Emil Bulls is a German alternative metal band that was formed in 1995 in Mu… Read Full Bio ↴Emil Bulls is a German alternative metal band that was formed in 1995 in Munich, Bavaria. The group consists of two guitarists, a bass guitar player, a drummer and a vocalist/guitarist.

In 1995, Christoph "Christ" von Freydorf (vocals) and Stefan "Fini" Finauer (drums), pupils of a convent school, founded the band together with Christoph's church choir friend Jamie "Citnoh" Richardson (bass guitar). They were joined by Stephan Karl "Moik" and Franz Wickenhäuser (both guitar). The band was founded in Hohenschäftlarn near Munich. The name Emil Bulls is derived from a children's movie.

In 1996, they recorded their first CD Red Dick’s Potatoe Garden themselves. The CD is in great demand today because of its small circulation. In 1997, they attended the Emergenza festival and finished third in the European competition. For this competition they hired DJ Paul Rzyttka (known as DJ Zamzoe) who afterwards became a permanent member of the band.

After a long tour, their album Monogamy was released by the indie record label Oh My Sweet Records. The record could only be purchased through the internet or during live shows. Monogamy was noticed by Island Records, which offered the band a recording deal. Some of the songs on Monogamy and a few new songs were recorded. The result was Angel Delivery Service, released in 2001. The album was already out of stock a few months later. A new edition was released including a cover version of A-Ha's "Take on Me". The songs "Smells Like Rock'n'Roll", "Leaving You with This" and "Take on Me" were released as singles.

In May 2002, Porcelain was released through Motor Music. "The Coolness of Being Wretched" and "This Day" were released as singles. Between June 2001 and August 2002, the band played 129 live shows including Rock am Ring. In August 2003, drummer Stefan Finauer left the band to go to university. He was replaced by Fabian Fab Füß. In 2003, the band played some shows in Canada and the United States.

On June 20, 2005, The Southern Comfort was released on Pirate Records. It was the last record with DJ Zamzoe.

In February 2007, the live and acoustic album The Life Acoustic was released. The album, which was recorded in Pullach in 2006, was followed by an acoustic tour.

The following album The Black Path was released on April 4, 2008, on Drakkar records. It is the hardest record of the band so far and was recorded in Hannover by Benny Richer (Caliban, Krypteria). The single "The Most Evil Spell" was offered as a free download.

In 2009, Chrissy Schneider left the band and was replaced by Andy Bock, who was the guitar player of From Constant Visions. On September 25, 2009, Phoenix was released. "Here Comes The Fire" was offered as a free download on their website. In September 2009, a music video of "When God Was Sleeping" was released.

The band's latest studio offering, Oceanic, was to be released on September 30, 2011.

We Built This City
Emil Bulls Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

We built this city, we built this city on rock and roll
Built this city, we built this city on rock and roll

Say, "You don't know me or recognize my face"
Say, "You don't care who goes to that kind of place"
Knee deep in the hoopla sinking in your fight
Too many runaways eating up the night
Marconi plays the Mamba, listen to the radio, don't you remember

We built this city, we built this city on rock and roll
We built this city, we built this city on rock and roll
Built this city, we built this city on rock and roll

Someone always playing corporation games
Who cares they're always changing corporation names
We just want to dance here, someone stole the stage
They call us irresponsible, write us off the page
Marconi plays the Mamba, listen to the radio, don't you remember

We built this city, we built this city on rock and roll
We built this city, we built this city on rock and roll
Built this city, we built this city on rock and roll

It's just another Sunday, in a tired old street
Police have got the choke hold, oh, then we just lost the beat

Who counts the money, underneath the bar
Who rides the wrecking ball in two rock guitars
Don't tell us you need us, 'cos we're the ship of fools
Looking for America coming through your schools

(I'm looking out over that Golden Gate bridge
Out on another gorgeous sunny Saturday, not seein' that bumper to bumper traffic)

Don't you remember ('member)('member)

(It's your favorite radio station, in your favorite radio city
The city by the bay, the city that rocks, the city that never sleeps)

Marconi plays the Mamba, listen to the radio, don't you remember

We built this city, we built this city on rock and roll
We built this city, we built this city on rock and roll
Built this city, we built this city on rock and roll
Built this city, we built this city on rock and roll
Built this city, we built this city on rock and roll
(We built, we built this city)
Built this city
(We built, we built this city)
(We built, we built this city)

Built this city
(We built, we built this city)
(We built, we built this city)

Built this city
(We built, we built this city)
(We built, we built this city)

Built this city
(We built, we built this city)

Overall Meaning

"We Built This City" by Emil Bulls is a song that celebrates the power and influence of rock and roll music. The lyrics emphasize the idea that rock and roll is the foundation upon which the city has been built.

