Most of the band's music is written by Hatakka. Waltari's lyrics often deal with personal feelings of anxiety, loneliness and the cruelty of the world, often with heavy irony and sarcasm.
The name Waltari is a reference to the popular Finnish author Mika Waltari, a favourite author of guitarist Jariot Lehtinen.
Waltari was formed in 1986 in Helsinki, Finland, by Kärtsy Hatakka (vocals and bass), Jariot Lehtinen (guitars) and Sale Suomalainen (drums). Sami Yli-Sirniö joined as second guitarist in 1989, a year after the release of their first EP, Mut Hei.
Their first album, Monk Punk was released in 1991. As the title suggests, this album was mostly punk. Their next album Torcha! (1992) and it was with this album that Waltari started blending various musical styles into the sound that would become their own.
After releasing a compilation of early work under the title Pala Leipää (1993), the band went on to release So Fine! (1994), an album similar to Torcha!. Their next album, Big Bang (1995) is to date their biggest success. The album concentrates on mixing techno with heavy metal.
In 1995 Roope Latvala (current second guitarist of Children of Bodom) joined the band, replacing Sami Yli-Sirniö. During this time, Hatakka was working with conductor Riku Niemi on a project combining heavy metal with classical music. This project eventually became known as Yeah! Yeah! Die! Die! Death Metal Symphony in Deep C. The show was performed in 1995, and the album was released in 1996.
The year 1997 saw Space Avenue, a more progressive work containing more electronic drums, as well as a collaboration with Apocalyptica. In 1998, in honour of the band's ten-year anniversary, the band released a compilation titled Decade.
In 1999 Hatakka was working on yet another metal/classical collaboration, and this gave rise to the stage show Evangelicum. This production differed from Yeah! Yeah! Die! Die! in that it contained more than just music: the stage show contained music, ballet and a light show. An album of Evangelicum was not released.
Waltari's next album Radium Round (1999), featured a strong pop influence. After Radium Round, the band passed out of the public eye, working on less main-stream releases such as the Metal / Yoik crossover Channel Nordica (2000) and the punk EP Back To Persepolis (2001). However, these releases were very hard to obtain, and for a while Waltari only survived through its live shows. In 2001, the band's old guitarist Sami Yli-Sirniö returned, and Roope Latvala left the band.
In 2004 Waltari came back with an all-new studio album, Rare Species. The album was well received by critics, and an extensive tour put Waltari back on the map.
Waltari released their newest album called "Below Zero" in fall of 2009.
1986
Helsinki, Finland
Kärtsy Hatakka
Jariot Lehtinen
Sami Yli-Sirniö
Sami Yli-Sirniö
Roope Latvala
Janne Parviainen
Mika Järvelainen
Ville Veikko Vehviläinen
Real One
Waltari Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wake up, shake up yourself to the road
it's an endless one, so forget your code
just shoot, inside you there's a machine
gun your bullets are tough,
have a hot foot run
you don't need no peanuts or little
they'll give you heartache
just trust yourself wherever you go
'coz your heart always knows
what you got to show
I don't need no money, I dont need routine
it's just a waste of time, I'll be ugly and mean
I wanna "run the Sun" while doing my thing
the gift I got when I was as small as a pin
the smoggy air is just killing my breath
murdering the nation,
'coz there's no more health
people are lazy, just sitting in their cars
I'd prefer to feel free and walk on the mars
(Chorus:)
I don't need nothing but a real life
(I'm your rainy day!)
I just need some time to groove
I dont need nothing but a real luck
(I'm your rainy day!)
to lean on my destiny
Just shoot, inside you there is a machine gun!
Just shoot, inside you there is a machine gun!
(Killing the breath!..)
Just shoot, inside you there is a machine gun!
(Chorus:)
I don't need nothing but a real life
(I'm your rainy day!)
I just need some time to groove
I dont need nothing but a real luck
(I'm your rainy day!)
to lean on my destiny
(I need some time to go)
I don't need nothing but a real life
(I'm your rainy day!)
I just need some time to go
I dont need nothing but a real luck
(I'm your rainy day!)
to lean on my destiny
TRAVEL FAR AND NEVER STOP!
The lyrics of Waltari's song "Real One" seem to suggest a message of liberation from the constraints of everyday life. The opening lines, "Wake up, shake up yourself to the road / it's an endless one, so forget your code," encourage the listener to abandon routine and embark on a journey of self-discovery. The use of the phrase "machine gun" reinforces the idea of a powerful and unstoppable force within oneself, urging the individual to trust their instincts and not be held back by fear or doubt.
The lyrics also touch on the negative effects of modern society on both physical and mental health. The line, "the smoggy air is just killing my breath," highlights the damage caused by pollution and implies a call to action for environmental consciousness. Additionally, the criticism of people "sitting in their cars" emphasizes the sedentary nature of modern life and advocates for increased physical activity and exploration.
The chorus emphasizes the desire for a "real life" and "real luck" rather than material possessions or status. The phrase "lean on my destiny" suggests a belief in fate and personal power, rather than relying on external factors for success. The line "TRAVEL FAR AND NEVER STOP!" caps off the song's message of adventure and constant self-improvement.
Line by Line Meaning
Wake up, shake up yourself to the road
Get yourself up and moving towards your goals
it's an endless one, so forget your code
Life is full of possibilities, so don't limit yourself with rules and expectations
just shoot, inside you there's a machine gun
Tap into your inner strength and courage
gun your bullets are tough, have a hot foot run
You are strong and capable of achieving your goals
you don't need no peanuts or little mistakes
Don't let small setbacks hold you back
they'll give you bad feelings, they'll give you heartache
Don't let negative experiences bring you down
just trust yourself wherever you go
Have confidence in yourself and your abilities
'coz your heart always knows what you got to show
Your heart will guide you towards your true purpose and passions
I don't need no money, I dont need routine
Material possessions and repetitive daily routines are not what brings true happiness
it's just a waste of time, I'll be ugly and mean
Focusing on material things and routine can make you bitter and unhappy
I wanna 'run the Sun' while doing my thing
The singer wants to pursue their passions and make the most of each day
the gift I got when I was as small as a pin
The artist's talents and passions have been with them since childhood
the smoggy air is just killing my breath
The pollution and stress of modern life can suffocate your spirit
murdering the nation, 'coz there's no more health
Society's focus on material success is detrimental to our collective health and well-being
people are lazy, just sitting in their cars
Many people have become complacent and comfortable with their current lives
I'd prefer to feel free and walk on the mars
The artist desires adventure and freedom to explore and experience new things
I don't need nothing but a real life
The artist values authenticity and living in their truth
(I'm your rainy day!)
This line appears to be a repeated refrain and is open to interpretation.
I just need some time to groove
The singer wants to take time to enjoy life and engage in activities they enjoy
I dont need nothing but a real luck
The artist believes in the power of positive energy and good fortune
to lean on my destiny
The artist trusts that their path in life will unfold as it should
TRAVEL FAR AND NEVER STOP!
An exhortation to explore as much of the world as possible and to never stop experiencing new things
Just shoot, inside you there is a machine gun!
A repeated refrain, calling on the listener to tap into their inner strength and courage
(Killing the breath!..)
An enigmatic line that seems to convey a sense of urgency or danger.
Contributed by Tyler T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.