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.
My Sacred Darling
Gogol Bordello Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
True to your obsessions
And filed rest of questions under "false"
I am so glad you never took their offers
I am so glad you never returned their calls
Darling, darling, darling, darling
My sacred darling
Darling, I believe that your obsession
Is your only way out of here
It's your only spiritual condition
Where heart and soul they cross-appeal
Darling, darling, darling, darling
My sacred darling
So darling let's discuss our tactics:
I will be mad and you will be posessed
That is the only way to fight this world
Those are the only times when
We are at our best
Darling, darling, darling, darling
My sacred darling
In the song "My Sacred Darling" by Gogol Bordello, the lyrics express a deep appreciation for someone who stays true to their passions and rejects societal expectations. The singer is glad that this person, referred to as "darling," remains committed to their obsessions and disregards the opinions and offers of others. The line "filed rest of questions under 'false'" suggests that the darling dismisses the doubts and criticisms thrown their way.
The singer sees the darling's obsession as their escape from the confines of everyday life. It is described as their "only way out of here" and their "only spiritual condition." This implies that the darling finds solace and a sense of purpose through their intense focus on their passion. The heart and soul intersect in this obsession, creating a deep connection that satisfies both their emotional and spiritual needs.
The song then shifts to a discussion between the singer and the darling about their tactics in dealing with the world. The singer suggests that they should both adopt a certain mindset: the singer will be "mad" and the darling will be "possessed." This implies that they intend to confront the challenges of the world with a rebellious and determined attitude. By embracing these emotions, they believe they can effectively counteract the external pressures and societal norms they face.
Ultimately, the singer refers to the darling as their "sacred darling." This term of endearment signifies a deep bond and reverence for this person. Despite the unconventional ways in which they navigate through life, the singer sees the darling as a cherished and important figure in their existence. Together, they are at their best when they embrace their obsessions and approach the world with fierceness and determination.
Line by Line Meaning
I am so glad you stuck
I am extremely happy that you remained committed
True to your obsessions
Devoted to your passions without compromise
And filed rest of questions under 'false'
Disregarded all other doubts as untrue and insignificant
I am so glad you never took their offers
I am elated that you rejected their enticing propositions
I am so glad you never returned their calls
I am ecstatic that you ignored their attempts to contact you
Darling, darling, darling, darling
My beloved, my cherished, my treasured one
My sacred darling
You are my holy, special beloved
Darling, I believe that your obsession
My dear, I am convinced that your passion
Is your only way out of here
Is your sole escape from this place
It's your only spiritual condition
It is your solitary state of connection with the divine
Where heart and soul they cross-appeal
Where the desires of your heart and the essence of your soul powerfully intersect
So darling let's discuss our tactics:
My love, let us strategize and plan together
I will be mad and you will be possessed
I will display anger while you become consumed
That is the only way to fight this world
That is the sole method to combat and oppose this society
Those are the only times when
During those moments alone
We are at our best
We reach our peak potential and excellence
My sacred darling
You are my holy, special beloved
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Eugene Hutz
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind