Band website: www.gnags.dk
Gnags is a Danish rock band from Skjern formed by Peter A.G. Nielsen and his brother Jens G. Nielsen in 1966.
The band started playing regularly in 1968 after winning the then important Danish national championship in "beat music". Their championship title paved the way for the band's first two single recordings, "Eyes and Ears" and "I Can't Talk About It Now". Sven Fenger left the band in 1969, after which Gnags continued as a trio, , they played Danish festivals and in Amsterdam and moved to Århus in 1971 and joined a commune, where they invited new keyboard player Ivan Sørensen to the group. There they also recorded their first album: På Vej, which was released in 1973. The band had financed the album themselves, and sold the distribution rights to producer Johnny Reimar. Struggling to find a record label, Gnags created Genlyd Records in 1974. Per Chr. Frost (guitar) joined in 1974 and Gnags released their second album: Del af en ring, in 1974.
Gnags started Feedback Studios in 1975, from which most of their subsequent works have been recorded.
Gnags' sales and popularity rose steadily during the 1970s reaching national saturation around 1980 with albums such as Burhøns and Intercity that took a powerpop/new wave direction The following albums Safari, X and Den Blå Hund. (Produced by Jack Nuber), integrated other influences and were career highlights. During the 80s Gnags integrated reggae and latin, and blended their influences into their very own mainstream pop style that established them and tv-2 as the two best selling danish poprock bands of the late 80s.
During their heyday Gnags had a spell of danish hits: Under Bøgen, Slinger Gennem Vestergade, Vilde Kaniner, Danmark and Mr Swing King among the best known classics.
Gnags succes faded in the 90s, but interest in them were renewed by the prolific dancehall scene that emerged in Denmark in the late 2000s,where main figures expressed their influence and respect for their unique style and lyricism on the danish scene. Gnags lyrics written by Peter A.G., had a touch of magical realism.
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Mads Michelsen (dm, perc) joined in 1981 replacing Henning Stærk (who joined in 1977). Although some members have left over time, band has maintained a stable membership over the years, although it was felt when Per Christian Frost and founding member Jens G. Nielsen left in 1996. When Ivan Sørensen (born 1955- died 2015) (keyboards) and Jacob Riis Olsen left in 2003, the present quartet line-up was established. (see above)
In August 2013 the original band members reunited for a concert also celebrating the coincident birthdays of Peter Nielsen (60) and his son (40). In September 2013, Peter Nielsen began performing a solo performance show.
Gnags' musical style is unusual. It is clearly rock and roll but stylistically it is dominated by Peter A. G. Nielsen's fabulatin vocal style. From 1981 to 1983 there was a strong influence from reggae music, which should be seen in connection with their work with producers from abroad Jack Nuber and Karl Pitterson. Gnags have recorded almost all their songs in the Danish language. Exceptions are three songs in English: Their singles "Eyes and Ears" and "I Can't Talk About It Now", and the last track on the 1982 album Safari ("American Boy"). Gnags are energetic performers on stage.
Studio recorded album[redigér | redigér wikikode]
1973 På vej
1975 Del af en ring
1976 Det er det
1977 La' det gro
1978 Er du hjemme i aften
1979 Burhøns
1980 Intercity
1982 Safari
1983 X
1984 Den blå hund
1985 En underlig fisk
1986 Plads til begejstring
1987 Har de puttet noget i kaffen?
1989 Mr. Swing King
1991 Lygtemandens sang
1994 Øjne på stilke
1996 Gösta Hammerfedt
2000 Ridser, Revner & Buler
2002 Skønhedspletter
2003 Skitsernes Drøm
2008 Legepladsen
Ulvetid
Gnags Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
At holde sammen i ring
Bli ve med det
Der tænder lys rundt omkring
Det er ulvetid
Og de skruer varmen ned
Så vi ik ka følge med
i
Bli ve bli ve
At samle hoved og krop
Bli ve med det
Der lukke røjnene op
Det er ulvetid
Og de skruer varmen ned
Så vi ik ka følge med
I
Hvor koldt det er blevet
Nåleøjet
Er gennempløjet
Djævle er lovede frelste i havn
Profitten er strøget
Og løgnene løget
I magtens og ærens og guldkalvens
Hellige navn
The lyrics to Gnags's song Ulvetid are about the winter season, also known as "ulvetid" (wolf time) in Danish. The song speaks about the darkness and the cold that winter brings, and how difficult it can be to keep up with its demands. The first stanza encourages people to hold together in a circle, with the light shining around them. This can be interpreted as a metaphor for the need for community and warmth during winter. The second stanza speaks about the importance of keeping one's head and body together, as the cold threatens to pull them apart. It encourages people to keep their eyes open and be aware of their surroundings.
The final stanza of the song, "Nåleøjet er gennempløjet, djævle er lovede frelste i havn, profitten er strøget og løgnene løget, i magtens og ærens og guldkalvens hellige navn" (The needle's eye has been pierced through, devils are promised salvation in the harbor, profit is gone and lies are being lied, in the holy names of power, honor, and the golden calf) takes a critical stance towards those in power who prioritize profit and lies over the well-being of their people. The song highlights the need for community and solidarity in the face of difficult times, and calls out those who perpetuate harm and lies for their own gain.
Line by Line Meaning
Bli ve bli ve
Let's become, let's become
At holde sammen i ring
Hold together in a ring
Bli ve med det
Let's go with that
Der tænder lys rundt omkring
Where lights are lit all around
Det er ulvetid
It's wolf time
Og de skruer varmen ned
And they turn down the heat
Så vi ik ka følge med
So we can't keep up
i
In
Hvor koldt det er blevet
How cold it has become
At samle hoved og krop
To gather head and body
Der lukke røjnene op
Where the eyes are opened
Nåleøjet
The eye of the needle
Er gennempløjet
Is worn through
Djævle er lovede frelste i havn
Devils are promised salvation in port
Profitten er strøget
The profit has been taken
Og løgnene løget
And the lies have been lied
I magtens og ærens og guldkalvens
In the power and glory and golden calf's
Hellige navn
Holy name
Contributed by Chloe P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.