The band's musical adventures first began in 1982 when McCarthy and Harris, along with drummer David Gooday, formed the group whilst still at school in Chelmsford. Listening to the likes of Abwärts, Neubauten, Malaria, DAF, Cabaret Voltaire, Killing Joke and Bauhaus among many others the boys began experimenting with synthesizers and samples culminating in the release of four singles on their own Power Of Voice Communications label (a joint venture with Pet Shop Boys producer Phil Harding) before Daniel Miller was impressed enough to sign them to his own label Mute.
Nitzer Ebb's debut album, 1987's brooding 'That Total Age', displayed a brutalist yet polished élan. Following the powerful opening singles 'Murderous' and 'Let Your Body Learn', the band's club reputation was truly secured with the release of 'Join In The Chant', which in a version remixed by Phil Harding, became a staple in Britain's acid house and techno clubs.
Having won over club-land the band turned their attentions to the live arena and at the invitation of label mates Depeche Mode, supported them on their huge Music for the Masses tour. Meanwhile original drummer Gooday departed to be replaced for live performances by Julian Beeston, whilst McCarthy and Harris returned to the studio with producer, Flood, to record the follow up to 'That Total Age' for the album that would eventually become 'Belief' and set in progress a highly creative partnership that would extend over four albums.
The new album once again retained the musical and visual aggression of their previous work. Yet 'Belief' also hinted at the band's growing ability to display a sense of wit, imagination and sheer caustic comment within their music. There were no sacred cows in terms of subject matter or indeed the band's merciless capacity for piss taking.
Upon its release 'Belief' not only attracted much domestic critical praise but also saw their stock rise in Europe. In part this was aided by the series of remixes provided by the band for the singles 'Control I'm Here', 'Hearts & Minds' and 'Shame'. Along with additional mixes by William Orbit they helped maintain the band's popularity in the clubs and encourage the burgeoning fascination in Europe with what was then known as EBM (Electronic Body Music).
In 1990 the band and Flood once again returned to the studio with every intention of upping the ante even further. The resulting album 'Showtime' showed further evidence of the band's progression, combining their trademark energy with a growing musicality that added menacing depths to tracks such as 'Getting Closer' and 'Lightning Man'. The album also spawned a most improbable, though brilliantly effective remix of 'Fun To Be Had' by George Clinton, the visionary behind two of the greatest freak-funk bands ever - Parliament and Funkadelic.
Arguably the success of this collaboration acted as a spur for the band's next release, the EP 'As Is'. This saw McCarthy and Harris working with four different mixers to reveal the different musical aspects at work within band. Their collaborators included Jaz Coleman of Killing Joke, a recording artist whose musical aggression was even more noted than their own, and Alan Wilder, then of Depeche Mode, who applied his noted production skills to enhance the melodic potential within the band.
It was this potential that the band sought to develop on their 4th album, 'Ebbhead'. Released in 1991 the album was a full-blooded affair and with Alan Wilder joining Flood in the production hot seat it was perhaps no surprise to hear the rich musical instrumentation now firmly part of the band's armoury. Any suggestion though that the Ebb were somehow softening up were blown away by the full on pulverising assault of 'Godhead', an assault that had by now successfully overcome audiences in the US.
Though it appeared that the main external battles had been won, the band were arguably now having to battle with the internal tensions that naturally had arisen following a decade sustaining an intense level of shared creativity. Four years in the making 'Big Hit' finally made the light of day in 1995. The diverse and experimental nature of the band was still there, and in the lead-off single 'Kick It', the Ebb showed that they could still easily conjure up those moments that would batter the listener into submission yet make it a strangely rewarding process at the same time. Unfortunately, the band's decicion to update their sound with grunge-inspired guitars fails throughout most of the album, as the big rock-styled choruses proved incompatible with the band's signature electronics. Once ahead of their time, but now left behind, Nitzer Ebb found their last release headed straight to the cutout bins.
The cracks that appeared between McCarthy and Harris during the making 'Big Hit'--as well as longtime producer Flood's inattentiveness to the group's material--proved to be decisive and shortly after its release it became clear that another album would not be forthcoming. In fact it would take seven years before the band could bring themselves to talk to each other. Perhaps it was this enforced silence that encouraged critics to reassess the precocious impact and originality of the band, as a number of subsequent artists lined up to cite them as a major influence, or less honourably, simply exploiting the Ebb's musical template for their own individual gain. Whilst such a situation may be a cause of great annoyance to most bands, the Ebb maintain a healthy level of stoicism. As they say, “That's the problem with being ahead of the game - the pioneers get the arrows and the settlers get the land.”
