!did you know that damon albarn was on the keyboards?!
Keira Jade
starshaped41 did you know that this is just a demo sound on an old casio keyboard and damon had nothing to do with it? woahh
hanasuru
I had no idea, they made this song!
Jabby Napigkit
do you have the song "the way I like it" by elastica? i really want to play it.