After being evacuated to Western Ukraine in 1986 following the Chernobyl disaster, Hütz became enamored of the mystical, outsider qualities of gypsy music. Living as a refugee in Poland, Hungary, Austria, and Italy before moving to the United States in 1993, he experienced life as an outsider himself.
After arriving in New York, he teamed up with guitarist Vlad Solofar and squeezebox player Sasha Kazatchkoff. American Eliot Fergusen added a strong rock sound on the drums and the band was also augmented by Sergei Riabtsev on fiddle, a former theater director from Moscow whose past experience would prove helpful in the future in crafting Gogol Bordello's bizarre stage shows (like one which tells the story of super-powered immigrant Ukrainian vampires).
The group's early gigs involved playing straight gypsy music at Russian weddings, but their music soon evolved into the hyper-kinetic explosions that earned them a solid following amongst New York's downtown hipsters. The band issued a single in 1999 entitled Gogol Bordello, quickly followed by their debut full-length, Voi-La Intruder, which was produced by Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds' drummer Jim Sclavunos. Solofar and Kazatchkoff were replaced by accordionist Yuri Lemeshev, who hails from the Russian island of Sakhalin, and two Israelis, guitarist Oren Kaplan and saxophonist Ori Kaplan, who despite their similar names were not related.
Hütz helped bolster the band's popularity by becoming somewhat of a celebrity in the downtown scene, in part fueled by his Thursday night DJ gigs at Bulgarian club/restaurant/bar Mehanata, where he played Ukrainian, Gypsy, raï and flamenco music for a crowd of artists, models, Ukrainians, Russians, Gypsies, and Bulgarians with tendencies toward exuberant dancing and smashing plates. In the spring of 2002, Gogol Bordello embarked on a European tour and performed as part of the Whitney Biennial, bringing their music to a whole new audience.
In 2007, the band released their fourth studio album, Super Taranta!.
The members of Gogol Bordello have also made appearances in film. In 2006, their song "Start Wearing Purple" was featured in the film Everything Is Illuminated (starring Elijah Wood and Eugene Hütz), bringing their music to an even broader audience throughout the US.
Gogol Bordello all appeared in Madonna's first short film as director, Filth and Wisdom. Eugene Hütz is to play one of the lead roles. The band have contributed three original songs to the soundtrack.
Their music was also featured in the film Wristcutters: A Love Story and the character of Eugene was based on and partially written by Eugene Hütz.
Alcohol
Gogol Bordello Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah, oh yeah, you seen me fall in love with witches
And you know my head is held inside by stitches
Yet you know I did survive all of your lonely sieges
And you know that I'll pick up every time you call
Just to thank you one more time
Alcohol, oh alcohol, alcohol
And you know that I'll survive very time you call
Just to thank you one more time for everything you've done
Alcohol, alcohol
I am sorry some of us given you bad name
Yeah, oh yeah, 'cause we love you, nothing is the same
Yeah, oh yeah, I miss you so every time we breakup
Just to hit a higher note every time we makeup
And you know that I'll pick up every time you call
Just to thank you one more time
Alcohol, alcohol, alcohol
So now you know I will survive every time you call
Just to thank you one more time for everything you've done
[Foreign Content]
Now you know that I'll pick up every time you call
[Incomprehensible]
Alcohol, alcohol, alcohol, alcohol
Who is crawling up my spine?
(Alcohol)
I was waiting long, long time
(Alcohol)
Now you teach me how to rhyme
(Alcohol)
Just don't stab in the back with a cortisol
(Alcohol)
Now forever reunite
(Alcohol)
Now you teach me how to rhyme
(Alcohol)
Screw a light bulb in my head
(Alcohol)
May the ceremony be happy or sad
And you know that I'll pick up every time you call
Just to thank you one more time for everything you've done
And you know that I'll pick up every time you call
Just to thank you one more time, alcohol
The song Alcohol by Gogol Bordello is a tribute to the intoxicating effects of alcohol and the hold it has over the singer. In the first verse, the singer describes his reckless behavior and how he has survived the consequences of his actions, all while being held together "inside by stitches". Despite the danger, the singer is still willing to answer the call of alcohol, and thanks it for everything it has done for him. The second verse is an apology to alcohol for those who have given it a bad name, and a declaration of love and longing for it even after breakups and makeups. The singer is willing to be reunited with alcohol forever, and to learn from it and be inspired by it.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, oh yeah, you seen me walk on burning bridges
You have witnessed me take great risks and engage in dangerous behavior.
