Playing lead guitar and bass, respectively, Rundgren and Van Osten were joined by drummer Thom Mooney (formerly of the Munchkins) and lead vocalist/keyboardist Stewkey (born Robert Antoni). Nazz had their first gig in July 1967, landing an opening slot at a Doors concert. By September, the group received some financial support from the local record store Bartoff & Warfield, who also put them in touch with John Kurland, a record promoter who was looking for a guitar pop band. Kurland took a shine to Nazz and signed on as their manager. Throughout the fall, they practiced in their new home base of Great Neck, New York. Kurland and his associate, Michael Friedman, prevented the band from gigging regularly, believing that a lack of performances would increase demand for the group. The managers were convinced that Nazz could be marketed as a sharp, stylish boy band for the teenybopper audience, and helped the quartet members to refashion themselves in that mode.
With a wardrobe of clothes and an album's worth of material ready, Kurland and Friedman had Nazz sign with SGC Records -- an offshoot of Atlantic Records and Columbia-Screen Gems -- in the summer of 1968. Their debut album, Nazz, appeared in October, supported by the single "Hello It's Me." Although the song would later become a major hit for Rundgren as a solo artist, the dirgey original version barely scraped the national charts, largely due to mismanagement. The managers wanted that Nazz played only large halls, which was virtually impossible for an unknown, unproven band with a newly released debut album. As a result, most of the group's publicity was limited to glamour shots and puff pieces in teen mags. Ironically, many of the articles emphasized the band's "electrifying" live performances.
"Hello It's Me" managed to reach number 71 on the charts, and the record -- particularly the Nazz's self-production of "Open My Eyes" and "Hello It's Me" -- attracted some good notices. Taking this as a cue, Nazz headed to England to cut their second album, but they became embroiled in work visa problems. Undaunted, they returned to America and began work on an ambitious self-produced double album named Fungo Bat. By the time it was released in April 1969, it was trimmed to a single album and titled Nazz Nazz. Although the project's scale was diminished, the music remained dizzyingly diverse, as the record ran the gamut from psychedelic rockers to pop ballads. One problem emerged, however. In the process of editing, much of Rundgren's newer, Laura Nyro-influenced material -- which he had sung himself -- was left on the shelves. Neither the management nor his bandmates gave Rundgren much encouragement to sing, nor was his new introspective direction warmly received by his colleagues. Faced with a no-win situation, Rundgren left the group not long after their summer 1969 tour; by that time, Van Osten had already departed the band.
Stewkey took control of the Nazz, erased Rundgren's vocals from the album sitting in the vaults, and replaced them with his own. The result was released as Nazz III in 1970, but it stiffed. Mooney departed the group, later to play with such bands as the Curtis Brothers, Tattoo, and Paris. Stewkey joined Fuse, an Anglophile power pop group featuring future Cheap Trick guitarist Rick Nielsen. Mooney also played with Fuse, but left before Cheap Trick bassist Tom Petersson joined and the group became Sick Man of Europe.
Biography by Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Maut Ka Kuan
Nazz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
ज़िंदगी मौत का कुआँ हैं
आँखें खोल आँखें खोल
नींद भी
वो बोले पैसा बोलता है तो उससी से मैं बात करूँ
लाइफ इस आ बीच और मैं वेव की तलाश पर हूँ
मेरी नेगेटिव इमेज को मैं सॉफ करूँ
रॅपर नही मैं हूँ आर्कियालजिस्ट
क्यूंकी हमेशा मैं खोदा अपने पस्त करूँ
मेरी बातों ने झेला हैं मेरा बोझ काफ़ी
क्यूंकी खड़ा मैं हमेशा अपनी बात पर हूँ
रॅप मेरे लिए बना रोज़ी रोटी
तो रॅपर दिखने के लिए ना पहनु टोपी उल्टी
ज़िंदगी में खाए मैने ठोकर हैं काफ़ी
मुझे लगता मई पैर की हूँ छ्होटी उंगली
लोग बने साँप यहाँ आस्तीन के
ज़िंदगी पिक्चर तो फ्लॉप मेरी कॅस्टिंग थी
पर गाने देता हूँ हर बार ही आचे मैं
जैसे कोई फिल्म हूँ मैं एमरान हाशमी की
चाल चलो मेरे खिलाफ चाल चलो
फराक नही पड़ता चाहे खिलाफ हज़ार जान हो
यह लौंदे कर सकते हैं मेरा बाल भी बका
पर सिर्फ़ और सिर्फ़ अगर यह बारबर हो
मैं भलाई का सोचता था सबके
पर बस अब जो करना हैं करो जाओ जान बचाओ
मैं और मेरी अच्छाई एब्ब साथ में नही रहते
जैसे हप्पले के फोन और चारजर हो
सामने ख़ौफ़ हाथ में नोट
ज़िंदगी मौत का कुआँ हैं
आँखें खोल आँखें खोल
नींद भी मौत की जुड़वा है
