Vazelina Bilopphøggers (Vazelina Auto Wreckers) is a former Norwegian music… Read Full Bio ↴Vazelina Bilopphøggers (Vazelina Auto Wreckers) is a former Norwegian musical group best known for borrowing musical elements from, or outright covering, rock and pop classics rewritten, often with a bizarre humorous twist, in their distinctive native dialect. One of the most prolific and beloved Norwegian bands of all time — having performed continually for thirty years and counting — they have worked with many of their country's most important artists, and recorded a slew of hit singles and albums. They have also crossed over into comics, video games, and television, among them the TV2 Christmas serial Hjulkalender.

Vazelina Bilopphøggers was founded in Gjøvik, Oppland, Norway during December 1979. Initially a seven-piece group, the original line-up consisted of Eldar Vågan (guitar, vocals), Arnulf 'Høggern' Paulsen (drums), Jan Einar Johnsen (organ, saxophone, backing vocals), Bjørn Berg (lead vocals), Asgeir Hoel (electric bass), and backing vocalists Halvard Høynes and Bjørn Bogetvedt. This line-up won the district final of NM i Rock (a national rock band championship) but failed to place in the national finals. Their first big success came with the release of the single "Gi meg fri i kveld" (b/w "Bilopphøgger Boogie"), both sides of which became nationwide hits.

Come the time of the recording of their first studio album, Hoel and Høynes had left the band; Hoel was replaced by Torbjørn Nicolaysen. Their first long-player, 24 timers service, was released in 1980; after the supporting tour, Berg, Nicolaysen and Bogetvedt departed, being replaced by bassist Rune Endal, and singer/trumpeter Viggo Sandvik; this is considered their classic line-up, one which recorded several albums and singles revered as Norwegian classics. In 1991, however, Endal left the band, who decided to become a four-piece. Partaking in studio and in live performances but not considered official band members, are bassist Terje Methi and keyboardist Tor Welo.

In 1994, they appeared on the best-selling soundtrack for Don Bluth's animated film Rock-a-Doodle, for which several band members also provided voice acting. The album combined Vågan and Sandvik's translations of T.J. Kuenster's original songs with other Vazelina "originals", several of which have become regular compilation selections and live favorites. The same line-up released a number of successful albums (11 år uten kvinnfolk [1992], Hææærli' på toppen ta væla [1996], and Hjulkalender [2000]).

2006 saw the unexpected departure of Viggo Sandvik, secondary lyricist and primary lead singer, by many considered the face of the band. Kjetil Fosseid was hired as the band's new co-lead vocalist, this line-up having released the 2007 album Bensin på bålet, and continuing to tour throughout Norway, more often with a focus on comedy revues than out-and-out live concerts.

In September 2019, the band announced that they would disband after a farewell concert at Oslo Spektrum on March 21, 2020. The concert sold out in minutes, which prompted promoters to add a new concert to be held the day before, but this concert also selled out quickly. However, the concerts were postponed indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Norway. In April 2021, over one year after the concerts was supposed to take place, they were finally postponed to October 8 and 9 2021. In addition, a third concert was announced to be held on October 7.

Artistic influences include rockabilly legends such as Johnny Burnette, Buddy Holly, and Gene Vincent; consequently, their catalog is heavily based on music from the 50s and 60s, having rewritten songs made famous by dozens of artists such as Johnny Cash, Eddie Cochran, Roy Orbison, and Elvis Presley. Songs that are not outright cover versions often borrow recognizable hooks and chord progressions from famous songs, combined with original songwriting efforts. Songwriting credits are still accredited to the original songwriters.

Their rewritten lyrics, chiefly written by Eldar Vågan, often have little to nothing to do with a song's original lyrical content: for example, "Surfbrett" (a pastiche of The Beach Boys) is about crafting a plywood surfboard, and "Blålys" (a rewritten "Blue Moon") concerns getting one's license revoked for drunk driving.

Their final performance went down in front of 5000 spectators in Oslo Spektrum Arena, October 8. 2022.

Limousine
Vazelina Bilopphøggers Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Johan sa, ei jinte må je ha
Eid meg eget hus det hadde vøri bra
Kjinner du ei jinte må du si ifra

For je er blakk, uten øl og mat
Lomm′boka je har på meg er tynn og flat
Ælt je har tel møbel er er oljefat

Ælt vi har en en Limousine
Ælt vi har en en Limousine
Diger bil, svart og fin

Johan sa, ei jinte må je ha
Eid meg eget hus det hadde vøri bra
Kjinner du ei jinte må du si ifra

Ælt vi har en en Limousine

Ælt vi har en en Limousine
Diger bil, svart og fin

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Vazelina Bilopphøggers's song "Limousine" tell a story about a man named Johan who desires a woman and wants to impress her with the possessions he has. He suggests that if he had his own home, it would make him more appealing to women. He also mentions that he is broke and does not have any food or beer, which could be seen as a reason why he needs the woman's attention. Johan then boasts about owning a black and beautiful limousine, which seems to be his only source of pride and joy.

The song seems to be a commentary on the societal pressure to appear successful and wealthy to attract partners, even if it means sacrificing one's own financial stability. The lyrics convey a sense of desperation and insecurity, with Johan trying to compensate for his lack of assets by showing off his expensive car. The repetition of the line "Ælt vi har en en Limousine" emphasizes the importance of this possession to Johan and possibly society as a whole.

Overall, the song paints a picture of a man who is struggling to find love and acceptance, and is willing to use his material possessions to achieve it.

Line by Line Meaning

Johan sa, ei jinte må je ha
Johan said, I need a girl, someone to be with

Eid meg eget hus det hadde vøri bra
It would be great to own my own house

Kjinner du ei jinte må du si ifra
If you know a girl, please let me know

For je er blakk, uten øl og mat
I'm broke, without beer and food

Lomm′boka je har på meg er tynn og flat
My wallet is thin and flat

Ælt je har tel møbel er er oljefat
All I have for furniture is an oil barrel

Ælt vi har en en Limousine
All we have is a Limousine

Diger bil, svart og fin
A big, black and nice car

Writer(s): Billy Swan, Eldar Vågan, T-bone Burnett

Contributed by Adrian E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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