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
Stay
Guano Apes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
you don't believe there's an end
Universe is emptiness
and emptiness we know well
I feel that you are hurting
everyone and yourself
when love is all I got to give
take care.
I feel no one to get ?????
tells me ????body?????????
can´t be wrong
the story goes on.
Stay, stay where the eyes are alive
I feel so and so and so and so
you run away to
stay, stay where the eyes are alive
feel so and so and so and so
run away to play and lie
You have a certain wish
it´s something deep in your mind
Universe is emptiness
emptines ???? my life.
I feel how you are moving
slow the way they don´t last
if love is all I got to give
take what you need but take care.
Stay, stay where the eyes are alive
I feel so and so and so and so
you run away to
stay, stay where the eyes are alive
I feel so and so and so and so
run away to play and lie
The lyrics of Guano Apes' "Stay" seem to be addressing someone who is struggling with existential beliefs and is not able to find meaning in life. The first stanza talks about the person not believing in God and perceiving the universe as emptiness, which is a common theme in existential philosophy. The singer senses this person is in pain and causing harm to both themselves and others perhaps due to their negative beliefs about life. The singer then offers love as a solution, to "take what you need but take care".
In the second stanza, the singer understands that this person has a desire, a wish that is buried deep within them. But the concept of the universe being empty is holding them back from achieving it. The singer seems to empathize with the person's struggle and urges them to move slowly and carefully, lest they fall into despair. The chorus then urges this person to stay where the eyes are alive, to not run away and hide in their negative beliefs about life, but to face them head-on and find meaning in the present.
The song's message can be seen as a plea for someone to not let their negative beliefs about life hinder them from experiencing the beauty of existence. It serves as a reminder that life can be explored, and meaning can be found, through the lens of positivity and love.
Line by Line Meaning
You don't believe in God
You have no faith in a higher power
you don't believe there's an end
You do not believe that anything comes to an end.
Universe is emptiness
The universe is vast and vastness can feel empty and meaningless.
and emptiness we know well
Humanity is well aware of this emptiness and how it can feel.
I feel that you are hurting
I sense that you are in pain.
everyone and yourself
You are hurting both others and yourself.
when love is all I got to give
I have nothing left to offer but love.
take what you need but
Feel free to take what you require.
take care.
But be careful about the damage you cause in the process.
I feel no one to get ?????
I perceive no one to turn to for help.
tells me ????body?????????
No one's talking, but I can see the pain on your face.
can´t be wrong
The feeling of something not being right is hard to ignore.
the story goes on.
Life continues with all its challenges.
Stay, stay where the eyes are alive
Remain where the energy and passion are present.
I feel so and so and so and so
I can feel intense emotions.
you run away to
You tend to escape from reality.
stay, stay where the eyes are alive
Stay close to the things that bring life and vitality.
feel so and so and so and so
There are strong feelings involved.
run away to play and lie
Escaping to live a dishonest, superficial life.
You have a certain wish
You harbor a specific desire.
it´s something deep in your mind
This desire is something that is buried deep within your consciousness.
emptiness ???? my life.
The hollowness and meaninglessness of life can be overpowering.
I feel how you are moving
I can sense your actions and behaviors.
slow the way they don´t last
Moving at a slow pace to try and make things last longer.
Contributed by Mila K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.