सामने ख़ौफ़ हाथ में नोट
ज़िंदगी मौत का कुआँ है
आँखें खोल आँखें खोल
नींद भी मौत की जुड़वा है
हसल में आया जो मैं
मतलब जैसे केक के उपर मैने आइसिंग डाला
हटेरों को नाइल कटर की ज़रूरत नही
हर बार मूव्मेंट लाता मैं nail बाइटिंग वाला
वाइब लगे स्टूडियो में फाइटिंग वाला
मिक के सामने हर पुंछ मेरा टिसन वाला
हाथों में सीधी तरह देता नही नसीब कोई चीज़
मेरे नसीब को बोलो टर्किश आइस क्रीम वाला
बुरी चीज़ों की लगी थी लत्ट
जुआ खेला रिकवर करने मैं लॉस को
बर्बाद हुआ पैसा हर बार
जैसे 6 साल गया था पढ़ने मॉस्को
क्या मैं भी धीचीक धीचीक वेल गाने बनौ
जो बिना मतलब करते मिली क्रॉस हो
गानों में लड़किया चाहिए चारों और जो
तो मुझे पानी पूरी वाला कोई स्टॉल दो
सामने ख़ौफ़ हाथ में नोट
ज़िंदगी मौत का कुआँ है
आँखें खोल आँखें खोल
नींद भी मौत की जुड़वा है
सामने ख़ौफ़ हाथ में नोट
ज़िंदगी मौत का कुआँ है
आँखें खोल आँखें खोल
नींद भी मौत की जुड़वा है
The lyrics of Nazz's song "Maut Ka Kuan" delve into the harsh realities of life, portrayed through vivid and thought-provoking imagery. The opening lines "सामने ख़ौफ़ हाथ में नोट, ज़िंदगी मौत का कुआँ हैं" set a tone of fear and the constant looming presence of death, symbolized by a well of uncertainty. The juxtaposition of fear and money reflects the everyday struggles faced by individuals in navigating life's challenges and obstacles.
The lyrics further emphasize a sense of existential introspection and self-awareness, with lines like "लाइफ इस आ बीच और मैं वेव की तलाश पर हूँ". The singer is portrayed as a seeker trying to soften their negative image and serve as their own photographer, capturing the snapshots of their life's journey. The references to being an archaeologist of oneself and the struggles of rap artists add layers to the narrative, highlighting the inner conflicts and external pressures faced by the individual.
The lyrics also touch upon themes of resilience and perseverance, as seen in lines like "जैसे कोई फिल्म हूँ मैं एमरान हाशमी की". The artist expresses a determination to continue making good music despite facing setbacks and criticisms, drawing parallels to the resilience displayed by actors in films. The references to facing obstacles, both external and internal, reflect a sense of defiance and a refusal to be defeated by life's challenges.
The repetition of the lines "सामने ख़ौफ़ हाथ में नोट, ज़िंदगी मौत का कुआँ हैं" throughout the song serves as a haunting reminder of the dual nature of life, where fear and uncertainty coexist with the pursuit of dreams and aspirations. The recurring motif of keeping one's eyes open, even in the face of danger and adversity, reinforces the message of staying vigilant and resilient in the face of life's unpredictable twists and turns. Through its evocative lyrics and poignant imagery, "Maut Ka Kuan" offers a powerful reflection on the complexities of existence and the eternal struggle between life and death.
Line by Line Meaning
सामने ख़ौफ़ हाथ में नोट
Facing fear, money in hand
ज़िंदगी मौत का कुआँ हैं
Life is a well of death
आँखें खोल आँखें खोल
Open your eyes, open your eyes
नींद भी
Even sleep
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Nazz
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
PRANAV PADVEKAR
Bro U are seriously a great talent
points which i love about your songs
1)Metaphors and References= Man i'm literally addicted to ur writing❤❤✨
2)Relatable= The things which you have been through is really unbearable and the way u express them are very relatable and adorable🙌🙌
3)Sense of Humour= I love the comical meme references, and some day-to-day life references which you use, they are cherry on the cake for real👌
And none of us want dhichik-dhichik songs from you, u are nailing this field and haters are anyways biting their nails😎
Please continue this genre, U've already got so much love from many of them and will surely get in future
U will reach new heights for sure
Blessings from we Fans to You❤✨
RAPBOT
Best in the Game 💯
NAZZ is the FUTURE ❤️🙌
hate smokers
Apki video dekh ke ai hu 👀
#pencil movies and songs.
Apeka abhi video dhekar ayaya hoo
dhh forlife
Bhai ek video ho jaye nazz pe
pinky ke fans ko gand mar dongga
Love
Danny music 47
@hate smokers el Salvador
Dhruvil Padhiyar
Bars✅
Relatable references✅
Sense of humour (pani puri line etc)✅
This track is a gem💎
Sanil Fargose
No one can compare nazz with any other artists in the industry
Nazz has separate respect stored for him ❤️❤️
Ujjain Gang
Kuch alg hee vibe hi.. 🔥 ❤️
Shreyash Shetty
The way he changed from “Life is bitch aur me dalla banu” to “Life is a beach aur ke wave ki talash pe hu” on Mtv Hustle.Incredible lyricism ❤️