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...
The Old Nickelodeon Sound
Sailor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Walking the street on my own
Out of date, like the old-fashioned steamer
No longer feeling at home
For now romance has gone, time races on
But I still remember
The town, the girls, the bar full of sailors
And the old nickelodeon sound
The old cobblestone street echoes of feet
Like distant reminders
Of the town, the girls, the bar full of sailors
And the old nickelodeon sound
There used to be all kinds of places where people like me used to go
Full of rough but friendly old faces
Looking for someone to know
But now, they only belong in old films or songs
Almost forgotten
Like the town, the girls, the bar full of sailors
And the old nickelodeon sound
The old cobblestone street echoes of feet
Like distant reminders
Of the town, the girls, the bar full of sailors
And the old nickelodeon sound
In "The Old Nickelodeon Sound," Sailor explores the theme of nostalgia and yearning for a bygone era. The singer describes himself as an "old-fashioned dreamer" who feels out of place in the modern world. He longs for the days when he used to walk the streets and frequent bars filled with sailors, listening to the old nickelodeon sound.
The lyrics describe a sense of loss and longing for a time that has passed. The old cobblestone street serves as a reminder of what once was, and the singer laments that these places and people are now only found in old films and songs. The town, the girls, the bar full of sailors, and the old nickelodeon sound all represent a simpler time, where friendships were easily formed, and love was uncomplicated.
The repetition of the chorus highlights the singer's desire to hold on to these memories, even if they are just echoes of the past. The song's melancholy tone and wistful lyrics capture the universal experience of nostalgia and the longing for a time that can never be recaptured.
Line by Line Meaning
I guess I'm an old-fashioned dreamer
I consider myself to be an idealistic person who is out of touch with modern times
Walking the street on my own
I wander the streets without any company
Out of date, like the old-fashioned steamer
I feel outdated and out of touch with the modern world, just like the outdated steam-powered boats
No longer feeling at home
I don't feel like I belong anywhere anymore
For now romance has gone, time races on
Love has disappeared and time is quickly passing by
But I still remember
Despite the changes, I still have vivid memories of the past
The town, the girls, the bar full of sailors
I reminisce about the lively town, the beautiful women, and the bar filled with seafarers
And the old nickelodeon sound
I nostalgically long for the sound of the old-fashioned movie and music machine
The old cobblestone street echoes of feet
The sounds of my footsteps on the old cobblestone streets serve as a reminder of the past
Like distant reminders
Those sounds echo from faraway memories
There used to be all kinds of places where people like me used to go
In the past, there were plenty of places that people who shared my interests used to frequent
Full of rough but friendly old faces
Those places used to be populated by people who were tough but kind-hearted
Looking for someone to know
I used to go there seeking to meet new people and make connections
But now, they only belong in old films or songs
Those places are a thing of the past and only exist in movies or music now
Almost forgotten
Those places are now almost completely out of memory
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: GEORG KAJANUS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
teddybrownlegend
Never heard this before and I am 58!!! I will certainly be playing it a lot now. What a smashing sound.
simon Levett
Try and get hold of the first album [Sailor] if you can.
iKusah D
@Gerda Kaddatz my father's to : )
Gerda Kaddatz
I am 58 and this was THE music of my youth in Germany
AL O
Fabulous track
shane kruger
WOW... First album I ever brought... Almost wore it out... Still LOVE it... 😍😍😍
Colin France
Bought the album, now got it on CD
raul572001
I never knew how someone cuold ever in these times make music like this. You might never thought, but it's the only group never need any technical support. All they played was really true and unplugged. The only thing they need for bigger audience was amplifier and some microphones. It's phenomenal, they did. And the words of this song probably are answer for why...
MrBadguy1963
einfach nur schön .... ich liebe diesen einzigartigen Sound ... und diese warme Stimme !
The Grumpy Grandpa
Brings back so many good memories!