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 โ 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 Hรฆst, 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".
White Horse
Laid Back Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't ride the white horse
If you want to ride
Don't ride the white horse
White horse
Don't ride the white horse
White horse
Don't ride the white horse
If you want to be rich
You got to be a bitch
You got to be a bitch
I said rich
Rich, you bitch
If you want to ride
Ride the white pony
Ride, ride the white pony
White pony, white pony
The song "White Horse" by Laid Back is a cautionary tale about engaging in drug use, specifically cocaine. The lyrics warn the listener against using this particular drug by comparing it to a "white horse" or "white pony" and advising them not to "ride" it. The recurring phrase "If you want to ride, don't ride the white horse" is a clear message that the effects of cocaine are not worth the temporary high, and the resulting addiction can lead to a destructive lifestyle.
The line "If you want to be rich, you gotta be a bitch" is an interesting addition to the song. While it may seem out of place or offensive to some listeners, it can be interpreted as a jab at the societal expectations placed on women to be manipulative or ruthless in order to achieve success. In a broader context, it could also be seen as a commentary on the capitalist system and how it rewards those who prioritize their own self-interest over others.
Overall, "White Horse" is a cleverly written song that uses metaphors and wordplay to get its message across. It's a reminder that the allure of drugs and harmful behaviors might seem exciting in the moment, but the long-term consequences are not worth it.
Line by Line Meaning
If you want to ride
If you want to have fun or experience something new
Don't ride the white horse
Don't get addicted to drugs or indulge in harmful activities that can ruin your life
If you want to ride
If you want to have fun or experience something new
Don't ride the white horse
Don't get addicted to drugs or indulge in harmful activities that can ruin your life
White horse
A symbolism for cocaine or other dangerous drugs
Don't ride the white horse
Don't get addicted to drugs or indulge in harmful activities that can ruin your life
White horse
A symbolism for cocaine or other dangerous drugs
Don't ride the white horse
Don't get addicted to drugs or indulge in harmful activities that can ruin your life
If you want to be rich
If you want to have financial success
You got to be a bitch
You have to be assertive and ruthless to get ahead in the business world
You got to be a bitch
You have to be assertive and ruthless to get ahead in the business world
I said rich
The artist emphasizes the importance of being financially successful
Rich, you bitch
The singer addresses those who are willing to be ruthless and aggressive to achieve financial success
If you want to ride
If you want to have fun or experience something new
Ride the white pony
The singer changes the term from 'white horse' to 'white pony', which is still a reference to cocaine or other dangerous drugs
Ride, ride the white pony
Encouragement to indulge in drug use despite the risks and negative consequences
White pony, white pony
The repeated reference to the drug reinforces the dangerous and addictive nature of drug use
Lyrics ยฉ Universal Music Publishing Group, Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Written by: John Guldberg, Tim Peter Stahl
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bobthetog7555
Who's listening in 2024??!!
@lynnt.7804
I just heard this on BMF!!!!, had to hear it again!!!!
@theadjuster151
This guy! March 11th 2024 baby boy!
@candiekane12
March 12, my b-day 2024
@williamhall8710
Always
@EethrEatr
Yeah and how have I never seen the video for this song? ๐
@FTWLiveMusicScene
It's sucks getting old, but growing up in the 80's, totally worth it !!
@woodroblue8332
I believe it brother luv this song lol
@FTWLiveMusicScene
@@woodroblue8332 ๐ - classic jam !
@debrarobisnon6424
Memories....