Since they started, the Zatopeks have played shows all across Europe, including the UK, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Denmark, Switzerland and Italy. Along the way they have played with such bands as the Groovie Ghoulies, Tuuli, the Spazzys, the Turbo AC’s, The Apers, Roger Miret and The Disasters, The Real McKenzies, the Backwood Creatures, the Sonic Dolls, the Peawees, and the Foamers.
The first Zatopeks release came out in 2003 on New York based label Whoa Oh Records. It was a split CD with four different bands from across Europe contributing four songs each. That release gave the band some good publicity, and they followed it up in 2004 with a split 7” with the 20belows from Denmark on Sebby’s label All-Nite Records. This is a limited edition 7” on white vinyl with artwork by Dutch graphic designer Stefan Tijs, who also runs Stardumb Records.
The band have also been featured on compilations released by Stardumb Records (NL), Punktastic Recordings (UK) and AMP Magazine (US). They are also being included on a compilation being organised by Interpunk for a release in 2005.
The first Zatopeks full-length album was released in March 2005 on Stardumb Records. It was recorded at Excess Studios in Rotterdam by Dennis Leidelmeyer, and mastered by V. Koremans of Dutch pop-punk band the Travoltas. It has been very well received, and was supported by a European tour in the summer of 2005.
2006 sees a Dutch tour in May, followed by a UK tour for the first time. There are also 2 7" releases planned on It's Alive Records (USA).
Sophie Scholl
Zatopeks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And she's a million miles away from my cosy little world
Oh this song's for Sophie School, but I know
It's not rational though you died sixty years ago
Yeah, a white rose in her hand and Aquinas by her side
Forever twenty-one, how I see you tonight
It's true the best die young, but that doesn't make it right
Oh no, oh yeah, this song's for Sophie Scholl...
Aquinas in her hand and the white rose by her side
'We will not be silent
We are your bad consience
We will not leave you in peace'
The White Rose will not leave you in peace
Oh this song's for Sophie Scholl, but I know it's impossible
Though you died sixty years ago
Miss Monroe, step aside, I've found my girl
The lyrics of Zatopeks's song "Sophie Scholl" speak of a girl who is a million miles away from the singer's cozy little world. The song is dedicated to Sophie Scholl, a member of the White Rose resistance movement in Nazi Germany who was executed at the age of 21 for distributing leaflets speaking out against the Nazi regime. The singer mentions that he has a picture of Sophie with a white rose in her hand and Aquinas by her side. He is lamenting the fact that someone so young and full of promise had to die so young, but he is also determined to keep her memory alive.
The singer's admiration for Sophie is clear throughout the song, and he admits that it is not rational to feel so strongly about someone who died six decades ago. However, he is still moved by her bravery and her refusal to be silent in the face of injustice. He quotes a line from the White Rose's leaflets, "We will not be silent. We are your bad conscience. We will not leave you in peace." The singer seems to be taking up this call to action, pledging to continue the fight against oppression and fascism.
Overall, the lyrics of "Sophie Scholl" are a tribute to a young woman who stood up for what she believed in even at great personal risk. The song serves as a reminder that we must never forget the bravery of those who fight for justice and freedom.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been thinking 'bout a girl
I have been pondering about a girl
And she's a million miles away from my cosy little world
She is far away from my familiar and comfortable surroundings
Oh this song's for Sophie School, but I know
This song is dedicated to Sophie Scholl, but I understand
It's not rational though you died sixty years ago
It is irrational since she passed away sixty years ago
Miss Monroe, step aside, I've found my girl
Move over Miss Monroe, I have found the girl for me
Yeah, a white rose in her hand and Aquinas by her side
She carries a white rose and has Aquinas with her
Forever twenty-one, how I see you tonight
You will always be twenty-one years old in my memory, how I envision you tonight
It's true the best die young, but that doesn't make it right
Although it is true that the best people die young, it is not morally justifiable
Oh no, oh yeah, this song's for Sophie Scholl...
No, Yes, this song is indeed for Sophie Scholl...
Aquinas in her hand and the white rose by her side
Aquinas clasped in her hand and the white rose next to her
'We will not be silent
'We refuse to remain quiet
We are your bad conscience
We embody your guilty conscience
We will not leave you in peace'
We will not let you be at peace
The White Rose will not leave you in peace
The White Rose will not let you be at peace
Oh this song's for Sophie Scholl, but I know it's impossible
This song is for Sophie Scholl, but I realize it is impossible
Though you died sixty years ago
Even though you passed away sixty years ago
Miss Monroe, step aside, I've found my girl
Move over Miss Monroe, I have found the girl for me
Contributed by Owen K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.