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
To Close to Leave
Guano Apes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're so sweet
Your naked body lies next to mine
And we're here
Within touching you're skin with my eyes
I'm a river so deep in your arms
Sharin' the same heart
Within don't let me be one of your stars
'Cause I live all the dreams you dream
And I see all the things you need
(You've been down with me
I'm too close to leave)
Enemy
Seems to be
Do you really think that you want me
Coming through
Into my heart
Touching my soul here I start
Don't talk when all words ain't enough
Act like my man
We know life is rough
Within hold on when time seems to stop
'Cause I live all the dreams you dream
And I see all the things you need
(You've been down with me
I'm too close to leave)
Animating the sin in me
When I'm with you I leave reality
(You've been down with me
I'm too close to leave)
I let in
I let in the sin
I let in
I let in the sin
You've been down with me
I let in the sin
Now I'm too close to leave
'Cause I dream all the dreams you dream
And I see all the things you need
(You've been down with me
I'm too close to leave)
Animating the sin in me
When I'm with you I leave reality
(You've been down with me
I'm too close to leave)
'Cause I dream all the dreams you dream
And I see all the things you need
(You've been down with me
I'm too close to leave)
Animating the sin in me
When I'm with you I leave reality
(You've been down with me
I'm too close to leave)
The song "Too Close to Leave" by Guano Apes is about being in a close relationship with someone and the struggle to stay committed. The lyrics express the singer's desire to be with their lover, to feel their skin and be close to them. The singer compares their emotions to a river and shares the same heart with their lover. However, the singer is conflicted about their relationship and asks their lover to not make them one of their stars, indicating they do not want to be lost in their lover's orbit.
The lyrics also express a sense of danger and risk in the relationship. The singer refers to their lover as an enemy and questions whether they really want to be with them. The singer wants their lover to act like a man, to hold on when times get tough, and not just speak words but also show actions. The lyrics mention animating the sin, which could be interpreted as indulging in temptation or moral wrongdoing, leading the singer to leave reality.
Overall, the song portrays a complex and intense relationship, full of emotions and uncertainty about the future.
Line by Line Meaning
To be with you
I desire to be with you
You're so sweet
I find you endearing
Your naked body lies next to mine
We are intimate with each other
And we're here
We are present in this moment
Within touching you're skin with my eyes
I am admiring your physical appearance
I'm a river so deep in your arms
I feel fully embraced by you
Sharin' the same heart
We are emotionally connected
Within don't let me be one of your stars
Do not use me for your personal gain
'Cause I live all the dreams you dream
I understand your hopes and aspirations
And I see all the things you need
I recognize what you require
(You've been down with me
You have been with me through tough times
I'm too close to leave)
I am too invested to leave
Enemy
There is opposition between us
Seems to be
It appears to be present
Do you really think that you want me
Are you truly interested in being with me?
Coming through
Trying to breakthrough to me
Into my heart
Trying to gain my love
Touching my soul here I start
You are deeply affecting me
Don't talk when all words ain't enough
Silence can be more powerful than words
Act like my man
Behave in a way that shows you are committed to me
We know life is rough
We both understand that life can be difficult
Within hold on when time seems to stop
Hold onto our connection during difficult times
Animating the sin in me
You are bringing out my darker side
When I'm with you I leave reality
Being with you takes me away from the real world
I let in
I opened myself up to
I let in the sin
I embraced my darker side
Now I'm too close to leave
I am now too invested to leave
Cause I dream all the dreams you dream
I share your aspirations
Animating the sin in me
You are bringing out my darker side
When I'm with you I leave reality
Being with you takes me away from the real world
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind