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.
Wallflower
The Bates Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When you say hello, they all say goodbye
Hey little girl, don't you ever learn
When you walk in they all seem to turn
When you walk in they seem to turn
They turn their heads away
Hey little girl, don't you know you're too plain
Hey little girl, don't you know it's skin deep
Just when you wake up they all go to sleep
When you wake up they go to sleep
They're all just counting sheep
You never listen to me ]
You're lust a flower on the wall ]
You never listen to me ]
You lust don't pay attention at all ] (Chorus)
Hey little girl, isn't it lust a shame
The dress rings a bell, but I can't quite place the name
Hey little girl, no, you're not of their kind
When you've got to go they don't seem to mind
When you go they don't seem to mind
They think you're such a bind
(Chorus)
Your conversation runs dry
When you smile you just cry deep inside
Your inexperience shows
Which your fashionable clothes just can't hide
(Chorus)
Hey little girl don't you know you're too plain
When you say once more they say not again
No, no, no, not again, no, no, not again
The Bates's song "Wallflower" is a song about a girl who is shy and often overlooked by others due to her supposed plainness. The song begins with the lyrics "Hey little girl, don't you know you're too shy? When you say hello, they all say goodbye." It highlights how people tend to avoid or ignore her even when she tries to reach out to them. The song goes on to explain how the girl's appearance, speech, and behavior all contribute to her being invisible to others. The chorus repeats the words "You never listen to me, you're just a flower on the wall. You never listen to me, you just don't pay attention at all."
The song serves as a commentary on the lack of attention and recognition received by people who don't fit into society's narrow standards of beauty and social skills. It also touches on the pressure to conform and fit in, even at the expense of one's own sense of self. The lyrics explicitly tell the girl that the reason she's being ignored is that she's not good enough, prompting her to feel ashamed and inadequate.
Overall, the song paints a bleak picture of the girl's social life and highlights the impact that being ignored and feeling invisible can have on a person's self-esteem and sense of worth.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey little girl, don't you know you're too shy
You lack assertiveness and confidence
When you say hello, they all say goodbye
People brush you off because you don't make a strong impression
Hey little girl, don't you ever learn
You keep making the same mistakes
When you walk in they all seem to turn
People ignore you or avoid you
They turn their heads away
They express disinterest or disdain
Hey little girl, don't you know you're too plain
Your appearance is not appealing enough
When you say once more they say not again
People are tired of your presence or behavior
Hey little girl, don't you know it's skin deep
Your physical looks aren't everything
Just when you wake up they all go to sleep
Others have different interests or priorities than you
When you wake up they go to sleep
You're not popular or outgoing
They're all just counting sheep
They're not interested in getting to know you
You never listen to me ]
You don't take advice or feedback
You're lust a flower on the wall ]
You're not very noticeable or significant
You never listen to me ]
You don't pay attention to what others say
You lust don't pay attention at all ] (Chorus)
You're too inwardly focused or stuck in your own world
Hey little girl, isn't it lust a shame
It's unfortunate that you're not more accepted or appreciated
The dress rings a bell, but I can't quite place the name
You have some potential, but it's not fully realized
Hey little girl, no, you're not of their kind
You're different and don't fit in with others
When you've got to go they don't seem to mind
People don't care when you leave
When you go they don't seem to mind
You don't leave a lasting impression
They think you're such a bind
They see you as a burden or annoyance
Your conversation runs dry
You don't have much to say or contribute
When you smile you just cry deep inside
You're not truly happy or fulfilled
Your inexperience shows
You lack knowledge or life experience
Which your fashionable clothes just can't hide
Your outward appearance can't cover up your deeper insecurities or flaws
No, no, no, not again, no, no, not again
Negative experiences keep repeating for you
Writer(s): Markus Zimmer, Makrus Zimmer Copyright: Nana Musikverlag
Contributed by Sebastian I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
TheBatesTributeSpain
Great live-show and video, Norman7283, thanks. I remember I saw it from Spain in Tv Channel Viva .
Janik Paulus
From which year is this concert?
Peter Jordan
must be around 94-96
Chris Krueger
ach soooo! ;-)