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.
Düülirium
Amon Düül II Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Alles wird gut
Alles wird gut
Es menschelt wieder, es menschelt wieder, im Düülirium
Es menschelt wieder, es menschelt wieder, im Düülirium
Alles wird gut im Insektenstaat, ich sag's doch
Breitmaulige Meute ohne Kopf
Alles wird gut
Es menschelt wieder, im Düülirium. Düülirium
Zwei Worte von mir, der Rest von euch
Kroatischer Nougat, ich sag's doch
Blaue Blätter fallen
Einigt euch!
Heiß weht der Föhn!
Ich sag's doch: Eßt mehr Hund!
Alles wird gut
Wolkenkratzer haben auch was
Baut höher!
Schneller im Keller. Wenns kommt
Alles, alles wird gut
Schneller im Keller. Wenns kommt
Alles wird gut
Kroatischer Nougat, ich sags doch
Blaue Blätter fallen
Einigt euch!
Heiß weht der Föhn
Baut höher!
Schneller im Keller, wenns kommt
Alles wird gut
Alles wird gut
Alles wird gut
Es menschelt wieder, es menschelt wieder, im Düülirium
Es menschelt wieder, es menschelt wieder im Delüürium
Es menschelt wieder, es menschelt wieder, im Düülirium
Es menschelt wieder, es menschelt wieder im Delüürium
Alles wird gut
Alles wird gut
Alles wird gut
Alles wird gut
Alles wird gut
Ich sags doch: Eßt mehr Hund. Eßt mehr Hund!
Ich sags doch: Eßt mehr Hund
Alles wird gut
Alles wird gut
Eßt mehr Hund!
Alles wird gut
Düülirium. Düülürium. Düülürium. Düülürium
Na und, Düülirium. Düülirium
Baut mehr! Baut höher!
Baut höher! Schneller im Keller!
Baut höher!
Baut höher! Schneller im Keller!
Baut höher!
Baut höher! Schneller im Keller!
Wenns kommt. Wenns kommt. Wenns kommt
Alles wird gut...
The lyrics to Amon Düül II's "Düülirium" are nonsensical and surreal, using fragmented phrases and strange associations to create a stream-of-consciousness vibe. The repeated refrain of "Alles wird gut" (Everything will be good) serves as an ironic counterpoint to the chaotic imagery that follows.
The song seems to be commenting on the state of humanity, with references to airplanes flying low and the need to build higher buildings. The line "Breitmaulige Meute ohne Kopf" (broad-mouthed pack without a head) could refer to mindless consumerism or mob mentality. The references to Croatian nougat and falling blue leaves seem to be deliberately obscure, adding to the overall sense of disorientation.
The line "Ich sags doch: Eßt mehr Hund!" (I'm telling you: Eat more dog!) is a jarring and unexpected command, but it could be interpreted as a critique of Western cultural attitudes towards animals and food.
Overall, "Düülirium" is a trippy and unsettling song that defies easy interpretation. It seems to be a commentary on the state of the world and the strange ways in which people try to make sense of it.
Line by Line Meaning
Ich sags doch: Eßt mehr Hund!
The singer believes that eating more dog meat would benefit society.
Alles wird gut
Everything will be okay.
Es menschelt wieder, es menschelt wieder, im Düülirium
There is a human connection once again in the chaos of the Düülirium.
Die Flugzeuge fliegen tief – baut höher!
As airplanes fly lower, people should build higher structures.
Alles wird gut im Insektenstaat, ich sag's doch
The societal structure of insects is ideal and should be emulated.
Breitmaulige Meute ohne Kopf
A mindless crowd with open mouths represents the masses.
Zwei Worte von mir, der Rest von euch
The singer believes that they only need to say two words and everyone else will follow.
Kroatischer Nougat, ich sag's doch
Croatian nougat is the superior choice.
Blaue Blätter fallen
Blue leaves are falling, which could be interpreted as melancholic.
Einigt euch!
People need to come together and find agreement.
Heiß weht der Föhn!
Warm winds are blowing strongly.
Wolkenkratzer haben auch was
Tall buildings have their own appeal.
Schneller im Keller. Wenns kommt
Act quickly and take shelter when disaster strikes.
Es menschelt wieder, im Düülirium. Düülirium
There is once again a sense of humanity in the chaos of the Düülirium.
Alles wird gut
Everything will be okay.
Alles wird gut
Everything will be okay.
Alles wird gut
Everything will be okay.
Alles wird gut
Everything will be okay.
Alles wird gut
Everything will be okay.
Kroatischer Nougat, ich sags doch
Croatian nougat is the superior choice.
Eßt mehr Hund!
The singer reiterates their belief that people should eat more dog meat.
Düülirium. Düülürium. Düülürium. Düülürium
Repetition of the word Düülirium, possibly to emphasize the chaos of the situation.
Na und, Düülirium. Düülirium
The singer seems unfazed by the chaos of the Düülirium.
Baut mehr! Baut höher!
People should build more and taller structures.
Schneller im Keller!
The need to quickly take shelter in a disaster.
Wenns kommt
If/when it happens.
Alles wird gut...
Ellipses implies a sense of uncertainty or hesitation about the previous statement.
Contributed by William F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
John LaStrada
The first track "On The Highway," has the late, deep-voiced bassist Lothar Meid (passed away 2015). The wonderful female Amon Duul II vocalist Renate Knaupe joins him.
The LP was released in 2014 & was entitled originally "Bee As Such," (2010). I believe these tracks are out-takes from Wolf City LP in 1972. I could be wrong.
Founding members Chris Karrer plays violin & he left AD in 1981. Guitarist John Weinzierl produced this LP & he left the band in 1977.
Track 2 has a good drum groove by either Daniel Fichelscher or Jan Vacic. Two drummers are credited. According to the internet, the band is still together (2019) -- but I doubt many founding members (some have died) still play. Possible some past members rejoined the newer members -- judging from the "members" highlighted on their website.
This may just be Amon Duul II cleaning out the attic.
TheJimbomull1
Wow. I am an “oldie” at 66 and this is amazing after all these years. The soul never ages, nor the music. Much universal love
William Elliott
I had no idea Amun dull2 was still around. Huge fan of them from 1968-1979 ahead of their time in the 60's and 70's. I will be looking for this now. Awesome news!
Enzo Galli
Always loved this GREAT band...pure genius...ADII forever!!! Enzo57 Italy
Deividas
Real good news, fan for several years
Huxley Invisible
50 years of Magic - Thank you Chris <3
Jorge Anguas
Amon Duul II, alive and well! (12-III-2019, listened).
ClangersSpace
Sadly Lothar and Peter aren't, and no material available this last 9 years since this collection, which was from 2010, reissued in 2014.
Nelson Soucasaux
I knew Amon Düüll ll in 1973 with "Wolf City", when I was still 23 years old. It was fascinated by it, and still consider this album their masterpiece. Immediately after I got "Carnival in Babylon", and loved ( and still love ! ) the first and the last track, amazing guitar solos ( I'm also a guitar player and composer of guitar pieces ). But I saw a "complicated" musical proposal in "Vive La Trance", mostly after "Wolf City". But I liked very much some tracks. Well, I'm not writing here to state my personal opinion on each AD2 album. But I thought the band had finished after 1981 "Vortex". Now, I'm surprised and deeply emotionally touched by knowing that they are back and watching some of their last performances. So, these days I've been thinking a lot about them and the great importance they had in the very beginning of prog music and mostly the so-called "Krautrock". Well... Now I'm listening for the first time to this album from 2014, "Duulirium"... I never imagined it existed ! Now I'm listening to the 2nd track, and interrupted to write this comment. I can't say I like these first two tracks ( I still didn't listen to the others... ), I would have to listen again several times, but... I can say it's PURE AVANTGARDE, and I feel very glad that the band remains coherent to their original spirit of breaking boundaries ! Even their own boundaries... Between the apparent "confusion" of voices, I hear... Chris Karrer's wonderful violin ! And musicians who, above the age of 70 ( I'm 69... ), still have the "courage" of doing absolutely NEW THINGS ! Many thanks for posting and congratulations to the band, mostly Renate, John and Chris ! All the best to all of you !
Maxx Black
Very.good review I agree ☮️
Nelson Soucasaux
Well... "Back to the rules"... Walking to the park... "Back to the rules"... "Back to the rules"... It's just the times we are living !!! Yes, everything is ABSOLUTELY CRAZY... And Amon Düüll ll REMAINS TOO IMPORTANT !!! And that's very nice ! Thanks once again for posting !