The roots of Gorillaz can be traced back to 1990, when guitarist Graham Coxon asked cartoonist Jamie Hewlett to interview his newly formed band, Blur. Coxon knew of Hewlett's work drawing the Tank Girl comic strip in Deadline magazine. When Jamie first met the band's lead singer Damon Albarn, the two did not hit it off well. Hewlett initially thought Albarn was "arsey" and "a wanker," but the two remained acquainted and would eventually become roommates in 1997, living in London.
Both Jamie and Damon tell the story of Gorillaz came to be about the same way. They were in their flat watching TV, specifically MTV, and came up with the idea of a "virtual band" as commentary on the vapidity of popular music at the turn of the millennium. Previously the best-known '"cartoon bands" were animated versions of The Monkees and The Beatles that kids could watch on Saturday mornings. But Gorillaz (initially called just "Gorilla") was to be an ambitious musical project with eclectic, genre-bending tunes, unique visuals, and a detailed backstory for how the virtual band came to be.
With Gorillaz, Albarn departed from the distinct Britpop of Blur and explored influences including hip hop, electronic music, and world music through an "eccentrically postmodern" approach. The band's 2001 debut album Gorillaz sold over seven million copies worldwide. It was nominated for the Mercury Prize, but the nomination was withdrawn at the band's request. Their second studio album, Demon Days (2005), went six times platinum in the UK and double platinum in the US, and has sold over eight million copies worldwide. The band has won other awards, including one Grammy Award, two MTV Video Music Awards, an NME Award and three MTV Europe Music Awards.
The third Gorillaz studio album, Plastic Beach, was released in March 2010. The fourth, The Fall, was released in December 2010 as a free download for fan club members, then in April 2011 as a physical release. In 2017, after a five-year hiatus, Gorillaz announced their fifth studio album Humanz. Their sixth studio album, The Now Now, was released on 29 June 2018. Their seventh album, Song Machine, Season 1: Strange Timez, was released in 2020 through a series of episodical music videos. Cracker Island, the band's eighth album, was released on February 24, 2023. Gorillaz have been nominated for ten Brit Awards and won Best British Group at the 2018 Brit Awards.
The Gorillaz characters only appear in animated form and are not alter-egos of real people, as is often mistakenly assumed. There is an extensive fictional back-story behind these band members, written by Albarn and Hewlett. Their albums, several of their music videos, and their autobiographical book Rise Of The Ogre all tell the saga. Damon Albarn is the only permanent musical contributor to the band, which is also a collaboration between various musicians. Their style is broad with a large number of alternative influences including rock, hip-hop, and electronica.
They have released eight studio albums: Gorillaz (2001), Demon Days (2005), Plastic Beach (2010), The Fall (Also in 2010), Humanz (2017), The Now Now (2018), Song Machine, Season One: Strange Timez (2020), and Cracker Island (2023). Additionally, they have put out two B-side collections, G-Sides (2001) and D-Sides (2007), and a reggae remix of the Gorillaz album entitled Laika Come Home (2002). The band has also released three DVDs: Phase One: Celebrity Takedown, Demon Days: Live at Manchester Opera House, and Phase Two: Slow Boat To Hades. At the end of 2010, Gorillaz released their next album, The Fall, which was recorded during their US 'Escape to Plastic Beach' tour. It is promoted as being the first album made entirely on iPad. The album is streamed on the Gorillaz website.
The band's first single, Clint Eastwood, was released on 5 March 2001. This single was the first of four from Gorillaz, which was released on 26 March 2001. The other three singles were released over the next year. These were: 19-2000, Rock the House, and Tomorrow Comes Today. The album sold over 7 million copies worldwide and has gone platinum twice in the United Kingdom earning them an entry in the Guinness Book of Records as the Most Successful Virtual Band. It was nominated for the Mercury Prize, but the nomination was later withdrawn at the band's request. Collaborators on the first album included Del tha Funkee Homosapien (often mistaken for a full-time band member), Miho Hatori (formerly of Cibo Matto), Tina Weymouth of Talking Heads.and Ibrahim Ferrer. The album was produced by Dan the Automator of Deltron 3030.
At the end of 2001 the band released another single, 911, which was a collaboration between Gorillaz and rap artists D12, Eminem and Terry Hall. The single would find its way onto the soundtrack to the 2002 action comedy Bad Company.
Their second studio album, Demon Days, was released on 11 May 2005 and included the hit singles Feel Good Inc., DARE, Dirty Harry and Kids With Guns / El Mañana. Demon Days went five times platinum in the UK, double platinum in the United States, and earned five Grammy award nominations for 2006 and won one of them (Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals). Collaborators on this album – produced by Dj Danger Mouse – include De La Soul, Bootie Brown of The Pharcyde, Shaun Ryder of the Happy Mondays, Neneh Cherry, Ike Turner, MF Doom, Roots Manuva, and Martina Topley-Bird, among others. DARE – the first Gorillaz track featuring lead vocals by Noodle – reached #1 in the UK charts.
In late 2007, Albarn and Hewlett began working on Carousel, a new Gorillaz project which eventually evolved into the band's third studio album, Plastic Beach, which was released 9 March 2010. Albarn said, "I'm making this one the most pop record I've ever made in many ways, but with all my experience to try and at least present something that has got depth.” The album features guest performances by Snoop Dogg, Lou Reed, Mos Def, Bobby Womack, Gruff Rhys, Mark E. Smith, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon, Bashy, Kano, De La Soul, Little Dragon, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, sinfonia ViVA, and The Lebanese National Orchestra for Oriental Arabic Music.
A 3D projection of the group was shown at the 2005 MTV Music Awards and the 2006 Grammys. They also performed at the Brits, in a different format, using screens rather than projections. Gorillaz have performed live in other occasions as well: in 2001 & 2002 they did tours where the musicians played behind screens, and in 2005 & 2006, Gorillaz had five nights in Manchester and New York respectively. This time the screens were behind the musicians, who were visible to the audience only as silhouettes (except for the guest-stars).
Since the band began to achieve mainstream success, there have been rumours of them working on a full-length movie. Some of these have been confirmed, but nothing has gotten beyond planning stages, mainly due to conflicts between the band and studios involved. In 2008, Hewlett said "Ultimately we didn't think that feel we're in a position to make the kind of movie we want to make with Gorillaz at the moment. [...] But I'd still like to make a full, lavishly-animated Gorillaz movie someday."
Albarn and Hewlett created a Pop Opera called Monkey: Journey to the West, which premiered in the summer of 2007 at the Manchester International Festival. A soundtrack album was recorded in the summer as well (initially only digitally available though a CD version was released in 2008). The production went on to show at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris in September-October 2007, the Spoleto Festival in Charleston, SC, USA in May 2008, and the Royal Opera House in London in July 2008.
The duo behind the Pop Opera built on ideas from Monkey: Journey to the West to release a short film in the Summer of 2008 which accompanied the United Kingdom's coverage of the BBC Olympic Coverage in Beijing. It featured a basic outline of the main plot elements of the Opera, reworked into a "Journey to the East", with the characters finishing in the Beijing Olympic Stadium.
Gorillaz headlined the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury 2010, as an immediate replacement for U2, who dropped out of performing at the festival.
At the end of 2010 Gorillaz released their next album The Fall made in the hotel rooms during their US tour. It was, when released, the first album to be recorded entirely on an iPad. The album was made available for free to Gorillaz fan club members for a limited time as a digital download – and hard copies were released to worldwide markets in the following year.
In April 2012, Albarn told The Guardian that he and Hewlett had fallen out and that future Gorillaz projects were "unlikely". However, it was later announced by the duo that they had reconciled their difference – and that Noodle, Russel, Murdoc and 2-D would return with a new album in 2017. Featuring collaborations by artists such as album Grace Jones, Kali Uchis, Popcaan, Vince Staples, Mavis Staples, Peven Everett, Pusha T, Kelela, Jamie Principle, D.R.A.M. and Graham Coxon, Humanz was released to critical acclaim; the album would go on to win Gorillaz the 2018 Brit Award for Best British Group. Gorillaz would also collaborate with Carly Simon, Kilo Kish and Rag'n'Bone Man on the Deluxe edition of Humanz, while Little Simz would feature on the single Garage Palace. Another 2017 release was the single Sleeping Powder – supposedly written and recorded in a day. Meanwhile, a solar energy-themed collaboration with E.ON, released in 2017, would later win Gorillaz a Webby Award.
A new album, The Now Now, would follow in 2018. Written by Albarn whilst touring Humanz – and featuring two collaborations, including the return of Snoop Dogg and Jamie Principle as well as George Benson and Graham Coxon – The Now Now spawned six singles, including Humility, Tranz, and Lake Zürich. Murdoc was unable to enjoy the band's success for the time being as he was undergoing a stint in jail for an undisclosed malefaction; he was replaced on bass for Ace Copular – who most famously played Ace of the Gangreen Gang in the Powerpuff Girls TV series – for the recording of The Now Now; however, Murdoc would later break his way out of prison. Gorillaz saw the year out by securing another Brits nomination for Best British Group as well as winning a second consecutive Webby Award; this time, for the FreeMurdoc chatbot, which provided a way for Gorillaz fans to interact with Murdoc Niccals during his incarceration.
Rock the House
Gorillaz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You wanna try that
It's like a flashback
So shake your ass crack
I got the balls to
Rock the salsa
Funk the blues-a
Any groove to
Taking you to
Another landscape
It's my mandate
I'm highly animated even though I'm decomposing
So if your feet is frozen I'ma die to see you ropin'
And when the MC rhyme and the DJ spin
I want y'all to just get down
Now when the MC rhymin' and the DJ cuttin'
I want y'all to just get down
And when the MC rhyme and the DJ spin
I want y'all to just get down
Now when the MC rhymin' and the DJ cuttin'
I want y'all to just get down
Tap your toes and clap your hands
(How many people ready to rock the house?)
Come on trace the globe and shake your pants
(How many people ready to rock the house?)
Just twist your hip and do the dip
(How many people ready to rock the house?)
Come on shake and bake do whatever it takes
(How many people ready to rock the house?)
Gravitational pull
I have you making a fool
Out of yourself on the dance floor
Doing back spins running man and more
Party down with Vigga and Candor
Coming to the jam
Or look like a landlubber
And do the aqua boogie
Win lots of goodies maybe
Pop a Gucci wallet turntables is talking to me
It's awfully groovy
Seeing all the treasure and the booty
And when the MC rhyme and the DJ spin
I want y'all to just get down
Now when the MC rhymin' and the DJ cuttin'
I want y'all to just get down
And when the MC rhyme and the DJ spin
I want y'all to just get down
Now when the MC rhymin' and the DJ cuttin'
I want y'all to just get down
Tap your toes and clap your hands
(How many people ready to rock the house?)
Come on trace the globe and shake your pants
(How many people ready to rock the house?)
Just twist your hip and do the dip
(How many people ready to rock the house?)
Come on shake and bake do whatever it takes
(How many people ready to rock the house?)
I wanna get down lower than Atlantis
Going toe to toe with an enchantress
Get funkier than funkadelic wearin' Pampers
While you eggheads is on the wall preparin' answers
Sharing transcripts while we over here
Dipping and dancin'
Rhythm romancin'
Wallflowers
Giving no action no
All hours we chillin' and max the flow
Relaxing
Opposites attracting
I'ma toss my hat in
Floss when the track spin
Like I'm on a crack binge
Jigging and wiggling
Freakin' booties speakin' to the cuties so belligerent
No religion just bump the feed on
You'll feel reborn
Negativity we just dead it like decoy
Better lift your feet and just measure the beat on
The pulse when it respawns
Tap your toes and clap your hands
(How many people ready to rock the house?)
Come on trace the globe and shake your pants
(How many people ready to rock the house?)
Just twist your hip and do the dip
(How many people ready to rock the house?)
Come on shake and bake do whatever it takes
(How many people ready to rock the house?)
The Gorillaz song "Rock the House" features a mix of genres, including salsa, funk, and blues, all designed to make listeners move. The lyrics speak to the power of music to bring people together and to inspire them to dance, regardless of their religious or cultural background. The opening verses speak to the universality of the rhythm and the way it connects people across backgrounds, borders, and even life and death.
The lyrics then move to a call-and-response chorus that encourages listeners to tap their toes, clap their hands, and otherwise move to the beat. The verses that follow feature references to various dance moves and styles, as well as a celebration of the joy that comes from letting loose and dancing with abandon. The song ends with a final call to lift one's feet and "measure the beat on the pulse when it respawns."
Overall, "Rock the House" is an upbeat, energetic anthem that celebrates the power of music to bring people together and get them moving.
Line by Line Meaning
I know you like that
I am aware that you enjoy this music
You wanna try that
You want to dance to this music
It's like a flashback
The music brings back memories or feels nostalgic
So shake your ass crack
Dance enthusiastically
I got the balls to
I am confident enough to
Rock the salsa
Perform a lively and rhythmic salsa dance
Funk the blues-a
Play lively and upbeat blues music
Any groove to
Any type of music that makes you groove
Make you move 'cause
Encouraging people to dance
Taking you to
Transporting you
Another landscape
A different place or state of mind
It's my mandate
It is my mission or goal
I'm highly animated even though I'm decomposing
I am full of life and energy despite being old or worn-out
So if your feet is frozen I'ma die to see you ropin'
If you are too shy or intimidated to dance, I will do my best to encourage you to join in
And when the MC rhyme and the DJ spin
When the MC is rapping and the DJ is playing music
I want y'all to just get down
I want everyone to dance and have fun
Now when the MC rhymin' and the DJ cuttin'
When the MC is rapping and the DJ is scratching records
Tap your toes and clap your hands
Move your feet and clap along to the beats
(How many people ready to rock the house?)
How many people are ready to have a great time dancing?
Come on trace the globe and shake your pants
Dance energetically around the world and move your hips
Just twist your hip and do the dip
Move your hips and do a dipping dance move
Come on shake and bake do whatever it takes
Dance enthusiastically and do anything that feels right
Gravitational pull
The force that pulls objects towards each other
I have you making a fool
I will make you look foolish or silly
Out of yourself on the dance floor
You will let go of your inhibitions and dance wholeheartedly
Doing back spins running man and more
Performing energetic and acrobatic dance moves
Party down with Vigga and Candor
Have a great time dancing with friends
Coming to the jam
Arriving at the party or dance event
Or look like a landlubber
Or appear inexperienced or awkward on the dance floor
And do the aqua boogie
Dancing move that mimics swimming
Win lots of goodies maybe
Possibly win prizes or rewards for dancing well
Pop a Gucci wallet turntables is talking to me
Become wealthy and successful as a successful DJ or music producer
It's awfully groovy
It feels great and fun
Seeing all the treasure and the booty
Enjoying the wealth and success that comes from music and dance
I wanna get down lower than Atlantis
I want to dance more energetically than anyone else
Going toe to toe with an enchantress
Dancing competitively with a stunningly attractive woman
Get funkier than funkadelic wearin' Pampers
Dancing wildly and energetically like the musicians from the band Funkadelic
While you eggheads is on the wall preparin' answers
While you are analytically thinking about how to dance or what to do next
Sharing transcripts while we over here
While you are discussing and theorizing about music and dance, we are dancing and having fun over here
Dipping and dancin'
Performing rhythmic and lively dances
Rhythm romancin'
Being seduced and drawn in by the rhythm and beats of the music
Wallflowers
Those who are shy and hesitant to dance
Giving no action no
Not participating or contributing to the party atmosphere
All hours we chillin' and max the flow
We are relaxed and enjoying the music and atmosphere without worrying about anything else
Relaxing
Being calm and at ease
Opposites attracting
Different people and personalities coming together and enjoying each other's company
I'ma toss my hat in
I'm going to join in and participate
Floss when the track spin
Show off and dance with style when the music is playing
Like I'm on a crack binge
Dancing wildly and energetically as if under the influence of drugs
Jigging and wiggling
Dancing energetically with fast movements
Freakin' booties speakin' to the cuties so belligerent
Dancing seductively and confidently to impress attractive women
No religion just bump the feed on
There are no rules or restrictions on how to enjoy the music and dance
You'll feel reborn
You will feel rejuvenated and renewed after dancing and enjoying the music
Negativity we just dead it like decoy
We eliminate negative energy and vibes like they are fake or false
Better lift your feet and just measure the beat on
Focus on the rhythm and beats of the music and start dancing
The pulse when it respawns
The rhythm and beats of the music when they restart or begin again
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Written by: Teren Delvon Jones, Jamie Christopher Hewlett, John Dankworth, Damon Albarn, Daniel M. Nakamura
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@shiran4204
Lyrics:
I know you like that
You wanna try that
It's like a flashback
So shake your ass crack
I got the balls to
Rock the salsa
Funk the blues-a
Any groove to
Make you move 'cause
Taking you to
Another landscape
It's my mandate
I'm highly animated even though I'm decomposing
So if your feet is frozen I'ma die to see you ropin'
And when the MC rhyme and the DJ spin
I want y'all to just get down
Now when the MC rhymin' and the DJ cuttin'
I want y'all to just get down
And when the MC rhyme and the DJ spin
I want y'all to just get down
Now when the MC rhymin' and the DJ cuttin'
I want y'all to just get down
Tap your toes and clap your hands
(How many people ready to rock the house?)