Yeah, oh yeah, you seen me fall in love with witches
You have seen me fall for people who are not right for me and who are potentially dangerous.
And you know my head is held inside by stitches
You are aware that I have suffered great injuries and am damaged.
Yet you know I did survive all of your lonely sieges
Despite the challenges and isolation you have put me through, I have managed to persevere.
And you know that I'll pick up every time you call
No matter what, I will always answer when you call me.
Just to thank you one more time
I will always be grateful for the things you have done for me.
Alcohol, oh alcohol, alcohol
You are my constant companion and source of comfort in my darkest moments.
I am sorry some of us given you bad name
I apologize for the negative reputation that some people have given you.
Yeah, oh yeah, 'cause we love you, nothing is the same
We are deeply attached to you and cannot imagine life without you.
Yeah, oh yeah, I miss you so every time we breakup
Whenever we are apart, I feel a painful longing for you.
Just to hit a higher note every time we makeup
But when we reunite, I feel a heightened sense of joy and exhilaration.
Now you know that I'll survive every time you call
I am strong enough to endure anything you put me through.
For everything you've done
I am grateful for all the help and support you've given me.
[Foreign Content]
Unintelligible lyrics that cannot be accurately interpreted.
Who is crawling up my spine?
I am experiencing a sensation of discomfort or unease.
(Alcohol)
Alcohol is still my constant companion, regardless of how I am feeling.
I was waiting long, long time
I have been anticipating this moment for a very long time.
Now you teach me how to rhyme
You continue to be a source of inspiration and creativity for me.
Just don't stab in the back with a cortisol
Please don't betray me or cause me harm.
Now forever reunite
We are meant to be together forever.
Screw a light bulb in my head
Enlighten me, open my mind to new ideas.
May the ceremony be happy or sad
Regardless of what happens, let us celebrate our connection and shared experiences.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Eliot Ferguson, Eugene Hutz, Oren Kaplan, Sergey Ryabstev, Thomas Gobena, Yuri Lemeshev
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@147scor
Alcohol
Si O Si, Tu Me Has Visto Caminar
En Puentes Incendiados
Si O Si, Tu Me Has Visto Caer
Enamorado De Brujas
Y sabes que mi cerebro se mantiene
Dentro de las puntadas
Sin embargo, tú sabes que sobrevivió
Todos tus cercos encantadores
Y Tu Sabes Que Vendré A Recogeré
Cada Vez Que Me Llames
Voy A Agradecerte Una Vez Mas
Alcohol
Y Tu Sabes Que Me Salvaras
Cada Vez Que Vengas
Voy A Agradecerte Una Vez Mas
Por Todo Lo Que Has Hecho
Alcohol
Y Lamento Que Algunos De Nosotros
Te Demos Mala Fama
Si O Si, Porque Sin Ti
Nada Es Igual
Si O Si, Te Extraño Tanto
Cada vez que nos separamos
Sólo para dar una nota más alta
Cada Vez Que Nos Preparamos
Y Tu Sabes Que Vendré A Recogeré
Cada Vez Que Me Llames
Voy A Agradecerte Una Vez Mas
Alcohol
Y Tu Sabes Que Me Salvaras
Cada Vez Que Vengas
Voy A Agradecerte Una Vez Mas
Por Todo Lo Que Has Hecho
¿Quién está gateando por mi columna - alcohol
