Nomi moved from Germany to New York City in the mid-1970s. He began his involvement with the art scene based in the East Village. After a chance meeting in a nightclub, David Bowie hired him and Joey Arias as back-up singers for a performance on Saturday Night Live on December 14, 1979. Nomi also collaborated with famed producer Man Parrish.
Nomi is remembered for his bizarrely theatrical live performances, sporting heavy make-up, unusual costumes, and highly-stylized hairdos. His songs were just as unusual, ranging from synthesizer-laden interpretations of classic opera to covers of songs like Chubby Checker's The Twist.
In the 1990s, Nomi was frequently mentioned in Dennis Miller's monologues as one of his favorite obscure references.
Talk radio host Rush Limbaugh will often play Nomi's cover of Lesley Gore's You Don't Own Me on his program (as introductory music for news items regarding homosexuality).
A cartoon called "The Venture Brothers" had Klaus with David Bowie.
Episode 213 26 "Showdown at Cremation Creek (Part II)"
Aired October 15, 2006 (2006-10-15)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Showdown_at_Cremation_Creek_%28Part_II%29
Born: January 24, 1944; Immenstadt, Germany
Died: August 6, 1983 (aged 39); New York, NY, U.S.
Years active: 1977-1983
Total Eclipse
Klaus Nomi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Argue about what they've got
Making the planet so hot
Hot as a holocaust
Blow up
Everything's gonna go up
Even if you don't show up
Total eclipse
It's a total eclipse
It's a total eclipse of the sun
Can't come to grips with the total eclipse
Just a slip of the lips and you're done
Fall out
Nobody left to crawl out
If someone calls
We're all out
Turning in to French fries
Last dance
Let the entire cast dance
Do the dismembered blast dance
As we get atomized!
Total eclipse
It's a total eclipse
It's a total eclipse of the sun
Can't come to grips with the total eclipse
Just a slip of the lips and you're done
The lyrics of Klaus Nomi's Total Eclipse paint a picture of an impending apocalyptic event that will lead to the destruction of the planet. The first stanza sets the scene of a world that is heating up due to the actions of those in power who are arguing about their possessions rather than taking measures to save the planet. The metaphor "hot as a holocaust" implies that the situation is dire and intense, possibly even leading to mass destruction.
Moving on, the lyrics describe the inevitability of the impending disaster, with the phrase "Even if you don't show up" suggesting that it is going to happen whether people acknowledge it or not. The reference to Chemise Lacoste, a high-end clothing brand, adds an ironic undertone to the lyrics, as it highlights the futility of material possessions in the face of an uncontrollable catastrophe.
The second stanza presents a vision of the aftermath of the apocalypse, with the imagery of "French fries" as a metaphor for human beings turning into ash or dust. The phrase "dismembered blast dance" suggests a chaotic, almost celebratory mood, as if the end of the world has become an event that people can participate in by dancing. However, the phrase "we're all out" implies a sense of loneliness and isolation, as if there is nobody left to share the experience.
Overall, Total Eclipse is a hauntingly prophetic song that is still relevant today, as we continue to grapple with issues such as climate change and the threat of widespread disaster.
Line by Line Meaning
Big shots
Important and powerful people
Argue about what they've got
Dispute over their possessions and achievements
Making the planet so hot
Causing the world to become increasingly polluted and damaged
Hot as a holocaust
The heat and destruction of the planet is comparable to the horrors of the Holocaust
Blow up
Explode or detonate
Everything's gonna go up
Everything will be destroyed and come to an end
Even if you don't show up
The destruction will occur regardless of your presence or absence
In your Chemise Lacoste
Even if you are dressed in fancy clothing, it won't matter in the face of destruction
Total eclipse
When the moon completely blocks the sun's light
It's a total eclipse
The eclipse is happening and there's nothing you can do to stop it
It's a total eclipse of the sun
The sun is being completely blocked by the moon
Can't come to grips with the total eclipse
Unable to accept the reality of the situation
Just a slip of the lips and you're done
One mistake can be fatal
Fall out
The consequences or aftermath of the previous events
Nobody left to crawl out
Everyone is dead or there is no hope for survival
If someone calls
If someone is still alive or trying to reach out for help
We're all out
There's no one left or no options for help
Turning in to French fries
Becoming charred or burned like food
Last dance
The final moments before the end
Let the entire cast dance
Everyone is participating in the final moments
Do the dismembered blast dance
People are falling apart or being destroyed in the dance
As we get atomized!
People are being broken down into particles or destroyed completely
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Peter Marc Almond
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Th3Possessed
Lyrics:
Big shots
Argue about what they've got
Making the planet so hot
Hot as a holocaust
Blow up
Everything's gonna go up
Even if you don't show up
In your Chemise Lacoste
Chorus:
Total eclipse
It's a total eclipse
It's a total eclipse of the sun
Can't come to grips with the total eclipse
Just a slip of the lips and you're done
Fall out
Nobody left to crawl out
If someone calls
We're all out
Turning in to French fries
Last dance
Let the entire cast dance
Do the dismembered blast dance
As we get atomized!
@sharonstoned
Awesome art
Big shots
Argue about what they've got
Making the planet so hot
Hot as a holocaust
Blow up
Everything's gonna go up
Even if you don't show up
In your Chemise Lacoste
Chorus:
Total eclipse
It's a total eclipse
It's a total eclipse of the sun
Can't come to grips with the total eclipse
Just a slip of the lips and you're done
Fall out
Nobody left to crawl out
If someone calls
We're all out
Turning in to French fries
Last dance
Let the entire cast dance
Do the dismembered blast dance
As we get atomized!
(repeat chorus)
@thedevil1667
My Greek grandma showed me this when I was a kid. She told me she admired him. She was sucha modern woman. With modern views and values. She was ahead of her time. Strong woman. A rebel. I should have honored her when she was alive a lot more than I did
@spindleswift8667
Your Yaya rocks!
@julianjv7325
Yes, thanks for sharing it.
@roderickfernandez5382
My friend you are not alone in that respect. I had a wonderful grandmother who brought me up and I wish I'd honored her more than I did. We had wonderful time together. I met Klaus once at a party we spoke very briefly I can't even say we had a full conversation but he was amazing to look at. I shall ramble no longer.
@inkoze2226
Well, now the devils have him in the ass.I hope you're as lucky as he is.
@dmitriynovochadovskiy6870
👏👏👏🤝
@Stargallery93
This is one of the greatest performances in avant-garde magic space glam rock history. Long love Klaus. 🌈 👽
@casaraku1
That is why Bowie toured with him....
@LadyFalconer
Agreed! 🥇🚀💋✨Klaus forever ❤️📡 🎵
@murellevendramin1150
Ja 😁👍💕💕