Come on trace the globe and shake your pants
(How many people ready to rock the house?)
Just twist your hip and do the dip
(How many people ready to rock the house?)
Come on shake and bake do whatever it takes
(How many people ready to rock the house?)
Gravitational pull
I have you making a fool
Out of yourself on the dance floor
Doing back spins running man and more
Party down with Vigga and Candor
Coming to the jam
Or look like a landlubber
And do the aqua boogie
Win lots of goodies maybe
Pop a Gucci wallet turntables is talking to me
It's awfully groovy
Seeing all the treasure and the booty
And when the MC rhyme and the DJ spin
I want y'all to just get down
Now when the MC rhymin' and the DJ cuttin'
I want y'all to just get down
And when the MC rhyme and the DJ spin
I want y'all to just get down
Now when the MC rhymin' and the DJ cuttin'
I want y'all to just get down
Tap your toes and clap your hands
(How many people ready to rock the house?)
Come on trace the globe and shake your pants
(How many people ready to rock the house?)
Just twist your hip and do the dip
(How many people ready to rock the house?)
Come on shake and bake do whatever it takes
(How many people ready to rock the house?)
I wanna get down lower than Atlantis
Going toe to toe with an enchantress
Get funkier than funkadelic wearin' Pampers
While you eggheads is on the wall preparin' answers
Sharing transcripts while we over here
Dipping and dancin'
Rhythm romancin'
Wallflowers
Giving no action no
All hours we chillin' and max the flow
Relaxing
Opposites attracting
I'ma toss my hat in
Floss when the track spin
Like I'm on a crack binge
Jigging and wiggling
Freakin' booties speakin' to the cuties so belligerent
No religion just bump the feed on
You'll feel reborn
Negativity we just dead it like decoy
Better lift your feet and just measure the beat on
The pulse when it respawns
Tap your toes and clap your hands
(How many people ready to rock the house?)
Come on trace the globe and shake your pants
(How many people ready to rock the house?)
Just twist your hip and do the dip
(How many people ready to rock the house?)
Come on shake and bake do whatever it takes
(How many people ready to rock the house?)
@marbles.thefool
-What the hell is going on with Murdoc
-Poor 2-D
-"Murdoc you're scaring the kids"
-Noodle is flexible.
-wtf Del is giant
-MURDOC STOP MAKING NOISES
-Russell is out of it.
-Russell are you even still alive??
MURDOC STOP YOU'RE SCARING THE KIDSMy thoughts
@boombox3oi8
Gorillaz portrayed School Subjects:
Math - 5/4
Science - DARE
Social Studies - We Got The Power
Reading/Writing - Sleeping Powder
Art - Chalk Tablet Towers
Music - Orchestral Intro
PE - Rock The House
Theater - Demon Days
Technology - Andromeda
Spanish - Latin Simone
French - Désolé
Driving - 19-2000
Others:
Lunch - Superfast Jellyfish
Recess - Humility
@gravelfilledSoap
I like how they censored the word “ass crack” but they definitely did not censor Murdoc’s
@Oscar-Barrett
True
Lol
@LightThegh0st
imagine studying years of drawing to draw Murdoc without pants
@SilentNightmare
@@LightThegh0st imagine cashing in the check for doing so 😂
@emmeprooo
🤔
@_murdocsleftpinkietoe
I let out an audible cackle.
@joaopedroauriemo
It’s a miracle that Noodle turned out as functional an adult as she did considering this was the environment she had to live in as a ten-year-old
@emmeprooo
Aja yes
@cherrypitstudios501
Russel and 2d were carrying her as a dads I think Murdock was just being murdock and a scum bag
@meganc8882
She’s used to it by now ig 😭