In the end of 2005 when the quantity of requests for new Nitzer Ebb live acts went beyond the limits McCarthy and Harris met to discuss the possibility of reunion. Since the beginning of 2006 they started to give concerts and since summer Nitzer Ebb are on reunion tour. A 2CD compilation of best tracks and a bunch of remixes "Body Of Work" was released in may and later, in july, a remixes album "Body Reworked" followed. For the tour Nitzer Ebb hired a new drummer - Kourtney Klein, mostly known for her work in CombiChrist. In august of 2006 it was officially confirmed that Nitzer Ebb are working on the new material. The recording actually started in March 2007. New record is going to be produced by british producer Jagz Kooner and should be issued, according to Douglas McCarthy, at spring 2008.
Our Own World
Nitzer Ebb Lyrics
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not like the morning
when the sky
through the night comes yawning
too late to change our past
as you look to me
So I look to you
Until finally
we both can see
Under, over inside us
We're in our own world
coming through the darkness
up across the ocean
we fall
in deep emotion
this understanding
though we're not together
naked with hearts laid bare
But I think of you as you think of me until illogically
you're here with me
Under, over inside us
we're in our own world
Shut them out
We're gonna scream and shout gonna shut them out
gonna scream and shout
gonna shut them out
Gonna scream and shout
We'll shut them out
they'll scream and shout we'll shut them out
they'll scream and shout
she'll shut them out
They'll scream and shout
We'll shut them out, out, out
they'll scream and shout, shout, shout
we'll shut them out
this is eternal
this is the future
love's running wild
like a creature
Or move a mountain
Can't undermine us
We shall always remain
I'm touching you inside
your touching me inside
until eventually
there's nowhere to hide
Under and over inside us we're in our own world we're in our own world in our own world, in our own world
The lyrics of Nitzer Ebb's song "Our Own World" depict a relationship between two individuals who are committed to each other despite not being together. The first verse suggests that they are unbreakable and that their relationship won't be damaged like the sunrise disrupting the darkness. They have made a conscious decision to commit to one another, and they won't be indecisive any longer. They know it's too late to change their past, so they look to each other to move forward. Through their deep understanding, despite not being physically close, they are in their own world.
The second verse suggests that they are separated by distance, and they have fallen into deep emotion with each other. Although naked and vulnerable, they are not together. However, they still think of each other illogically, and their connection is so strong that it's almost as if they are together. They find solace in the fact that they are in their own world - a world where they control the boundaries and the rules of their relationship. The chorus reflects their desire to keep their relationship private by shutting out anyone who wants to intrude on their world.
Overall, "Our Own World" is about two people who know that their love cannot be scrutinized or questioned by outsiders. They have built their own world where only they understand each other. They have accepted the challenges of their situation and learned to love a person without having to be with them physically.
Line by Line Meaning
We'll never be broken
Our relationship is unbreakable
not like the morning
Unlike the dawn, our bond will never fade
when the sky
During the daybreak
through the night comes yawning
At the end of the night
no indecision faded at last
All doubts have been erased
too late to change our past
Our past cannot be reversed
as you look to me
As you turn to me for comfort
So I look to you
In the same way, I turn to you for support
Until finally
Until we reach a point where
we both can see
We both understand
Under, over inside us
Our love is everywhere around us
We're in our own world
We create our own reality
coming through the darkness
Despite the adversity we face
up across the ocean
Even if there are physical barriers
we fall
We still love each other strongly
in deep emotion
Our love is intense, powerful, and passionate
this understanding
Our mutual recognition of our love
though we're not together
Even if we are apart physically
naked with hearts laid bare
Being emotionally vulnerable
But I think of you as you think of me until illogically
We think of each other constantly, irrationally
you're here with me
Mentally, you are by my side
Shut them out
Ignore the outside world
We're gonna scream and shout gonna shut them out
We will defend our love fiercely
they'll scream and shout we'll shut them out
Critics will be silenced by our passion
this is eternal
Our love lasts forever
this is the future
Our love is all-encompassing
love's running wild
Our love is uninhibited
like a creature
Like an untamed animal
Or move a mountain
Our love is strong enough to overcome incredible obstacles
Can't undermine us
Nothing can weaken our love
We shall always remain
We will always be together
I'm touching you inside
My love is felt deep within you
your touching me inside
Your love is felt deep within me
until eventually
Till we reach the ultimate point
there's nowhere to hide
Our love is all-consuming
in our own world
We are happiest in our own private universe
in our own world
We exist in our own utopia
in our own world
Nothing can disturb us in our own little world
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind