PUNK band called Abwärts (in german for Downwards) is among the oldest exis… Read Full Bio ↴PUNK band called Abwärts (in german for Downwards) is among the oldest existing West German punk bands, led by singer/guitarist Frank Z., and founded in 1979 in Hamburg. Abwärts first achieved popularity within the punk and new wave scene with the "computerstaat" EP and the album "Amok Koma" both released in 1980 by "ZickZack Records". Soon Abwärts got fans in the faster hardcore as well as in the NDW Neue Deutsche Welle - New German Wave scene, with their second album, the dark and mysteriou "Der Westen Ist Einsam". After this album bassist Marc Chung and keyboardist FM Einheit left the band to join the Industrial legend band Einstürzende Neubauten. Abwärts recorded sporadically throughout the rest of the 1980s, before a shift in a more "crossover / thrash-metal" oriented direction led to a flurry of albums (5 in 5 years) in the early 1990s, before Frank Z. started a solo career. Today, Die Ärzte bassist Rod Gonzalez is member of Abwärts.

Bel Ami
Abwärts Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Du hast Glück bei den Frau'n, Bel Ami!
Soviel Glück bei den Frau'n, Bel Ami!
Bist nicht schön, doch charmant
Bist nicht klug, doch sehr galant
Bist kein Held
Nur ein Mann, der gefällt

Du verliebst jeden Tag dich aufs neu'

Du küsst und bleibst keiner treu
Doch die Frau, die dich liebt
Machst du glücklich wie noch nie
Bel Ami! Bel Ami! Bel Ami!
Bel Ami!

Häng dich auf, ich häng dich ab
Morgen früh
Häng dich auf, ich häng dich ab
Morgen früh
Häng dich auf, ich häng dich ab
Morgen früh
Bel Ami!

Bel Ami! Bel Ami! Bel Ami!
Männlich, weiblich, männlich, weiblich

Overall Meaning

The song "Bel Ami" by Abwärts tells the story of a man named Bel Ami who is not conventionally handsome or intelligent but is charming and gallant, and that is how he manages to attract so many women. Though he falls in love every day, he cannot remain faithful to anyone. However, there is one woman who loves him despite his infidelity, and he makes her happier than anyone else ever could. The chorus repeats the name Bel Ami, highlighting how this charismatic man is adored by women despite his flaws.

The lyrics seem to be a commentary on society's tendency to place more value on charm and charisma than on actual substance. Bel Ami's success with women is not based on his intellect or physical appearance, but rather on his magnetic personality. However, this charm also leads to his downfall, as he cannot remain loyal to any one woman. The chorus's repetition of Bel Ami's name suggests that despite his flaws, he is still an admired and desired figure.

Overall, "Bel Ami" is a witty and insightful commentary on societal values and the power of charm and charisma in attracting others.

Line by Line Meaning

Du hast Glück bei den Frau'n, Bel Ami!
You're lucky with the ladies, Bel Ami!

Soviel Glück bei den Frau'n, Bel Ami!
So much luck with the ladies, Bel Ami!

Bist nicht schön, doch charmant
You're not handsome, but charming

Bist nicht klug, doch sehr galant
You're not smart, but very gallant

Bist kein Held
You're not a hero

Nur ein Mann, der gefällt
Just a man who pleases

Du verliebst jeden Tag dich aufs neu'
You fall in love anew every day

Du küsst und bleibst keiner treu
You kiss and stay faithful to no one

Doch die Frau, die dich liebt
But the woman who loves you

Machst du glücklich wie noch nie
You make her happier than ever