Ralf Hütter (born 1946, Krefeld, Germany) and Florian Schneider (born 1947, Düsseldorf, Germany) met while they were studying improvised music in Düsseldorf, Germany. In 1967 Ralf Hütter (organ), Florian Schneider (violin, flute), Basil Hammoudi (vocals), Butch Hauf (bass) and Fred Monics (drums) formed the group Organisation, released the album Tone Float and split shortly thereafter. The album features repetitive percussion and bass drum patterns embellished with guitar, flute, violin and organ.
After disbanding Organisation, Ralf Hütter and Florian Schneider adopted the name Kraftwerk. Early Kraftwerk line-ups from 1970–1974 fluctuated, as Hütter and Schneider worked with around a half-dozen other musicians, most notably Andreas Hohmann (drums; 1970), Houschäng Néjadepour (guitar; 1970), Charly Weiss (drums; 1970/71), Eberhard Kranemann (cello, bass, hawaii-guitar; 1970/71), Klaus Röder (electric guitar, electronic violin; 1974), Michael Rother (guitar; 1970-71) and Klaus Dinger (drums; 1970-71). For a short period in 1970/71 Ralf Hütter left the band to complete his degree in architecture. There were some sessions/concerts with the line-up "Schneider, Kranemann, Weiss", "Schneider, Hohmann, Kranemann, Rother, Dinger" and "Schneider, Rother, Dinger" in that time. In 1971 Rother and Dinger left Kraftwerk to form the band Neu!.
Their first three albums were more free-form experimental rock without the pop hooks or the more disciplined strong structure of its later work. Their debut album, Kraftwerk, released in 1970, and Kraftwerk 2, released in 1972, were mostly exploratory jam music, played on a variety of traditional instruments including guitar, bass, drums, electric organ, flute and violin. Post-production modifications to these recordings were then used to distort the sound of the instruments, particularly audio-tape manipulation and multiple dubbings of one instrument on the same track. Connie Plank co-produced the first four Kraftwerk albums. Emil Schult has also collaborated on many releases, contributing both lyrics and graphics.
Live performances from 1972–73 were made as a duo, using a simple beat-box-type electronic drum machine, with preset rhythms taken from an electric organ. These shows were mainly in Germany, with occasional shows in France. In 1973, Wolfgang Flür (electronic percussion) joined the group.
With Ralf und Florian, released in 1973, the band began to move closer to its classic sound, relying more heavily on synthesisers and drum machines. Although almost entirely instrumental, the album marks Kraftwerk's first use of the vocoder, which would, in time, become one of its musical signatures.
In 1974, they issued the fourth studio album, Autobahn. This critically acclaimed album marked Kraftwerk's breakthrough and established them as purveyors of electronic music. The title track is intended to capture the feeling of driving on the Autobahn: from travelling through the landscape, the high-speed concentration on the fast lane, to tuning the car radio and the monotony of a long trip. An edited version of "Autobahn" song reached #25 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and #11 in the UK.
In 1975, Karl Bartos (electronic percussion, live vibraphone, live keyboards) joined the band. The Hütter-Schneider-Bartos-Flür formation is now regarded as the classic line-up of Kraftwerk, which remained in place until the late 80s.
In 1975, Kraftwerk released the concept album Radio-Activity (German version: Radio-Aktivität). The hyphenated album title displays Kraftwerk's typical deadpan humour, being a pun on the twin themes of the songs, half being about radioactivity and the other half about activity on the radio. The title track "Radioactivity" was released as a single, and became a hit in France after it was used as the theme to a popular music show. This was the first Kraftwerk album to be entirely self-produced by Hütter & Schneider in their Kling Klang studio, and the first one to be performed by the classic line-up of Kraftwerk.
In 1977, Kraftwerk released the highly influential album, Trans-Europe Express. Critics have described the album as having two specific themes: celebration of Europe and the disparities between reality and image. Musically, the songs on this album differ from the group's earlier Krautrock style with a focus on electronic mechanized rhythms, minimalism, and occasional manipulated vocals. Two singles supported the album: "Trans-Europe Express" and "Showroom Dummies".
By the time of 1978's The Man-Machine (German version: Die Mensch-Maschine), Kraftwerk had created their own unmistakable brand of "robot pop". NME said of The Man-Machine: 'It is the only completely successful visual/aural fusion rock has produced so far". Kraftwerk spent three years building their own Kling Klang studios in the late 70s, complete with, inevitably, scores of computers. The single "The Model", gave the band a surprise hit when it topped the UK charts in 1982.
In 1981 Kraftwerk released their eight studio album, Computer World (German version: Computerwelt). This album combined the use of the sequencer to create the sound now known as electro, inspiring the first producers in Detroit in creating techno, as well as innumerable other artists including Gary Numan, Depeche Mode, and New Order, among many others. This album had the theme of computers taking over the world in the future. It was a commercial success, spawning the singles "Pocket Calculator", "Computer World" and "Computer Love". For this album, the band embarked on the massive Computer World world tour.
The EP Tour De France was issued in 1983. This song was featured in the film Breakdance and became the theme for the cycling event of the same name in that year. In 1986, the ninth studio album Electric Café was released. The album received mixed reviews. Two singles were issued from the album: "Musique Non-Stop" and "The Telephone Call".
In 1987 Wolfgang Flür departed and it was replaced by Fritz Hilpert. In 1991, Kraftwerk's best known songs were collected together and re-recorded on the compilation The Mix.
The single Expo 2000 released in December 1999 came as a surprise for Kraftwerk fans. A brand new song, although low key, sparked hopes of a new album. A video was released for this track, showing the band playing in wireframe suits, but no public appearances or interviews until 2003.
In 2003 the band released Tour de France Soundtracks, its first album of new material since 1986's Electric Café. The album was recorded for the 100th anniversary of the first Tour de France bicycle race, although it missed its original release date during the actual Tour. A completely new recording was made for the "Tour De France" track, based on the original 1983 arrangement.
In June 2005, Kraftwerk released Minimum-Maximum, their first official live album. It features two CDs and tracks recorded on their world tour during 2004, including concerts in Warsaw, Moscow, Berlin, London, Budapest, Tallinn, Riga, Tokyo and San Francisco. The band also released a live DVD.
Florian Schneider officially left the band in January 2009, though news of his departure was reported as early as April 2008. His place was taken over by Stefan Pfaffe.
In 2009, the band issued The Catalogue (German version: Der Katalog), a box-set comprising eight albums by Kraftwerk that were released from 1974 to 2003. All albums were digitally remastered, with most of the cover art redesigned, including rare photographs in the liner notes that were not part of each album's original release.
Following the release of The Catalogue and Florian Schneider's departure, Kraftwerk began a series of live tours, in which they would perform the entirety of the eight albums included in that box set. These performances featured surround sound and live video in 3D with provided glasses. During these tours, in 2012, Falk Grieffenhagen replaced Stefan Pfaffe as live video operator. In 2017, Kraftwerk released 3-D The Catalogue (German version: 3-D Der Katalog), containing the live performance versions of the tracks on The Catalogue, available with visuals on Blu-ray. It won a Grammy Award that year for Best Electronic/Dance Album.
Kraftwerk's influence has been incalculable. Hundreds of artists today in nearly every electronic music subgenre bear witness to their work. They are also reclusive, rarely giving interviews and making no media appearances. To this day Kraftwerk continues to tour precisely crafted sets of their classic songs with 3-D visuals.
Official site: http://www.kraftwerk.com
Tour de France
Kraftwerk Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The Cote d'Azur and Saint Tropez
The Alps and the Pyrenees
Last stage Champs-Elysees
Galibier and Tourmalet
Dancing even on the top
Bicycling at high gear
Final sprint at the finish
The bicycle is repaired quickly
The peloton is regrouped
Comrades and friendship
Kraftwerk's "Tour de France" is a poetic representation of the iconic French bicycle race with the same name. This song takes you through the journey of cycling across different terrains and landscapes of France. The lyrics describe the challenging parts of the race like the "Hell of Northern Paris- Roubaix," which is known for its cobbled stones that can be extremely grueling for cyclists. The song also mentions other favorite spots like the luxurious Cote d'Azur and Saint Tropez, the breathtaking Alps and Pyrenees mountain ranges, and the final Champs-Elysees stage. It's a celebration of the obstacles and beauty of cycling in France.
The lyrics also encapsulate the emotional highs and lows of the race. There's a reference to "dancing even on the top," which describes the adrenaline rush of cycling up steep inclines. The "final sprint at the finish" is a thrilling moment for cyclists to showcase their endurance and competitive spirit. However, the song doesn't shy away from the inevitable challenges that come with cycling, like a "flat tire on the paving stones." Still, the respect and camaraderie among cyclists is evident in the line, "comrades and friendship."
