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".
Fly Away
Laid Back Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I will fly away, disappear into air
I was there in my dream
You came closer and I moved away
I feel so bad after a night like that
I feel so bad after a night like that
So I will disappear into air
Cannot wait to see
Cannot wait to see you
Do it again with me
Love has so much to say
We have to find a way
Love has so much to say
We got to find the way
I will fly away, disappear into air
I will fly away, disappear into air
Walking in the sunshine
Looking at the palm threes
Talking to a stranger
Waiting for a phone call
Driving in a taxi, it's showtime
Everybody
Is looking for the real thing
It's you all the time, you all the time
My mind is on you
It's you all the time, you all the time
My mind is on you
You blew my mind away
It happens every day
You know that life ain't easy
But I'm doing the best I can year
It's you all the time, you all the time
My mind is on you
It's you all the time, you all the time
My mind is on you, no coke
The song "Fly Away" by Laid Back is about the dream of escaping one's problems and leaving everything behind. The artist wants to fly away and disappear into the air, leaving all the negativity behind. In the dream, someone came closer to the artist, but they moved away, causing some remorse. The artist knows that love has so much to say, and they have to find a way to express it.
The chorus repeats the desire to fly away and disappear into air. The artist cannot wait to see the person they love and do it again with them. The song continues to talk about various situations, like walking in the sunshine, talking to a stranger, waiting for a phone call, and driving in a taxi. The artist's mind is always on the person they love, and they feel like their mind is blown away every day.
The song ends by acknowledging that life is not easy, but the artist is doing their best. The lyrics revolve around the idea of flying away from problems and escaping into a dream-like reality. The song has a positive vibe, and the artist wants to express their love and escape from life's challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
I will fly away, disappear into air
The singer wants to escape from reality and disappear from everyone's sight.
I was there in my dream
The singer is reflecting on a dream that they had already experienced.
You came closer and I moved away
Even though the singer was in close proximity with someone, they distanced themselves from that person.
I feel so bad after a night like that
The singer feels regretful and unhappy after a particular night.
Cannot wait to see you
The singer is eager to meet someone.
Do it again with me
The singer wishes to repeat a particular experience with someone else.
Love has so much to say
Love is complex and has many emotions attached to it.
We have to find a way
The singer and their partner must figure out how to navigate their love and its complexities.
Walking in the sunshine
The singer is enjoying a sunny day by taking a walk outside.
Looking at the palm threes
The singer is admiring palm trees in their environment.
Talking to a stranger
The singer is conversing with someone unfamiliar to them.
Waiting for a phone call
The singer is expecting a call and is in anticipation for it.
Driving in a taxi, it's showtime
The singer is in a taxi en route to a performance or show.
Everybody is looking for the real thing
Everyone is seeking genuine experiences that hold meaning and significance.
It's you all the time, you all the time
The singer cannot stop thinking about their partner.
My mind is on you
The singer is consumed by thoughts of their partner.
You blew my mind away
The singer's partner has left them feeling completely amazed and captivated.
It happens every day
The feeling of being amazed by their partner is a common occurrence.
You know that life ain't easy, but I'm doing the best I can year
The singer acknowledges that life is tough, but they are trying their hardest to get through it.
My mind is on you, no coke
The singer's focus is solely on their partner, and nothing could distract them from that.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOHN GULDBERG, TIM PETER STAHL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Rocio Vázquez
I will fly away disappear into air
I will fly away disappear into air
I was there in my dream
You came closer and I moved away
I feel so bad after a night like that
I feel so bad after a night like that
So I will disappear into air
I will fly away disappear into air
Cannot wait to see
Cannot wait to see you
Do it again with me
Love has so much to say
We have to find a way
Love has so much to say
We got to find the way
I will fly away disappear into air
I will fly away disappear into air
Walking in the sunshine
Looking at the palm threes
Talking to a stranger
Waiting for a phone call
Driving in a taxi
It's showtime
Everybody
Is looking for the real thing
It's you all the time, you all the time
My mind is on you
It's you all the time, you all the time
My mind is on you
You blew my mind away
It happens every day
You know that life ain't easy
But I'm doing the best I can year
It's you all the time, you all the time
My mind is on you
It's you all the time, you all the time
My mind is on you
No coke.
Tshepo Kunene
This song is a classic that will be played in the next 1000 years. It will be passed from generation to generation. My uncle passed it on to me and my kids will automatically love it as well.
2lee
True that. My mom passed it on to me and I just can't get enough. My kids don't have a choice nabo vele 😂
Palesa Khena
Most certainly it will
donald seigel
This song was on a cassette that was eaten by the cassette player of a 76 Ford Granada in the late 80's. The cassette is long gone, but the fond memories will always remain. Thank you Laid Back for creating a song that has never left my soul or mind!
james Pryor
I owned a 1975 Ford Grenada and played that tape in the mid 80's. I still play that same tape in 2021 and have two vinyl lp versions.
Errol Motau
😂😂😂😂 sorry man, I know that pain & disappointment
Mavis Phillips
My father owned a ford Granada those years of this song as well and the memories will remain!!!!
Bandile Nkabinde
I was a young man observing the emotions and dreams of the great future this song brought out of me. It was one of the spiritual masterpieces of that time and still holds the same mystique about it as it did then. It's beautiful to tap back into those feelings and emotions from back then. Life is love, and love is life.
Carol Mazibuko
Me too(a woman). University of Natal PMB 1990! Great memories!
akashaman
Just feel lucky u were in touch with it way back then ; i a just hearing it ;)
GROOVY MON