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.
Folkevognen
Shu-bi-dua Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
så gik der ikke længe før jeg havde en VW
nu vil jeg leve af torskerogn
til jeg får råd til en folkevogn
for jeg vil ha' mig en folkevogn
og fise op og ned af vejen
Det var egentlig min dame der satte mig i sving
da hun så en reklame med Police-bassisten Sting
med persianer og mikroovn
nu vil hun ha' så'n en folkevogn
og fise op og ned ad vejen
Hitler fik ideen - folket sagde: Heil
de styrtede ud til fronten
men der var sket en fejl
for der stod sgu' ingen folkevogn
han havde lovet dem en folkevogn
de havde glædet sig til en folkevogn
og fise ned ad autobahn
Ikke et rugbrød, ikke en GTI
men den lille grimme boble med en boksemotor i
for det er den rigtige folkevogn
når familien skal en tur i skoven
og jeg vil ha' mig en folkevogn
og fise op og ned ad vejen
Hvis vi havde penge, så sku' I bare se
så gik der ikke længe før vi havde en VW
og det er ikke nogen lille vogn
der' plads til 6 i en folkevogn
hvis man blæser på færdselsloven
og fiser op og ned ad vejen
Ja vi vil fise på færdselsloven
og blæse op og ned ad vejen
The song Folkevognen by Shu-bi-dua talks about the desire to own a Volkswagen, highlighting its appeal to people from different walks of life. The first verse talks about how the singer would love to own a Volkswagen but cannot afford it yet. He talks about surviving on a cheap delicacy like cod roe until he gets the money to buy one. He wishes to own one and drive up and down the road. The second verse talks about the influence of a Sting advert on his woman who now wants to own one as well. The third verse talks about a historical reference to Hitler's promise of a Volkswagen for the people, which they never received despite their enthusiasm for it. The last verse is a chorus that represents how they would love to own one too and drive up and down the road irrespective of the law.
The song's overall theme is about the Volkswagen's popularity and its timeless appeal across generations, genders, and social classes. The songwriters explore the idea that everyone, regardless of their status, dreams of owning a Volkswagen as it symbolizes freedom, adventure, and the open road.
Line by Line Meaning
Hvis jeg havde penge, så sku I bare se
If I had money, you would see
så gik der ikke længe før jeg havde en VW
It would not take long for me to have a VW
nu vil jeg leve af torskerogn
Now I will live off of cod roe
til jeg får råd til en folkevogn
Until I can afford a Volkswagen
for jeg vil ha' mig en folkevogn
Because I want myself a Volkswagen
og fise op og ned af vejen
And drive up and down the road
Det var egentlig min dame der satte mig i sving
Actually, it was my lady who got me going
da hun så en reklame med Police-bassisten Sting
When she saw an ad with Police bassist Sting
hvor han kører i folkevogn
Where he drives a Volkswagen
med persianer og mikroovn
With a Persian and microwave
nu vil hun ha' så'n en folkevogn
Now she wants such a Volkswagen
og fise op og ned ad vejen
And drive up and down the road
Hitler fik ideen - folket sagde: Heil
Hitler got the idea - the people said: Heil
de styrtede ud til fronten
They rushed to the front
men der var sket en fejl
But there had been a mistake
for der stod sgu' ingen folkevogn
Because there was no Volkswagen there
han havde lovet dem en folkevogn
He had promised them a Volkswagen
de havde glædet sig til en folkevogn
They had been looking forward to a Volkswagen
og fise ned ad autobahn
And drive down the autobahn
Ikke et rugbrød, ikke en GTI
Not a rye bread, not a GTI
men den lille grimme boble med en boksemotor i
But the little ugly bubble with a boxer engine in it
for det er den rigtige folkevogn
Because that is the real Volkswagen
når familien skal en tur i skoven
When the family takes a trip to the forest
og jeg vil ha' mig en folkevogn
And I want myself a Volkswagen
og fise op og ned ad vejen
And drive up and down the road
Hvis vi havde penge, så sku' I bare se
If we had money, you would see
så gik der ikke længe før vi havde en VW
It would not take long for us to have a VW
og det er ikke nogen lille vogn
And it is not a small car
der' plads til 6 i en folkevogn
There is room for 6 in a Volkswagen
hvis man blæser på færdselsloven
If one ignores traffic laws
og fiser op og ned ad vejen
And drives up and down the road
Ja vi vil fise på færdselsloven
Yes, we will drive above the speed limit
og blæse op og ned ad vejen
And speed up and down the road
Contributed by London P. 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.