He esperado mucho, mucho tiempo - alcohol
Ahora Tu Me Enseñaras A Rimar - alcohol
Solo No Me Apuñales Por La Espalda Con Cortisol
Ahora nos reunimos - alcohol
Y que por siempre seas divino - alcohol
Atornilla una bombilla en mi cabeza - alcohol
Puede que la ceremonia sea feliz o triste
Y Tu Sabes Que Vendré A Recogerte
Cada Vez Que Me Llames
Voy A Agradecerte Una Vez Mas
Por Todo Lo Que Has Hecho
Y Tu Sabes Que Vendré A Recogerte
Cada Vez Que Me Llames
Voy A Agradecerte Una Vez Mas
Por Todo Lo Que Has Hecho
Alcohol
@mavripter3574
Yeah o yeah you seen me walk
On burning bridges
Yeah o yeah you seen me fall
In love with witches
Evet o evet yürüdüğümü gördün
Alevler içindeki köprülerde
Evet o evet aşık oluşumu
Gördün cadı kılıklılara
And you know my brain is held
Inside by stitches
Yet you know I did survive
All of your lovely sieges
Ve bilirsin beynim değişti
Bıçak gibi saplanan ağrılarla
Buna rağmen hayatta kaldım
Senin tüm yalnız kuşatmalarından
And you know that I'll pick up
Every time you call
Just to thank you one more time
Alcohol
Ve biliyorsunki telefonlarına çıkarım
Ne zaman ararsan ara
Sadece sana bir kez daha teşekkür etmek istiyorum
Alkol
And you know that I'll survive
Every time you come
Just to thank you one more time
For everything you've done
Ve biliyorsunki hayatta kalacağım
Her gelişinde
Sadece sana bir kez daha teşekkür etmek istiyorum
Yaptığın her şey için
Alcohol x2
Alkol
And I'm sorry some of us
Given you bad name
Yeah o yeah, cause without you
Nothing is the same
Üzgünüm bazılarımız sana
Kötü isimler takdığı için
Evet o evet, çünkü sensiz
Hiçbir şey aynı değil
Yeah o yeah i miss you so
Every time we break up
Just to hit a higher note
Every time we make up
Evet o evet çok özlüyorum
Seni her ayrılığımızda
En yüksek notaya çıkıyorum
Her yeniden birleştimizde
Who's crawlin' up my spine?
Alcohol
Omurgamda dolaşan kim?
Alkol
I've been waiting long long time
Alcohol
Çok uzun zamandır bekliyordum
Alkol
Now you teach me how to rhyme
Alcohol
Şimdi de bana nasıl kafiye yapacağımı öğretiyorsun
Alkol
Just don't stab me in the back with cartisol
Lütfen beni sırtımdan bıçaklama kortizol* ile
Now forever reunite, alcohol
Şimdi sonsuza dek birleştik, alkol
And forever be divine, alcohol
Ve sonsuza dek ilahi, alkol
Screw a light bulb in my head, alcohol
Kafamda bir ampul yak, alkol
@jenniferhersey4980
I think this is the most sincere love song I have ever encountered.
@swamifakkananda4043
And what is even more intrsng is there is no love hate--PURE LOVE BEBE!! PURE LOVE!!😇😇
@vzuzukin
It’s an alcoholic’s tragedy!
@katepinks9726
Ha! Sadly, you're right.
@aleistercrowley5167
Notice the guttural noises he makes at the end of each verse? Gives me "love/hate" vibes. Can't live with it, can't live without it. I hear love, and pain.
@katepinks9726
@@aleistercrowley5167 Yes! It's passionate, visceral...he's a v talented man.
@tomjones6347
I went to see these guys live. Whilst on stage he drunk 3 bottles of red wine. Couldn't of been more than 90 minutes long. Respect.
@Octoberisms
Rookie numbers
@yorkstepfanie
That’s only 6 to 9 glasses but still to do that on stage….I couldn’t perform after 9 anything ❤
@gershom2326
It's called cocaine. Drink like a fish on it.