Line by Line Meaning
The hell of Northern Paris - Roubaix
Referring to the grueling 40 kilometer cobblestone stretch in the Northern France bicycling race, known as the 'Hell of the North'
The Cote d'Azur and Saint Tropez
Reference to the start of the Tour de France in the glamorous Cote d'Azur and the finish line in the picturesque coastal town of St. Tropez
The Alps and the Pyrenees
The mountain ranges that are part of the challenging route of the Tour de France
Last stage Champs-Elysees
Refers to the final and most prestigious stage of the tour, where the cyclists ride along the famous Avenue des Champs-Élysées in Paris
Galibier and Tourmalet
References two of the toughest mountain passes in the tour, that the cyclists need to conquer to win the race
Dancing even on the top
Refers to the way the cyclists ride on their bicycles, swaying side to side, even when they reach the top of a mountain
Bicycling at high gear
Cyclists gear up to ride harder, faster and smoother on the undulating terrain
Final sprint at the finish
The intense last 'sprint' by cyclists at the finish line, trying to outpace other contenders to win the race
Flat tire on the paving-stones
A mishap that can occur to a cyclist on the treacherous cobblestone pavement of certain stages in the guise of sharp edges and rugged cobbles that may puncture a tire
The bicycle is repaired quickly
Refers to the highly skilled mechanics employed by cycling teams, who are able to make quick repairs to the cyclists' bicycles even while the race is on
The peloton is regrouped
The main group of cyclists that are able to catch up with the leaders and try to win the race together
Comrades and friendship
Refers to the camaraderie among cyclists, who are not only fiercely competing against one another but are also able to share a sense of brotherhood and unity
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: FRITZ HILPERT, RALF HUETTER, MAXIME SCHMITT, FLORIAN SCHNEIDER-ESLEBEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@maeseatila
+InvaderDaniela Cantan acerca de la dureza, los problemas y la alegría de las carreras de bicicleta.
L'enfer du Nord: Paris-Roubaix - Así le llaman a una carrera clásica en el norte de Francia, el Infierno del Norte. No sé si en algún momento del Tour pasen por la ruta de esa carrera, pero en principio son cosas distintas.
La côte d'Azur et Saint Tropez - Partes de Francia por donde pasa el Tour.
Les Alpes et les Pyrinées - Partes de Francia por donde también pasa el Tour-
Derniére étape: Champs Elysées - La última etapa [del Tour]: Campos Elíseos.
Galibier et Tourmalet - lugares [puertos de montaña] donde terminan unas etapas del Tour. Son etapas muy duras porque hay que escalar mucho.
En denseuse jusq'au sommet: 'bailar sobre los pedales' hasta la cima. Bailar sobre los pedales es pedalear parado, sin sentarse en el sillín de la bicicleta, generalmente se hace en subidas.
Pedaler en grand braquet - Pedelear a gran velocidad, quiero creer que braquet se refiere a la posición de la cadena en el cassette [catarina].
Sprint final à l'arrivée - el último esfuerzo para llegar a la meta. Sprint final a la llegada.
Crevaison sur le pave - pinchadura [de la llanta] en el pavimento
Le vélo est vite reparé - la bicicleta es reparada rápidamente
Le peloton est regroupé - El pelotón se reagrupa. Cuando hay accidentes, el grupo más grande de ciclistas en la carrera (pelotón) puede quedar separado pero en ciertas circunstancias conviene ir juntos.
Camarade et amitié - Camaradería y amistad, que surgen por pasar tiempo juntos, ayudarse aunque sean rivales y tal.
Quizás no está del todo bien, saqué la letra de la canción escuchando y mi francés nunca ha sido tan bueno, pero en términos generales eso es lo que canta Ralf y mi interpretación de por qué está escrito así.
@gtzadek
Verse 1]
L'enfer du Nord Paris-Roubaix (Tour de France, Tour de France)
La Cote d'Azur et Saint-Tropez (Tour de France, Tour de France)
Les Alpes et les Pyrénées (Tour de France, Tour de France)
Dernière étape : Champs-Élysées (Tour de France, Tour de France)
[Verse 2]
Galibier et Tourmalet (Tour de France, Tour de France)
En danseuse jusqu'au sommet (Tour de France, Tour de France)
Pédaler en grand braquet (Tour de France, Tour de France)
Sprint final à l'arrivée (Tour de France, Tour de France)
[Verse 3]
Crevaison sur les pavés (Tour de France, Tour de France)
Le vélo vite réparé (Tour de France, Tour de France)
Le peloton est regroupé (Tour de France, Tour de France)
Camarades et amitié (Tour de France, Tour de France)
@mikepineda4713
My dad won a breakdance contest back in 1984 thanks to this song
@celineellalheen9723
💕
@sanjayr
Your dad's an OG, dap him up for me. Tell him good lookin out fam.
Much love from the hip hop nation.
@TheJAT711
@@sanjayr😂
@mrljstewardsteward8591
I popped at my school play to this😊
@felicityblake6202
🙌 respect to your dad! 👌
@manueltubens535
I was 18 years old when this song was popular in 1983. Now I am 56 years old and I still am listening to this classic masterpiece.
@Pyroaddiction2023
🤟🏾
@TedKaczynski895
Legend
@rich8534
I was a wannabee break dancer in 83 with this song...lol...56 also