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.
Lykkehjulet
Shu-bi-dua Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Venter vi spændt hver dag
På at lykkehjulet skal rotere
Og bestemme hvor vi skal af.
Og vi kan få et L som lykke
Og vi kan få et K som kærlighed
Men det er ingen garanti
Og der er mange der skyder helt i blinde
Og få der rammer plet
Vi går fallit mens vi ser de andre vinde
Og synes det går for let.
Og livets landevej er plettet
Med knuste drømme, håb og hjerteblod
For der er ingen garanti
For at vi bli'r lykkelige.
Og vi kan få et L som lykke
Og vi kan få et K som kærlighed
Men det er ingen garanti
For at vi bli'r lykkelige.
The lyrics of Shu-bi-dua's song Lykkehjulet are about the uncertainty of life and the pursuit of happiness. The song begins by highlighting how from the moment we are born until we cease to exist, we wait eagerly every day for the wheel of fortune to turn and decide our fate. The "lykkehjulet" or wheel of happiness is a metaphor for the randomness of life and how we have little control over what it brings.
The song goes on to discuss the different outcomes that can come from spinning the wheel of happiness. We can get an "L" for luck or a "K" for love, but even these positive outcomes are not a guarantee that we will be happy. Many people take aim and shoot blindly, hoping to hit their target, but few succeed. It is a common human experience to feel like we are failing or going bankrupt while others around us seem to be winning with ease.
The song concludes by acknowledging how the road of life is full of broken dreams, hopes, and heartache. No matter how much we hope for happiness, there is no guarantee that we will find it. In this way, the lyrics of Lykkehjulet are an honest reflection of the human experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Fra vi bli'r født til vi ikke er her mere
From the moment we are born until the moment we pass away, we eagerly await each day, hoping for the wheel of fortune to turn and determine our fate.
På at lykkehjulet skal rotere
Hoping that the wheel of fortune will spin.
Og bestemme hvor vi skal af.
And determine where we will end up.
Og vi kan få et L som lykke
And we may receive an 'L' for luck,
Og vi kan få et K som kærlighed
And we may receive a 'K' for love,
Men det er ingen garanti
But there is no guarantee
For at vi bli'r lykkelige.
That we will become happy.
Og der er mange der skyder helt i blinde
And there are many who shoot blindly
Og få der rammer plet
And a few who hit the target
Vi går fallit mens vi ser de andre vinde
We go bankrupt while watching others win
Og synes det går for let.
And think it's too easy.
Og livets landevej er plettet
And life's journey is dotted
Med knuste drømme, håb og hjerteblod
With shattered dreams, hopes, and heartache
For der er ingen garanti
Because there is no guarantee
For at vi bli'r lykkelige.
That we will become happy.
Og vi kan få et L som lykke
And we may receive an 'L' for luck,
Og vi kan få et K som kærlighed
And we may receive a 'K' for love,
Men det er ingen garanti
But there is no guarantee
For at vi bli'r lykkelige.
That we will become happy.
Writer(s): Shu-bi-dua
Contributed by Gabriel E. 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.