Their most popular sound was comparable to that of Yes, but they also explored other progressive rock styles. Their sound was characterized by sometimes humorous approach to making music, exhibited in both the lyrics and in the chimeric sound of the instruments.
The band made nearly fifteen albums, from general hard rock album to concept albums. Their vocals are mostly in English, although some albums were released with German vocals for the home market and English vocals for export.
A.C.Y.M
Grobschnitt Lyrics
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Wanton cries take me high
Last night I turned the radio on
To get something to turn me on
But I was shocked
I heard those dolled-up guys again
Tellin' me to be a NAVY-fan
What do they think how dull I am
To buy their bosh 'bout A.C.Y.M.
To waste my time as a NAVY-draftee
Disclaiming my burning yen to be free
Wake up, we are the VILLAGE PEOPLE and our village is on fire
BIG BROTHER with his greed for money is killing our real desire
Rock'n'Roll whips my soul
Wanton cries take me high
The ROCK became a business
The business became a mess
With graft and cheaten play
Computer composed disco-sounds
Make people jump like fools around
Make money-sharpers gay
Their silly hits they sound like marching
And when I see that singing ARMY-guy
I wonder what they try to fight for
And why this trash can make someone high
Wake up, we are the VILLAGE PEOPLE and our village is on fire
BIG BROTHER with his greed for money is killing our real desire
I am tired of this rubbish, let me out of here
I don't need no life-instructions when I'll drown in beer
I want to feel music, I want to love people
I want to hear HENDRIX again
I want satisfaction, I need body-action
JIM's message wasn't in vain
And when this song is over, you'll gladly know at last
Some chap from a village rock-group is living in the past
When music was reality and power for a good few
And groups didn't need no industry to take their life to
YOU...
The lyrics of Grobschnitt's "A.C.Y.M" reflect an intense questioning of societal norms and expectations, specifically in the realm of music. The song opens with the singer describing how rock'n'roll "whips" their soul and how the "wanton cries" of the genre take them to a higher place. However, this sentiment is quickly contrasted with the singer's experience listening to the radio the night before. They expected to hear something that would excite them but instead heard a "dolled-up" group advocating for becoming a Navy fan, which felt like a betrayal of their own desires.
The song then expands to critique the music industry's shift towards being a solely profit-driven business. The lyrics suggest that the computer-generated sounds of disco music are a symptom of a larger problem, which is that the industry is prioritizing profit over the actual passion that drives the creation of music. The singer takes issue with those who have become famous for their silly hits, and suggests that the emphasis on profit and fame is antithetical to the true power and purpose of music. The chorus repeats the idea that the village is on fire and that big brother (presumably representing the music industry) is killing the true spirit of music and musicians.
Finally, the singer claims that they are tired of this "rubbish" and that they want to break free from the expectations of what music should be. They want to feel music on a deeper level, to love people, and to experience the kind of passion and power that music used to represent.
Line by Line Meaning
Rock'n'Roll whips my soul
Rock music excites me and gives me great energy
Wanton cries take me high
Passionate singing makes me feel exhilarated and euphoric
Last night I turned the radio on
I switched on the radio last night
To get something to turn me on
I wanted to listen to something that would excite me
But I was shocked
However, I was alarmed and surprised
I heard those dolled-up guys again
I heard those same artificial and insincere individuals again
Tellin' me to be a NAVY-fan
Encouraging me to support the naval forces
My brain got blocked
It made me feel mentally paralysed and unresponsive
What do they think how dull I am
Do they think I am stupid and unenlightened?
To buy their bosh 'bout A.C.Y.M.
To believe their nonsense about some organisation I don't care about
To waste my time as a NAVY-draftee
To sacrifice my time that could have been spent doing something I love because of military conscription
Disclaiming my burning yen to be free
Denying my strong desire to live a free life and do what I want
Wake up, we are the VILLAGE PEOPLE and our village is on fire
Realise that we are individuals who make up a community and our community needs our help as it is in trouble
BIG BROTHER with his greed for money is killing our real desire
The people in control who value money above all else are destroying our true aspirations and dreams
The ROCK became a business
Rock music has transformed into a commercial enterprise
The business became a mess
The industry became dysfunctional and chaotic
With graft and cheaten play
With deception and bribery
Computer composed disco-sounds
Music composed by computers and synthesizers that sounds like disco
Make people jump like fools around
Make people dance around like idiots
Make money-sharpers gay
Make greedy individuals happy because they are making money
Their silly hits they sound like marching
Their stupid songs sound like military marches
And when I see that singing ARMY-guy
And when I see that guy who sings like he's in the military
I wonder what they try to fight for
I question what they are trying to defend or stand up for
And why this trash can make someone high
And why someone can feel good by listening to this garbage
I am tired of this rubbish, let me out of here
I am sick of this garbage, I want to leave
I don't need no life-instructions when I'll drown in beer
I don't need any advice on how to live my life when I am just going to waste it by getting drunk
I want to feel music, I want to love people
I desire to experience music and have affection for others
I want to hear HENDRIX again
I long to listen to Jimi Hendrix's music once again
I want satisfaction, I need body-action
I want to be happy and have some fun physically
JIM's message wasn't in vain
Jimi Hendrix's message was not useless or without meaning
And when this song is over, you'll gladly know at last
And once this song has finished, you will finally understand happily
Some chap from a village rock-group is living in the past
Some guy from a small rock band is living in the past
When music was reality and power for a good few
When music had true meaning and significance for only a select few
And groups didn't need no industry to take their life to
And bands did not require any music industry backing to be successful or realise their aspirations
YOU...
You are part of this situation and have the power to change it
Contributed by Jayden M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.