Shu-bi-duas formation was as a tongue-in-cheek act, rewriting beat and in particular rock´n´roll classics with danish lyrics using college humour and satire. Already on the first album - they combined this with original material - often writing in pastiche. Their sound developed from rock in the early 70s - to pop in the 80s and into entertainment (or dansktop) in later years - but often using and intermixing styles from bossanova and reggae over rockabilly to synthpop to underline their humour. Their lyrics have kept up the satirical tone throughout the years and although they have shied away from the direct political blurbs and kept up a fun and games attitude - they have nevertheless described danish middle class society, its beliefs and desires - often to devastating effects. As such they have been a noteworthy inspiration for danish lyrics in pop rock and also for the wit and satire of later bands like MC Einar, Ibens and Det Brune Punktum.
To date Shubidua's discography is getting close to 30 albums (18 studioalbums). They have had many hits in Denmark like Vuffeli-vov, Hvalborg, Står på en Alpetop, Stærk Tobak (to the music from The Beatles song Twist and Shout), Familien kom til Kaffe, Sex Chikane, We wanna be free, and many more -all of whom have classical status as golden oldies. They reached maximum sales and accolade with the albums between 1978-1982.
The group formed in 1973 in Copenhagen by vocalist Bundesen, Jens Tage Nielsen and members of the rock group Passport : (guitarists Michael Hardinger and Poul Meyendorff, the drummer Bosse Hall Christensen, and bass guitarist Niels Grønbech). Passport, released the single Tomorrow/Everything's Wrong in early 1973. Shu-bi-dua released the single Fed Rock/Tynd Blues which became a hit single. After the release of one more Passport single with new members Bundesen and Nielsen, called Change of the Guard/Highway of Living, the serious english project was dropped, and the band continued as Shu-bi-dua,
In 1974 they released their first self-titled album Shu-bi-dua. After the first album, Poul Meyendorf left the group and was replaced by Claus Asmussen, who was technician on the first.
Since then the group has had numerous changes in its lineup. Kim Daugaard replaced Niels Grønbech in 1977, Willy Pedersen replaced Jens Tage Nielsen, and Kasper Winding replaced Bosse Hall Christensen in 1981. In 1984 Michael Bundesen left the group to lead the Copenhagen TV network "Kanal 2", and simultaneously Kasper Winding left to be replaced by Paul Callaby. In 1987 Jørgen Thorup was made a permanent member in the group when Willy Pedersen left. Thorup had been singing backup vocals since Shu-bi-dua 11 in 1985. In 1987 Michael Bundesen returned as lead singer, while Søren Jacobsen also joined the band. In 1988 Peter Andersen replaced Paul Callaby as drummer, and shortly thereafter Søren Jacobsen left the band again. After having made the film Den røde tråd in 1989, they went on a sabbatical until their return in 1992 with the hit single Sexchikane. In the intervening years their back catalog was rereleased on CD in 1990, and in 1991 a Best Of album by the name Stærk Tobak was released. In connection to this they played live in front of 50,000 people on Bellevue Strand. In 1997 Michael Hardinger left the band after 24 years. He was replaced by Ole Kibsgaard, and in 2001 Jørgen Thorup left the band to be replaced by Jacob Christoffersen. In 2003 their 30th anniversary was celebrated with a 10-CD set called Shu-bi-dua 200 (each CD had 20 songs). In 2005 Claus Asmussen left Shu-bi-dua having been the only original continuous member in the group's 30-year history.
