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.
Let Sleeping Dogs Lie
Michael Schenker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I gotta know cause I'm feeling good
You've got me girl so I just can't move
If I don't head for ground. then I'm bound to lose!
Don't go giving me all your reasons
I can see them but they'll hurt me I know
Cause if the time should come, that you'll be leaving
Will I have the strength to let you go
I close my eyes if I'm not too sure
But things you do make me want to shout
Let's give it time, and work it out
Every time you think you've got it made, you stand
Last, don't you think that I can't stand this pain
Forever again well oh no...
I've crossed the line, so I just can't lose it
I'm tied and bound and I can't abuse it
And all the things we've been fighting for
We'll break it loose, I can take some more
Don t go giving me all your reasons
I can see them, but they'll hurt me I know
Cause if the time should come that you'll be leaving
Will I have the strength to let you go!
Please stop bringing me all your reasons
False pretenses only make me feel sad ,
Cause if the time should come that you'll be leaving
Only hope that I will understand!
The Michael Schenker Group's song "Let Sleeping Dogs Lie" is about a relationship that is experiencing some trouble. The singer knows something is wrong but is not quite sure what it is. He is cautious about letting go of his partner because he enjoys being with her. But he also recognizes that if he doesn't face the issue head-on, he risks losing her. He pleads with her not to give him any false reasons for leaving, as he can see through them and knows they will only hurt him. However, he recognizes that if the time comes for her to leave, he may not have the strength to let her go. He is torn between holding on and letting go, knowing that the latter may be the better choice for both of them.
The lyrics are raw and emotional, capturing the difficulties in relationships and the uncertainty that often arises. The references to "play the clown" and "close my eyes" highlight the singer's insecurities and fear of the unknown. On the other hand, his resolve to "take some more" and "break it loose" indicates his determination to work through their issues and make things right. As the song progresses, there is a sense of urgency and desperation as the singer realizes that time is running out and he needs to make a decision.
Line by Line Meaning
There's something wrong, but I can't be sure
I feel like something is not right, but I am uncertain of what it could be
I gotta know cause I'm feeling good
I need to find out what's wrong because I am currently happy and content
You've got me girl so I just can't move
You have me so emotionally invested that I am unable to make a decision or take action
If I don't head for ground. then I'm bound to lose!
If I don't take control of the situation, I am destined to fail
Don't go giving me all your reasons
Please do not try to explain your actions or motivations to me
I can see them but they'll hurt me I know
I understand your reasons, but hearing them will upset and harm me
Cause if the time should come, that you'll be leaving
If a point should arise where you intend to depart
Will I have the strength to let you go
Will I possess the fortitude to allow you to leave
I'll play the clown, when I'm insecure
When I lack confidence, I become a jester or fool
I close my eyes if I'm not too sure
When I am uncertain or indecisive, I opt to ignore or avoid the situation
But things you do make me want to shout
Your actions make me feel like I want to yell or scream
Let's give it time, and work it out
We should allow time to pass and try to remedy the situation
Every time you think you've got it made, you stand
Each time you feel like you have succeeded or reached a goal, you remain stuck in the same place
Last, don't you think that I can't stand this pain
Do not assume that I am unable to withstand this emotional suffering
Forever again well oh no...
The situation seems like it will continue on indefinitely, which is upsetting
I've crossed the line, so I just can't lose it
I have gone too far or pushed too hard, which has left me too invested to give up
I'm tied and bound and I can't abuse it
I feel trapped and restricted, and cannot take advantage of the situation in any way
And all the things we've been fighting for
All of the things we have worked towards or argued about
We'll break it loose, I can take some more
We will overcome the conflict and I can withstand additional challenges
Please stop bringing me all your reasons
I implore you to cease explaining your actions to me
False pretenses only make me feel sad
Lies or deceitful motives cause me to feel unhappy
Only hope that I will understand!
I can only hope that I will comprehend the true reasons behind our situation
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: CHRIS GLEN, COZY POWELL, GARY BARDEN, MICHAEL SCHENKER, PAUL RAYMOND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind