The band's only appearance on the UK Singles Charts was "I'm the Urban Spaceman", which reached #5 in October 1968. The single was produced by Paul McCartney under the pseudonym "Apollo C. Vermouth". The band disbanded in 1970. The band reunited briefly in 1972 and again in 1988, before reuniting permanently in 2002.
After the initial split, Innes provided songs for "Monty Python's Flying Circus" and the Monty Python troupe's subsequent films, and is often considered to be an "unofficial member" of the troupe. Stanshall died in a house fire in 1995.
The band's six albums are: "Gorilla" (1967), "The Doughnut in Granny's Greenhouse" (1968, released as "Urban Spaceman" in the US), "Tadpoles" (1969), "Keynsham" (1969), "Let's Make Up and Be Friendly" (1972) and "Pour l'Amour des Chiens" (2007).
We Are Normal
The Bonzo Dog Band Lyrics
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We are (are are are are are...)
We
We are...
And, uh, here come some normals...
They look like normal... Hawaiians.
Well, uh, you didn't mention what month.
Yes, quite normal.
OK, here comes one.
Go inside! (tee hee hee)
Well it's, ah, it's not for me to deter really, is it?
I mean, it's for a psychiatrist to deter these things, isn't it?
I like dehre food, and dey arr veddy nice people.
Ooh, its alright, innit?
That a face?
Smart. It's your backside.
Oh, they're just typically normal.
No! This is not manly!
Well, it is unusual. Well, it's like a rabbit! He's got a head on him like a rabbit!
I don't know, it's just not like normal people do.
You're not runnin' around in your underpants are you?
We are normal and we want our freedom
We are normal and we want our freedom
Wir sind gewhnlich, wir sind zufrieden
We are normal and we dig Bert Weedon, ha ha!
We are normal and we want
Our freedom
Our freedom
Freedom!
Freedom!
Freedom!
We are normal and we want our freedom!
The Bonzo Dog Band's song We Are Normal is a satirical commentary on the concept of normalcy, conformity and the human desire for freedom. The lyrics directly attack the idea of what it means to be normal, and the absurdity of society's expectations of individuals to conform to certain standards. The first section of the song, where the band members repeatedly sing "We are", sets up the song's overall message of defiance and individuality.
The rest of the song features various characters being ridiculed for not meeting societal norms. The line "Well, uh, you didn't mention what month" is a critique of the arbitrary standards by which people are judged in society. The band mocks the idea of psychiatrists determining what is considered "normal", and shows a disdain for societal expectations of behavior. They also poke fun at the concept of appearances with the line "Oh, they're just typically normal." The final section of the song features the band members chanting "Freedom!" as a call to reject societal norms and embrace individuality.
Overall, We Are Normal is a song that challenges societal norms and encourages individuals to embrace their own unique identity rather than conforming to society's expectations.
Line by Line Meaning
We
We exist, we are present
We are (are are are are are...)
We affirmatively declare our existence and emphasize it through repetition
We
We exist, we are present
We are...
We declare our identity and state of being
And, uh, here come some normals...
A group of people who appear to be typical and average are approaching
They look like normal... Hawaiians.
The appearance of the approaching group is reminiscent of the stereotypical image of Hawaiians
Well, uh, you didn't mention what month.
The current month is suggested to have a potential impact on the normativity of the approaching group
You think you're normal?
A direct question posed to the approaching group about their perceived normality
Yes, quite normal.
The approaching group confirms that they consider themselves to be ordinary and unremarkable
OK, here comes one.
One member of the approaching group is singled out and observed
Go inside! (tee hee hee)
A joke is made, implying that the approach of the group is a cause for alarm or panic
Well it's, ah, it's not for me to deter really, is it?
It is suggested that the true assessment of the normality of the approaching group should fall to a professional, such as a psychiatrist
I mean, it's for a psychiatrist to deter these things, isn't it?
It is reiterated that professional assistance may be necessary to accurately determine whether the approaching group is normal or not
I like dehre food, and dey arr veddy nice people.
A member of the group is complimented on their cooking and personality
Ooh, its alright, innit?
The approach of the group is not perceived as a threat or cause for concern
That a face?
A comment on the unusual appearance of one of the members of the approaching group
Smart. It's your backside.
A correction is made to the original observation, identifying the unusual feature as belonging to the group member's backside rather than their face
Oh, they're just typically normal.
Despite a few unusual features or behaviors, the approaching group is still perceived as generally normal
No! This is not manly!
A comment expressing disapproval of a specific behavior or characteristic of the approaching group
Well, it is unusual. Well, it's like a rabbit! He's got a head on him like a rabbit!
Another member of the approaching group is observed and described as having an unusual physical appearance, specifically a head like a rabbit
I don't know, it's just not like normal people do.
A behavior or characteristic of the approaching group is deemed abnormal or atypical
You're not runnin' around in your underpants are you?
A rhetorical question, used to humorously demonstrate what behavior or characteristic might be considered abnormal or not normal
We are normal and we want our freedom
A declaration of normality and the desire for freedom and autonomy
We are normal and we want our freedom
Reaffirmation of the earlier declaration of normality and desire for freedom
Wir sind gewhnlich, wir sind zufrieden
The declaration of normality and desire for freedom is reiterated in German
We are normal and we dig Bert Weedon, ha ha!
A humorous reference to a specific musician is made, presumably to further emphasize the members' normalcy
We are normal and we want
The continuance of the original declaration
Our freedom
The members' desire for freedom and autonomy
Our freedom
Reaffirmation of the members' desire for freedom and autonomy
Freedom!
A direct demand for freedom and autonomy
Freedom!
Reaffirmation of the members' demand for freedom and autonomy
Freedom!
A final declaration of the members' demand for freedom and autonomy
We are normal and we want our freedom!
A final, conclusive statement of the members' desire for normalcy and freedom
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: NEIL INNES, VIVIAN STANSHALL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Loek Hopstaken
Saw the Bonzos performing this live at Amsterdam's Paradiso, in August 1969. Magnificent!
Chris Hovey
Three Bonzos and a Piano are out there playing now, I've seen them twice and they are brilliant. Sam Spoons doing his spoon dance on the chair, amazing sight, worth the ticket price alone. It was just like the days of old with the fun and the hilarity. If they tour round your way go and see them.They do a mix of old and new so it's all kept really fresh. Funny as fuck.
ZER0
Roy Roger's on Trigger...
MélièsMoon
'We are normal and we dig Bert Weedon'. I don't, I had his 'Learn To Play Guitar In A Day' book. It took me two weeks to read it and, forty years later, I still can't bloody play.
skylarkingnz
Love this song, a send up of two songs by Love (also one of my favourite bands), "7 and 7 is" and "The Red Telephone".
Lowell Thomas, Jr.
The guy at the record shop tried to dissuade me..."each track sounds like a different band..." they WERE "The English Mothers of Invention, for sure and certain !
funkyalfonso
Brilliant observation.
danR
"...look like normal Hawaiians..."
All my life, having heard this song over the radio once only, I thought this was a Mothers cut. I finally decided to look it up and find out which Zappa creation it was, and irritatingly kept getting Bonzo Dog in Google. I only associated that band with The Intro and the Outro. "...and Adolph Hitler on vibes..."
ferdinandthecrow
@danR They were nicer than Frank...more "English"
MrJamesrnolan
I think Arthur Lee used the "we are normal, etc" line on a song on Love's Forever Changes LP a year before this, but here our heroes took it one step further and all the way! I certainly like the idea of being Norman..what's that? Normal? Guess I made a mistake there...I suppose being normal is quite alright too!