Kemmler's career began as a member of a trio named Hubert Kah, consisting of Hubert Kemmler (vocals, keyboards), Markus Lรถhr (guitars, keyboards) and Klaus Hirschburger (bass) at the time of the New German wave 1982 commercial success with the singles "Rosemarie", "Sternenhimmel" ("Starry Sky") and "Einmal Nur Mit Erika... (Dieser Welt Entfliehn)" ("Just Once With Erika ... To Escape This World"), and with the albums Meine Hรถhepunkte ("My High Points") and Ich Komme ("I'm Coming"). During this time, Kemmler caused quite a stir by his TV appearances, wearing a nightdress or straitjacket. Before Kemmler's music career, he studied law at the University of Tรผbingen.[2]
As of 1984, the band began working with producer Michael Cretu. After a German album Goldene Zeiten (1984), the band recorded the English-language albums Tensongs (1986) and Sound of My Heart (1989), which were partly successful internationally. Together with Michael Cretu, Kemmler wrote and produced songs for other artists, including "Dancing into Danger" by Inker & Hamilton, "Liebe Auf Den Ersten Blick" by the band Mรผnchener Freiheit and a number of tracks by Sandra such as "Maria Magdalena", "Heaven Can Wait". Hubert Kemmler also contributed backing vocals to most of Sandra's hit singles between 1985 and 1989.[3]
Kemmler fell ill in the latter 1980s with depression and withdrew from music completely. After his recovery, he appeared with a new version of the band in 1996 with the self-titled Hubert Kah and the singles "C'est La Vie" and "Sailing". The production with classic elements was not commercially as successful as hoped for by Kemmler. In 1998, a new single "Love Chain" and a Best Of CD were released. Kemmler then became ill again and had to undergo medical treatment.[1]
In 2005, Kemmler began his second comeback with the album Seelentaucher ("Soul Diver"). The first single was called "No Rain". The album featured a mixture of English and German language tracks.[4]
In the spring of 2007, Kemmler went as Ice King Kini in the musical Princess Lillifee, on tour in Germany. On 26 May 2007, he was one of four guests of honor at the acoustic concert of the band ASP on the Wave-Gotik-Treffen 2007 in Leipzig.
Kemmler recorded new songs with Sandra for her new album Stay in Touch, which was released in late 2012.
The Picture
Hubert Kah Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Now I'm feeling so confused
And I know you'll be mad
If you could look at my eyes
Back at home where I belong
Back at home it seemed so wrong
To be cheated again
She'll forgive me
When she took a look in my eyes
She saw a picture of you
Maybe you were her in disguise
And I was never untrue
Surely you will understand
I must take my life in hand
And forget all of it
You don't need me hangin around
Love is waiting
When she took a look in my eyes
She saw a picture of you
Maybe you were her in disguise
And I was never untrue
(In my eyes, in my eyes)
When she took a look in my eyes
She saw a picture of you
Maybe you were her in diguise
And I was never untrue
When she took a look in my eyes
Maybe you were her in disguise
The song "The Picture" by Hubert Kah is about a man who is conflicted about his feelings for two women. He is unsure of how to tell his current partner about his attraction to someone else, and he fears her reaction. The title of the song refers to a metaphorical picture that he sees in his mind's eye whenever he looks at his partner. The picture is of the other woman, and he is reminded of his infatuation with her every time he sees his partner.
The lyrics describe how the man is torn between his loyalty to his current partner and his desire for the other woman. He feels guilty for being unfaithful, even though he has not physically acted on his attraction to the other woman. He is hoping that his partner will understand his predicament and forgive him. Ultimately, he decides to move on from his current relationship and pursue the other woman.
The song's lyrics are open to interpretation, and some listeners have speculated that the "picture" could represent a memory, a dream or even an actual photograph of the other woman. However, the song's central theme of infidelity and the difficulty of choosing between two lovers is a common one in popular music.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't know how I'm gonna tell you this
I am unsure how to deliver this message to you
Now I'm feeling so confused
My emotional state is that of disorientation
And I know you'll be mad
I am aware of your reaction which will be one of anger
If you could look at my eyes
If you take a glimpse at my eyes
Back at home where I belong
I have returned to my usual environment/comfort zone
Back at home it seemed so wrong
I felt out of place despite being in my usual environment/comfort zone
To be cheated again
To experience infidelity once more
My fair lady loves me so well
My beloved partner demonstrates her love for me exceptionally
She'll forgive me
She will excuse my error
When she took a look in my eyes
As soon as she glimpsed at my eyes
She saw a picture of you
She observed an image of you
Maybe you were her in disguise
Perhaps you were disguised as her
And I was never untrue
I have been consistently faithful
Surely you will understand
I'm confident that you'll comprehend
I must take my life in hand
I need to take control of my life
And forget all of it
And to discard all of it
You don't need me hangin around
You don't require me loitering
Love is waiting
Love is accessible and waiting for me
Maybe you were her in disguise
Perhaps you were masked to resemble her
When she took a look in my eyes
As soon as she glimpsed at my eyes
And I was never untrue
I have been consistently faithful
(In my eyes, in my eyes)
This line essentially means repetition of the earlier verses.
When she took a look in my eyes
As soon as she glimpsed at my eyes
Maybe you were her in disguise
Perhaps you were masked to resemble her
And I was never untrue
I have been consistently faithful
When she took a look in my eyes
As soon as she glimpsed at my eyes
Contributed by Brody W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@stevewalck
One of my favorite 80s songs. Please someone make a time machine already.
@karimaogden3875
Steve Walck...You Tube IS your Time Machine!
@simonlegrec
100% Steve. Take me with U.
@gracesanchez3939
Musikalisch so wie Gesang, einfach Fantastisch. ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ โญโญโญโญ Hubert Kah ein groรer Stern auf Erden. โค๏ธ
@pashagymlife977
Easily one of the BEST 80s tracks I've ever heard and I've listened to 100s. Il always be grateful to once bitten for bringing me here lol.
@jlbrbarrios5973
I know, right?
@RASD87
Heard this on the radio a few months ago. So glad I could find it! This is the kind of music that synthwave is trying to bring back. Thanks for sharing!
@cornholio1281
When Hubert made this songs, the world was not yet ready for them.
Hidden gem!
@AudiophileTubes
Synthpop MASTERPIECE! Such a perfect song and mood...
@mpdoboj
Just finished โOnce Bitten(1985)โ, and this song was in it. Canโt believe I never heard it before.