Michael was born in Sarstedt, Germany. He started playing in his early teens when his brother Rudolph brought home a Flying V guitar, which captured Michael's imagination. His playing style is unusual in that he seems not to use conventionally practiced guitar scales but seems instead to improvise.
Schenker joined UFO under unusual circumstances. The band left the UK to play some dates in Germany. Their guitarist at the time; Bernie Marsden, forgot his passport and was unable to make the first gig. At the venue UFO spotted Michael playing a soundcheck with the Scorpions and managed to persuade him into playing that evening's show. Despite the language barrier; he spoke no English and they spoke no German, something clearly "clicked" and Schenker brought the ellusive X factor to the band and took them to another level musically.
Schenker has had a turbulent career with UFO, often walking out mid song and causing shows to be cancelled. He is evidently as temperamental as he is gifted. Schenker says his playing with UFO is like chocolate: fantastic for a while but once you've had enough....
Clearly a musical prodigy, Schenker was one of the 1970's most inspirational guitarists, influencing later musicians such as Kirk Hammett from the band Metallica.
Michael was offered gigs with Aerosmith and Ozzy Osbourne but decided he wanted to play his own music and not be a hired hand in another group. In 1979, he founded the Michael Schenker Group (M.S.G). The history of the Michael Schenker Group has been strewn with personality conflicts and "incidents" between band members. In 1982, original vocalist Gary Barden was sacked in favor of Graham Bonnet (Rainbow, Alcatrazz) who lasted one album (Assault Attack) and was fired from the band after dropping his pants in a warm-up gig before the Reading festival. Gary Barden was enticed back to the band for Reading and stayed with M.S.G. for the recording of a new studio album (Built to Destroy) and a live album (Rock Will Never Die). After the second departure of vocalist Gary Barden after the Built to Destroy album, Michael reorganized the band around himself and vocalist Robin McAuley as the McAuley Schenker Group. After three albums in that configuration, Michael and Robin parted company.
Michael next rejoined UFO for the album Walk on Water. A short tour punctuated by a fight between Michael and vocalist Phil Mogg ended the reunion.
Michael resurrected the Michael Schenker Group with all new players and recorded three decent albums and toured yearly to appreciative Schenker-heads around the United States and Europe.
Michael fell on hard times in the early 2000's after his divorce in which he lost rights to his own music, his Mercedes and his prized Flying V guitars.
Michael picked himself up and got back to the business of making and performing music. The recording of the album Arachnophobiac and the resulting two years of touring got Michael back in rocking form.
2005 brings the 25th anniversary of the Michael Schenker Group. Michael is putting together a new album of songs called Tales of Rock and Roll honoring that anniversary. Singers from each iteration of the group have been enlisted to sing on a track or two.
A new Michael Schenker Group album is as much about finding out who is left in the band as it is about the music. Devoted fans love him regardless of his personal and personnel problems.
Gimme Your Love
Michael Schenker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bet you're thinking there's more than the eye can see
I'll tell you something, then maybe again I won't
Now you see me
And who knows maybe you don't
Time after time, you had your chances
And you threw them away oh! no!
Don't waste my time,
That's all I want to say
Gimme your love
You know what it does to me
Drives me crazy, ain't telling no lies
Gimme your love
With you I feel satisfied
When you're by my side
I tell you no lies
It's on the line, can't think about nothing else
Suits me fine, 'cause I know we're two of a kind
To trust myself is something I just can't do
So how the hell girl am I gonna trust you
Night after night two crazy people
Getting high on their love, crazy love
Don't stop me now,
I got a one way ticket
Straight through your heart oh! no!
Gimme your love
You know what it does to me
Drives me crazy, ain't telling no lies
Gimme your love
With you I feel satisfied
When you're by my side
I tell you no lies
Bet you're getting the wrong idea about me
Bet you're thinking there's more than the eye can see
You should talk, 'cause I know quite a bit about you
Don't look so worried
Just do what we both want to do
'Cause time after time, you had your chances
And you threw away all away!
