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.
Sko & Støvler
Shu-bi-dua Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
De har fået sporer på
Og nu vil de ud at gå
De er lavet af bøffelhud og slangeskind
Den har været svær at flå
Men det vil jeg da skide på.
Wham a bam a lama
Steel guitar og country rock
Hesten er parkeret
Missen er barberet
Men Honey, er du gammel nok?
Og hun rødmer - smiler og slår blikket ned
Og det ka' jeg da godt forstå
For støvlerne har gummi på.
Wham a bam a lama
To tequila slammer
Steel guitar og country rock
Hesten er parkeret
Missen er barberet
Men Honey, er du gammel nok?
Hvis du betaler så deler vi en taxa hjem
For der er meget langt at gå
Og meget lidt at kigge på
Og jeg har brug for dig i dag
Jeg ka' ikk' få mine støvler af!
The lyrics to Shu-bi-dua's song "Sko & Støvler" are a playful and humorous exploration of various themes such as fashion, desires, and relationships. In the first verse, the singer describes shining rays that resemble the color of cat urine in moonlight; these rays have spurs and are eager to go out. The imagery of cat urine may represent something unusual or unexpected, while the spurs suggest a sense of determination and readiness. The singer then mentions that these rays are made of buffalo leather and snake skin, which have been challenging to acquire but are not of concern to the singer. This could symbolize the pursuit of luxury or rare materials, but the singer dismisses their importance.
The chorus incorporates nonsensical phrases like "Wham a bam a lama" and "To tequila slammer" to create a lively and exciting atmosphere. The mention of a steel guitar and country rock genre adds to the energetic tone of the song. The following lines playfully reference a parked horse and a shaved cat, while the singer poses the question, "Honey, are you old enough?" These lines seemingly touch upon themes of maturity, sexuality, and consent, with the singer playfully inquiring about their partner's age.
In the second verse, the singer describes the partner blushing, smiling, and casting their gaze downwards. The singer empathizes, acknowledging that this reaction is understandable, likely due to the fact that their boots have rubber soles. This humorous twist suggests that the singer's fancy or fashionable boots are unexpectedly adorned with practical rubber soles, perhaps downplaying their sophistication or elegance.
The chorus repeats, maintaining its energy and nonsensical phrases. The final verse shifts to a more personal and intimate theme. The singer asks their partner to pay for a taxi ride home, highlighting the distance to walk and lack of interesting sights along the way. The singer expresses their need for the partner's presence and humorously adds, "I can't take off my boots." This could symbolize reliance on the partner's support or an invitation to share a vulnerable moment, emphasizing their connection and dependence on each other.
Overall, the lyrics of "Sko & Støvler" by Shu-bi-dua intertwine playful humor, fashion references, and light-hearted exploration of relationships, all while creating a lively and energetic atmosphere through the use of nonsensical phrases and catchy melodies.
Line by Line Meaning
Se de stråler som kattepis i måneskin
Observe the beams similar to cat urine in moonlight
De har fået sporer på
They have obtained spurs
Og nu vil de ud at gå
And now they want to go out for a walk
De er lavet af bøffelhud og slangeskind
They are made of buffalo hide and snake skin
Den har været svær at flå
It has been difficult to peel
Men det vil jeg da skide på
But I don't care about that
Wham a bam a lama
Wham a bam a lama
To tequila slammer
Two tequila slammers
Steel guitar og country rock
Steel guitar and country rock
Hesten er parkeret
The horse is parked
Missen er barberet
The cat is shaved
Men Honey, er du gammel nok?
But Honey, are you old enough?
Og hun rødmer - smiler og slår blikket ned
And she blushes - smiles and looks down
Og det ka' jeg da godt forstå
And I can certainly understand that
For støvlerne har gummi på
Because the boots have rubber on
Hvis du betaler så deler vi en taxa hjem
If you pay, we'll share a taxi home
For der er meget langt at gå
Because there is a long way to go
Og meget lidt at kigge på
And very little to look at
Og jeg har brug for dig i dag
And I need you today
Jeg ka' ikk' få mine støvler af!
I can't remove my boots!
Contributed by Charlie O. 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.