Biography
Subway to Sally was an idea that was a long time coming. The very first concert given in the name was held in September of 1990. The band then consisted of Ingo Hampf, Bodenski, Simon, Coni (trumpet) and Guido (drums). Their first appearance onstage in the constellation with which they later recorded their first album (Album 1994), was given in the Potsdamer "Stube" in January 1992. The group had decided on needing a fiddle to complete the sound, something which brought Frau Schmitt (Silke Volland) to the band, who in turn introduced Eric Fish (Eric Hecht) on the bagpipes.
In the early years, Subway to Sally played Irish / Scottish inspired folk rock, as reflected by the tracklist of their first album, being the only album where the majority of songs are in English (for this they hired a friend to write lyrics in English). The group then decided they wanted to keep their lyrics in German, thus being a part of the first wave of bands to do so after the Berlin wall broke down. Their second album, released in 1995 and aptly named MCMXCV, saw a mixture of biblically inspired lyrics and what is often referred to as "medieval" music, thus placing the label "medieval metal" firmly onto their foreheads. It is a label that they still are being confronted with, though the music can hardly be described as such and though the band repeatedly tries to deny this. Three major changes can be noted with the release of MCMXCV: Firstly, the appearing of the self-written German lyrics penned by Bodenski, secondly, Eric Fish moved up from being the piper to being the frontman and main singer. Thirdly, the focus of the music was no longer on folklore with the occasional self-composed song tossed in for measure, but was turned around to exactly the opposite, with the two translated folk songs "Krähenfraß" ("Twa Corbies") and "Carrickfergus" adapted to fit the band's style.
Between 1994 and 1997 the band rapidly released four albums and toured Germany to exhaustion, with an average of around 100 concerts (take or give a few) per year. Drummer T.W. left the band in 1997, after completing the recordings of "Foppt den Dämon", being replaced by David Pätsch for the tour and the following albums. "Der Sturm" was the first chart entry of the band, but they were quite consequently ignored by the radio and music television channels. With "Hochzeit" the band broke their habits and spent more time on producing the album, leading to a more polished and worked-through sound. This payed off with another chart placement: the album made it to #19 in the official charts. The sound of "Hochzeit" is very much picked up by the next studio album, "Herzblut", though thematically moving in a different direction. Where "Hochzeit" is darker and ends on the note of "Müde" ("Tired") "Ach, ich bin von dieser Welt so müd'" ("Oh, I am so tired of this world"), "Herzblut" starts off with the energetic "die Schlacht" ("the battle"), declearing that "Ich gewinne diese Schlacht" ("I win this battle").
In 2003 the album "Engelskrieger" was released. In preparation of the release, the band made the lyrics available on their home page, leading to wild discussions and accusations of "selling out". The sound of the record, breaking clearly with their previous works, did nothing to silence those accusations. Subway to Sally had grown up, met up with the real world and made a deeply disturbing record, dealing with modern issues on modern terms. The lyrics were no longer veiled and styled old-fashionedly, but instead painfully direct, as was the music, delivered with more brute and force. "Wenn Engel hassen" ("When angels hate") from "Herzblut" can be said to explore the same terrain that "Geist des Kriegers" ("Spirit of the warrior") does, dealing with an individual running amok, though the latter is firmly lodged in the "post 9/11"-world. Several band members have indeed emphasised the impact of the attacks of the Twin Towers and the following political events as inspirational source for the album. Other songs deal with incest, euthanasia, leaders who mis-lead their people and the general fall and corruption of our western society. "Engelskrieger" entered the German charts at #9, and the band once more toured extensively. A live DVD was filmed in the Columbiahalle in Berlin on the first leg of the tour, leading to the release of a double DVD in the autumn of 2003. In April 2004 Subway to Sally changed label, leaving Universal (Motor) for the smaller metal-label Nuclear Blast.
The very last concert of 2004, the all-yearly concert in Lindenpark (Potsdam) on the 30/12, was also the last concert of drummer David Pätsch, who left the band to pursue another musical direction with the Blue Man Group in Berlin. The band then spent half a year looking for a replacement, finally deciding on Simon Michael Schmitt to replace David. (On a side-note this has lead to a great deal of confusion, as there are now 2 Simons, 3 Michaels and 2 Schmitts in the band.) The recording of the new album was already finished by the time "tiny Simon" joined the band.
Despite being very pleased with the outcome of "Engelskrieger", the band made no secret of it being a one-off and of returning to the more conventional "Sally-sound" with the next studio recording. "Nord Nord Ost" was originally planned to be released in 2004, but was delayed until fall 2005, due to the extensiveness of the production. Though the band have previously made use of musicians from outside the band, they now did so on a bigger scale, involving the Deutsches Filmorchester Babelsberg to create a wider and more orchestral sound. The album debuted at #5 in the official charts, the highest chart placement the band has seen to date.
In 2006 they released an acoustic CD/DVD reminiscent of their pre-Hochzeit sound called Nackt ("Naked"), followed by another album in the vein of Nord Nord Ost, titled Bastard, in Fall 2007.
Side projects
Several of the band members have side- or solo-projects going. Wanting to "return to his roots" as a musician, Eric Fish started touring on his own in 1999. This project has now grown up to become a band in its own right, and two CDs have been released; "Auge in Auge" and "Zwilling". Eric is also involved in a hitherto online-only project called Weiß and often appears as a guest musician on records of other bands (for instance with Letzte Instanz and Fiddler's Green). Bodenski has published a book of poems, called "Inniglich", which draws heavily on his lyrics for Subway to Sally, but also contains other works and non-published Sally songs. Little Simon also plays in the powermetal band Silverlane. Frau Schmitt used to be a member of the somewhat "folkyjazzy" ensemble 17 Hippies.
Discography
* Album 1994 (1994, label: Costbar)
* MCMXCV (1995) (1995, label: Stars in the dark)
* Foppt den Dämon! (Tease the demon) (1996, label: Red Rooster)
* Bannkreis (Spell circle) (1997, label: BMG/Ariola)
* Hochzeit (Marriage) (1999, label: BMG/Ariola)
* Schrei! (Scream!) (live album, 2000, label: BMG/Ariola)
* Herzblut (Heartblood) (2001, label: Island Mercury)
* Die Rose im Wasser (The rose in the water) (Best Of album, 2001)
* Engelskrieger (Angel's warriors) (2003, label: Motor Music)
* Subway to Sally live (2 DVD, 2003, label: Motor Music)
* Nord Nord Ost (North north east) (August 22, label: Nuclear Blast 2005)
* Nackt (Naked) (2006, 1 DVD, 1 Live Album, Acoustic Concert, Nuclear Blast 2006)
* Bastard (Bastard) (2007, label: Nuclear Blast)
www.subwaytosally.com/
S.O.S.
Subway To Sally Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Winde wehen und der Kompass dreht im Kreis, die Polarnacht will nicht
Enden, jedes Zeitgefühl ist fort, denn der Zeit friert zu Kristallen
Und verschüttet diesen Ort
Mit dem Packeis driftet langsam unsere letzte Hoffnung fort, unser Funke
In der Kammer betet dieses eine Wort SOS, wer rettet unsere Seelen?
SOS, wer zeigt den Weg ins Licht? SOS, SOS
Aufgegeben und verloren, steht ein Sendemast im Eis und wir legen unsere
Ohren an das Eisen leis, ganz leis, denn wir warten auf ein wispern, auf
Ein Zeichen von der Welt, war da nicht ein leises Knistern oder wars nur
Schnee der fällt
Mit dem Packeis driftet langsam unsere letzte Hoffnung fort, unser Funke
In der Kammer betet dieses eine Wort SOS, wer rettet unsere Seelen?
SOS, wer zeigt den Weg ins Licht? SOS, wer rettet unsere Seelen? SOS,
Wer zeigt den Weg ins Licht? SOS, SOS
Unsere Lippen blau und rissig, frieren fest am kalten Stahl und wir leiden
Unterm Nordlicht, bis zum ersten Sonnenstrahl, SOS, wer rettet unsere Seelen?
SOS, wer zeigt den Weg ins Licht? SOS, wer rettet unsere Seelen? SOS,
Wer zeigt den Weg ins Licht? SOS, ist noch jemand der das schweigen bricht?
The lyrics of "S.O.S." by Subway To Sally tell the story of a group of people trapped in the Arctic. The harsh environment has left them stranded and their communication methods have failed, leaving them with only the hope of being rescued. The song opens with a description of a frozen, snow-covered landscape and a broken communications tower, where the group is struggling to survive in the face of the brutal elements of nature. The lyrics suggest that time has lost all meaning, as the landscape is entirely frozen and the group is isolated from the rest of the world.
The refrain of the song, "S.O.S.", becomes a desperate plea for help from the trapped group. They cling to the hope that someone will hear their distress signal and come to their rescue. As the song progresses, it becomes clear that the group is becoming increasingly desperate, with their hope dwindling as they wait for someone to come to their aid. By the end of the song, their situation is bleak, and the lyrics hint at the possibility that their rescue may not come.
Line by Line Meaning
Eingeschneit und zugefroren, steht ein Sendemast im Eis, Messerscharfe Winde wehen und der Kompass dreht im Kreis, die Polarnacht will nicht Enden, jedes Zeitgefühl ist fort, denn der Zeit friert zu Kristallen Und verschüttet diesen Ort
A Sendmast is trapped in snow and ice, sharp winds blow and the compass goes in circles. The polar night won't end, and time freezes and forms crystals that bury this place.
Mit dem Packeis driftet langsam unsere letzte Hoffnung fort, unser Funke In der Kammer betet dieses eine Wort SOS, wer rettet unsere Seelen? SOS, wer zeigt den Weg ins Licht? SOS, SOS
With the pack ice, our last hope drifts away, and our radio broadcasts an SOS signal. Who will save our souls? Who will show us the way to the light? SOS, SOS.
Aufgegeben und verloren, steht ein Sendemast im Eis und wir legen unsere Ohren an das Eisen leis, ganz leis, denn wir warten auf ein wispern, auf Ein Zeichen von der Welt, war da nicht ein leises Knistern oder wars nur Schnee der fällt
Lost and abandoned, a Sendmast stands in the ice, and we listen quietly for a whisper, a sign from the world. Was that a faint crackle or just falling snow?
Unsere Lippen blau und rissig, frieren fest am kalten Stahl und wir leiden Unterm Nordlicht, bis zum ersten Sonnenstrahl, SOS, wer rettet unsere Seelen? SOS, wer zeigt den Weg ins Licht? SOS, wer rettet unsere Seelen? SOS, wer zeigt den Weg ins Licht? SOS, ist noch jemand der das schweigen bricht?
Our lips are blue and chapped, frozen to the cold steel as we suffer under the northern lights until the first ray of sun. Who will save our souls and show us the way to the light? Is there anyone left to break the silence?
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: INGO HAMPF, MICHAEL BODEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
KillstealKatrii
Der totale Ohrwurm! Ich muss zugeben, dass ich Subway to Sally am Anfang erst ziemlich seltsam fand. Aber mittlerweile liebe ich sie. Besonders die Alben Bastard und Nord Nord Ost haben es mir angetan. Danke fürs hochladen :)
José Navarro
buenísima banda, Saludos desde El Salvador
Shadow
I <3 Subway to Sally!
K17ten
Просто, что бы разбавить немецкие и один испанский комментарии. Subway To Sally - отличная группа.
MrStetti
Geiler Song....besser gehts nimmer mr stetti
realzubunapy
Besser geht´s immer, auch wenn es hier schwierig werden dürfte^^
Heike Gutsmuths
🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀❤🌟🍀
1999dua
OK You tube ist ein Video-Portal, aber dieses Lied ist so genial, da sollte man schon seine Stimme abgeben.
Arthorn Vengtrog Ithildure McFlammel
ich hör alle alben :DD
Hendrik Heimer
selstam aber geil :D