The group's musical line-up incorporates such diverse instruments as mandolins, glockenspiels, accordion, military bass-drum, and the legendary Nickelodeon, an extraordinary instrument designed and built for the purpose of delivering Sailor's definitive sound.
Their first album, released in 1974, included the hit "Traffic Jam". The album achieved Gold status in Holland. But it was the second album "Trouble" that established Sailor throughout the world. "A Glass of Champagne" was a massive hit throughout the world in 1975, followed by "Girls Girls Girls" in 1976.
The original line-up changed regularly from the end of the 1970s. In 1980 Phil and Henry released a new album together with Gavin David and Virginia David. In 1989 a new album was released after a ten year silence, featuring two singles "The Secretary" and "La Cumbia", so after a long gap they went back on tour again. In 1995 Georg Kajanus departed the band to pursue a solo career, leading to the introduction of Peter Lincoln, a respected guitarist and singer. Original member Henry Marsh left the band in late 1999, to be replaced by Anthony England. He was replaced in turn by Rob Alderton in 2001.
In 2004 Sailor were voted the 45th most successful pop band of the last 40 years in Germany.
In July 2005 Rob Alderton departed, but a few weeks later, original member Henry Marsh returned to his place at the Nickelodeon. In 2006 Peter Lincoln decided to leave after ten years to join The Sweet. Afterwards, Henry's son Oliver Marsh joined the band as their new singer to continue the journey...
Josephine Baker
Sailor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Misty and cool, but alive.
I've been to the sights from the Louvre to Pigalle,
Just waiting for night to arrive.
For all the papers and posters I've seen
They talk of nothing else but Josephine
Down at the Folies Bergere - that lustrous haven
Come, come and see Josephine Baker
Oh, long live Josephine!
She stunned the world at the Folies Bergere
Soft lights, they shine all night
Down on Josephine
She fills the guys with thrills and sensual delight.
Night after night, I'm back in the stalls,
Spending my francs like a fool.
The box office girl knows me by my first name
And winks at me, just to be cruel
But everytime that curtain goes up
To see those legs and her feather fan just drop
Down from her thighs to the floor - oh boy!
(Repeat chorus)
The Sailor's song Josephine Baker is about Paris in the fall, where the singer has been sightseeing from the Louvre to Pigalle, waiting for the night to arrive. He is captivated by the posters and papers that talk of nothing other than Josephine Baker, who is performing at the Folies Bergere. The chorus invites the listener to come and see Josephine, who has stunned the world with her sensual performances. The Sailor has become a regular at the Folies Bergere, spending all his francs on seeing Josephine's shows. Despite being a regular, the box office girl still teases him, knowing him by his first name. The Sailor is mesmerized every time the curtain goes up and is thrilled by Josephine's sensual performances.
The song paints a vivid picture of Paris in the fall, the energy of the posters and papers, and the sensual delight of Josephine's performances. Josephine Baker was a prominent performer in Paris in the 1920s and 1930s, and the song captures the essence of the fascination that people had with her performances. The Sailor's infatuation with Josephine shows through his repeated visits to the Folies Bergere, highlighting the impact that Baker had on people from all walks of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, it's Paris again, but this time it's fall
Paris is back, but this time the season is fall; there is a misty and cool feel in the air, but it's still alive.
I've been to the sights from the Louvre to Pigalle,
I've toured many places from the Louvre to Pigalle, in anticipation of the night.
Just waiting for night to arrive.
Just waiting for the night to come alive, the night where Josephine will perform.
For all the papers and posters I've seen
I've seen posters and papers everywhere about Josephine.
They talk of nothing else but Josephine
Everyone's talking only about Josephine.
Down at the Folies Bergere - that lustrous haven
At Folies Bergere- a bright, vibrant, lively haven of entertainment.
Come, come and see Josephine Baker
Come, come and see the fascinating Josephine Baker.
Oh, long live Josephine!
Here's to Josephine's long life of captivating performances!
She stunned the world at the Folies Bergere
Josephine amazed the world with her performances at Folies Bergere.
Soft lights, they shine all night
Throughout the night, soft lights shine bright.
Down on Josephine
The lights shine down on Josephine.
She fills the guys with thrills and sensual delight.
She's thrilling and delighting the men in the audience with her sensuality.
Night after night, I'm back in the stalls,
I'm repeatedly at the same spot in the audience- the stalls, night after night.
Spending my francs like a fool.
Spending my francs recklessly.
The box office girl knows me by my first name
The lady at the box office knows me very well, even by my first name.
And winks at me, just to be cruel
She winks at me just to mock me.
But everytime that curtain goes up
Every time the curtain rises.
To see those legs and her feather fan just drop
To see her legs and feather fan drop from her thighs.
Down from her thighs to the floor - oh boy!
From her thighs to the floor- making me explode with excitement!
Come, come and see Josephine Baker
Come, come and see the fascinating Josephine Baker.
Oh, long live Josephine!
Here's to Josephine's long life of captivating performances!
She stunned the world at the Folies Bergere
Josephine amazed the world with her performances at Folies Bergere.
Soft lights, they shine all night
Throughout the night, soft lights shine bright.
Down on Josephine
The lights shine down on Josephine.
She fills the guys with thrills and sensual delight.
She's thrilling and delighting the men in the audience with her sensuality.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Crane Alice
Absolutely amazing! One of the best tracks from Sailor's first album, which is one of my favourite albums ever. Phenomenal band!
tomatempo
Sailor was unique… Not only fun, but beautiful songs, fine harmonies, and a little bit of emotion (as Ray Davies says)
hardyfh1
I love the ideas, the imagination and the innate lyricism of this band.
Barbie Wilde
I love this song. One of the few compositions ever written about this extraordinary woman.
Mireille
Georg Kajanus was a total knock-out ! ❤️
classie60
Fabulous song. ANOTHER under rated Sailor classic!
alfense60
Great song love sailor
Hansz Pint
Sailor... old times favorites 🙂
Aven Runenritzerin
I like the french version from the live gig in Zürich 1975, its wonderful <3 <3 <3
Aileen Stewart
I totally LOVED Sailor back in the day, I remember going to see them in Glasgow's Kelvin Hall arena and meeting my young cousin, he was in the seat in front of me!