The Bates were a Eschwege, Germany based Punk Rock band that was primarily … Read Full Bio ↴The Bates were a Eschwege, Germany based Punk Rock band that was primarily known for their numerous cover versions. The group's name refers to the person Norman Bates from Hitchcock's movie Psycho.

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.

On My Own
The Bates Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

(And) If you think I need a girl
Oh yeah
I am on my own
I have been around the world
Oh yeah
But I am on my own
You see there ain′t no one for me
Around here

Oh no
Am I on my own

And if you think I need a friend
Oh yeah
I am on my own
Sometimes I need a helping hand
Oh yeah
But I am on my own
You see there ain't no one for me
Around here
Oh no
I am on my own

I′m so unhappy
I'm so sad
I'm feeling awful
I′m looking bad
I′m so unhappy
I'm so sad
So sad

SO FUCKING SAD
(Instrumental)

I′m so unhappy
I'm so sad
I′m feeling awful
I'm looking bad
I′m so unhappy
I'm so sad
So sad
SO FUCKING SAD

If you think I need a girl
Oh yeah
I am on my own
And I have been around the world
Oh yeah

But I am on my own
You see there ain't no one for me
Around here
Oh no
I AM ON MY OWN

I AM ON MY OWN
I AM ON MY OWN

Overall Meaning

The Bates's song "On My Own" is a melancholic song that touches on feelings of loneliness and isolation. The lyrics describe the singer's state of mind as he speaks to someone who thinks he needs a friend or a girl, but he insists that he is on his own. He has been around the world, but he still feels lonely and can't find anyone around him. The song conveys a sense of hopelessness and despair.

The chorus repeats twice after the first verse, but the second time the singer adds an extra line expressing his sadness, which intensifies the mood of the song. The instrumental bridge leads to the last three verses, which repeat the first verse's structure. The song ends with the singer asserting that he is on his own. The repetition of this phrase emphasizes the central theme of the song.

The song's deep, emotional content makes it resonate with many listeners who have experienced loneliness, isolation, and depression. The Bates delivers the lyrics with a raw intensity that draws the listener into the emotions of the song.

Line by Line Meaning

If you think I need a girl
Don't assume that I need a girlfriend to be happy

Oh yeah
Emphatic agreement with the previous statement

I am on my own
I am content being alone and don't need anyone else around

I have been around the world
I have experienced many things, but still choose to be alone

You see there ain't no one for me
I cannot find anyone who is compatible with me

Around here
In my local area

Oh no
Expressing disappointment or dissatisfaction

Am I on my own
Questioning my decision to be alone

And if you think I need a friend
Don't assume that I need a friend to be happy

Sometimes I need a helping hand
Occasionally I could use some assistance, but not necessarily from a friend

I'm so unhappy
I am deeply saddened