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.
We Are Together
Shu-bi-dua Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
but i'm a million miles from getting there
i need a focus just to get me up
so on the weekdays i just sleep a lot
im only comfortable pre-occupied
so i'm just looking for something to hide
when i open myself
i'm always me i am nobody else
can't blow the world up
can't burn the house down
and when i grow up
i won't make a sound but just...
why are we waiting
why can't we start changing
why are we waiting
always so frustrating
why are we waiting
we need rearranging
why are we waiting
i understand that breaking ties is hard
but should we really be a mile apart
what do you think that i am looking for
why don't you tell me cause i'm getting bored
there is so much that still i need to do
but i'm mechanical and so are you
we just look to the sun
we're going nowhere but we're on the run
can't blow the world up
can't burn the house down
and when i grow up
i will track you down and say...
why are we waiting
why can't we start changing
why are we waiting
always so frustrating
why are we waiting
we need rearranging
why are we waiting
i had a life but it was swallowed whole
so i own nothing that could not be sold
i can't remember if i had it planned
i chose the water when i made my stand
we're just the same we talk like you
not quite insane but getting there
we're just the same we talk like you
not quite insane
forgetting!
why are we waiting
why can't we start changing
why are we waiting
always so frustrating
why are we waiting
we need rearranging
why are we waiting
The lyrics of the song "We Are Together" by Shu-bi-dua can be interpreted as the frustrations of a person who feels stuck in their mundane routine and is questioning the point of their existence. The first verse paints a picture of a person who is physically present, but mentally absent. They sleep a lot to ignore their problems and feel comfortable when their mind is occupied. The second verse suggests a longing for connection while acknowledging the difficulties of breaking away from the familiarity of their current situation. However, the desperation to change becomes greater with each chorus, asking "Why are we waiting?" and calling for a rearrangement of their life.
The line "we're going nowhere but we're on the run" highlights the internal conflict between wanting to escape and desiring a sense of direction. The final verse reveals a sense of regret, that the person's life has been consumed by the mundane and they have nothing that cannot be sold. The repetitive chorus at the end emphasizes the urgency of the need for change and the frustration of feeling stuck.
The lyrics can be interpreted as a call for existential change, and a desire to find meaning in life, to connect with others and to break free from a stagnant existence. It is a reminder that while change is difficult, it is necessary for growth and happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
i'm not a million miles from anywhere
I am not far from any particular place or location.
but i'm a million miles from getting there
I feel far from achieving my goals.
i need a focus just to get me up
I require something specific to motivate me to get going.
so on the weekdays i just sleep a lot
On weekdays, I tend to sleep excessively due to a lack of motivation.
im only comfortable pre-occupied
I am only at ease when my mind is occupied with something.
so i'm just looking for something to hide
I am searching for something to occupy my mind and distract me from my worries.
when i open myself
When I reveal my true self to others.
i'm always me i am nobody else
I am always true to myself and do not pretend to be anyone else.
can't blow the world up
I cannot change the world in a destructive manner.
can't burn the house down
I cannot cause destruction or damage to my home.
and when i grow up
In the future, when I am older and wiser.
i won't make a sound but just...
I will not stay quiet but will speak up and make my voice heard in a positive way.
why are we waiting
What is stopping us from taking action?
why can't we start changing
Why can't we begin making positive changes?
always so frustrating
This constant state of waiting is aggravating and disheartening.
we need rearranging
We need to change our current situation and make positive changes.
i understand that breaking ties is hard
I know that ending relationships can be difficult.
but should we really be a mile apart
Do we need to be so distant from each other?
what do you think that i am looking for
Can you guess what I am searching for?
why don't you tell me cause i'm getting bored
Please tell me, as I am growing tired of searching aimlessly.
there is so much that still i need to do
I have many goals and aspirations that I still need to achieve.
but i'm mechanical and so are you
I feel like I am just going through the motions, and so are you.
we just look to the sun
We are searching for something beyond ourselves to give us hope and direction.
we're going nowhere but we're on the run
We are not making progress, but we still feel like we are running towards something.
i had a life but it was swallowed whole
I had a meaningful existence, but it was taken away from me entirely.
so i own nothing that could not be sold
I do not have anything that is truly valuable and irreplaceable.
i can't remember if i had it planned
I cannot recall if I had planned my life or if it just happened.
i chose the water when i made my stand
I made a critical decision that led me down a specific path in life.
we're just the same we talk like you
We are similar to others and speak their language.
not quite insane but getting there
We may not be crazy, but we are becoming more and more disconnected from reality.
forgetting!
We are losing touch with our memories and true selves.
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING
Written by: JOHN MCKENZIE CLARK, STEVEN JAMES CLARK, AMANDA MACKINNON
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.