In the first verse, the lyrics suggest that there may be some disconnection between the singer and those around them. The line "Say, 'You don't know me or recognize my face'" indicates a sense of being misunderstood or overlooked. The following line, "Say, 'You don't care who goes to that kind of place,'" implies that the establishment of rock and roll as a cultural force has been met with skepticism or indifference.

The chorus repeats the phrase "We built this city on rock and roll," emphasizing the importance and significance of the genre in shaping the identity of the city. It reflects the belief that rock and roll is not just music but a foundational element that has contributed to the growth and development of the community.

The second verse addresses the resistance faced by those who enjoy rock and roll. The lyrics point out that there are always individuals and institutions that play corporate games and try to diminish the influence of rock and roll. Despite this, the desire to dance and express oneself remains strong. The line "They call us irresponsible, write us off the page" highlights the criticism and negative perception faced by those associated with rock and roll.

The bridge of the song suggests a predetermined image of what a typical Sunday looks like in a worn-out street. The idea of the police having a chokehold over the community and losing the beat implies a sense of control and oppression that threatens the spirit and freedom that rock and roll represents.

The final chorus reinforces the message that rock and roll is the driving force behind the city. The line "Marconi plays the Mamba, listen to the radio, don't you remember" pays homage to Guglielmo Marconi, the inventor of the radio, and symbolizes the continued influence of rock and roll through this medium of communication.

Overall, "We Built This City" is a rallying cry for the rock and roll community, acknowledging the challenges and criticisms they face while asserting the indelible impact the genre has had on their city's identity and culture.

Line by Line Meaning

We built this city, we built this city on rock and roll
We are the ones who created and established this city, and we did it through the power and influence of rock and roll music.

Say, "You don't know me or recognize my face"
Some people may not understand or be familiar with who I am as an individual.

Say, "You don't care who goes to that kind of place"
It doesn't matter to you who frequents this particular location or environment.

Knee deep in the hoopla sinking in your fight
Engulfed in a chaotic and relentless struggle, unable to escape.

Too many runaways eating up the night
There are numerous individuals seeking refuge and excitement in the darkness of the night.

Marconi plays the Mamba, listen to the radio, don't you remember
Marconi, a reference to Guglielmo Marconi, the inventor of the radio, plays a lively and rhythmic song called the Mamba. It's a reminder to listen to the radio and recall the joyous memories associated with it.

Someone always playing corporation games
There are always people engaging in manipulative and strategic maneuvers within the corporate world.

Who cares they're always changing corporation names
It doesn't matter because these corporations frequently alter their names, indicating a lack of stability and genuine identity.

We just want to dance here, someone stole the stage
All we desire is to dance and enjoy ourselves in this place, but someone has taken center stage and stolen the spotlight from us.

They call us irresponsible, write us off the page
They label us as careless and unreliable, disregarding our significance and dismissing us as insignificant.

It's just another Sunday, in a tired old street
This is yet another ordinary Sunday in a mundane and exhausted neighborhood.

Police have got the chokehold, oh, then we just lost the beat
The police have tightened their grip and control, causing us to lose the rhythm and energy of the situation.

Who counts the money, underneath the bar
There is someone tallying the profits discreetly beneath the counter at a bar.

Who rides the wrecking ball in two rock guitars
There is a person swinging a wrecking ball, symbolizing destruction, while straddling two rock guitars, representing the power and influence of rock music.

Don't tell us you need us, 'cos we're the ship of fools
Don't claim that you rely on us because we are naive and foolish individuals who blindly follow and believe in something.

Looking for America coming through your schools
We are actively searching for the essence and spirit of America, and we can find it by analyzing the teachings in your educational institutions.

(I'm looking out over that Golden Gate bridge
(I'm observing the magnificent Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco)

Out on another gorgeous sunny Saturday, not seein' that bumper to bumper traffic)
Even though it's a beautiful sunny Saturday, I am oblivious to the heavy traffic congestion.

Don't you remember ('member)('member)
Don't you recall or reminisce about the past?

(It's your favorite radio station, in your favorite radio city
(It's the radio station you love, in the city that is known for its vibrant music scene)

The city by the bay, the city that rocks, the city that never sleeps)
Referring to San Francisco, a city located next to the bay, renowned for its energetic music culture and constant activity.

We built this city, we built this city on rock and roll
We are the ones who created and established this city, and we did it through the power and influence of rock and roll music.

Built this city, we built this city on rock and roll
We are the ones who created and established this city, and we did it through the power and influence of rock and roll music.

(We built, we built this city)
(We are responsible for constructing and shaping this city)