Carmen
Shu-bi-dua Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Stod en pige og rulled' en flot cigar
Hun var brun og stærk og med en indre glød
Hun var enhver mands lyst og hans sikre død
Men som en valmues blomst trækker bierne til
Trak hun mændene ind i det ældgamle spil
Og den første der røg, han blev dolket ihjel
Var en kollega som troede han kunne få hende helt for sig selv
Carmen, hun stjæler dine sanser
Carmen, ta'r dig mens I danser vildt i varmen
Carmen, hun bor i alle piger
Carmen, de lyver når de siger de ikke kender
Carmen
I et hul af et spjæld sidder Carmen og ser
På sin vogter, en ung politiofficer
Hans fornuft er en by der er blevet forladt
Og han gi'r hende fri for en eneste nat
Han sætter hus og hjem og karriere på spil
Han er på vej til hende og hun ved hvad han vil
Hele kroppen dunker og hans mund er tør
Og gennem tågerne ser han hun åbner døren for ham
Carmen, hun stjæler dine sanser
Carmen, ta'r dig mens I danser vildt i varmen
Carmen, hun bor i alle piger
Carmen, de lyver når de siger de ikke kender
Carmen
Carmen, hun stjæler dine sanser
Carmen, hun ta'r dig mens I danser vildt i varmen
Carmen
The song "Carmen" by Shu-bi-dua tells a story of a girl who works in a tobacco factory far away from the singer. This girl is strong, beautiful, and seductive, causing every man who lays eyes on her to fall for her. However, she's like a bee to a poppy, leading men into an "ancient game," which results in their deaths. The first man who smokes her cigar ends up being fatally stabbed by a coworker who believed he could have her all to himself. The song portrays Carmen as a thief who steals men's senses and is somehow part of every woman. In the second verse, the young police officer falls for her, forgetting about his senses, career, and home; all he wants is one night with her. She opens the door for him, taunting him with lustful eyes.
Line by Line Meaning
On a tobacco factory very far away
Describes the location and setting of the story
Stood a girl rolling a beautiful cigar
Introducing the character of Carmen and her physical appearance and skill
She was brown and strong with an inner glow
Further describes Carmen's appearance and personality
She was every man's desire and his certain death
Emphasizes the danger and allure of Carmen
But like a poppy flower attracts the bees
Compares Carmen's power over men to the natural attraction of bees to flowers
She drew the men into the ancient game
Describes Carmen's seductive power over men
And the first one who fell, he was stabbed to death
Illustrates the lethal consequences of Carmen's games, as seen with her colleague
He thought he could have her all to himself
Explains the motivation of the colleague who fell victim to Carmen's allure
Carmen, she steals your senses
Reiterates Carmen's power over men and her ability to control their emotions
Carmen, takes you while you dance wildly in the heat
Describes the moment when Carmen takes control of her victims
Carmen, she lives in every girl
Expands the scope of Carmen's impact to include all women
Carmen, they lie when they say they don't know her
Suggests that all women are inherently like Carmen or harbor some of her power
In a damp and dark cell sits Carmen and watches
Shifts the narrative to a new location where Carmen is imprisoned
Her guard, a young police officer
Introduces a new character who is tasked with keeping Carmen prisoner
His reason has deserted him
Describes the guard's emotional state and vulnerability
And he sets her free for just one night
Explains the guard's decision to give into Carmen's power for one night
He risks his house, home, and career
Lists the things the guard is willing to risk for Carmen's love
He is on his way to her and she knows what he wants
Suggests that Carmen is fully aware of the guard's intentions
His entire body pulsates and his mouth is dry
Describes the guard's physical and emotional state as he approaches Carmen
And through the haze, he sees she opens the door for him
Illustrates the moment when Carmen takes control of the guard
Carmen, she steals your senses
Reiterates Carmen's power over men and her ability to control their emotions
Carmen, takes you while you dance wildly in the heat
Describes the moment when Carmen takes control of her victims
Carmen, she lives in every girl
Expands the scope of Carmen's impact to include all women
Carmen, they lie when they say they don't know her
Suggests that all women are inherently like Carmen or harbor some of her power
Carmen, she steals your senses
Reiterates Carmen's power over men and her ability to control their emotions
Carmen, takes you while you dance wildly in the heat
Describes the moment when Carmen takes control of her victims
Carmen
Reiterates the name of the song and the power associated with the name Carmen
Writer(s): Shu-bi-dua
Contributed by Ruby Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Jan
on Humbug
Super-mand = en mand der handler i et supermarked.
Jan
on Humbug
Måske skulle du nævne ordspillene, som måske går tabt for den kun engelskkyndige.
tournedos tornado
øl og vand ild og vand
Frellsens her Frellsens Hær
Der er sikkert flere.