The band emerged in 1968 out of the scene of hippies and squatters in Munich, Germany, but their strong interest in music led them to go their own way. They took their name from the old Egyptian name Amon, being an Egyptian sun god, and Düül, a character from Turkish fiction. Their personnel changed constantly, but maybe the most permanent members were Renate Knaup (vocals), Chris Karrer (guitar, violin), John Weinzierl (guitar), Peter Leopold (drums), Falk Rogner (organ, synthesizer). After several successful albums with a style that reached from long improvisation to more structured rock songs they split. Later they tried several resurrections but none of them brought back the old days of glory.
Amon Düül was initially an anarchist commune, but it split into two factions, Amon Düül (sometimes called Amon Düül I for disambiguation) and Amon Düül II. ADI was more politically inclined, but ADII preferred making music. Their anarchist tendencies are clearly seen in their music, especially on the albums Yeti, Tanz Der Lemminge, and Wolf City.
The band can be seen as having two distinct periods in their glory days, the improvisational period and the compositional period. The improvisational period consisted of albums such as Phallus Dei and Yeti, and, to a lesser extent, Tanz Der Lemminge. These albums all featured long, improvisational tracks (Phallus Dei was entirely improvised, and disc two of Yeti was as well, but Tanz Der Lemminge only featured one improvisation). Their compositional period starts with Carnival in Babylon and is highlighted by Wolf City. In this period, the band moved to more structured composed pieces. Many fans saw this as a poor move, but some believed that Amon Duul II proved that they were just as good at composing as they were at improvising.
Amon Düül II's drummer Peter Leopold died on 8 November 2006.
Bass player Lothar Meid died on 3 November 2015.
5.5.55
Amon Düül II Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Before the show drives the whole town out of their tree, I'd like to swap a word or two with one of those mad, camp music makers, the drummer. We all know him, we all love him. Here he is, folks: Adolf Hitler!
"Das Werk nehme seinen Anfang!"
Adolf, baby, you're what they call a veteran in the entertainment biz, starting back in the 20's with the Austrian Alleycats, and then moving on to the Beer Hall Putsch Poppers, not to mention the Berchtesgaden Boppers. And then you started the underground scene in Berlin with the Bunker Bobcats, all those crazy guys from the Western front.
Tell me something Adolf. After all them bags you've been in, don't you feel a little unravelled sometimes?
"Ich weiß nicht, wie lange nun dieses Ringen dauern wird, nur eines weiß ich: Am Ende wird unser Sieg stehen!"
Fan-tastic! Did you hear that, folks?
"Ich weiß nicht, wie lange nun dieses Ringen dauern wird. Nur eines weiß –"
Adolf, we heard you the first time. Now tell me something. You've been beating it out for a good long time, and yet you manage to keep with the young sound. What is it, clean living?
"Wissen Sie, wir sind bescheiden!"
Adolf, we're on the air. Now, one more question: You've broken bubbles with Joseph Goebbels, you've pickled herring with Hermann Göring, you even made a mess with Rudolf Heß. Now just one more thing before you cats take the stage out there at the White House and turn this town to mush. From your heart, Adolf, tell me this: If you had to do it all over again, would you have stayed a paper hanger?
The lyrics of Amon Düül II's song 5.5.55 comprise a fictional radio broadcast, in which the announcer Wally Whitefish introduces the upcoming performance of the band Amon Düül II and interviews its drummer, Adolf Hitler. As the dialogue unfolds, it becomes apparent that the interviewee is not literally the historical figure of Adolf Hitler, but rather a persona created by the band to embody the extreme elements of German culture and history, including its musical and political aspects. The interview reflects this duality, as it alternates between humorous banter and menacing statements, in a way that blurs or satirizes the line between art and reality. The ambiance of the song is thus one of absurdist, psychedelic, and dark humor, which resonates with the counterculture of the 1960s and 1970s, of which Amon Düül II was a part.
The lyrics of 5.5.55 are notable for their provocative and controversial content, which was considered by some critics as an expression of Nazi sympathies or fascist aesthetics. However, the band denied such allegations and claimed that they used the persona of Adolf Hitler as a critique of totalitarianism and authoritarianism, and as a way to shock and subvert the audience's expectations. The lyrics also feature several German phrases and slogans, such as "Das Werk nehme seinen Anfang" (the work begins), "Kein Volk kann sagen" (no people can say), and "Wir sind bescheiden" (we are humble), which add to the thematic complexity and cultural references of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Wally Whitefish wailing again on W-W-W-Washington, this time from the Red Room here at the wonderful White House.
Wally Whitefish is performing again live in Washington from the Red Room at the White House.
In only a few minutes the curtain goes up on Amon D-u-u-u-u-l and his terrifying Teutons.
Amon Düül II's show will start in a few minutes.
And the atmosphere is as high as an elephant's bibby!
The atmosphere is electric and exciting.
Before the show drives the whole town out of their tree, I'd like to swap a word or two with one of those mad, camp music makers, the drummer.
Before the show starts, the artist wants to talk to the drummer.
We all know him, we all love him.
The artist and audience are familiar with and fond of the drummer.
Here he is, folks: Adolf Hitler!
The drummer is introduced as Adolf Hitler.
"Das Werk nehme seinen Anfang!"
Adolf speaks a phrase meaning "the work begins" in German.
Tell me something Adolf. After all them bags you've been in, don't you feel a little unravelled sometimes?
The artist asks Adolf if he feels worn out from all his experiences.
"Ich weiß nicht, wie lange nun dieses Ringen dauern wird, nur eines weiß ich: Am Ende wird unser Sieg stehen!"
Adolf speaks a phrase meaning "I don't know how long this struggle will last, but one thing is certain, in the end our victory will stand" in German.
Fan-tastic! Did you hear that, folks?
The artist is excited about what Adolf just said.
"Ich weiß nicht, wie lange nun dieses Ringen dauern wird. Nur eines weiß –"
Adolf repeats the phrase from earlier.
Adolf, we heard you the first time. Now tell me something.
The artist asks Adolf to answer another question.
You've been beating it out for a good long time, and yet you manage to keep with the young sound. What is it, clean living?
The singer asks Adolf how he manages to stay relevant and young despite his age.
"Wissen Sie, wir sind bescheiden!"
Adolf speaks a phrase meaning "you know, we are humble!" in German.
Adolf, we're on the air. Now, one more question:
The singer reminds Adolf that they are live on air and asks another question.
You've broken bubbles with Joseph Goebbels, you've pickled herring with Hermann Göring, you even made a mess with Rudolf Heß.
The artist lists some people Adolf has associated with.
Now just one more thing before you cats take the stage out there at the White House and turn this town to mush.
The artist adds a final comment before the show starts.
From your heart, Adolf, tell me this: If you had to do it all over again, would you have stayed a paper hanger?
The singer asks Adolf if he would have chosen a different career if he could go back in time.
Contributed by Kennedy P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
David Metcalfe
on She Came Through the Chimney
Maybe it's "indigo sea" and not Indian sea on Sleepwalkers Timeless Bridge?