We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

You can relax

from Ancient Gems by Nowo

/

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more. Paying supporters also get unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app.
    Purchasable with gift card

      name your price

     

  • Buy the Full Digital Album

about

One of the few openly political songs I have ever written. Looking back over the political events in 1986 and 1987, I can’t remember the actual trigger. However, the song was directed less against politicians per se but more against the great mass of people who just don’t care enough to scrutinise what they are fed by the media. Fast forward 30 years, invent social media and the song is more topical than ever.
Recorded originally by SteNo, this song has seen more incarnations than any other. Apart from the original production, there are three acoustic ones, a rock version from 1993, one from 1997 and an electronica / techno version from 2000. This one is by far the best version. It is slower than the SteNo one, already has drums in the second verse and an additional guitar solo after the synth solo, but when listening to both version, the old one feels like a good demo version of this, the proper recording. Even the D-50 klink-klank sample is present in both.

lyrics

You can relax (lyrics)

You think you are so informed you really think you are
But what you know is just a shadow of the truth
You close your eyes to facts you don’t want to see
See no evil - hear no evil - speak no evil
Do you believe in what you see
Or do you want to see what you believe
Your whole world is based on rules
But don’t you see, they disappeared

You can relax and lean back in your chair
Watch TV like the BBC news at 10
And if you hear a noise, don’t be afraid
You know you can always call for the police
You can rely on the forces that guard you
They watch everything so you can sleep undisturbed
And if there is a killer on the loose don’t be alarmed
They’ll get him before he gets you

You watch TV every night through the year
Believing every single lie you see
You’re frightened by the pictures of angry young men
Threatening your own little world
You call for a strong leader someone with ideas
To control the threats to your world view
You don’t recognize the real problems
The lies of our leaders pleaders of their own power

You can relax and lean back in your chair
Watch TV like the BBC news at 10
And if you hear a noise, don’t be afraid
You know you can always call for the police
You can rely on the forces that guard you
They watch everything so you can sleep undisturbed
And if there is a killer on the loose don’t be alarmed
They’ll get him before he gets you

You watch TV every night through the year
Believing every single lie you see
You close your eyes to facts you don’t want to see
See no evil - hear no evil - speak no evil
You call for a strong leader someone with ideas
To control these threats to your world view
Your whole world is based on rules
But don’t you see, they disappeared

You can relax and lean back in your chair
Watch TV like the BBC news at 10
And if you hear a noise, don’t be afraid
You know you can always call for the police
You can rely on the forces that guard you
They watch everything so you can sleep undisturbed
But if there is a killer on the loose better be alarmed
He’ll get you before they have a chance to get to him

credits

from Ancient Gems, released December 22, 2017
Music & Lyrics: Andreas Nowotny (c) 1987
All vocals, guitars, keyboards, bass & drums: Nowo

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Nowo image

Nowo Germany

Nowo started out in the mid 80s as a singer and guitarist for several bands, before switching sides to work as a FoH sound technican.
Founder of the virtual band "Growing Old Disgracefully", he also works on downtempo electronica and rock/pop solo albums.
His latest release, "Ancient Gems" is a collection of his favourite songs from the past three decades. ... more

contact / help

Contact Nowo

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this track or account

If you like Nowo, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Fabiana Palladino stops by to talk about her mesmeric debut LP.
listen now