John Guldberg and Tim Stahl met in the mid-1970s, and they played together in a group called the Starbox Band.[1] After a poorly received show supporting the Kinks, the band split up, but the duo continued working together. Guldberg set up a small studio in downtown Copenhagen where the two musicians began exploring the possibilities that were being opened up by new technologies, such as multitrack tape recorders, synthesizers and drum machines.
Their debut album, simply titled Laid Back, was released in 1981, and the single "Maybe I'm Crazy" became a number-one hit in Denmark.[1]
The next year, the single "Sunshine Reggae" was released, and it became another chart-topper in their home country; it was later included on the band's second album, Keep Smiling, in 1983, and went on to become a number-one single in Italy, West Germany, and nineteen other countries around the world. In the US, however, it was the single's B-side that became the band's only big hit. "White Horse" is a funk-influenced dance track with a memorable bassline and ambiguous, drug- and/or sex-themed lyrics ("white horse" being a slang for heroin) that became popular in US clubs. After the song was re-released as an A-side on both 7-inch and 12-inch vinyl, it went on to spend three weeks at number one on Billboard's National Disco Action charts; it was also a crossover success, reaching the top five on the Hot Black Singles chart while peaking at number 26 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1984. Its relatively poor performance on the Hot 100 is most likely due to the track's controversial lyrics (including the word "bitch"), which prevented it from receiving radio airplay in much of the country. In 1989, the American rap act 2 Live Crew sampled "White Horse" heavily for their single "Get the Fuck Out of My House"; it was later sampled for Monifah's 1998 hit "Touch It".
Laid Back's next two albums, Play It Straight (1985) and See You in the Lobby (1987),[1] and singles such as "Abu Dhabi" and "Tricky Kind of Thing", were released to little fanfare and limited chart success.
The duo made a return to the European charts in 1989 with the single "Bakerman" (featuring Danish singer Hanne Boel[2]), which peaked at number nine on the West German chart, and number 44 in the United Kingdom in early 1990. It was accompanied by an unusual video, directed by Lars von Trier, which featured the band skydiving while "playing" their instruments. Guldberg and Stahl have both named this their favourite Laid Back track, and said the words were written by Guldberg during the recording session for the song. The lyrics are in English except for the phrase "Sagabona kunjani", which Guldberg has described as a Swahili phrase meaning "Hello, how are you?"[3]
Hoping to capitalize on the success of Bakerman, their label re-released "White Horse" (as "White Horse '89") with new remixes, although this was a commercial disappointment.
Over the course of the following two decades, Laid Back continues to work together, and have since released four albums, a handful of singles, and two greatest hits albums (Laidest Greatest in 1995 and Good Vibes – The Very Best of Laid Back in 2008). The duo also composed the soundtrack of the 2001 feature film Flyvende Farmor, for which they were awarded a Robert, the Danish equivalent of an Oscar. That same year, an exhibition of the band's artwork, including pieces that appeared on their records and promotional posters, took place in Copenhagen. In 2003 they featured on the track "Tango" by Danish band Hæst, produced by Umpff. They continue to make sporadic live performances, as well, including high-profile shows at the Isle of Wight Festival in 2004, and the Roskilde Festival in 2005. A remix of "Bakerman" by British DJ Shaun Baker reached number one in Greenland in 2006.
In 2010 Laid Back returned with the single "Cocaine Cool".
Beautiful Day
Laid Back Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I said to myself
Should laugh of should I cry
It's a little bit strange building castles in the rain
So I made up my mind and said to myself
It's a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful day today
It's beautiful, beautiful day
Funny little things
Can make my day
Funny little things
Can make my day
It's a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful day today
It's a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful day today
It's a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful day today
It's beautiful, beautiful day
Don't take it away
The lyrics of Laid Back's song "Beautiful Day" convey a message of positivity amidst the uncertainty and challenges of life. The singer awakens to the dilemma of whether to laugh or cry at the day ahead. The image of building castles in the rain suggests the futility of clinging onto hopes and dreams that might not come to fruition. However, instead of succumbing to pessimism, the singer decides to focus on the present moment and enjoy the little things that make life worth living. The repetition of the phrase "It's a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful day today" reinforces the idea that beauty can be found in the present moment, even in the midst of difficulties.
The final line "Don't take it away" hints at the fleeting nature of happiness and how important it is to cherish it while it lasts. The song's upbeat tempo and catchy melody contribute to its optimistic and uplifting tone. The message of the song is universal, reminding listeners to appreciate the simple joys in life and to not let the constant struggle of everyday life overshadow the beauty that surrounds us.
