The band was already established in 1994 by Rümenapp, Ude and Poschwatta, when the vocalist Sandra Nasic joined later that year. They recorded 3 demo tapes, but their career took off in 1996 after winning the Local Hero contest for unsigned bands. They used the prize money for recording their first hit "Open Your Eyes" and shot a video for that song. They also signed to GUN/Supersonic Records.
"Open Your Eyes" was released as a single (#5 GER) and was followed by their debut album Proud Like a God in 6 October 1997. The album ranked #4 and it was certified platinum in Germany. Two other singles helped the album's popularity and sales: "Rain" (#76 GER) and "Lords of the Boards" (#10 GER). "Lord of the Boards" is performed as the closing song on every Guano Apes concert.
In 1999, they issued the stand alone single "Don't You Turn Your Back on Me" (# 50 GER).
In 2 May 2000, Guano Apes released the sophomore album, Don't Give Me Names. This #1 album in Germany was certifed gold in the same country and it was promoted by four singles: "Big in Japan" (#9 GER, #5 IT), "No Speech" (#75 GER), "Living in a Lie" (#84 GER) and "Dödel Up" (#57 GER).
In 2001, the band credited as Guano Babes featuring Michael Mittermeier, issued the stand alone single "Kumba Yo!" (#3 GER).
Their third album Walking on a Thin Line was released in 3 February 2003. The album peaked #1 and it was certified gold in Germany. Guano Apes released three singles from this album: "You Can't Stop Me" (#10 GER), "Pretty in Scarlet" (#51 GER) and "Quietly" (#51 GER).
After the very long promo tour to the WOATL album, the band decided to take a rest for a while. In 2004 they issued a Best Of album titled Planet of the Apes and the single "Break the Line". The band broke up after a final tour in February 2005. A year later, their label released the compilation Lost (T)apes, which contains previously unreleased demos, originally recorded in 1994 and 1995.
Dennis Poschwatta formed the crossover band Tamoto with his friend G-Ball and released the album Clemenza. Henning Rümenapp worked for Horus Studios in Germany. Sandra Nasic released her solo album The Signal in 2007. In 2006 Dennis, Henning and Stefan formed a new group with singer Charles Simmons, called IO. IO realeased their studio album For the Masses in 2008.
In 2009 Guano Apes reformed and played some dates including Enterro da Gata (Portugal), Rock am Ring (Germany), Nova Rock (Austria), Woodstock Festival (Poland), Sofia (Bulgaria), Bucharest (Romania). In Bucharest, Sandra announced the band is working on a new studio album.
Their fourth album Bel Air was released in Spring 2011, preceded by the single "Oh What a Night".
Official site: http://www.guanoapes.org
Big in Japan
Guano Apes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Crystal bits of snowflakes all around my head and in the wind
I had no illusions
That I'd ever find a glimpse of summer's heat-waves in your eyes
You did what you did to me, now it's history I see
Here's my comeback on the road again
Things will happen while they can
You're big in Japan
You're big in Japan
You're big in Japan
It's when
You're big in Japan, then I'll sleep by your side all through the night
Big in Japan, it's easy to be
Neon on my skin
Passing silhouettes of strange illuminated mannequins
Shall I stay here at the zoo
Or shall I go and change my point of view for other ugly scenes
You did what you did to me, now it's history I see
Things will happen while they can
I will wait here for my man tonight, it's easy when you're big in Japan
You're big in Japan
You're big in Japan
You're big in Japan
It's when
You're big in Japan, then I'll sleep by your side all through the night
Big in Japan, it's easy to be
Too late, too late
You're big in Japan
You're big in Japan
You're big in Japan
It's when
You're big in Japan, then I'll sleep by your side all through the night
Big in Japan, it's easy to be
You're big in Japan, then I'll sleep by your side all through the night
Big in Japan, it's easy to be
You're big in Japan
You're big in Japan
You're big in Japan
It's when
You're big in Japan
The song "Big in Japan" by Guano Apes starts with the singer describing the winter setting they are in. The crystal bits of snowflakes all around their head and in the wind highlight the coldness of the place. The singer accepts that they have no illusions of finding any warmth in the eyes of the person they are with. However, the person they are with did something to them, which the singer believes is now history. The singer plans to make a comeback and get back on the road. They know that things will happen while they can, and they will wait for their man tonight. It's easy to do so when you're big in Japan. The repetition of the phrase "You're big in Japan" emphasizes the importance of being successful in Japan. The singer also mentions that sleeping by their side through the night and being big in Japan is easy.
