In 1992 Bartos founded Elektric Music, performing a style somewhat similar to Kraftwerk. This new project would release Esperanto in 1994 and then Electric Music in 1998. In between the two albums, Bartos collaborated with Bernard Sumner and Johnny Marr on Electronic's 1996 album Raise the Pressure, and co-wrote material with Andy McCluskey which appeared on both Esperanto and Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark's Universal album.
In 2003 he released the techno album Communication under his own name.
Interview
Karl Bartos Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Commercial break
Marmalade
Roller blades
Spiderman
Traffic jam
Frozen pie
X-ray eyes
Communication
Meditation
Photographs
Rubber glove
Copyrights
Satellites
Technology
Democracy
We are all connected anyway
Comic strips
Potato chips
Remote control
Super Bowl
B.B. King
Anything
Electric chair
Concrete hair
DJ culture
Back to nature
TV stars
Hotel bars
Tax bracket
Straitjacket
Plastic bag
Internet
We are all connected anyway
We are all connected anyway
We are all connected anyway
We are all connected anyway
We are all connected anyway…
The lyrics to Karl Bartos's song Interview are a reflection of the universal interconnectedness that we all share in the world. The use of seemingly unrelated nouns like instant coffee, roller blades, traffic jam, and X-ray eyes creates a juxtaposition of everyday objects and events with abstract themes like communication, meditation, copyrights, and democracy.
The song suggests that despite the differences that we may perceive on the surface level, we are all united by our shared experiences and our dependence on technology, media, and communication. The repeated line "we are all connected anyway" emphasizes this theme and is a reminder of the interdependency that exists between all individuals and the world around them.
Furthermore, the use of phrases like "back to nature," "DJ culture," and "hotel bars" highlights the contrast between the natural world and the artificial constructs of modern society, reminding us that even in our efforts to escape or reject certain aspects of our world, we remain a part of it.
Overall, "Interview" is a reflection on the interconnectedness of our world and the shared experiences that bring us together despite our surface level differences.
Line by Line Meaning
Instant coffee
Everyday mundane activities that don't always align with our desires.
Commercial break
Distracted from more meaningful experiences we might otherwise be having.
Marmalade
Objects of triviality or passing interest.
Roller blades
Fads or trends that eventually lose their relevance.
Spiderman
Heroes that ultimately cannot save us from our own flaws and hardships.
Traffic jam
Frustrating or unproductive situations we find ourselves in despite our best intentions.
Frozen pie
Conveniences that ultimately feel unsatisfying or lack substance.
X-ray eyes
The desire for greater transparency or insight into the world around us.
Communication
The essential means by which we connect with others and make sense of our experiences.
Meditation
The practice of taking time for reflection and inner peace.
Photographs
Captured moments in time that help us hold onto memories and impressions from the past.
Rubber glove
Our attempts to protect ourselves or others from harm or contamination.
Copyrights
The legal rights protecting creative works from unauthorized use or theft.
Satellites
The technological advances that have allowed us to connect with others and expand our reach beyond our immediate surroundings.
Technology
Our ever-evolving means of engaging with the world around us and pushing the limits of what is possible.
Democracy
The political system that allows us to collectively shape the future of our communities and societies.
Comic strips
Entertainment that can offer light-hearted humor or social commentary on the world around us.
Potato chips
Satisfying but ultimately unfulfilling indulgences.
Remote control
Our desire for control over the media and entertainment we consume.
Super Bowl
A collective cultural experience that can bring people together but ultimately represents a trivial distraction from more meaningful pursuits.
B.B. King
Musicians and artists who can capture the essence of the human experience and offer insights through their work.
Anything
The limitless scope of possibilities in the world around us.
Electric chair
The danger posed by technological innovations and our attempts to control forces that can turn against us.
Concrete hair
Artificial and superficial attempts at self-expression or individuality.
DJ culture
The vibrant musical communities that emerge around certain kinds of musical expression and the experiences they can offer.
Back to nature
Our desire to reconnect with our natural surroundings and rediscover the simplicity we may have lost in a modern world defined by technology and convenience.
TV stars
Media icons who can shape our collective consciousness and offer new perspectives on the world around us.
Hotel bars
Shallow social experiences that can feel disconnected from more meaningful interaction with others.
Tax bracket
The material realities and challenges we face in a world defined by financial structures and social hierarchies.
Straitjacket
The feelings of constraint and limitations we experience as part of the systems and structures that surround us.
Plastic bag
The environmental waste and damage that are a product of a society defined by convenience and disposal rather than sustainability and long-term thinking.
Internet
The interconnectedness and vast scope of information and communication that defines our modern world.
We are all connected anyway
Despite the range of experiences, challenges, and pursuits that define our individual lives, we are all part of a larger human experience that unites us in our shared struggles and desires for connection and meaning.
Contributed by Nathaniel W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Paul Boddy
Fantastic pro quality recording of the whole event, was there and this is a brilliant way of archiving the night!
Josh Riptide
Thank You for all you do Karl Bartos!
I discovered Computer World album around age 10-11 ('84-'85, can't recall exactly) and was hooked instantly. Still this day shapes and forms my music and influences me!
The only little disappointment was for me, that Uwe Schmidt aka Senior Coconut was not mentioned ...he did amazing cover version of most of the Kraftwerk songs!
jamms 992
Electro Latin 😂
BerlinBerlinBerlinBerlin
Uwe Schmidt?
CO.AG Music
Brilliant and love that start with that band
Dan Tucker
Karl Bartos: brilliant, as always. Thanks for broadcasting this.
Cyberbird86
Beautiful introduction. I've already order my copy. I can't wait
Il Pangostrello
Karl COULD return to Düsseldorf. Kraftwerk (Ralf Hütter, that is) moved to Meerbusch Osterath.
Therefore Karl and Wolfgang COULD work and be great together again.
offworld network
Just finished reading the book... thanks for this upload 😎
Lionel Alias
Communication great album from Karl.