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.
Kejserens Nye Klæder
Shu-bi-dua Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
"En masse ordentligt tøj bør man ha'"
Han købte tøj hver eneste dag
Garderoben var fuld
Af silke og guld.
Så kom der to banditter til byen
De ville score lettjente gryn
"Vi kan sy dig en dragt"
"Og det smarte ved den"
"Er at dumme men'sker ikke ka' se den".
Kejserens nye klæ'r
Ja, fint sku' det sør'me være
Den blev vævet med en helt usynlig tråd
Og dem der så det, sagde slet ikke noget.
Banditterne forlangte lidt mer'
En sølvbrokade her og så der
Og Kejseren han pungede ud
Sådan går det jo tit -
Tit går det for vidt.
En skønne dag var tøjet parat
Og alle sagde: "Hvor er det dog smart"
Og Kejseren gik en tur ud i byen
Og folk sagde: "Ih" og "Åh"
Og den var næsten hjemme
Da han pludselig hørte en lille stemme:
"Men han har jo ikke noget på"!
Kejserens nye klæ'r
Bar røv og bare tæer
Sådan går det når man tror at man er fin
Det ender bare med at man bli'r til grin.
Kejserens nye klæ'r
Bar røv og bare tæer
Sådan går det når man tror at man er fin
Det ender bare med at man bli'r til grin.
The song "Kejserens Nye Klæder" by Shu-bi-dua tells the story of a conceited emperor who believed that owning a vast array of fancy clothing made him superior. The emperor spent his days purchasing more and more clothes made of silk and gold until two con men came into town. These two men convince the emperor that they could make a suit for him that would be entirely invisible, thus making him look even more important. The suit was made, and the emperor walked out of his castle, and the townsfolk immediately bowed to him, complimenting his new suit. However, a little child exclaimed that he was walking around naked, and it was only his bare bottom and toes covering him. The song uses this fable to convey the idea that sometimes people who appear to have it all are, in reality, just blind to their true selves, and it takes a child's honesty to reveal the truth.
The song became incredibly popular in Denmark in 1977, particularly because of its relevance to a far-left political party, which was gaining traction at the time. Many Danes saw the story of the emperor and his lack of clothing as a metaphor for the government's propaganda and their politicians' deceit. The song has since become a Danish classic, and almost every Dane knows the lyrics by heart.
Line by Line Meaning
Der var engang en kejser som sagde:
Once upon a time there was an emperor who said:
"En masse ordentligt tøj bør man ha'"
"One should have a lot of proper clothing"
Han købte tøj hver eneste dag
He bought clothes every single day
Garderoben var fuld
The wardrobe was full
Af silke og guld.
Of silk and gold.
Så kom der to banditter til byen
Then two bandits came to the town
De ville score lettjente gryn
They wanted to earn easy money
Så de gik op til Kejseren og sa'e:
So they went up to the Emperor and said:
"Vi kan sy dig en dragt"
"We can sew you a suit"
"Og det smarte ved den"
"And the clever thing about it"
"Er at dumme men'sker ikke ka' se den".
"Is that stupid people can't see it"
Kejserens nye klæ'r
The Emperor's new clothes
Ja, fint sku' det sør'me være
Yes, it should certainly be fine
Den blev vævet med en helt usynlig tråd
It was woven with an entirely invisible thread
Og dem der så det, sagde slet ikke noget.
And those who saw it didn't say anything.
Banditterne forlangte lidt mer'
The bandits demanded a little more
En sølvbrokade her og så der
A silver brocade here and there
Og Kejseren han pungede ud
And the Emperor paid up
Sådan går det jo tit -
That's how it often goes -
Tit går det for vidt.
It often goes too far.
En skønne dag var tøjet parat
One fine day, the clothes were ready
Og alle sagde: "Hvor er det dog smart"
And everyone said: "How smart it is"
Og Kejseren gik en tur ud i byen
And the Emperor went for a walk in the town
Og folk sagde: "Ih" og "Åh"
And people said: "Ooh" and "Aah"
Og den var næsten hjemme
And he was almost home
Da han pludselig hørte en lille stemme:
When he suddenly heard a little voice:
"Men han har jo ikke noget på"!
"But he isn't wearing anything at all"!
Kejserens nye klæ'r
The Emperor's new clothes
Bar røv og bare tæer
Were butt-naked and barefooted
Sådan går det når man tror at man er fin
That's what happens when you think you're fancy
Det ender bare med at man bli'r til grin.
You just end up looking like a fool.
Kejserens nye klæ'r
The Emperor's new clothes
Bar røv og bare tæer
Were butt-naked and barefooted
Sådan går det når man tror at man er fin
That's what happens when you think you're fancy
Det ender bare med at man bli'r til grin.
You just end up looking like a fool.
Writer(s): michael hardinger, michael bundesen, rasmus schwenger
Contributed by Alice B. 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.