Origins
Several bands were important to the eventual sound, but OOMPH! is generally considered to be the original NDH-band, starting with their second album, Sperm. Another important early NDH band was Fleischmann.
Common Characteristics
Although there is no single defining characteristic of NDH, there are a number of features that are often present in NDH songs.
Instrumentation:
- Distorted guitars
- Melody in mid-range instruments, usually classical (i.e. orchestra, choir) or synthesized.
- Melody moves rapidly from instrument to instrument, and from instrument to vocal.
- Extensive ostinato/sound effects, which don't necessarily blend with the rest of the melody.
- Wide variety of instruments.
- Deep, clean male vocal part, often played more quietly than in other genres so that other instruments can be heard. Vocalist sings with many different timbres (e.g. clean singing, growling, screaming, etc.)
- Avoidance of strident instruments (notably cymbals).
- Techno-esque, nearly danceable beat drives the music; usually involves bass drum, or alternating cymbal and bass drum.
- NDH bands generally have serious lyrics, dynamic tempos, complicated chord progressions, and eschew solos.
Increasing popularity
NDH's sales have been increasing in Germany and the United States. Rammstein has sold more than 22 million records; other German artists are experiencing rising demand as well.
(from wikipedia)
Ich tu dir weh
Rammstein Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ich steck' dir Orden ins Gesicht
Du bist mir ganz und gar ergeben
Du liebst mich denn ich lieb' dich nicht
Du blutest für mein Seelenheil
Ein kleiner Schnitt und du wirst geil
Der Körper schon total entstellt
Egal, erlaubt ist was gefällt
Ich tu' dir weh
Tut mir nicht leid
Das tut dir gut
Hört wie es schreit
Bei dir hab' ich die Wahl der Qual
Stacheldraht im Harnkanal
Leg' dein Fleisch in Salz und Eiter
Erst stirbst du doch dann lebst du weiter
Bisse, Tritte, harte Schläge
Nagelzangen, stumpfe säge
Wünsch' dir was ich sag' nicht nein
Und führ' dir Nagetiere ein
Ich tu' dir weh
Tut mir nicht leid
Das tut dir gut
Hört wie es schreit
Ich tu' dir weh
Tut mir nicht leid
Das tut dir gut
Hört wie es schreit
Du bist das Schiff ich der Kapitän
Wohin soll denn die Reise gehen
Ich seh' im Spiegel dein Gesicht
Du liebst mich denn ich lieb' dich nicht
Ich tu' dir weh
Tut mir nicht leid
Das tut dir gut
Hört wie es schreit
Ich tu' dir weh
Tut mir nicht leid
Das tut dir gut
Hört wie es schreit
The lyrics to Rammstein’s “Ich tu dir weh” may be uncomfortable to listen to at first, but they hold a deeper meaning beyond the song’s explicit sexual, violent and sadistic content. The song explores themes of power, control, and abuse within a sadomasochistic relationship. The lyrics are spoken from the perspective of a dominant partner who enjoys inflicting pain and suffering on their submissive counterpart. The opening lines, “Nur für mich bist du am Leben” (Only for me are you alive) establishes the power dynamic and control that the dominant partner holds over the submissive partner. The goal of this sadomasochistic relationship is to blur the lines between pleasure and pain and to create a strong emotional bond between the partners.
The second verse of the song involves the dominant partner describing different ways to cause pain and harm to their submissive partner. The lines “Leg dein Fleisch in Salz und Eiter / Erst stirbst du doch dann lebst du weiter” (Put your flesh in salt and pus / At first you’ll die but then you’ll live on) are particularly gruesome, describing a level of violence that may be difficult for some listeners to stomach. However, these lines, and the song as a whole, seem to represent a metaphorical, rather than literal, relationship between the two partners.
Line by Line Meaning
Nur für mich bist du am Leben
You only exist for me
Ich steck' dir Orden ins Gesicht
I scar your face with medals
Du bist mir ganz und gar ergeben
You are entirely devoted to me
Du liebst mich denn ich lieb' dich nicht
You love me but I do not love you
Du blutest für mein Seelenheil
You bleed for my spiritual salvation
Ein kleiner Schnitt und du wirst geil
A small cut makes you aroused
Der Körper schon total entstellt
Your body is already completely disfigured
Egal, erlaubt ist was gefällt
It doesn't matter, whatever pleases me is allowed
Bei dir hab' ich die Wahl der Qual
With you, I have the option of choosing from various forms of torture
Stacheldraht im Harnkanal
Barbed wire in your urethra
Leg' dein Fleisch in Salz und Eiter
I put your flesh in salt and pus
Erst stirbst du doch dann lebst du weiter
You die first, then you continue to live
Bisse, Tritte, harte Schläge
Bites, kicks, and hard punches
Nagelzangen, stumpfe säge
Nail clippers, dull saw
Wünsch' dir was ich sag' nicht nein
You can ask for anything, I won't say no
Und führ' dir Nagetiere ein
And I make you swallow rodents
Du bist das Schiff ich der Kapitän
You are the ship, I am the captain
Wohin soll denn die Reise gehen
Where should the journey go?
Ich seh' im Spiegel dein Gesicht
I see your face in the mirror
Ich tu' dir weh
I hurt you
Tut mir nicht leid
I'm not sorry
Das tut dir gut
It's good for you
Hört wie es schreit
Hear how it screams
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Paul Landers, Till Lindemann, Doktor Christian Lorenz, Oliver Riedel, Christoph Doom Schneider, Richard Z Kruspe
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
SabrinaOnlineFan96
on Sonne
This song reminds me of Gru from Despicable Me, as he is so powerful, that he paralyzed a shark and was able to outrun supersonic missiles.
Ben - Moderator
on Keine Lust
Corrected the music video fact above.
Andrew
on Keine Lust
The music video has them performing in fat suits, not at a funeral.