Nico started a successful career as a model in Berlin and Paris, studied acting at Lee Strasberg's New York Actor Studio. She then became part of the Swinging London scene, and had a short relationship with The Rolling Stones' Brian Jones and she recorded her first record in London in 1965, the single I'm Not Saying/The Last Mile, produced by Jimmy Page, for Rolling Stones manager Andrew Loog Oldham's label Immediate Records. Thanks to Jones she met Andy Warhol in New York City and became part of Warhol's Factory, and Warhol introduced her to the Rock band The Velvet Underground, with whom she recorded the album "The Velvet Underground & Nico", featuring the legendary banana cover designed by Andy Warhol. The album has been named by numerous publications as one of the top 100 albums of all time, and is often considered one of history's 10 most influential albums by critics.
Nico later recorded several solo albums, including the folksy Chelsea Girl in 1967, followed by original albums such as The Marble Index and Desertshore, which were much darker and avant garde in style. She released several more albums throughout the 1970s and 1980s, including The End..., but died in 1988 from a cerebral hemorrhage after falling from her bike in Ibiza, Spain. She is buried in Berlin, next to her mother.
Solo studio discography:
1967 - Chelsea Girl
1969 - The Marble Index
1970 - Desertshore
1974 - The End...
1981 - Drama of Exile
1985 - Camera Obscura
Live discography:
1974 - June 1, 1974 (with Kevin Ayers, John Cale, and Brian Eno)
1986 - Behind the Iron Curtain
1986 - Live Heroes
1986 - Nico in Tokyo
1989 - Hanging Gardens
1993 - Do or Die!
1994 - Heroine
1994 - Fata Morgana
1994 - Live in Pécs 1985
2000 - In Europe: Do or Die, Diary 1982
2001 - Janitor of Lunacy
2003 - 1972-01-29: Le Bataclan, Paris, France (with Lou Reed and John Cale)
2007 - All Tomorrow's Parties: Live
Julius Caesar
Nico Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
WIDE AND GREEN GROWS A TREE
AND FROM THE TREE HANG APPLES
NOT FOR YOU TO EAT
IN A WAY IT MATTERS MORE
THAN IT DID BEFORE
TO SEE THE EAST VOYAGING THROUGH
TRUE HEARTS OF DOOMS
REVERIE
IN HARMONY
SOMERSAULT CARAVANS OF FOOLS
AS HE PASSES FOR REPLY
TO SING HIS SONGS AGAIN.
HE SWAYS O KISS THE HORIZONTAL GROUND
AND FROM THE GROUND A DOVE RISES
AND AS A MARK OF HONOR
A MASK IS LEFT BEHIND
MIRTH
BIRTH
REVERIE
IN HARMONY
TO GENTLE FORM A NOBLE FORCE
MASTER'S VOICE CASCADES
FROM HIS GENTLE STAGE
CALM AND VAST THE CITY LIES
ON A HORIZONTAL GROUND
KIND AND CALM JULIUS LIES
FOR OCTAVIAN TO PREVAIL
MIRTH
BIRTH
REVERIE
IN HARMONY
TRAVERSES THE PENINSULA
ALL THOSE DISMISS THE WINDS DESTROY
WITH HIS GENTLE KISSES
THE RIGHTEOS AND WISE
AND DOOM AMBITIOUS PRAISE
WITH HIS WILL
HIS WILL AND ORDER
MIRTHBIRH REVERIE
IN ITS WATER-LILY FIELD
WIDE AND GREEN GROWS A TREE
ABD FROM THE TREE HAND APPLES
NOT FOR YOU TO EAT
AND 'NEATH THE AEGAN SEA
WHERE STATUES AND PILLARS AND STONES ARE TOSSED
REST FOR ALL HIS ACHING BONES
TO GUIDE US FAR FROM ENERGY
MIRTH
BIRTH
REVERIE
The lyrics of "Julius Caesar" by Nico is a complex yet intriguing reflection on the legacy of the great Roman leader. The opening lines set the scene of a serene and idyllic landscape where a tree grows with unattainable fruits. It seems to indicate that the power of Julius Caesar and his achievements are beyond the reach of the common people. The following lines about the East voyaging through true hearts of dooms can be interpreted in different ways. The reference to the East could mean the arrival of new ideas and cultures that threatened the established power structure, while true hearts of dooms might signify the underlying fear of the ruling class.
The chorus of "Mirthbirth reverie in harmony" is ambiguous, and it is open to various interpretations. It could either imply the joy of life and birth or the birth of a new era of control and domination. The verse about the dove rising from the ground after Julius Caesar kissed it is symbolic of rebirth and the continuation of the leader's legacy. The mask left behind as a mark of honor can represent the persona of Caesar that the leader left behind after his death, which people idolize to this day.
The last verses of the song are enigmatic and cryptic. The mention of the Aegan sea and the tossed statues, pillars, and stones can symbolize the inevitable fall of empires and the transience of power. In conclusion, the song can be viewed as a contemplative ode to the legacy of Julius Caesar and the struggle for power and control in society.
Line by Line Meaning
IN ITS WATER-LILY FIELD
Nicó describes a serene setting where a field of water lilies is present.
WIDE AND GREEN GROWS A TREE
In the midst of the water lilies is a green tree.
AND FROM THE TREE HANG APPLES
The tree bears fruit in the form of apples.
NOT FOR YOU TO EAT
The apples are not meant for anyone to consume.
IN A WAY IT MATTERS MORE
The significance of the tree and its apples have become greater.
THAN IT DID BEFORE
The importance of the tree and its apples was not as significant as it is now.
TO SEE THE EAST VOYAGING THROUGH
Observing the East passing through the surroundings is fascinating.
TRUE HEARTS OF DOOMS
People with genuine hearts of destiny.
MIRTHBIRTH
Joyous beginnings.
REVERIE
The state of being lost in one's thoughts, in a daydream.
IN HARMONY
Everything is in agreement and peaceful.
SOMERSAULT CARAVANS OF FOOLS
Fools who are wandering around and tumbling about.
AS HE PASSES FOR REPLY
As he passes by, he waits for acknowledgement or response.
TO SING HIS SONGS AGAIN.
To sing his songs once more.
HE SWAYS O KISS THE HORIZONTAL GROUND
He tilts back and kisses the ground that lies flat.
AND FROM THE GROUND A DOVE RISES
A dove emerges from the spot where he kissed the ground.
AND AS A MARK OF HONOR
As a symbol of respect and recognition.
A MASK IS LEFT BEHIND
A mask is left behind.
MIRTH
Happiness.
BIRTH
One's arrival into life.
REVERIE
The feeling that comes with being lost in one's thoughts.
IN HARMONY
The state of being heard as one voice.
TO GENTLE FORM A NOBLE FORCE
To make a strong and powerful impact in a kind and dignified way.
MASTER'S VOICE CASCADES
The voice of a skilled and experienced leader flows downward.
FROM HIS GENTLE STAGE
From his humble and mild upbringing.
CALM AND VAST THE CITY LIES
The city remains untroubled and vast.
ON A HORIZONTAL GROUND
The city lies on flat ground.
KIND AND CALM JULIUS LIES
The leader Julius remains gentle and peaceful.
FOR OCTAVIAN TO PREVAIL
To allow Octavian to succeed in taking over.
MIRTH
Happiness.
BIRTH
The birth of a new beginning.
REVERIE
The state of being lost in thought or a daydream.
IN HARMONY
All is peaceful and agreed upon.
TRAVERSES THE PENINSULA
Traversing the peninsula means exploring new places.
ALL THOSE DISMISS THE WINDS DESTROY
People who ignore the dangers that come their way face destruction.
WITH HIS GENTLE KISSES
With his delicate embraces.
THE RIGHTEOS AND WISE
The leaders who understand justice and wisdom.
AND DOOM AMBITIOUS PRAISE
Doom ambitious people are admired and exalted.
WITH HIS WILL
Using his strong desire or intention.
HIS WILL AND ORDER
The order resulting from his intention.
MIRTHBIRTH REVERIE
The joy and happiness that arises from new beginnings and daydreams.
IN ITS WATER-LILY FIELD
The beautiful place with serene water lilies.
WIDE AND GREEN GROWS A TREE
A green and lush tree thrives there.
ABD FROM THE TREE HAND APPLES
The tree produces apples.
NOT FOR YOU TO EAT
The apples are not for anyone to consume.
AND 'NEATH THE AEGAN SEA
Below the Aegean Sea.
WHERE STATUES AND PILLARS AND STONES ARE TOSSED
The place where statues, pillars and stones are thrown around and floating.
REST FOR ALL HIS ACHING BONES
A place to rest and heal his aching bones.
TO GUIDE US FAR FROM ENERGY
To lead us away from negative energy.
MIRTH
Happiness.
BIRTH
The birth of a new beginning.
REVERIE
The state of being lost in thought or a daydream.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ty Vondra
3:40 is my favorite moment in music ever
nick turnbull
The most beautifully melancholic pieces of music I have ever heard ,I am constantly drawn to it ,it's just so gentle , beautiful and unsettling . Thankyou Nico and Cale .
Yvonne Ballarin
Otherworldiy ...transported to another time and place and totally hypnotised listening to Nicos mesmerising voice....so beautiful!
Nico Stone
I remember when I was 16 and was looking through a book about the 60s and Nico’s album Chelsea Girl was referenced. I researched her because her look was so so striking. Then I came across The Marble Index and listened to it beginning to end and fell in love with her music. It takes you to hidden worlds.
Gamers against Lean Alberta 2007
Much better album than the slightly boring Chelsea Girl,although Fairest of Seasons and These Days are great songs.
GhostofaSiren
I love this song, so hauntingly beautiful.
Hermeticdawn23
Absolutely beautiful and unique. Nico was an old soul born In the body of a beautiful woman in the wrong era. This song wraps around you like a cloak of rich imagery and we are taken to another time and place.
Alex C.
the viola sample gives this minimalistic steve reich tone that i really dig, superb album
wlfrm
One can trace the different origins of Nico through this album.
Astrid Challat
I wouldn't have thought that you could make an accordion sounding this dark !