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.
Only You Can Rock Me
Michael Schenker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We're the boys we got nothing to lose
I've had enough now of school and stuff now
If you ain't with us then it's just bad news
Only you can rock me rock me
Come on back now do it again
Only you can rock me, rock me
We can't wait from day to day
'Cause we've got something to say
We can't wait from day to day
'Cause we've got something to say
Come on the street now on every corner
Breaking out and we're doing what we want to
Just like a jewel shines in the night
She burns so hot out under the street light
[Chorus:]
We are here and there's no end
We keep on coming again
We are here and there's no end
We just keep coming again
Who's taking time out, we take a shine out
We're the boys we got nothing to lose
I've had enough now of school
And stuff now
If you ain't with us then it's just bad news
Only you can rock me, rock me
Come on back now, do it again
Only you can rock me, rock me
Kicking out just like a hurricane
We can't wait from day to day
'Cause we've got something to say
We are here and there's no end
We'll keep on coming again
We can't wait from day to day
'Cause we've got something to say
We are here and there's no end
We'll keep on coming again
The lyrics of Michael Schenker's song "Only You Can Rock Me" express the rebellious and carefree attitude of young men who have had enough of the monotonous routines of life, particularly school. They live for the moment, taking their shine on the streets, breaking out, and doing what they want. The song highlights the excitement of youth, the need for freedom, and the joy of being alive. The band is calling out to their fans to come back and experience the thrill of rock and roll, to hear the scream of the guitar, and to feel the power of the drums.
The lyrics are a celebration of rock and roll, an anthem that has stood the test of time, and still energizes rock fans worldwide. The chorus of the song is simple and memorable, inviting fans to join in singing and celebrating. The song is a tribute to the power of music, the impact it has on people's lives, and its ability to bring people together.
In summary, "Only You Can Rock Me" is a rock and roll song that captures the youthful exuberance, the spirit of rebellion, and the freedom that the genre represents. It highlights the energy of the music, the excitement of concerts, and the camaraderie that fans feel at shows. It is a beautiful tribute to the power of music and its ability to unite people from different backgrounds.
Line by Line Meaning
Who's taking time out, we'll take a shine out
Who's taking a break, we'll make the most of our time by shining bright.
We're the boys we got nothing to lose
As young and bold boys, we have nothing to lose.
I've had enough now of school and stuff now
I'm done with school and other boring things that hold me back.
If you ain't with us then it's just bad news
If you're not with us, then you're missing out on all the excitement.
Only you can rock me rock me
Your rock music and energy are the only things that can excite me.
Come on back now do it again
Keep playing your music and entertaining us again and again.
Kicking out just like a hurricane
We're partying hard and causing chaos like a hurricane.
We can't wait from day to day
We're always eager to have fun and express ourselves day after day.
'Cause we've got something to say
We have something important to share and proclaim through our music and actions.
Come on the street now on every corner
Let's explore the streets and make noise everywhere we go.
Breaking out and we're doing what we want to
We're breaking free from any constraints and doing exactly what we desire.
Just like a jewel shines in the night
Our music and presence shine brightly, even in the darkest of times.
She burns so hot out under the street light
Our passion for rock and roll burns so brightly and intensely under the street lights.
We are here and there's no end
We'll always be here, playing our music, making noise, and having fun.
We keep on coming again
We'll keep returning and pushing boundaries to a new level.
We'll keep on coming again
We won't stop anytime soon from enjoying and expressing ourselves through our music and actions.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: MICHAEL SCHENKER, PETER FREDRICK WAY, PHILLIP JOHN MOGG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dandettmann595
Schenker & Mogg would be good...but neither one has it like they used to.
And the chemistry with this lineup was perfect...magical...like Van Halen, Led Zeplin, etc...and many other bands (except for the personality clashes).
It's over.
What we need is more quality videos like this one with this lineup and this era.
I'm sure they have to have more than one song.
I'd watch those videos over & over again.
I've been listening to "Strangers" over & over again for 40 years now and have never tired of it.
Led Zeplin called it quits when their drummer passed away because they said without John Bonham it would never be the same.
@mikenkk1
My neighbors liked this song so much they threw a brick through my window so they could hear it better :-)
@barbaranowman8031
Wow!! 😂
@richhoughton9016
Well said Mike. Great tune.
@fayewittwer5208
😂😂😂😂
@bobm3300
Arguably one the the most underrated bands ever. These guys were awesome then, and still kicking now.
@philbroadley8824
Phil Mogg....one of rock's greatest voices!
@erichani1
Yes I agree
@GM-yc3rl
And Violent..
@johnreilly8672
Too bad he was a violent drunk that made Michael Schenker leave the band. Other than that he had a great voice.
@strydershadow391
UFO one of the greatest rock groups nobody has heard of today!