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
Tribute
Guano Apes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
People want to hear it
People want to smell it
Yeah, give me that cigarrette
The way you look
Don't ever change in the mirror
You have promise yourself to this tree
So show me your real face
Send out your whishes
I give 'em all to you
With that money, you get...
Is that the shit you're bleeding for?
And you more, more, and more
I'm falling asleep
I'm falling asleep
And if you don't like it
You'll better
Find another way
What would you do to get your money back?
Why, I need the game
Made it to the crack
What's your and what you say
Is there result of brake?
No one have to pay
No one have to pay
Tell me why
Tell me how
Tell me your secrets
I'm sick of this
Don't play with that money
It show you look so funny
Yes, that's the chance you're looking for
Now, I know it better
Get up the door
What would you do to get your money back?
Why, I need the game
Made it to the crack
What's your and what you say
Is there result of brake?
No one have to pay
No one have to pay
Now I know it better
Now I know it better
Now I know it better
I need you
What you earning?
(I need you)
What you are saying
(I need you)
What you feeling?
(I need)
I need your love
Oh, wild man
Oh, wild man
Oh, wild man
Oh, wild man
What would you do to get your money back?
Why, I need the game
Made it to the crack
What's your and what you say
Is there result of brake
No one have to pay
No one have to pay
The lyrics to "Tribute" by Guano Apes tell a somewhat abstract story of people's desperation for money and success, and their willingness to sacrifice their true selves in order to achieve these goals. The opening lines set the tone by describing a great day where people seem to be craving something - something that may be represented by a cigarette. The lyrics then shift to a look in the mirror, where the person is encouraged not to change from who they are or who they promised themselves to be. This is followed by a discussion of money, the price people pay for success, and the desire for more and more.
The chorus of the song shifts focus to the singer, who is falling asleep and does not want to be disturbed unless someone can offer a solution to the problem of craving money and success. The lyrics then go back to the other people who are willing to do anything to get their money back, and the singer's plea for honesty about who they really are. The song ends with the repeated plea for love and a final question of what people would do for their money.
Overall, the lyrics to "Tribute" provide a commentary on the modern world's obsession with money and success at any cost. It suggests that people should stay true to themselves and love, rather than abandoning their true selves in the quest for more money.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, it's a great day
The singer is excited and happy to be alive on this day.
People want to hear it
The singer believes that others want to hear what they have to say or share.
People want to smell it
The singer believes that others want to experience what they have to offer.
Yeah, give me that cigarrette
The artist wants a cigarette.
The way you look
The artist is referring to someone's appearance.
Don't ever change in the mirror
The singer is encouraging someone to feel confident in their own skin and not to change themselves to please others.
You have promise yourself to this tree
The singer is referring to someone's commitment to their beliefs or values.
Straight up into the sun
The artist is referring to a quality of someone's tenacity or determination.
So show me your real face
The artist is encouraging someone to be genuine and show their true self.
Send out your whishes
The artist is referring to someone making a wish or expressing their desires.
I give 'em all to you
The singer is pledging to help or assist someone with their wishes.
With that money, you get...
The artist is referring to someone's financial situation.
Is that the shit you're bleeding for?
The singer is questioning the value or significance of someone's efforts or sacrifices.
And you more, more, and more
The singer is criticizing someone's perceived greed or desire for more than they need.
I'm falling asleep
The singer is expressing their exhaustion or fatigue.
And if you don't like it
The artist is implying that someone has a choice in their actions or behavior.
You'll better find another way
The artist is advising someone to find a different approach or solution.
What would you do to get your money back?
The singer is posing a hypothetical question, asking what lengths someone would go to in order to recover lost money.
Why, I need the game
The singer is explaining that they need or want to participate in a particular activity or situation.
Made it to the crack
The artist is referencing a point of success or achievement.
What's your and what you say
The artist is asking for a person's opinion or input.
Is there result of brake?
The artist is questioning if there will be negative consequences or an impact from a decision or action.
No one have to pay
The singer is expressing that no one should have to suffer negative consequences for a situation.
Now I know it better
The artist is indicating a learning experience or shift in understanding.
I need you
The singer is expressing their desire or dependence on someone else.
What you earning? (I need you) What you are saying (I need you) What you feeling? (I need)
The singer is asking for someone's emotional and verbal support.
Oh, wild man
The singer is addressing someone with a sense of excitement or admiration.
What would you do to get your money back?
The artist is posing a hypothetical question, asking what lengths someone would go to in order to recover lost money.
Why, I need the game
The artist is explaining that they need or want to participate in a particular activity or situation.
Made it to the crack
The singer is referencing a point of success or achievement.
What's your and what you say
The singer is asking for a person's opinion or input.
Is there result of brake?
The artist is questioning if there will be negative consequences or an impact from a decision or action.
No one have to pay
The artist is expressing that no one should have to suffer negative consequences for a situation.
Now I know it better
The artist is indicating a learning experience or shift in understanding.
I need you
The singer is expressing their desire or dependence on someone else.
What you earning? (I need you) What you are saying (I need you) What you feeling? (I need)
The artist is asking for someone's emotional and verbal support.
Oh, wild man
The singer is addressing someone with a sense of excitement or admiration.
What would you do to get your money back?
The singer is posing a hypothetical question, asking what lengths someone would go to in order to recover lost money.
Why, I need the game
The singer is explaining that they need or want to participate in a particular activity or situation.
Made it to the crack
The artist is referencing a point of success or achievement.
What's your and what you say
The artist is asking for a person's opinion or input.
Is there result of brake?
The singer is questioning if there will be negative consequences or an impact from a decision or action.
No one have to pay
The singer is expressing that no one should have to suffer negative consequences for a situation.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: DENNIS POSCHWATTA, HENNING RUEMENAPP, SANDRA NASIC, STEFAN UDE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind