The name comes from the well-known movie Das Boot about the German submarine U 96 from the Second World War. The project's first hit Das Boot (1991) is a techno remake of the film's title melody, which had been originally composed by Klaus Doldinger. An album of the same name was also number one in the German charts. This album paved the way for the commercial breakthrough of techno and house artists in Germany.
The experimental follow-up album 'Replugged' was released in 1993, and saw the group embracing the sound of 1980s electropop, ambient sounds and disco, and was likewise commercially successful despite not being necessarily original. It contained top 10 hits such as Love Sees No Colour and Night in Motion, both of which possessed strong 1980s techno-pop melodies in the vein of groups such as the Pet Shop Boys and New Order. In addition, calmer titles such as The One Russian and Without You, could be regarded as forerunners of what is now known as trip-hop.
The third album Club Bizarre was released in 1995 and indicated another change in sound. Club Bizarre mixed the techno-pop influence with fast Euro trance-like sounds throughout the majority of the album. The hit singles from the album were the piano-led Love religion (featuring vocalist Daisy Dee), the title track Club Bizarre with "classical" harmonies (which was reused later by Brooklyn Bounce) and the rave-influenced Movin'.
Motor Music also released Club Bizarre as an Interactive CD-ROM. The audio part of this CD-ROM includes several music tracks and the multimedia part features a discography, interviews with Alex Christensen and a neat little game for Mac OS and Windows PC.
In 1996 the fourth album, 'Heaven' was released. The album had a commercial sound, still containing some electropop influences, but also a number of hi-NRG Eurodance tracks. On this album new singer Dea-Li (Dorothy Lapi) was featured, she participated as vocalist on four titles.
In the following years singles Seven Wonders (1997), Energie (1998), Beweg Dich, Baby (1998) and finally Das Boot 2001 (2000) were released. Instead of a new regular album, U96 released the compilation Best Of 1991 - 2001 with some new songs from unpublished album Rhythm Of Life. Their last song We Call It Love was released in 2003 as a promo single only. They returned to the German Top 30 charts in 2006 with their downtempo hit Vorbei which featured the vocals of guest singer Ben.
Hamburg
Joy
U96 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I altered my state of mind so I could fly
Travelled beyond my pedestrian ties, my innocence and their sweet lies
I rode in that car as far as it would take me
I don't need no gun Walk into the sun Find what's going on
Find what's going down I don't need no gun Walk into your fun
Fun into the sun Find what's going on
Your velvet tear rolled off my back, your arms wrapped tight around me
I felt so good knowing that you could let go with me
I don't need no gun Walk into the sun Find what's going on
Find what's going down I don't need no gun Walk into your fun
Fun into the sun Find what's going on
Crazy hippie girl soft lips make me swirl
More than I can feel mystery to me Joy d'vivre
Mysterious life what do you hold for us in your cloak? I begin to shake
your horses they are frightening me
I don't need no gun Walk into the sun Find what's going on
Find what's going down I don't need no gun Walk into your fun
Fun into the sun Find what's going on
Had my child son I'm a young king now Hey mysterious life
Holy criticised Yeah Joy d'vivre
The lyrics to U96's "Joy" chronicle one's journey towards self-fulfillment and liberation from the mundane aspects of everyday life. The singer in the song has struggled with a sense of ennui and vulnerability, that is, until they discovered the thrill of living on the edge. They seek to escape their banal life by experimenting with their consciousness and exploring the world beyond their ordinary existence. This journey to liberation is likened to a car ride, taking us along for the ride as far as the car would take us.
They don't need any external means of control, such as a gun, as they are comfortable in their own skin and are ready to seek their own joy, using their own personal freedom. This sense of liberation is further amplified by the warmth of a connection, hinted at in the lines "Your velvet tear rolled off my back, your arms wrapped tight around me. I felt so good knowing that you could let go with me." This connection with another person symbolizes the ability to let go of fears and insecurities that have held them back in the past.
The song hints towards an inevitable confrontation with mystery and fear, however, the singer accepts the unknown and refuses to succumb to it. As they say, "Horses they are frightening me, but I'm not giving up." The song uses a combination of positive and negative experiences, such as the sensation of swirling lips or the terror of horses, to develop a unified theme of adventure and exploration, that of a joy for life.
Line by Line Meaning
I poisoned myself but I survived the thrill of life
I exposed myself to dangers and risks that could have caused my demise, but I managed to come out alive and exhilarated.
I altered my state of mind so I could fly
I changed my perception of reality and consciousness to allow myself to experience new heights and perspectives.
Travelled beyond my pedestrian ties, my innocence and their sweet lies
I left behind my mundane and simple life, as well as illusions and deceptions that kept me naive and blind.
I rode in that car as far as it would take me
I went on a journey, taking whatever vehicle or means available, until I reached my destination or limit.
Your velvet tear rolled off my back, your arms wrapped tight around me
I was unaffected by your weeping, and your embrace gave me a sense of security and intimacy.
I felt so good knowing that you could let go with me
I enjoyed the feeling of mutual trust and freedom between us, where we could unleash our emotions without fear or hesitation.
Crazy hippie girl soft lips make me swirl
I am enthralled by the unconventional and carefree girl with a tantalizing mouth that arouses my senses and emotions.
More than I can feel mystery to me Joy d'vivre
There is an overwhelming sense of enigma and excitement within me that I cannot fully comprehend or express, but it brings me pure joy and vitality.
Mysterious life what do you hold for us in your cloak? I begin to shake your horses they are frightening me
I am filled with curiosity and fear about the unknown and unpredictable nature of life, and its sudden turns and surprises startle and unnerve me.
Had my child son I'm a young king now Hey mysterious life Holy criticised Yeah Joy d'vivre
I have become a father and feel a sense of responsibility and authority, yet I also embrace the uncertainties and challenges of life and its potential criticisms, finding joy in living.
Writer(s): Alex Joerg Christensen, Ingo Hauss, Hayo Panarinfo, Helmut Hoinkis Copyright: Hanseatic Musikverlag Gmbh & Co. Kg, Ac Music Ed.
Contributed by Peyton E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Olga Maslova Music
Одна из моих любимых композиций
Oleg Toropov
20 лет назад!!! кассеты были ещё)
AleX Christiansen
Я этот альбом в Шереметьево -1 покупал , не помню сколько стоил
Николай Петров
А 30 лет назад одна басф,агфа фиолетовый четвертак стоила в комке.
Paul Ostrikow
Es ist Extra Klasse Musik)
Радует что это настоящая музыка,музыка вне времени,U96 это Бах,Моцарт ,Гайдн только музыку создали в двадцатом веке,она на века#
Tolik Kyiv
До Баха не дотягує, але...
«ForEver» BM 8_24
Love the 90s and especially the music of the 90s!!!
Unknown TV
Браво!!!
Макс Дикий
Да.... Это ностальгия)
Wilco Faber
Still adicted. To this music