Line by Line Meaning
When I woke up this morning
At the start of the day, upon opening my eyes
I said to myself
I had a conversation with myself
Should laugh of should I cry
I had the option to either laugh or cry
It's a little bit strange building castles in the rain
Pursuing dreams is difficult when conditions are not ideal
So I made up my mind and said to myself
I ultimately decided on a course of action
It's a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful day today
The current day is exceptionally lovely
It's beautiful, beautiful day
The day is simply stunning
Don't take it away
I hope the beauty of the day continues
Funny little things
Small events or details
Can make my day
Have the ability to bring joy into my life
It's a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful day today
Again, the present day is extraordinarily beautiful
It's a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful day today
The level of beauty present in today cannot be overstated
It's a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful day today
Once more, I reflect on how stunning this day is
It's beautiful, beautiful day
The current day is truly a marvel
Don't take it away
I desire for the astounding loveliness of the day to be sustained
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOHN GULDBERG, TIM PETER STAHL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Rodrigo
"When I woke up this morning
I said to myself
Should laugh of should I cry
It's a little bit strange building castles in the rain
So I made up my mind and said to myself
It's a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful day today
It's beautiful, beautiful day
Don't take it away
Funny little things
Can make my day
Funny little things
Can make my day
It's a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful day today
It's a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful day today
It's a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful day today
It's beautiful, beautiful day
Don't take it away"
Beautiful day, beautiful music... beautiful life
Rodrigo
"Cuando me desperté esta mañana
Me dije a mi mismo
Debería reírme si llorar
Es un poco extraño construir castillos bajo la lluvia
Así que me decidí y me dije
Hoy es un hermoso, hermoso, hermoso día.
Es hermoso, hermoso día
No te lo lleves
Pequeñas cosas divertidas
Puede hacer mi dia
Pequeñas cosas graciosas
Puede hacer mi dia
Hoy es un hermoso, hermoso, hermoso día.
Hoy es un hermoso, hermoso, hermoso día.
Hoy es un hermoso, hermoso, hermoso día.
Es hermoso, hermoso día
No te lo lleves "
Hermoso día, hermosa música ... hermosa vida
Rodrigo
"When I woke up this morning
I said to myself
Should laugh of should I cry
It's a little bit strange building castles in the rain
So I made up my mind and said to myself
It's a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful day today
It's beautiful, beautiful day
Don't take it away
Funny little things
Can make my day
Funny little things
Can make my day
It's a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful day today
It's a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful day today
It's a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful day today
It's beautiful, beautiful day
Don't take it away"
Beautiful day, beautiful music... beautiful life
CHARLES DOWNS COROCHEL
I love this song, thanks for sharing greetings from Nicaragua 🇳🇮🙏🏼❤️☀️
Rodrigo
"When I woke up this morning
I said to myself
Should laugh of should I cry
It's a little bit strange building castles in the rain
So I made up my mind and said to myself
It's a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful day today
It's beautiful, beautiful day
Don't take it away
Funny little things
Can make my day
Funny little things
Can make my day
It's a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful day today
It's a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful day today
It's a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful day today
It's beautiful, beautiful day
Don't take it away"
Beautiful day, beautiful music... beautiful life
Brenda Berenice Rodríguez Ocampo
En español por favor
Rodrigo
"Cuando me desperté esta mañana
Me dije a mi mismo
Debería reírme si llorar
Es un poco extraño construir castillos bajo la lluvia
Así que me decidí y me dije
Hoy es un hermoso, hermoso, hermoso día.
Es hermoso, hermoso día
No te lo lleves
Pequeñas cosas divertidas
Puede hacer mi dia
Pequeñas cosas graciosas
Puede hacer mi dia
Hoy es un hermoso, hermoso, hermoso día.
Hoy es un hermoso, hermoso, hermoso día.
Hoy es un hermoso, hermoso, hermoso día.
Es hermoso, hermoso día
No te lo lleves "
Hermoso día, hermosa música ... hermosa vida
Brenda Ridriguez
Gracias;)
Yann Wakeman
:-D can I have it in Khisuaheli, please
Yann Wakeman
Actually, it freaks me out that LaidBack are having a kind of english as motherlanguage, but coming up with a question when they announce to quote what WAS SAID ... it should have been "asked myself" ;-D ... and I am still waiting for a bad-day-LaidBack-song :-D
Cristian Conde
Desde que la escuché por los años 2012 (no recuerdo muy bien) hasta la fecha 2020, increíble track.
Cómo terapia matutina.
Christian Chris
Que nostálgia... Tocadisco tocou essa música em um set em 2012 🎵🎶🎧🎤
Ronny Verhoeven
You guys keep me amazed all the time , great songs , lovely tunes and great clips