With 2 million albums sold (1 million of which were sold in Switzerland, which only has 7 million habitants), they managed to get multi-platinum awards in different parts of the world.
Influences include Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Whitesnake, Deep Purple and Aerosmith. Singer Steve Lee is especially fond of Whitesnake and has based his singing style on their lead singer David Coverdale.
Gotthard also performed "Immigrant Song" (originally by Led Zeppelin) live and it featured exclusively on a CD by Classic Rock (a long running monthly UK rock magazine). "Hush" was also performed live and can be found on Made In Switzerland album.
Another cover of a song they have recorded is "The Mighty Quinn", originally called Quinn The Eskimo, by Bob Dylan.
Singer Steve Lee was killed in a motorcycle accident on October 5th 2010. A truck struck him while he was stopped on the side of a desert road in Nevada (USA), putting on rain gear.
Current line-up:
Nic Maeder: Vocals
Leo Leoni: Lead Guitar
Freddy Scherer: Rhythm Guitar
Marc Lynn: Bass
Hena Habegger: Drums
Hey Jimi
Gotthard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I pick up the pieces you left so long ago.
You gave me a face, you gave me your hand.
One night I made love in electric lady land.
Hey I can start a fire, but I can't keep the flame.
Now I can get much higher. Hey Jimi, where the hell are you ?
Foxy lady I keep coming when I kiss the sky.
You gave me stone free, gave me battle haze.
And a little wing strong get so, I need today.
Hey I can start a fire, but I can't keep the flame.
Now I can get much higher. Hey Jimi, where the hell are you ?
Yeah you read me from the good old days of rock 'n' roll.
Well you can tell me so it's right here to sing then come and mice it all.
Like then we play strong the beat of my heart.
Now you teach to all how to rock with the black man's soul.
Hey I can start a fire, but I can't keep the flame.
Now I can get much higher. Hey Jimi, hey Jimi,
Hey Jimi where the hell are you?
The lyrics to Gotthard's song Hey Jimi express the singer's admiration and reverence for Jimi Hendrix and his music. The first stanza sets the tone by describing the singer's nightly walks through the streets, which resemble the movements of his soul. He is collecting the pieces that Jimi Hendrix left behind long ago, symbolizing his influence on music and on the singer himself. The next few lines describe the connection he feels to Jimi - he gave him a face and a hand, and the electric lady land is a reference to Hendrix's studio by the same name. The singer even describes making love in this space, indicating that his connection to Jimi has a profound impact on his music and creativity.
The chorus of the song expresses the singer's limitation - he can start a fire, but he can't keep the flame burning. This could be interpreted as a commentary on the difficulty of living up to Jimi's legacy and maintaining the intensity and power of his music. The singer longs for Jimi's guidance and asks "Hey Jimi, where the hell are you?"
The rest of the song continues to explore the singer's connection to Jimi's music and legacy, with references to songs like "Foxy Lady," "Stone Free," and "Little Wing." The lyrics also acknowledge Jimi's contribution to rock and roll, particularly in terms of his influence on black musicians and music - "Now you teach to all how to rock with the black man's soul."
Line by Line Meaning
Every night I walk the streets step like my soul.
I wander the streets aimlessly while feeling lost and disconnected from my inner self.
And I pick up the pieces you left so long ago.
I am still recovering from the emotional damage you caused me when you left me behind.
You gave me a face, you gave me your hand.
I owe my entire identity to you, you were the one who gave me direction and a purpose in life.
One night I made love in electric lady land.
I had a transcendent, psychedelic experience while making love in an otherworldly, surreal environment.
Hey I can start a fire, but I can't keep the flame.
I have the potential to create something great, but I lack the discipline and perseverance to see it through to the end.
Now I can get much higher. Hey Jimi, where the hell are you ?
I feel like I am constantly chasing a feeling of euphoria and I am longing for the guidance and inspiration that you once provided.
I'm searching to ride out with my voodoo style.
I'm trying to find my own unique artistic voice, one that is inspired by the mystical and otherworldly.
Foxy lady I keep coming when I kiss the sky.
I have a deep, almost spiritual connection with music and it takes me to a higher plane of existence.
You gave me stone free, gave me battle haze.
Your music gave me a sense of liberation and a way to escape from the struggles of everyday life.
And a little wing strong get so, I need today.
I am seeking inner strength and resilience, something that I hope to find through your music.
Yeah you read me from the good old days of rock 'n' roll.
You were a pioneer of rock and roll and your influence is still felt today.
Well you can tell me so it's right here to sing then come and mice it all.
I am willing to follow your lead and let you guide me towards musical greatness.
Like then we play strong the beat of my heart.
When we play music together, it feels like my heart is beating in time with the rhythm.
Now you teach to all how to rock with the black man's soul.
Your music was influenced by African American culture and you taught us all how to embrace the power and soul of that culture.
Hey Jimi, hey Jimi, Hey Jimi where the hell are you?
I am desperately seeking your guidance and influence and I am wondering where you are now, both physically and spiritually.
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: STEVE LEE, CHRIS VON ROHR, VITTORIO VERGEAT, MASSIMO LEONI, HENA HABEGGER, MARC LYNN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind