They existed from 1987 until 2001 and "founded at a time in which it was said that punk rock is dead, remaining always faithful to their style" (Trini Trimpop, Power Vision Festival in October 1995.) The band's Punk rock attitude is often pure, although the lyrics are about love, pain and longing.
The Bates published alongside original compositions on each of their albums at least two cover versions. Due to the fact that the cover versions arrived very well, the band released in 2000, an album that only included foreign compositions from different styles, which were presented in a completely new, Bates typical style - by the Beatles (Helter Skelter) and the Rolling Stones (Out of Time) on Sailor (Glass of Champagne) and Aneka (Japanese Boy) to Eiffel 65 (Blue). The highest chart placement of a single was number 10 in Switzerland for the Michael Jackson cover version of "Billie Jean".
In 2001, the band broke up, allegedly over disputes over the consumption of alcohol by singer / bassist and frontman Markus "Zimbl" Zimmer . Zimbl continued to record two solo albums and a side project until his death, and were released unprofessionally in small quantities and as a consequence are long out of print.
Zimbl died in his apartment on 18 June 2006, caused by a circulatory collapse, as a result of long-standing alcohol and drug addiction. In December 2006, the 3-CD compilation "A Tribute to Zimbl - Rocking on heaven's door appeared as an obituary. The proceeds of the tribute CD went to foundations in the fight against drugs.
The band, as well as family and friends Zimmer, organized a honour to him on 28 December 2006, the so-called Zimbl tribute "Rocking on heaven's door". This is also where the filming of the documentary "Zimbl - a real cool time" by Sascha Nölke occurred. Again, the entrance fees were used by the organization "Global care" to make a donation.
Friendship
The Bates Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Do you know what I'm saying to you?
Friendship is rare.
My derriere,
When you find out much later
That they don't really care.
It's rare to me can't you see?
It's rare to me can't you see?
Could you hand me that shotgun Buddy
Also that chair?
We're fighting a bear
Now your life's in grave danger,
And you don't even care.
It's rare to me can't you see?
It's rare to me can't you see?
It's rare to me, say a prayer for me.
? Cos it's rare to be in Tenacious D.
Friends will be friends,
They're running naked in the sand.
Friends holding hands will someday surely form a band.
Friends will be friends
they say that friends are friends until the bitter end.
As long as there's a record deal we'll always be friends.
As long as there's a record deal we'll always be friends.
Friends will be friends,
They're running naked in the sand.
Friends holding hands will someday surely form a band.
Friends will be friends,
they say that friends are friends until the bitter end.
As long as there's a record deal we'll always be friends.
As long as there's a record deal we'll always be friends. Yeah
The Bates's song "Friendship" is a commentary on the rarity and value of true friendship. The lyrics start by stating that friendship is rare, and the singer asks if the listener understands the significance of this statement. The phrase "my derriere" is used sarcastically to emphasize the point that many people claim to be friends but ultimately do not care about each other. The song then takes an unexpected turn as the singer mentions a fair and a bear, indicating that he and his friend are in a dangerous situation, and the friend is not showing concern. The chorus repeats the idea that friendship is rare and asks the listener to say a prayer for the singer.
The second verse introduces the idea that friends will always be friends, but the reason for their friendship might not be genuine. The line "As long as there's a record deal, we'll always be friends" suggests that some people only maintain friendships for personal gain or financial benefit. The chorus repeats the idea that friends might stick together until the end, but true friendship is still rare.
Overall, the song reminds listeners that true friends are hard to come by and that many people claim to be friends but do not truly care for each other. The unexpected references to a fair and a bear add a humorous twist to the song while highlighting the importance of genuine concern for friends.
Line by Line Meaning
Friendship is rare.
The true meaning of friendship is significant and not easy to find.
Do you know what I'm saying to you?
Are you able to grasp the essence of what I'm trying to convey concerning friendship?
My derriere, when you find out much later that they don't really care.
It's disappointing to realize that a friend doesn't truly care after some time has passed.
It's rare to me can't you see?
I consider true friendship to be an infrequent occurrence.
Oh shit there's the fair. Could you hand me that shotgun Buddy? Also that chair?
At a moment's notice, we might find ourselves in a dangerous situation and need the help of a friend.
We're fighting a bear. Now your life's in grave danger, and you don't even care.
Our bond as friends means that we'll fight to protect each other, even if one of us doesn't realize the severity of the threat.
It's rare to me can't you see?
Again, I emphasize that true friendship is an uncommon occurrence.
It's rare to me, say a prayer for me. Cos it's rare to be in Tenacious D.
Friends who share a genuine love for something as unique as Tenacious D are few and far between.
Friends will be friends, They're running naked in the sand.
Real friends feel comfortable and free to let loose and be themselves around each other.
Friends holding hands will someday surely form a band.
Friends who enjoy playing music together might one day take the step to become a full-fledged band.
Friends will be friends, they say that friends are friends until the bitter end.
True friends stick by each other no matter what hardships they might face together.
As long as there's a record deal we'll always be friends.
Friends who find commercial success together in the music industry are lucky to have each other as they continue to work together.
As long as there's a record deal we'll always be friends. Yeah
We'll always be loyal friends as long as we continue to make great music together and enjoy success in our career.
Writer(s): Markus Zimmer Copyright: Nana Musikverlag, Discoton Musik Ed. Gmbh
Contributed by Liam E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ony
1. RIP Zimbl! 2. soo ein geiler song.. soo geil... nothing more to say!
Arwen S.
Lieblingslied ❤