Shanghai Stinker
Abwärts Lyrics

The lyrics of Abwärts's song Shanghai Stinker, particularly the stanza "Seemann, deine Heimat ist das Meer, deine Freunde sind die Sterne / Über Rio und Shanghai, über Bali und Hawaii," speak to the wanderlust and longing for adventure that is often associated with sailors and the open sea. The singer imagines what it would be like to be a sailor, with the ocean as their home and the stars as their companions. The mention of different exotic locations like Rio, Shanghai, Bali, and Hawaii, gives a sense of the vastness of the world and the possibilities for exploration and discovery.

The repetition of the phrase "Über Rio und Shanghai, über Bali und Hawaii" reinforces the idea of travel, and suggests that the sailor's journey is not just about reaching a destination, but about the experiences they have along the way. The singer's question, "Wenn ich ein Seemann wär', und ich wüsst' nicht, wo ich wär', wo wär' ich dann?" adds a touch of melancholy to the lyrics, hinting at the loneliness and uncertainty that can come with a life spent wandering the seas.

Overall, Shanghai Stinker is a reflection on the allure of adventure and the freedom that comes with the open sea, but it also acknowledges the sacrifices and challenges that come with such a lifestyle.