Markus and Michael Acher formed the group together with Martin Messerschmidt in Weilheim, near Munich. In 1990 they recorded their self-titled debut The Notwist, a grunge-metal oriented LP. 1992 saw the release of Nook, which has an indie rock sound, while their 1995 album 12 contains their first flirtation with electronica. Martin Gretschmann (aka Console) joined the group in 1997. Shrink, released in 1998, is a jazz-electro-rock album. The album Neon Golden (released in 2002) put them on the map for American listeners.
In 2003 the band started their own record label Alien Transistor and released a soundtrack for the movie Lichter by Hans-Christian Schmid. On September, 6th 2004 the EP Solo Swim came out, a collaboration between The Notwist, Console and Klimek, which is also the soundtrack for the documentary Kanalschwimmer by Jörg Adolph. Both EPs are only available on vinyl as is the latest EP by Rayon (Markus Acher), released in spring 2006.
Some of The Notwist's songs have been remixed by Four Tet, Manitoba, Console, Loopspool, and others. Singer Markus Acher collaborated with Anticon rapper/producer Alias on the song Unseen Sights.
The Notwist recently formed a supergroup with Themselves named 13 & God, whose eponymous debut was released in 2005. Other acts in which members of The Notwist are participating include Village of Savoonga, Tied & Tickled Trio, Lali Puna, Ms. John Soda, Potawatomi, Alles wie Groß, Ogonjok, Rayon, 3 Shades of Blues, Hometrainer, Bolzplatz Heroes, Alien Ensemble, and Schweisser.
In 2006, Messerschmitt left the band on friendly terms. Markus Acher stated that "it just didn't work anymore".
The Devil, You + Me and was released in Europe in May, 2008. On June 17, 2008 the album was released in North America on Domino Records.
2014 saw the release of Close to the Glass released in the US on Sub-Pop.
http://www.notwist.com
Members
* Markus Acher - guitar, vocals
* Michael Acher - bass
* Mecki Messerschmidt - drums
* Martin Gretschmann (aka Console) - programming
12
The Notwist Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sometimes more but usually less.
Now I've learned not everything has a name.
Or how do you call a thing that eats itself.
This year has one day.
It happens again when I try to sleep.
Problems to wake up? None.
Red is the color of being weak.
White is the color of being asleep.
Red is the color of being weak.
White is the color of being a sheep.
Red is the color of why am I so weak?
The lyrics of The Notwist's song 12 seem to be a reflection on time and our perception of it. The opening lines assert that a year has only twelve days, which can be interpreted as a commentary on how time seems to fly by so quickly that it feels like a year passes in just twelve days. The line “Now I've learned not everything has a name” brings to mind the concept of the unnamable, a philosophical idea that some things simply cannot be described or understood using language. This suggests that there are aspects of time and reality that we may never fully comprehend.
The next verse "This year has one day. It happens again when I try to sleep. Problems to wake up? None. I've got problems to fall asleep" perhaps talks about how time is speeding by, and the only thing we can do to slow it down is by trying to sleep, but in doing so, we lose that precious time. The next few lines talk about colors, with red being the color of being weak and white being the color of being asleep. This could represent how we often associate red with passion and vitality, but the lyrics flip the narrative on its head by stating that red is actually the color of being weak. White, on the other hand, is usually associated with purity or innocence, but in this case, white is the color of being asleep, perhaps suggesting that we are not truly alive when we are asleep.
Overall, the lyrics of 12 by The Notwist are thought-provoking and encourage the listener to ponder on their relationship with time and reality. It's interesting to see how the song uses familiar symbols and concepts but subverts them to create a new meaning altogether.
Line by Line Meaning
Now I know a year has 12 days.
I have come to realize that time passes by quickly, and a year feels like it only lasts for 12 days.
Sometimes more but usually less.
Occasionally, a year may feel longer than 12 days, but usually it feels shorter.
Now I've learned not everything has a name.
I have discovered that not everything has a clear, defined name or category.
Or how do you call a thing that eats itself.
When something feeds on itself or harms itself, it's difficult to accurately describe or label it.
This year has one day.
This year feels like it's passing by extremely quickly, and it feels like there is only one day rather than 365.
It happens again when I try to sleep.
This feeling of time passing too quickly resurfaces when I am trying to fall asleep.
Problems to wake up? None.
I have no difficulties waking up in the morning.
I've got problems to fall asleep.
However, I struggle to fall asleep at night.
Red is the color of being weak.
The color red symbolizes a state of weakness or vulnerability.
White is the color of being asleep.
The color white represents being in a state of slumber or unconsciousness.
Red is the color of being weak.
Again, the color red represents feeling powerless or lacking strength.
White is the color of being a sheep.
In this context, the color white is associated with conformity and blindly following others like a sheep.
Red is the color of why am I so weak?
This line reflects on the feelings of weakness and powerlessness and questions where they are coming from.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Antonio Reyes
Now I know a year has 12 days
Sometimes more but usually less
Now I've learned not everything has a name
But how do you call a thing that eats itself
This year has one day
It happens again when I try to sleep
Problems to wake up? None
I've got problems to fall asleep
Red is the colour of being weak
White is the colour of being asleep
Red is the colour of being weak
White is the colour of being a sheep
Red is the colour of why am I so weak
Antonio Reyes
Now I know a year has 12 days
Sometimes more but usually less
Now I've learned not everything has a name
But how do you call a thing that eats itself
This year has one day
It happens again when I try to sleep
Problems to wake up? None
I've got problems to fall asleep
Red is the colour of being weak
White is the colour of being asleep
Red is the colour of being weak
White is the colour of being a sheep
Red is the colour of why am I so weak
Jensemann Metaldragon
The No Twist.
Notwist.
German Music History.
So beautiful!
SpaccaSpecchi
I FUCKING LOVE THIS SONG!!! touching...
FETA0ne
Danke Fürs Hochladen Einer Meiner Lieblings Notwist Songs
Matthias Bode
those where the Days <3
Dominatrix97
d e s o l a t I o n
tneitap Xrez
perfect
TheDreaderthandread
one of the best indie tracks...thx for upload!!!
my cd was stolen from some bastard!!!
TheDreaderthandread
no,when i want to hear i stream it here :-) thx
Dingo Tom
Thank you. Hope you'll get it back some day.
Good luck for your investigation! ;)