You cut it so fine with your advances honey
Now I know just what to say
The lyrics of Michael Schenker’s song Gimme Your Love reflect the theme of love and trust. The song talks about the complexity of love and relationships, where people often misunderstand each other. The first two lines of the song indicate that people can easily misconceive an individual and think that there is more to them than meets the eye. The artist then suggests that he is not a person to be underestimated, and states that he will reveal something about himself, but then changes his mind, implying that he is unpredictable. The line “Now you see me, and who knows maybe you don't” implies that the artist is not fully understood, but he also acknowledges that he might not even understand himself.
The chorus of the song speaks of the artist's desire for love from a particular person, and how it affects him. The repetition of the lyrics “gimme your love” emphasizes his craving for affection, and how it drives him crazy, creating an intense feeling of satisfaction when the person is by his side. In the third verse, the artist suggests that he and the other person are similar in some way, but he cannot trust himself, so how can he possibly trust the other person. However, the song suggests that they both have an intense connection, and the repetition of the phrase “getting high on their love” supports this notion.
Overall, the song's lyrics are about the complexity of love, trust, and misunderstandings in relationships. It portrays the ups and downs of love, how it can drive people crazy, but also create an incredible feeling of satisfaction when it's reciprocated.
Line by Line Meaning
Bet you're getting the wrong idea about me
You may be making false assumptions about me
Bet you're thinking there's more than the eye can see
You may believe that I'm not showing you everything that I am
I'll tell you something, then maybe again I won't
I may or may not choose to reveal something to you
Now you see me
At this moment, you are looking at me
And who knows maybe you don't
It's possible that you don't actually see me for who I am
Time after time, you had your chances
Repeatedly, you've had opportunities
And you threw them away oh! no!
But you wasted those chances
Don't waste my time,
I don't want you to use up my time
I don't need the glory
I'm not looking for fame or recognition
That's all I want to say
That's everything I have to share with you
Gimme your love
I want you to give me your love
You know what it does to me
Your love has a particular effect on me
Drives me crazy, ain't telling no lies
It makes me feel wild and passionate, and I'm not exaggerating about that
With you I feel satisfied
When I'm with you, I feel content and at peace
When you're by my side
When you're close to me or supporting me
I tell you no lies
I'm not deceiving or hiding anything from you
It's on the line, can't think about nothing else
This moment is crucial to me, and I can't focus on anything else
Suits me fine, 'cause I know we're two of a kind
It works for me, because I think we're very similar
To trust myself is something I just can't do
I have a hard time believing in myself
So how the hell girl am I gonna trust you
So it's especially difficult for me to trust you
Night after night two crazy people
We act recklessly and with passion night after night
Getting high on their love, crazy love
We are passionate about each other, and it brings us to great heights
Don't stop me now,
Don't halt me now
I got a one way ticket
I'm committed to this path and I'm not turning back
Straight through your heart oh! no!
I'm going to love and commit to you wholeheartedly
You should talk, 'cause I know quite a bit about you
Don't forget that I also know a lot about you and your past actions
Don't look so worried
Relax and don't fret
Just do what we both want to do
Let's move forward with what we both desire
You cut it so fine with your advances honey
You've been playing a close game with me and your approaches have been subtle
Now I know just what to say
But now I'm onto your game and I'm ready to respond accordingly
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ROBIN MCAULEY, ROCKY NEWTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jesse CR-X
I picked up this LP at a thrift store in mint condition. I was blown away at how great the whole album is! Best blind buy ever!
Van Halen Rulz
I loved this song the first time I heard it in 1987 and I still do.
ratter531
Yes Van so true still Loving this song now in 2022. Michael is such a melodic guitarist.
Benedict Donald
Lies.
Van Halen Rulz
@Benedict Donald ???
Benedict Donald
@Van Halen Rulz you didn’t hear this in the 80s. Facts
Van Halen Rulz
@Benedict Donald What are you talking about? What's next? I didn't actually hear the first Van Halen album in 1978?
Illuminated Skeletons
SO good. One of MSG's best songs, Love the way it changes key, and the keyboard stabs. Brilliant singer, Robin McCauley.
Jeff Wynings
Ahhh, the 80’s. Great song!
ratter531
Still loving this great song in 2022. This song has so much magical qualities to it.