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.
The Sniffer
Grobschnitt Lyrics
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He rushes into his reality
Then his head is full of duty, law and discipline
Injunctions, orders, punctuality
When he leaves the house
The sun could shine – he wouldn't see
'Cause he only has one reason why he lives
And for many years his passion is – to sniff
Sniff at crooks, sniff at freaks
Sniff at snotty dough
Sniff at rats, sniff at queers, sniff at fools
Sniff at minds, sniff at hearts
Sniff at snuffy souls
Sniffy sneaks – never sniff at their rules
Sometimes there are moments
When he thinks about his life
Is it right when he fights for the principles
Others made for him
He has many answers – knows how to defense himself
He can't change, start again, he's a prisoner
Even locked in his dream
Well he's sniffing everywhere and taking photographs
When people meet he hides behind a tree
And he waits behind the curtains when they fight for love
A snapshot to protect "democracy"
When he does his job – the sun could shine he wouldn't see
'Cause he only has one reason why he lives
Everybody is suspicious – that's his destiny
And for many years his passion is to sniff...
Sniff at crooks, sniff at freaks
Sniff at snotty dough
Sniff at rats, sniff at queers, sniff at fools
Sniff at minds, sniff at hearts
Sniff at snuffy souls
Sniffy sneaks – better sniff at your rules
The lyrics of "The Sniffer" by Grobschnitt depict a man who lives a life consumed by rules, orders, and punctuality. The Sniffer wakes up from a nightmarish sleep to face his reality filled with duty and law, making him constantly suspicious of everyone around him. He only lives to sniff out potential crooks, freaks, rats, queers, fools, snuffy souls, and sneaks. The man seems to have a love-hate relationship with his passion for sniffing - it has kept him prisoner, but he aims to protect "democracy" through taking photographs of those he sniffs. The man seems to be trapped in a life that he did not necessarily choose, feeling like he is fighting for principles that others have made for him.
Line by Line Meaning
Each morning when he wakes up from a nightmare sleep
Every morning he wakes up from a sleep filled with nightmares
He rushes into his reality
He quickly enters the real world
Then his head is full of duty, law and discipline
His mind is filled with obligations, rules, and strictness
Injunctions, orders, punctuality
He thinks about commands, authority, and being on time
When he leaves the house
Once he exits his home
The sun could shine – he wouldn't see
He's too focused on his mission to notice anything else
'Cause he only has one reason why he lives
All that matters to him is his one purpose in life
Everybody is suspicious – that's his destiny
He believes everyone is untrustworthy and it's his fate to find them out
And for many years his passion is – to sniff
He's been obsessed with the act of sniffing for a long time
Sniff at crooks, sniff at freaks
He sniffs at anyone he deems suspicious, including criminals and outcasts
Sniff at snotty dough
He sniffs at people who act superior or have money
Sniff at rats, sniff at queers, sniff at fools
He sniffs at anyone he considers to be sneaky, homosexual, or stupid
Sniff at minds, sniff at hearts
He sniffs at people's thoughts and emotions
Sniff at snuffy souls
He sniffs at those who are weak or pathetic
Sniffy sneaks – never sniff at their rules
He only sniffs at those breaking rules and doesn't like it when someone tries to control him
Sometimes there are moments
Occasionally there are times
When he thinks about his life
He considers his existence
Is it right when he fights for the principles
He wonders if it's justifiable to fight for beliefs that weren't his own
Others made for him
Ideas and rules crafted by other people
He has many answers – knows how to defense himself
He has prepared responses for criticism or accusations
He can't change, start again, he's a prisoner
He can't escape his current life, he's trapped
Even locked in his dream
His obsession is like a prison he can't escape, even in his dreams
Well he's sniffing everywhere and taking photographs
He's investigating and documenting everything using a camera
When people meet he hides behind a tree
He watches and conceals himself so people won't notice him
And he waits behind the curtains when they fight for love
He lurks behind curtains while couples argue
A snapshot to protect "democracy"
He takes photos as proof of people's actions, claiming it's to preserve democracy
When he does his job – the sun could shine he wouldn't see
He's fully committed to his work and doesn't let anything distract him
'Cause he only has one reason why he lives
His singular purpose is the only thing that gives him meaning
Sniffy sneaks – better sniff at your rules
He advises others to be vigilant and investigate those controlling them
Contributed by Layla E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.