Shu•bi•dua or Shu-bi-dua was formed in 1973, when frontmen Michael Bundesen… Read Full Bio ↴Shu•bi•dua or Shu-bi-dua was formed in 1973, when frontmen Michael Bundesen and Michael Hardinger joined forces on a radio show. Their first album (dubbed Shu-bi-dua 1) came out in 1974, and they released records almost every year throughout the 70s and 80s. They became nationally famous through the 70's, in close competition with the Gasolin' for the unofficial position as the biggest band in the country. The two bands had some things in common though - a broad appeal, with a strong sense for a tune and a direct unpretentious style and language. But whereas Gasolin' had a working class univers and a classic rock sound, Shu-bi-duas world revolved around the humour of the middle class, and used a variety of genres and theatrics- like a music hall show would.

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.

Nattergalen
Shu-bi-dua Lyrics

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Kejseren af Kina - har aldrig hørt den lille nattergal
Som slår sine triller og synger så smukt
Ude i paladsets have
Den lille køkkenpige - ved godt hvor Piphansen bor
Kejseren si'r: "Skaf mig den fugl ellers bli'r du dunket på maven".

Søde lille nattergal
Din sang er smuk og genial

Kom og syng for Kejseren i nat - åh ja
Så er du en nattergale-skat.

De hørte koen brøle og så troede de at det var en fugl
Men køkkenpigen sagde: "Få jeres skolepenge tilbage"
"Er jeres hørelse røget?"
De hørte frøen kvække, det var heller ikke den
Men oppe på en kvist
Ja det er ganske vist, sad der én og fløjted fornøjet.

Søde lille nattergal
Din sang er smuk og genial
Kom og syng for Kejseren i nat - åh ja
Så er du en nattergale-skat.

Og nattergalen flytted' ind
Fik sin egen Deng Xiao pind
Hele hoffet skreg af fryd
Bare den sagde den mindste lyd
Men en dag fik Kejseren sendt
En mekanisk konkurrent
Med diamanter på sin krop
Den sang når bare man trak den op.

Den ægte lille nattergal
Blev sur og rigtig natter-gal
Og ingen så den, da den fløj sin vej - åh nej
Den var bare smaddertræt af - dig.

Kejseren af Kina - som sled sin spilledåse op
Ikke et pip ku' han få ud
Af den kunstige fuglekrop
Og så blev han syg med lemmer som bly
Døden sad og red på hans bryst
Men bedst som han tro'ed at klokken var slået
Så hørte han en fuglerøst.

Ægte nattergalesang
Virker godt hver eneste gang
Døden længtes pludselig hjem
Og Kejseren blev rask igen.

Søde lille nattergal
Din sang er smuk og genial
Kom og syng for Kejseren i nat - åh ja

Så er du en nattergale-skat
Så er du en nattergale-skat.

Overall Meaning

The song "Nattergalen" by Shu-bi-dua tells the story of the Emperor of China, who has never heard the beautiful song of the nightingale that sings its trills in the palace garden. The only person who knows where the bird lives is a little kitchen girl named Piphansen. However, when the Emperor orders her to get the bird, he threatens to hit her stomach if she does not comply. Despite her fears, the little girl finds the nightingale and brings it to sing for the Emperor. The court is delighted, but one day, a mechanic bird studded with diamonds appears as a gift to the Emperor. The authentic nightingale is upset and leaves, and nobody notices when it flies away.

The Emperor gets sick and believes he will die, but as he listens to the authentic song of the nightingale, he recovers. Through the story, the song emphasizes the beauty of nature and how artificial objects cannot replace it. The lyrics encourage us to treasure simple things, just like the nightingale's song, which brings joy to the Emperor and his people.

NattergalenShu-bi-dua Lyrics

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Nattergalen
Shu-bi-dua Lyrics