Taco was born to a Dutch couple in Jakarta (On a side note, Indonesia was once a Dutch colony). Prior to his worldwide hit with Puttin' on the Ritz, he fronted a Berlin-based band called Taco's Bizz. Their niche was performing Depression-era oldies in a more contemporary style, and soon Taco was courted by record labels to release a solo single. Puttin' on the Ritz gained so much attention that an entire album was funded by RCA Records. Both the album and the single were hits in Europe, and thanks to a popular MTV video for Puttin' on the Ritz, the single and the album became hits in America as well, selling over 500,000 copies of Taco's 1982 debut album After Eight.
A follow-up album, Let's Face The Music, was recorded in 1984 for RCA, but it failed to recreate Taco's initial success, and he vanished from the American market immediately thereafter. Taco continued to record, however, focusing mostly on the German market with albums Swing Classics/In The Mood Of Glenn Miller in 1985 and Tell Me That You Like It in 1986 for Polydor. In 1987 he recorded the self-titled album Taco. In 1989 he briefly flirted with contemporary dance music by releasing a pair of singles, Love Touch and Got To Be Your Lover, that were blatantly styled after the high energy disco sound popularized by Stock Aitken Waterman. Afterwards he repositioned himself as a swing/soul singer. He has collaborated with Geff Harrison of Kin Ping Meh fame.
He currently resides in Germany, occasionally performing in Berlin and recording.
He has been referenced on the TV show The Simpsons. Episode BABF19, "Behind the Laughter", features Willie Nelson saying, "Thank you, Taco, for that loving tribute to Falco", as well as the end of the tribute itself. Recently, Taco was referenced in an episode of The Venture Bros. in describing Klaus Nomi's tuxedo attire.
After Eight
Taco Lyrics
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She works late, I've had a hard day watching color TV
After nine, I plan a tease, then dine
Tonight I'll tell her the words she longs to hear
Tonight I'll make it clear
Kate works each day nine-to-five, serving with true dedication
She serves you sodas, and ice creams, and pizzas, and chilis, and burgers - all kinds! - and tacos to (dig)
Kate works each day nine-to-five, serving with true dedication
She serves you sodas, and ice creams, and pizzas, and chilis, and burgers - all kinds! - and tacos too (yeah)
After ten, after dessert, my plan
Is to dance the latest steps they do at the local palais
After twelve, the atmosphere's just swell
Kate pulls a credit card and I grab her coat
Tomorrow's another busy day
Kate works each day nine-to-five, serving with true dedication
She serves you sodas, and ice creams, and pizzas, and chilis, and burgers, and tacos, and French fries (divine)
(Eat and feel fine)
(My favorite hangout serves extra grow time) ???
(So c'mon Kate, don't stay 'til eight)
('Cause you're my date)
(Now tell me whattaya got to eat for me, oh Kate)
(Don't make me wait)
(Not after nine, I says)
(You are my appetite, oh K - A - T - E)
(You do to me, why girl)
(You stuff me and I can't take no more)
(Man, five cheeseburgers are too much)
(What more, I can't dance)
(Katie baby, why don't we make love instead of food)
(I'm ten pounds overweight already and I'm growin' a new roll each day)
(Kate)
The song "After Eight" by Taco is about the singer's plans for a romantic evening with a woman named Kate. The lyrics reveal that the singer is feeling stressed and tired after a long day of watching television, and he plans to meet up with Kate after she finishes work at 8 pm. He has a whole evening's worth of activities planned, including teasing her and telling her what she wants to hear, sharing dessert, dancing at a local club, and possibly making love. Throughout the song, Kate is portrayed as a hardworking and dedicated employee who serves food at a diner, and the singer seems to see her as an escape from his monotonous routine.
The song's lyrics depict a kind of escapist fantasy, in which the singer can forget about his mundane life and live in the moment with Kate. The repeated emphasis on food and drink adds to the sense of indulgence and luxury, as the singer plans to dine, drink, and dance the night away. However, the lyrics also reveal a sense of dissatisfaction with life, as the singer describes himself as ten pounds overweight and growing a new roll each day. The song can be seen as a commentary on the emptiness of consumer culture and the desire to seek fulfillment in fleeting pleasures.
Line by Line Meaning
After eight, a rendezvous with Kate
At eight o'clock, I plan to meet up with Kate for a date.
She works late, I've had a hard day watching color TV
Kate works late, while I've had a lazy day watching TV in my free time.
After nine, I plan a tease, then dine
After nine, I plan to flirt a little with Kate and then have dinner with her.
Tonight I'll tell her the words she longs to hear
Tonight I'll express my love to Kate, saying the words she's been waiting to hear from me.
Tonight I'll make it clear
Tonight I'll communicate my love for Kate clearly and unambiguously.
After ten, after dessert, my plan
After 10 o'clock, after dessert, my plan is to dance with Kate.
Is to dance the latest steps they do at the local palais
My plan is to dance the latest trend at the local club with Kate.
After twelve, the atmosphere's just swell
After midnight, the ambiance is great for some romantic moments with Kate.
Kate pulls a credit card and I grab her coat
Kate pays the bill using her credit card, and I hold her coat as we leave the restaurant.
Tomorrow's another busy day
Tomorrow is another day of work, with no time to waste.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind