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
Electric Nights
Guano Apes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And forever that's the time
When we were broken
Hey you!
Why don't we hypnotise
Ourselves and all the good friends we don't like?
I know you
Having all the kind
You would cry
I'll stop till you know better in a mezzo
I break away from home and turn to Mexico
This bullet knows to get through it all
This is the night the stars fell down
Told me
We have turned the card
My electric night, yeah
Told me
We were lucky
Just one electric night, yeah
Hey you!
No need to terrify
Ourselves from all the good plans we denied
And aren't you
The one who left my side
Cavity's calling for changes in life
Stop the stuff the diver crossed and let's go
See the path is opened up to Mexico
We have to get away from people
This is the night the stars fell down
Told me
We have turned the card
My electric night, yeah
Told me
We were lucky
Just one electric night, yeah
Told me
They have nothing onto
Electric nights, yeah
Told me
We have turned the card
My electric night, yeah
Your life is naked
Your dreams have to fight
You walk just laid-back
And never satisfied
Where are the classical pieces of jewel
You wanna know
You wanna know
Yeah, you wanna really know
They are on in here tonight
These nights have gone
Forever is the time
When we were broken
Nights have gone
Forever is the time
I think we're broken
Nights have gone
Forever is the time
When we were broken
Nights have gone
Forever is the time
I think we're broken
Told me
We have turned the card
My electric night, yeah
Told me
We were lucky
Just one electric night, yeah
Told me
They have nothing onto
Electric nights, yeah
Told me
The lyrics of Guano Apes's song "Electric Nights" evoke a sense of nostalgia, regret and longing for a time when things were better. The singer is trying to escape from the past and from people who they do not like. They suggest hypnotizing themselves and forgetting about the negative parts of their lives. The singer acknowledges that the listener is someone who understands what it is like to put on a smile and pretend everything is okay, even when it is not. They also seem to be questioning their own choices and decisions as they suggest stopping what they are doing and going to Mexico.
The song is about the fleeting nature of life and the importance of seizing the good moments when they come. The "Electric Night" is a metaphor for such a moment - a night where everything is perfect and magical. It is also a reminder that such moments come and go quickly and we should enjoy them while we can. The lyrics paint a picture of someone who is looking for a better life and hoping that they can find it by leaving their troubles behind.
Line by Line Meaning
I Close my eyes
I enter a state of reflection
And forever that's the time
This is an enduring experience
When we were broken
When we were emotionally hurt or defeated
Hey you!
Addressing someone
Why don't we hypnotise
Let's influence or control ourselves and others in a mesmerizing way
Ourselves and all the good friends we don't like?
But only those we consider as good or confidantes
I know you
I'm acquainted with you
Having all the kind
Being generous or possessing compassion
Situation's when you had a smile inside
Times when you were happy inwardly
You would cry
You would weep
I'll stop till you know better in a mezzo
I'll wait until you're ready to understand things correctly
I break away from home and turn to Mexico
I depart from my usual location and go to Mexico
This bullet knows to get through it all
This strategy knows how to overcome any obstacle
This is the night the stars fell down
This is a significant and remarkable moment
We have turned the card
We've made a choice or taken action
My electric night, yeah
An unforgettable experience
We were lucky
We were fortunate
Just one electric night, yeah
Only a single unforgettable moment
No need to terrify
There's no reason to scare or intimidate
Ourselves from all the good plans we denied
Ones we've rejected either for ourselves or others
And aren't you
Addressing someone again
The one who left my side
You're the person who abandoned me
Cavity's calling for changes in life
A void is requesting modifications
Stop the stuff the diver crossed and let's go
Stop being afraid of taking risks and let's proceed
See the path is opened up to Mexico
A new opportunity is available
We have to get away from people
We need to distance ourselves from others
Your life is naked
Your existence is exposed or vulnerable
Your dreams have to fight
You must strive to achieve your aspirations
You walk just laid-back
You move around in a relaxed way
And never satisfied
But you're always discontented
Where are the classical pieces of jewel
Where are the exceptional or excellent things
You wanna know
You want to find out
Yeah, you wanna really know
You're eager for an answer
They are on in here tonight
They're present in this memorable moment
Nights have gone
The time has elapsed
I think we're broken
I believe we're damaged or dysfunctional
Told me
Someone conveyed or revealed to me
They have nothing onto
They have no regard for
Electric nights, yeah
Memorable and remarkable experience
Contributed by Matthew I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.