The second part of the song delves into the concept of being in a city and feeling lost in it. Passing silhouettes of strange illuminated mannequins illustrate the singer's isolation in the city. They question whether they should stay in the zoo, which could be a metaphor for the place they are in, or should they change their point of view to see something else.
Overall, "Big in Japan" seems to be about the desire for success and recognition. The winter setting and isolation suggest that the singer may feel like an outsider or an underdog, but they still believe they can make a comeback and become successful in Japan.
Line by Line Meaning
Winter's city-side
I am in a city during winter season.
Crystal bits of snowflakes all around my head and in the wind
There are snowflakes in the air and they are falling all around me.
I had no illusions
I didn't have any false hopes or unrealistic expectations.
That I'd ever find a glimpse of summer's heat-waves in your eyes
I never thought I would see any signs of love or passion in your eyes.
You did what you did to me, now it's history I see
You hurt me in the past, but now I see it as something that happened in the past and can't be changed.
Here's my comeback on the road again
I am back on the road again, ready to take on new challenges.
Things will happen while they can
I am open to new experiences and opportunities while they are available.
I will wait here for my man tonight, it's easy when you're big in Japan
I will wait for my significant other tonight, it's easier when you are popular and well-known like in Japan.
You're big in Japan
You are well-known and popular in Japan.
It's when
This is the condition that needs to be met.
You're big in Japan, then I'll sleep by your side all through the night
If you are popular in Japan, then you can sleep by my side all night.
Big in Japan, it's easy to be
It's easy to become popular in Japan.
Neon on my skin
The neon lights are shining on me and touching my skin.
Passing silhouettes of strange illuminated mannequins
I am passing by strange and illuminated mannequins who are just like shadows.
Shall I stay here at the zoo
Should I stay in this area that resembles a zoo?
Or shall I go and change my point of view for other ugly scenes
Or should I leave and look for something else, despite the possibility of encountering unpleasant things?
Too late, too late
It is now too late to change the situation.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: MARTEN NILS SEBASTIAN EDH, MATHIAS ROLF ERIK ISEN LUNDH, MAGNUS BERGKVIST, TOMMY ISACSSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@whorrible
Lyrics to this awesome song:
Winter's city-side
Crystal bits of snowflakes all around my head and in the wind
I had no illusions
That I'd ever find a glimpse of summer's heat-waves in your eyes
You did what you did to me, now it's history I see
Here's my comeback on the road again
Things will happen while they can
I will wait here for my man tonight, it's easy when you're big in Japan
You're big in Japan
You're big in Japan
You're big in Japan
It's when
You're big in Japan, then I'll sleep by your side all through the night
Big in Japan, it's easy to be
Neon on my skin
Passing silhouettes of strange illuminated mannequins
Shall I stay here at the zoo
Or shall I go and change my point of view for other ugly scenes
You did what you did to me, now it's history I see
Things will happen while they can
I will wait here for my man tonight, it's easy when you're big in Japan
You're big in Japan
You're big in Japan
You're big in Japan
It's when
You're big in Japan, then I'll sleep by your side all through the night
Big in Japan, it's easy to be
Too late, too late
You're big in Japan
You're big in Japan
You're big in Japan
It's when
You're big in Japan, then I'll sleep by your side all through the night
Big in Japan, it's easy to be
You're big in Japan, then I'll sleep by your side all through the night
Big in Japan, it's easy to be
You're big in Japan
You're big in Japan
You're big in Japan
It's when
You're big in Japan
@GruniLP
Edit: 2022 and it never gets old
@MB2340
Yep that's right.
@je1lag
Sandra forever
@balcomoz
Except of us!
@GruniLP
@@balcomoz so true 😂😂😂
@d.v.5736
Sandra is freaking amazing.
@blackpancake1659
23 года прошло, а песня и клип выглядят современно... Такая музыка совершенно не стареет💜
@VovkaPu324
да,еще на кассете слушал,как вчера вроде,а уже 20 лет ёмое))😊😊
@sabatage1977
Раньше умели делать !
@user-wz8et1qz4f
Страшно осознавать что стареем мы - а это уже лет 20 кажется всегда актуальным