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.
Var Det Kærlighed
Shu-bi-dua Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Og i det samme så du mig
Kun den ene kunne huske
Hvad det var den anden hed du hed øøh
Danske farver på facaden
Du blev rød og jeg blev bleg
Mens vi begge stod og boksed'
Var det kærlighed eller kaffe med knald
Var det kærlighed eller hva'
Var det kærlighed eller afdansningsbal
Var det kærlighed eller leg
For dig og mig
Midt i det hele kom så bussen
Og du sprang på og råbte: "Hej"
Dørene smækked' da mit allersidste
Spørgsmål var på vej til dig
Var det kærlighed eller kaffe med knald
Var det kærlighed eller hva'
Var det kærlighed eller kun et kælebal
Var det kærlighed eller leg
Hva' fa'en ved jeg
These lyrics are from the Danish song "Var Det Kærlighed" by Shu-bi-dua. The song tells the story of a chance encounter between two people on the street. The first verse describes the moment when the singer sees the other person and they make eye contact. However, only one of them can remember the other person's name.
The second verse uses a metaphor of colors to describe their emotional reactions. The other person starts blushing (becomes red), while the singer becomes pale (becomes bleg). Meanwhile, both of them are trying to impress each other with witty remarks, engaging in a little verbal sparring.
The chorus of the song presents a series of questions about whether their encounter was love or just something casual. The lyrics suggest uncertainty about the true nature of their connection. They question whether it was love, or just coffee with a bang (kaffe med knald) - a metaphor for a brief fling or physical attraction. The lyrics playfully explore the ambiguity, wondering if it was love or something else entirely.
As the story progresses, a bus arrives, and the other person jumps on it, shouting a quick "hello" before the doors close. Right at that moment, the singer has one last question they want to ask, but they are unable to do so.
The final lines of the song reflect the singer's frustration and confusion. They question whether their encounter was love, just a playful flirtation, or even a dance event. The lyrics end on an uncertain note, as the singer admits they have no idea about the true nature of their connection.
Line by Line Meaning
Pludselig så jeg dig på gaden
Suddenly, I noticed you on the street
Og i det samme så du mig
And at the same time, you saw me
Kun den ene kunne huske
Only one of us could remember
Hvad det var den anden hed du hed øøh
What the other person's name was, uh
Danske farver på facaden
Danish colors on the facade
Du blev rød og jeg blev bleg
You turned red and I turned pale
Mens vi begge stod og boksed'
While both of us were struggling
Med den samme vittighed
With the same joke
Var det kærlighed eller kaffe med knald
Was it love or just a passionate affair
Var det kærlighed eller hva'
Was it love or what
Var det kærlighed eller afdansningsbal
Was it love or simply a dance party
Var det kærlighed eller leg
Was it love or play
For dig og mig
For you and me
Midt i det hele kom så bussen
In the midst of it all, the bus arrived
Og du sprang på og råbte: "Hej"
And you jumped on and shouted: "Hey"
Dørene smækked' da mit allersidste
The doors slammed shut as my very last
Spørgsmål var på vej til dig
Question was on its way to you
Var det kærlighed eller kaffe med knald
Was it love or just a passionate affair
Var det kærlighed eller hva'
Was it love or what
Var det kærlighed eller kun et kælebal
Was it love or only a petting party
Var det kærlighed eller leg
Was it love or play
Hva' fa'en ved jeg
What the hell do I know
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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.