Jenny Ondioline

One of the more explicitly political songs for Stereolab. The title refers to a Moog-like organ invented in 1947 by a Frenchman named George Jenny. It was called "Jenny's Ondioline."

This song is very, very, very similar to Hallogallo by Neu! (apart from one being an instrumental).

The lyrics are missing a lot of the words at the end of each line and many are wrong (copied from some incomplete lyrics that seem to be on most lyric sites). The demo version has clearer lyrics but some lines are different. Here's my best guess for the album version:

Life on earth is a bloody hazard, it's unfair As in the city the republic was collapsing away, I think the brilliant crust hiding sad realities to come And as a decisive battle had been on, haven't we lost?

I don't care if the fascists have to win I don't care democracy's being fucked I don't care socialism's full of sin The unbeatable system engenders rot But what is exciting It's the challenge and stimulation But the tensions have to be creative, not so tight

The absence of profounder transformation in the country Make their hopes turn sour, feeling let down in a hurry Obviously once more it could be culture....[something] (à faire de l'ordre? [contrer de l'ordre? - in the demo]) don't you get to revolutionary

I don't care if the fascists have to win I don't care democracy's being fucked I don't care socialism's full of sin The illegitimate system's so corrupt But what is exciting It's the challenge and stimulation But the tensions have to be creative, not so tight

Life on earth is a bloody hazard, it's unfair [sounds French, or possibly "oppressive (something) identity"] The horrors of the war are to be repeated anyway, It was like taking candy from a baby.

We got to keep the lift, hope, and struggle Where is the lift, the hope, and the struggle? Give me the strength the lift, hope, and struggle