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.
Den Lille Pige Med Svovlstikkerne
Shu-bi-dua Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Igennem byens gader i et frygteligt vintervejr
Og alle men'sker havde travlt, for det var nytårsaften
Så ingen lagde mærke til den stakkels lille pige.
Hun turde ikke vende hjem, før hun havde solgt
Alle sine svovlstikker, men det var så koldt
Hun satte sig bedrøvet ned og for at holde varmen
Se et dejligt juletræ med lys på
Og en kakkelovn så varm
Og hun ku' se at gåsen stod på bordet
Hun ku' høre hele englekoret
Lige indtil stikken brændte ud.
Hun så sin gamle mormor i flammens gyldne skær
Og Mormor rakte hånden frem og sagde: "Kom nu her"
Fortalte om et dejligt sted med evigt lys og varme
Og pigen frøs så hun ville meget hel're være der.
Hvor hun ku' se et juletræ med lys på
Og en kakkelovn så varm
Og hun ku' se at gåsen stod på bordet
Hun ku' høre hele englekoret
Lige indtil stikken brændte ud.
Hun drømte om en allersidste gang
At holde Mormors hånd
Så strøg hun alle stikkerne - og se:
Se, der kommer Mormor ned ad trappen
Og alt er godt igen
Sammen går de to det sidste stykke
Mod et evigt liv i lys og lykke
Hvor stikkerne de aldrig brænder ud.
The song "Den Lille Pige Med Svovlstikkerne" is inspired by the fairy tale "The Little Match Girl" by Hans Christian Andersen. The song tells the story of a young girl who walks barefoot through the city streets on a cold winter night, trying to sell matches. Despite the holiday festivities around her, no one pays attention to her. She is afraid to go home until she sells all her matches, so she lights a match to keep warm and suddenly sees a beautiful Christmas tree, a warm fireplace, and hears angels singing. The match burns out, but she lights another one and sees her grandmother who passed away, reaching out to her, inviting her to join her in a better place where she will no longer be cold or alone. In her last moments, the little girl strikes all of the remaining matches simultaneously and sees her grandmother again. Together, they walk towards an eternal life where matches never burn out.
The song beautifully describes a story of hope and longing for comfort in a world full of despair and indifference. The little girl represents vulnerability and innocence, while the grandmother represents a sense of safety and love that offers her eternal solace. It highlights the importance of empathy and kindness towards vulnerable members of society, especially during the holiday season.
Line by Line Meaning
Der var engang en pige, som gik på bare tæer
Once upon a time, there was a girl who walked barefoot
Igennem byens gader i et frygteligt vintervejr
Through the city streets in a dreadful winter weather
Og alle men'sker havde travlt, for det var nytårsaften
And everyone was in a hurry, for it was New Year's Eve
Så ingen lagde mærke til den stakkels lille pige.
So no one noticed the poor little girl.
Hun turde ikke vende hjem, før hun havde solgt
She did not dare to return home until she had sold
Alle sine svovlstikker, men det var så koldt
All her matches, but it was so cold
Hun satte sig bedrøvet ned og for at holde varmen
She sat down sadly to keep warm
Så tændte hun en enkelt stik og pludselig ku' hun se.
Then she lit a single match and suddenly she could see.
Se et dejligt juletræ med lys på
See a lovely Christmas tree with lights on
Og en kakkelovn så varm
And a warm stove
Og hun ku' se at gåsen stod på bordet
And she could see the goose on the table
Hun ku' høre hele englekoret
She could hear the whole choir of angels
Lige indtil stikken brændte ud.
Until the match burned out.
Hun så sin gamle mormor i flammens gyldne skær
She saw her old grandmother in the golden glow of the flame
Og Mormor rakte hånden frem og sagde: "Kom nu her"
And Grandma reached out her hand and said, "Come here now"
Fortalte om et dejligt sted med evigt lys og varme
Told her about a lovely place with eternal light and warmth
Og pigen frøs så hun ville meget hel're være der.
And the girl was so cold that she would much rather be there.
Hvor hun ku' se et juletræ med lys på
Where she could see a Christmas tree with lights on
Og en kakkelovn så varm
And a warm stove
Og hun ku' se at gåsen stod på bordet
And she could see the goose on the table
Hun ku' høre hele englekoret
She could hear the whole choir of angels
Lige indtil stikken brændte ud.
Until the match burned out.
Hun drømte om en allersidste gang
She dreamed of one last time
At holde Mormors hånd
To hold Grandma's hand
Så strøg hun alle stikkerne - og se:
So she struck all the matches - and look:
Se, der kommer Mormor ned ad trappen
Look, Grandma is coming down the stairs
Og alt er godt igen
And all is well again
Sammen går de to det sidste stykke
Together, they walk the last piece
Mod et evigt liv i lys og lykke
Towards an eternal life of light and happiness
Hvor stikkerne de aldrig brænder ud.
Where the matches never burn out.
Writer(s): michael hardinger, michael bundesen, rasmus schwenger
Contributed by Anthony L. 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.