The Notwist is a German indie rock band. Formed in 1989 in Weilheim, German… Read Full Bio ↴The Notwist is a German indie rock band. Formed in 1989 in Weilheim, Germany, the band moved through several musical incarnations despite maintaining a relatively stable lineup. While their early records moved through hardcore into dark indie rock, their recent efforts, for which they have received the most attention, have been very strongly influenced by the electronica scene, along with the other groups of Morr Music.

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

I'm a Whale
The Notwist Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'm not blind
I'd only think I'm unkind
If I don't see you, I'm so sorry
I'm underwater
I'm not blind

I'm a whale

I'm a whale

I'm not done
I'm in each and every one
I hear the sound of everything
I know for certain what's left undone

I'm a whale

I'm a whale

Overall Meaning

The Notwist's song "I'm a Whale" is a peculiar yet captivating track that is open to interpretation. The song starts with the line "I'm not blind, I'd only think I'm unkind if I don't see you, I'm so sorry, I'm underwater." It seems that the singer of the song, who is represented as a whale, is acknowledging their limitations in communicating their feelings effectively. They seem to apologize for not seeing someone, possibly someone they care for deeply, and for failing to express themselves properly. The use of underwater imagery adds to the sense of isolation and detachment.

In the chorus, the singer repeats the phrase "I'm a whale" multiple times. It could mean that the character feels like an outcast, someone who doesn't fit in with society's expectations. The line "I'm not done, I'm in each and every one, I hear the sound of everything, I know for certain what's left undone" further supports this notion. The whale, often seen as a symbol of wisdom and intelligence, could represent the singer's heightened emotional and intellectual awareness, as if they can hear the whispers of the universe and understand what needs to be done.

Overall, "I'm a Whale" is a thought-provoking song that delves into themes of loneliness, self-awareness, and emotional struggle. It leaves the listener with a feeling of openness, as if they are free to create their own interpretation of the song's meaning.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm not blind
I can see clearly and understand what's going on around me.

I'd only think I'm unkind
I feel bad about myself if I am not able to be compassionate towards others.

If I don't see you, I'm so sorry
If I am unable to help someone in need, it makes me feel regretful and apologetic.

I'm underwater
I am submerged in deep thoughts and emotions.

I'm not done
I am still searching for answers and meaning in life.

I'm in each and every one
I am a part of everything and everyone around me.

I hear the sound of everything
I am attuned to the world and can sense its vibrations and energy.

I know for certain what's left undone
I am acutely aware of what still needs to be accomplished or resolved.

I'm a whale
I am like a whale, submerged in the depths of my own emotions and experiences, able to sense the world around me in a unique way.

I'm a whale
I am like a whale, a deep and mysterious creature that represents the complexity and beauty of life.

Contributed by Leo A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.