The band first experienced chart success when their second single "Take Me Out" reached #3 in the UK Charts, followed by their debut album Franz Ferdinand which entered the UK album chart at #3. The band went on to win the 2004 Mercury Music Prize and two BRIT Awards in 2005 for Best British Group and Best British Rock Act. NME named Franz Ferdinand as their Album of the Year. From the album, three top-ten singles were released, "Take Me Out", "The Dark of the Matinée" and "This Fire". The band has also received several Grammy Award nominations.
The band is named after Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria whose assassination was one of the main reasons for the start of the First World War. The band decided on the name after seeing a racehorse named Archduke Ferdinand win the Northumberland Plate in 2001, eventually coming to the decision as the alliteration and sound of the name appealed to them.
- Discography
Franz Ferdinand (2004)
You Could Have It So Much Better (2005)
Blood; Franz Ferdinand (2009)
Tonight: Franz Ferdinand (2009)
Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action (2013)
FFS (2015) (Collaborative album with the band Sparks)
Always Ascending (2018)
Hits to the Head (2022)
Sound and Vision (David Bowie
Franz Ferdinand Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ahhh...
Drifting into my solitude, over my head
Doo, doo, doo, do-doh
Doo, doo, doo, do-doh
Don't you wonder sometimes
'Bout sound and vision
Blue, blue, electric blue
That's the colour of my room
Where I will live
Blue, blue
Pale blinds drawn all day
Nothing to do, nothing to say
Blue, blue
I will sit right down, waiting for the gift of sound and vision
And I will sing, waiting for the gift of sound and vision
Drifting into my solitude, over my head
Don't you wonder sometimes
'Bout sound and vision
The lyrics to Franz Ferdinand's cover of David Bowie's "Sound and Vision" depict a sense of isolation and a longing for something more, specifically sound and vision. The opening lyrics, "drifting into my solitude, over my head," suggest a feeling of being overwhelmed by loneliness and isolation. The repetition of the word "blue" creates a sense of monotony and boredom in the singer's life. They live in a blue room with pale blinds drawn, with nothing to do and nothing to say.
However, there is a glimmer of hope in the chorus as the singer sings about waiting for the "gift of sound and vision." This gift seems to represent something that will bring color and excitement back into their life, a way to escape their current state of isolation. The line "don't you wonder sometimes 'bout sound and vision" suggests that this desire for something more is universal, that everyone feels the need to escape their mundane existence.
The song itself has an interesting history. It was originally written and recorded by David Bowie in 1977 for his album "Low." Bowie was experimenting with different soundscapes and was influenced by krautrock, a genre of German rock music characterized by its repetitive rhythms and electronic instrumentation. The song's use of synthesizers and electronic percussion was groundbreaking at the time and helped to shape the sound of new wave music in the 1980s.
Line by Line Meaning
Ahhh...
The song begins with a soothing sound of 'Ahhh...' to give a calming effect to the listeners.
Drifting into my solitude, over my head
The singer is feeling lonely, and the worries of life are overpowering him/her.
Doo, doo, doo, do-doh
The doodle of sounds signifies the monotonous routine of life, which is dull and unexciting.
Don't you wonder sometimes
'Bout sound and vision
The artist is suggesting that sometimes we should ponder upon the concept of sound and vision because both are intertwined and hold immense power.
Blue, blue, electric blue
That's the colour of my room
Where I will live
Blue, blue
The artist's room is painted blue, which represents sadness and loneliness. However, the artist has accepted this as a way of life that they will continue to live in.
Pale blinds drawn all day
Nothing to do, nothing to say
Blue, blue
The singer is spending their days alone without any activity or communication, which adds to their depression.
I will sit right down, waiting for the gift of sound and vision
And I will sing, waiting for the gift of sound and vision
The singer is indicating that they are waiting for inspiration and creativity which will come by experiencing sound and vision.
Drifting into my solitude, over my head
The artist is so lost in their thoughts that they are secluded and drifting away from the world around them.
Don't you wonder sometimes
'Bout sound and vision
The song ends with the repetition of the chorus to emphasize that we should explore the power of sound and vision and utilize it to its full potential.
Contributed by Sarah E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Joaquín Boy France
Don't you wonder sometimes
'Bout sound and vision
Blue, blue, electric blue
That's the colour of my room
Where I will live
Blue, blue
Pale blinds drawn all day
Nothing to do, nothing to say
Blue, blue
I will sit right down,
Waiting for the gift of sound and vision
And I will sing, waiting for the gift of sound and vision
Drifting into my solitude,
over my head
Don't you wonder sometimes
'Bout sound and vision
Linda Rapsis
This is a very dedicated cover. I can tell they worked very hard, and they love David Bowie. I am just hearing it for the first time today. I am somewhat of a purist. David Bowie (look at him, he's in heaven now) said in a recent interview that he never thought of himself as much of a singer, but more of a songwriter. He really got into his singing more when he realized he was the only one who could do justice to his songs (paraphrasing).
John Harris
I have been a Bowie fan for over 45 years and I have to say that was nice. Thank you. :-)
Beetlebum
For me,they were the very last breath of cool and groovy music, they really nailed it with this cover,a flawless one!!!
Anders Eriksson
A lovely devoted cover of a great song by a talanted band.
RIP David Bowie, a real legend!
promisonl
Yes i have got to say, I LOOOOVE this cover. They did an amazing job
Koonerh
I'm not a fan of cover versions but this is the exception !
Jacqui805
I have found two more covers that Franz did that are phenomenal. Check out their cover of Grimes' "Oblivion", and their cover of Lung Leg's "Maid To Minx".
Kldn-X Tlxmr
this is one of my all time favourite songs, and this is my favourite cover of all time now
SNARKYMARK
The drummer Nails It!
Jan Thompson
Bowie is my all time favourite, well done Franz Ferdinand it's a brilliant cover. x