During its early years, Triumvirat initially played Top 40 songs at local venues in Cologne. The Nice and Emerson, Lake & Palmer heavily influenced Triumvirat’s musical direction and the band incorporated some of Nice/ELP music into their repertoire (Rondo among others).
In the early 1970s, the band sent a demo tape to EMI Records in Cologne and won their first record contract. Triumvirat subsequently produced modestly successful albums during the early to mid-1970s, including Mediterranean Tales (Across The Waters) and Illusions on a Double Dimple, and toured the United States with Fleetwood Mac to support Illusions on a Double Dimple, playing the album in its entirety. In 1975, Triumvirat reached the apex of their commercial success with the release of Spartacus.
The band underwent numerous personnel changes over the course of its life and eventually disbanded in 1980 with the release of their final album Russian Roulette.
The Ballad Of Rudy Törner
Triumvirat Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hello, my name is Rudy T6rner.
I come from Cologne, West Germany. You know, the west is the best.
I have no job, but I have a moped
and the only thing I really want is to become a real rasta man somewhere in Jamaica But I don't have money so - I don't know, but some day it will happen.
Ever since I was a little boy
I've been waiting for that day
To get down to Jamaica
I tried to make some money
But I couldn't find a steady job
So I spent my days and nights
Down in the parking lot
And jojo for a dime
(Prime Jojo time)
Chorus
Hello, I'm Rudy the rasta man
I reggae my jojo wherever I can
Move it up and move it down
I jojo all over town
I wish my momma would understand
That Jamaica is the place for a reggae man
But she won't let me go
And that's what grieves me so
One night alone in the parking lot
This girl is passing by
She stops and stares in disbelief
At my Jojo right before her eyes
I move it up and move it down
Show her all the tricks I know
Then I tell her 'bout the place
Id like to go -Now she is going too
(What a Jojo will do)
Chorus
I'm Rudy, I'm ready
I reggae my Rudy
Move it up and move it down
I rudy all over town
Watch out Jamaica
'Cos here I come..
The Ballad of Rudy Törner is a humorous yet insightful portrayal of a young man living in Cologne, West Germany who dreams of becoming a Rasta man in Jamaica. He introduces himself as Rudy Törner, who has nothing but a moped to his name since he does not have a job. Rudy's desire to become a Rasta man, his Jojo performances, and his desire to go to Jamaica makes up for his lack of money. The song is a commentary on the dreams and aspirations one has in life and the lengths they are willing to go to achieve them, even though these aspirations may seem unrealistic.
While the lyrics themselves provide a humorous account of Rudy Törner's attempts to become a Rasta man, they also convey a deeper meaning. The song highlights the struggles of young people everywhere who feel stuck in their current circumstances and who dream of a better life. It emphasizes that everyone, regardless of their circumstances, needs something to hold onto and believe in to keep them going. The song is a testament to the power of hope and the human spirit.
Overall, The Ballad of Rudy Törner is a lighthearted, fun song that reflects on the human desire to dream big and reach for the stars, even if it means going to the extremes to make those dreams a reality.
Line by Line Meaning
Hello, my name is Rudy T6rner.
Rudy introduces himself to the listeners and identifies where he is from.
I come from Cologne, West Germany. You know, the west is the best.
Rudy identifies his hometown and asserts that the western part of Germany is superior to the other parts.
I have no job, but I have a moped
and the only thing I really want is to become a real rasta man somewhere in Jamaica But I don't have money so - I don't know, but some day it will happen.
Rudy currently has no employment but expresses his strong desire to pursue a lifestyle as a 'real' rasta man in Jamaica, despite lacking the means to do so currently.
Ever since I was a little boy
I've been waiting for that day
To get down to Jamaica
But I never made it all the way
I tried to make some money
But I couldn't find a steady job
So I spent my days and nights
Down in the parking lot
And jojo for a dime
(Prime Jojo time)
Rudy reveals that his dream of being a rasta man and traveling to Jamaica has been lifelong, but he has never managed to achieve it due to his financial situation. He spends his time in parking lots and engages in the activity of jojo for spare change.
Hello, I'm Rudy the rasta man
I reggae my jojo wherever I can
Move it up and move it down
I jojo all over town
I wish my momma would understand
That Jamaica is the place for a reggae man
But she won't let me go
And that's what grieves me so
Rudy refers to himself as a rasta man and references his jojo activity. He expresses frustration with his mother's reluctance to allow him to travel to Jamaica, citing his belief that it is the right place for someone interested in reggae music.
One night alone in the parking lot
This girl is passing by
She stops and stares in disbelief
At my Jojo right before her eyes
I move it up and move it down
Show her all the tricks I know
Then I tell her 'bout the place
Id like to go -Now she is going too
(What a Jojo will do)
While engaging in his jojo activity, Rudy encounters a woman who is surprised and fascinated by his skills. He proceeds to share his aspirations of going to Jamaica with her and it seems that she becomes motivated to join him due to his influence.
I'm Rudy, I'm ready
I reggae my Rudy
Move it up and move it down
I rudy all over town
Watch out Jamaica
'Cos here I come..
Rudy declares his readiness to pursue his dreams of being a rasta man in Jamaica and suggests that he is now on the path to getting there, indicating that he will continue to spread his enthusiasm for reggae music along the way.
Contributed by Ella J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
rockrebel
You cant catch me is the best on here. The rest is like "Is this a rock band or a shitty pop band". What's with the album cover? Looks like a new wave album cover for a band that roots to not doing this genre of music
GODemon13
The blindfolds can't hide the smell of a shit sandwich.
stroker willie
Maybe it's too deep for ya., ..🤷
Zach Haywood
They should play this album to prisoners in Guantanamo Bay.