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
Dödel Up
Guano Apes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When your cigarette's lying between your lips
Why do you always need some stars
They just go out to find themselves
Why do we never, ever had
My life is stepping far ahead
Why do we never, ever had
Let me be so cool
Yeah, that might be cool
I might be a fool in your eyes
Let me be so cool
Yeah, that might be cool
I might be a fool in your arms
Get it all
Dodel up,dodel up, huh?
Dodel up, dodel up, huh?
Dodel up, dodel up
I like a better prod
Do you really mean all this
See your shiny eyes down in the crowd
Am I really made for this
I think it feels good to be around
Why do we never, ever had
Life is stepping far ahead
Why do we never, ever had
Your life is stepping far ahead, but
Let me be so cool
Yeah, that might be cool
I might be a fool in your eyes
Let me be so cool
Yeah, that might be cool
I might be a fool in your eyes,
In your eyes, in your eyes, in your eyes
What you shout out
Dodel up, dodel up, huh?
Dodel up, dodel up, huh?
Dodel up, dodel up, I like a better prod
Am I made for your guy
Never ending, never ending
Am I made for your guy
Never ending, never ending
Dodel up, dodel up,
Dodel up, dodel up, huh?
Dodel up, dodel up,
Never ending
The lyrics to Guano Apes' song "Dödel Up" are quite abstract and open to interpretation, but one possible meaning could be a reflection on the human need for validation and the struggle with feeling insignificant. The first verse hints at this theme with the question "do you really feel the same" and the mention of needing "stars" for reassurance. The repetition of the phrase "why do we never, ever had" could represent the feeling of always falling short or never achieving what we want in life.
The chorus, with the repeated plea to "let me be so cool," suggests that the singer is seeking validation and acceptance from someone else, even if it means being seen as a fool in their eyes. The phrase "dodel up" itself is unclear in meaning, but it could be a made-up term used to represent gaining that desired validation or feeling a sense of achievement.
The second verse continues with the reflection on feeling insignificant, with the question of whether the singer is really meant for this world and finding comfort in simply being around others. The final repetition of "never ending" in the outro reinforces the idea of the ongoing struggle to find meaning and validation in life.
Overall, "Dödel Up" is a thought-provoking song about the human need for validation and the ongoing search for significance and meaning.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you really feel the same
Do you truly share my emotions
When your cigarette's lying between your lips
When you're smoking a cigarette
Why do you always need some stars
Why do you constantly seek validation from celebrities
They just go out to find themselves
They are only searching for their own identity
Why do we never, ever had
Why haven't we ever experienced
My life is stepping far ahead
My life is progressing quickly
Your life is stepping far ahead, but
Your life is also moving forward, but
Let me be so cool
Allow me to be cool
Yeah, that might be cool
It would be nice if you thought that was cool
I might be a fool in your eyes
You may consider me foolish
Get it all
Obtain everything
Dodel up,dodel up, huh?
Keep working, working hard
I like a better prod
I would prefer a better outcome
Do you really mean all this
Do you genuinely believe what you're saying
See your shiny eyes down in the crowd
Notice the twinkle in your eyes among the crowd
Am I really made for this
Is this really where I'm meant to be
I think it feels good to be around
I am enjoying being here
Let me be so cool
Let me remain cool
In your eyes, in your eyes, in your eyes
According to your point of view
What you shout out
What you proclaim
Am I made for your guy
Am I the perfect match for you
Never ending, never ending
Without end
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: SANDRA NASIC, DENNIS POSCHWATTA, HENNING RUEMENAPP, STEFAN UDE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@misiopuchatek152
One of the greatest animated videos of all time. Art style is simply amazing.
@M_Thoustrup
This has always been my favorite Guano Apes song! Every part of this is just so unbelievably good!!
@user-fn7vo7wq1t
Yes
@AnnaCosima
OMG those were the days!! I loved it back then..
@MudSluggerBP
Remember setting up a 2nd satellite dish here in the UK to get German, French and Polish TV in the mid 90s. And thank god I did otherwise this awesome band would have been unknown to me 🤟🏻🤟🏻
@allnotathome
Remember when songs used to have guitar riffs... those were the good times.
@brabiz67
Uh, they do? Doesn’t take long to find good rock music released every day. Listen to more music, boomer. Stop living in the past
@durvalis
I had this album 22 years ago! This video came with the deluxe edition CD. It was a CD ROM exclusive - for you younger pre YouTube generation - that meant you could only see this video when you played the CD on your PC. It was like a secret video.
@ozzraven
One of the few post 2000 bands that I still love. This song and video are just too awesome!
@gingerfrog9546
The video kinda reminds me of something i'd see on Disney Channel or Cartoon Network in the 2000s. Combined with the already crazy song, it just puts a huge smile on my face.