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.
Looking For Love
Michael Schenker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cause I knew the answers, before I had to go
To say I'm just wasting my time
What kind of a friend would you be
Cause you know that better than I
Hand me a friendship that puts me to the test
Then you wouldn't be any better than all the rest
What kind of a friend would you be
Cause you know that better than I
I'm looking for love, looking for a friend
Looking for love in the end
I'm looking for love, you gonna my friend
I'm looking for love in the end
Always unfeeling, and sometimes, oh, so cold
The voice of my anger rings loud, so I'm told
Don't say I'm just wasting my time, what kind
Of a friend would you be,
Cause you know that better than I
I'm looking for love, looking for a friend
Looking for love in the end
I'm looking for love, you gonna my friend
I'm looking for love in the end
The lyrics in Michael Schenker's song "Looking for Love" express a search for two fundamental things: love and friendship. The singer is disillusioned with others in their life who seem to lack sincerity and authenticity in their relationships. They know the answers to the excuses their friends give, making them feel like it's a waste of time to listen to them. The singer is asking for a genuine friendship that challenges them, one that's not superficial or shallow. They suggest that a true friend should know this better than they do, as they long for someone who can truly connect with them on a deep level.
The chorus conveys the singer's longing for genuine affection and companionship, "I'm looking for love, looking for a friend, looking for love in the end. I'm looking for love, you gonna my friend, I'm looking for love in the end." The track's lyrics imply that the key to finding true love is through cultivating genuine friendship. The singer is looking for someone who can be both lover and friend, as they believe that a solid foundation of friendship is critical for a fruitful and lasting romantic relationship.
In conclusion, Michael Schenker's "Looking for Love" is a song that speaks to the search for authenticity and companionship. The song’s lyrics suggest that genuine friendship is necessary for the development of a deep, loving relationship. It reflects the importance of connecting with someone on a profound level, and finding someone who is genuine and sincere in all aspects of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't give me reasons, when I know for sure
I don't need excuses from you when I already know the truth
Cause I knew the answers, before I had to go
I already had the answers even before I left
To say I'm just wasting my time
You can't just claim that I'm wasting my time
What kind of a friend would you be
You're supposed to be a friend, but your behavior is questionable
Cause you know that better than I
You are more aware of it than I am
Hand me a friendship that puts me to the test
Give me a true friendship that challenges me
Then you wouldn't be any better than all the rest
If you can't do that, you're no different from everyone else
I'm looking for love, looking for a friend
I want both love and friendship
Looking for love in the end
I seek love that will last
You gonna my friend
Will you be my friend?
Always unfeeling, and sometimes, oh, so cold
You often have a lack of emotion, and can be very distant
The voice of my anger rings loud, so I'm told
People say that I sound very angry
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: GARY BARDEN, MICHAEL SCHENKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind