"Vitamin C" is a landmark song by the pioneering German krautrock band CAN, released in 1972 as part of their influential album Ege Bamyası and as a single. The track is highly regarded for its infectious groove, avant-garde sensibility, and enigmatic lyrics that showcase the band's experimental approach and genre-blending sound123.
Key Details
- Release Year: 1972
- Album: Ege Bamyası
- Single Release: B-side "I'm So Green"
- Duration: 3:32
- Band Line-Up on Track:
- Damo Suzuki – vocals
- Holger Czukay – bass
- Michael Karoli – guitar
- Irmin Schmidt – keyboards
- Jaki Liebezeit – drums
Musical Style and Composition
- The song stands out for its tight, funk-inspired rhythm section, dynamic drumming, and swirling psychedelic textures characteristic of Can's Ege Bamyası-era sound.
- "Vitamin C" is notable for being one of Can’s most accessible and concise tracks, clocking in at under four minutes but delivering powerful energy and an unforgettable chant-like refrain.
- Damo Suzuki’s vocal delivery moves between cryptic verse and the memorable chorus: "Hey you! You're losing, you're losing, you're losing, you're losing your vitamin C"
Lyrics (Excerpt)
Her daddy got a big aeroplane
Her mommy holds all the family cash
…
Hey, you!
You're losing, you're losing, you're losing
You're losing your vitamin C
Background and Cultural Impact
- The song’s title and chorus have no literal connection to vitamin C, instead serving as a playful motif within the band’s free-spirited, improvisational songwriting style.
- The album cover features a can of Aegean okra, which is rich in vitamin C—a subtle nod to the song and the album’s organic themes.
- "Vitamin C" became one of CAN’s most recognized tracks, praised for its danceable beat and hypnotic structure.
- It has been featured in film and television, such as the opening scene of Paul Thomas Anderson’s Inherent Vice (2014), and sampled or referenced by a range of contemporary artists.
- Mark E. Smith of The Fall paid tribute to Damo Suzuki and the song in his track "I Am Damo Suzuki".
Legacy
- "Vitamin C" is regularly cited as a key entry point to CAN’s catalog and is emblematic of krautrock’s fusion of rock, funk, jazz, and experimental music.
- The song remains a staple in the world of psychedelic and experimental rock.
"Vitamin C" endures as an avant-garde classic, combining groove, experimentation, and cryptic lyricism into one of krautrock’s most indispensable tracks.
