History
The Spotnicks originated from "Rock-Teddy and The Blue Caps", a group formed in 1957 in Gothenburg by guitarist Bo Winberg (born 27 March 1939), with Bo Starander (born 11 March 1942) (rhythm guitar), and Björn Thelin (born 27 June 1942) (bass guitar). In 1958 they added Ove Johansson (drums), changed their name to "The Frazers", and began playing regularly in local clubs. They signed a recording contract in 1961, and changed their name to "The Spotnicks", a play on the Russian satellite Sputnik as suggested by their manager, Roland Ferneborg. Starander was later known as Bob Lander.
They soon became the first Swedish group to have significant international success, in a similar style to The Shadows and The Ventures. They toured Europe, and one of their early records, "Orange Blossom Special", became their first big international hit, making the Top 30 in the UK Singles Chart in 1962 on the Oriole label, and reaching # 1 in Australia. Around this time they began wearing their trademark "space suits" on stage. They recorded their first album, The Spotnicks in London - Out-a-Space, in 1962. Further hits included "Rocket Man" (no relation to the Elton John song), and "Hava Nagila" (their biggest UK hit, where it made # 13). Winberg also recorded solo, credited as "The Shy Ones".
In 1963, "Amapola" became one of their most successful singles in their home country, staying at # 1 in Sweden for eight weeks. They appeared in the movie Just For Fun, continued to tour widely, and recorded their second album, The Spotnicks in Paris. That year, drummer Ove Johansson left and was replaced by an Englishman, Derek Skinner. Two years later, Skinner was replaced briefly by Jimmy Nicol, who had previously toured with The Beatles while Ringo Starr recovered from having his tonsils removed.
In 1964 and 1965, The Spotnicks expanded their popularity in Germany and Japan, reaching # 1 in Japan in 1966 with "Karelia". Elsewhere, however, they became less successful as popular music tastes changed. The group—having undergone many personnel changes—split up in 1970 after releasing their fifteenth album, The Spotnicks Back in The Race. Yet the band was still popular in Japan and it soon reformed under Winberg's control in 1971 at the request of a Japanese record label.[2]
Winberg has continued to lead versions of The Spotnicks, occasionally including Lander and/or Thelin, on tour and in recordings since then.
The Rocket Man
The Spotnicks Lyrics
Jump to: Line by Line Meaning ↴
çok seksiymişim öyle diyor
gülüyoruz yalanına karşılıklı anlayışlı
dalga krallarlardaki banklarda
çıkardı ayakkabılarını
bak dedi köprü ışıkları
seviyorlar yıldızları kazıyınca yaldızlarını altlarındaki demir paslı
ateşe vermeli onları ama her yerde yangın çıkışları
daha mı kötü dedi satmaktan ruhunu
herkes bildiğin mersk icinde olumden sonra hayat varmi diye
bosuna dusunurler sanki hayat varmis gibi olumden once
sevdin sevdin ama bir sekilde huzun var diye belki gozlerinde
eger sever gibi sarilirsamda ucurtma bedava
aslinda derdim cok gencsin daha yirmiyim dedi ama ruhum bin yasinda
kayalar kesti ayaklarimi yinede bi sey hissetmek guzel hala
dalga
Bir fahişe sabaha karşı
In the early morning hours, I came across a prostitute
çok seksiymişim öyle diyor
She complimented me, saying that I am very sexy
gülüyoruz yalanına karşılıklı anlayışlı
We laughed it off, understanding that it was just a lie
dalga krallarlardaki banklarda
We sat on the benches by the waves
çıkardı ayakkabılarını
She took off her shoes
bak dedi köprü ışıkları
She pointed out the lights on the bridge
seviyorlar yıldızları kazıyınca yaldızlarını altlarındaki demir paslı
She said that they love the stars and would scrape the gold off them, even if it's under rusty iron
ateşe vermeli onları ama her yerde yangın çıkışları
I suggested that we should burn them, but she pointed out the fire exits everywhere
sordum niye sattın diye yoksulluğunu dedi elimdeki sadece oydu niye saatın vücudunu
I asked her why she sold herself due to poverty. She replied that it was the only option she had. I wondered why she sold her body and not her time.
daha mı kötü dedi satmaktan ruhunu
She asked if it would be worse to sell her soul instead
herkes bildiğin mersk icinde olumden sonra hayat varmi diye
Everyone wonders if there is life after death, just like in the movies
bosuna dusunurler sanki hayat varmis gibi olumden once
They think about it for nothing, as if there was life before death
sevdin sevdin ama bir sekilde huzun var diye belki gozlerinde
You loved and loved, but there was sadness in your eyes
eger sever gibi sarilirsamda ucurtma bedava
Even if I hug you like I love you, it doesn't cost a thing, like a free kite
aslinda derdim cok gencsin daha yirmiyim dedi ama ruhum bin yasinda
She said, 'Actually, my problem is that you're very young. I'm only twenty, but my soul feels like it's a thousand years old'
kayalar kesti ayaklarimi yinede bi sey hissetmek guzel hala
My feet got cut on the rocks, but it's still nice to feel something
dalga
Wave
Contributed by Caden I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@JCHaywire
Ages before the Residents. Before Devo. Before Space Oddity. I mean, c'mon! This is like pre-Postmodern artistic wizardry. These guys were hammer-down sincere.
@ScottyKirk1
Right on!
@joethurman8178
Don't forget the Coneheads ❤
@M.EngelhART
It's Not That Unusual. In 1961, Yuri Gagarin Was The First Man In Space And This Was Obviously A Reaction To That Shortly Afterwards. The Music Wasn`t That Futuristics.
@unclenogbad1509
Sweden's finest - early 60's guitar instrumental at it's best. Polyushka Polye is a tune that survives any treatment, and this tribute to Gagarin really works.
Also, somehow, the fact they're wearing suits and ties under that space get-up also still works a treat. Thanks for posting this.
@geoffryllewellyn7693
The Waterboys also used the tune for Red Army Blues .
@rgglick
"Are we not ASTRONAUTS? WE ARE SPOTNICKS!"
@renegaleazzi3526
Devo !!!
@jocksilver7
Best of the heap. Bullseye.
@djkenry
Check out "Man or Astro man" incredible band