The group was originally founded in Munich by producers and songwriters Sylvester Levay and Michael Kunze. "Silver" is actually Sylvester Levay's nickname. Using female session vocalists for their first recordings, they scored a hit single in the United Kingdom in 1974 with the song "Save Me", and realised they would need to find a public face for what was at the time only a studio group.
They recruited vocalists Linda Thompson (real name Linda Übelherr, who would be billed on her solo records as Linda G. Thompson), Penny McLean (real name Gertrude Wirschinger) and Ramona Wulf (real name Ramona Kraft). As "Silver Convention" they scored two major U.S. hit singles. "Fly, Robin, Fly" whose complete lyrics consisted of only six words, spent three weeks at number 1 in 1975, and won the group a Grammy Award for Best R&B Instrumental Performance. Their follow-up hit "Get Up and Boogie" spent three weeks at number 2 in 1976. Michael Kunze actually wrote the lyrics on the two first albums under the pseudonym Stephan Prager. During this time the three singers released their own solo work. McLean and Thompson achieved hit singles with "Lady Bump" and "Ooh What a Night" respectively. Wulf's solo effort was only a moderate success.
Silver Convention represented Germany in the Eurovision Song Contest 1977 with a song entitled "Telegram", finishing 8th, just after Dream Express. The entry had only English lyrics, but was allowed to enter in spite of the language rule being reintroduced this year, because the song was chosen to represent Germany before the reintroduction was announced.
With a new producer (John Davis) and a revised line-up of singers (Suzie McClosky aka Zenda Jacks, Rhonda Heath and Ramona Wulf) Silver Convention hit it big in the clubs in 1978 with the LP "Love in a Sleeper". The 12" single release from the LP was "Spend the Night With Me" backed with "Mission to Venus".
The further singles released by the trio attempted to duplicate the sound that had made them briefly successful, but the singles "Tiger Baby" and "No No Joe" were only minor hits.
Levay also worked with Giorgio Moroder, and Kunze went on to work with Jim Steinman. The solo careers of the three singers faded quickly and they left the music business.
Tiger Baby
Silver Convention Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You'r e driving me crazy
Tiger baby, aha (Ah)
Why are you so lazy?
Ooohooohooohooo
Tiger baby, aha (Ah)
Tiger baby, aha (Ah)
Why are you so lazy?
Ooohooohooohooo
Ooohooohooohooohooo
Ooohooohooohooo
Ooohooohooohooohooo, ooohooo
Tiger baby, aha (Ah)
You'r e driving me crazy
Tiger baby, aha (Ah)
Why are you so lazy?
Ooohooohooohooo
Tiger baby, aha (Ah)
You'r e driving me crazy
Tiger baby, aha (Ah)
Why are you so lazy?
Ooohooohooohooo
Ooohooohooohooohooo
Ooohooohooohooo
Ooohooohooohooohooo, ooohooo
Tiger baby, aha (Ah)
You'r e driving me crazy
Tiger baby, aha (Ah)
Why are you so lazy?
Tiger baby, aha (Ah)
Tiger baby, aha (Ah)
Tiger baby, tiger baby
Don't you know you drive me crazy?
Tiger baby, tiger baby
Why oh, why are you so lazy?
Tiger baby, tiger baby
Don't you know you drive me crazy?
Tiger baby, tiger baby
Why oh, why are you so lazy?
Tiger baby, tiger baby
Don't you know you drive me crazy?
Tiger baby, tiger baby
The song "Tiger Baby" by Silver Convention revolves around the idea of an individual calling out to their significant other, who is driving them crazy. The repetition of the phrases "Tiger baby, aha" and "Why are you so lazy?" throughout the song serves as a ruse to catch the listener's attention. The comparison to the animal "tiger" offers a visual representation of strength and energy, but the ending asking why the tiger baby is "so lazy" adds a layer of humor to the song.
The lyrics highlight the frustration that comes with loving someone who makes life complicated or who doesn't seem to reciprocate the same level of passion. The chorus melody is catchy, and the repetition of the lyrics make it easy to sing along to, making it a popular disco track back in the late 70s.
Line by Line Meaning
Tiger baby, aha (Ah)
Addressing the subject of the song, the singer refers to them as a 'Tiger baby', exclaiming in surprise and enthusiasm.
You're driving me crazy
The singer expresses their feelings of being overwhelmed and frustrated by the actions of the 'Tiger baby', implying that they are causing the singer stress.
Why are you so lazy?
The singer questions the apparent lack of effort or motivation displayed by the 'Tiger baby', asking why they are not more active or engaged.
Ooohooohooohooo
A vocalization expressing emotion or intensifying the sentiment of the verses preceding it.
Tiger baby, tiger baby
Repeating the earlier address to the subject, the singer employs the repetition to reassert their focus on the 'Tiger baby'.
Don't you know you drive me crazy?
The singer communicates clearly that the behavior of the 'Tiger baby' is having a significant effect on their emotional state, indicating that this may be causing some kind of personal or interpersonal difficulty.
Why oh, why are you so lazy?
Repeating the question from earlier, the singer emphasizes their uncertainty regarding the 'Tiger baby's' behavior, potentially framing it as a mystery or paradox.
Contributed by Audrey R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Tuber 2020
Loved hearing this throughout childhood. Was in preschool when this came out in 1975.
Carlos E. Ortiz
Para mi en su momento fueron muy buenas !
W J B
First time hearing this was a couple a weeks ago on a road trip. "That's Right!" was my favorite Silver Connection song but I had to listen this for a good five times in a row when it came up on my YouTube suggestions. This right here is pure 70's music that I absolutely love. Just something about the beat, vocals, and violins is magic.
Rodolfo Ayala Castro
My parents fell in love with this song
Jimmy Salcedo
I was 10 years old when this song came out!! My mom just purchased a stereo console and this was our first 45 record!
FRANCISCO JAVIER TORRES ESPARZA
MY MUSIC! I REMEMBER ALL THOSE SONGS, AND I LOVE THEM!!!!!!!
jimy rocha
Silver Convention, marcó una época en la industria musical mediante un sonido que empleaba como figura a las cuerdas de sus violines manifestando un melódico acorde musical !!!
Robert R
When I first opened the doors to my disco club nightlife, this was one of the songs. They have yet to make a movie close to the drama of early disco. You had to have been there, nothing compares.
W J B
Not gonna lie, if time travel becomes possible in my lifetime, I'm setting the dial to 1975 when this first came out. I can only imagine what it would be like to listen to this live in the club.
Mary Acevedo
Es lo máximo