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.

Rock Billy Boogie
Vazelina Bilopphøggers Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

For det er rock, rock, rock billy boogie
Rock, rock, rock billy boogie
Rock, rock, rock billy boogie
Rock, rock, rock billy boogie
Rock, rock, rock billy boogie ikveld

Heme hoes ha Ruth, der bor en gammal menn
Alt han har er bord og stol og klosettspann

Svarte spisse sko med løft
Det bruker'n støtt
Digger rock-a-billy så auga glinser rødt

For det er rock, rock, rock billy boogie
Rock, rock, rock billy boogie
Rock, rock, rock billy boogie ikveld

For det er rock, rock, rock billy boogie
Rock, rock, rock billy boogie
Rock, rock, rock billy boogie
Rock, rock, rock billy boogie
Rock, rock, rock billy boogie ikveld

Egil syns at gammaldans er for trøft og tungt
Det ene vart så vondt
Og dansen vart for tung
Da rocker'n hele dagen som han var født igår

For det er rock, rock, rock billy boogie
Rock, rock, rock billy boogie
Rock, rock, rock billy boogie
Rock, rock, rock billy boogie
Rock, rock, rock billy boogie i kveld

For det er rock, rock, rock billy boogie
(rock, rock)
Rock, rock, rock billy boogie (rock, rock)
Rock, rock, rock billy boogie (rock, rock)

Rock, rock, rock billy boogie (rock, rock)
Rock, rock, rock billy boogie i kveld

Overall Meaning

The song "Rock Billy Boogie" by Vazelina Bilopphøggers celebrates the energetic and lively spirit of rockabilly music. The repetitive chorus "Rock, rock, rock billy boogie" emphasizes the catchy and infectious nature of this genre. The use of "ikveld" or "tonight" creates a sense of anticipation and excitement for a rockabilly event or gathering.

The first verse introduces a character named Ruth who lives in a house with minimal possessions - just a table, chair, and toilet. However, he takes pride in his love for rockabilly music, evident from his choice of footwear - black pointed shoes with lifts. The line "Digger rock-a-billy så auga glinser rødt" translates to "He loves rockabilly so much that his eyes glisten red." This suggests that Ruth has a deep passion for the genre and it brings him joy.

The second verse introduces another character named Egil, who finds traditional dance music like "gammaldans" too heavy and tough. He encounters discomfort and difficulty while trying to dance to it. In contrast, he finds a sense of freedom and enjoyment when he spends the whole day rocking as if he was born yesterday. This further emphasizes the liberating and invigorating power of rockabilly music.

Overall, the lyrics of "Rock Billy Boogie" celebrate the essence and appeal of rockabilly. It highlights the enthusiasm and passion that individuals like Ruth and Egil have for this genre, portraying it as a vibrant and exciting form of music that brings joy and energy. The repetitive chorus reinforces the infectious nature of rockabilly music, creating an atmosphere of anticipation for a night of rockabilly boogie.

Line by Line Meaning

For det er rock, rock, rock billy boogie
Because it is rock, rock, rock billy boogie

Heme hoes ha Ruth, der bor en gammal menn
At home lives Ruth, an old man

Alt han har er bord og stol og klosettspann
All he has is a table, chair, and a toilet bucket

Svarte spisse sko med løft
Black pointy shoes with lifts

Det bruker'n støtt
He always wears them

Digger rock-a-billy så auga glinser rødt
He loves rock-a-billy so much that his eyes glisten red

For det er rock, rock, rock billy boogie
Because it is rock, rock, rock billy boogie

Egil syns at gammaldans er for trøft og tungt
Egil thinks traditional dance is too rough and heavy

Det ene vart så vondt
The one became so painful

Og dansen vart for tung
And the dance became too heavy

Da rocker'n hele dagen som han var født igår
Then he rocks all day as if he was born yesterday