Although a vein of social and political humor runs though even his earliest work, Bern's work became more explicitly political during the 2004 US presidential election campaign, with songs such as "Bush Must Be Defeated" and "President" highlighting his sometimes surreal political takes.
Bern is reflexively literate, in the style of his favorite authors, including L.A.'s legendary bohemians Charles Bukowski and John Fante, urbane fantasist James Thurber, and yarn-spinning humorist Ring Lardner. He is in love with the power of words to turn on themselves, to frolic, to bite, and his strong, friendly voice can go from earnest to ferocious within seconds. Being captivated by Dan is the easy part; describing his music to the non-initiated is more difficult. One journalist tried: "topical-poetical-sarcastic-punk-folk." An admirable effort, further elaborated by the New York Times: "He veers from comedy to anger, conjectures to shaggy-dog stories; he takes sidelong approaches to theology, science fiction, consumer culture, art, love and baseball."
Krautmeyer
Dan Bern Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Charles Manson's real name was Charles Krautmeyer
He's forgotten it
Charles Manson had a buncha people
Who believed his every word
Who followed his directions
To cut up buncha rich people
Would they still have done it
I kinda doubt it
Charles Manson made a shitty album
Not too long before he got a buncha people
To believe his every word
And follow his directions
To cut up buncha rich people
Would they still have done it
If they'd heard his shitty album
I kinda doubt it
Charles Manson's real name was Charles Krautmeyer
Charles Manson's real name was Charles Krautmeyer
Charles Manson's real name was Charles Krautmeyer
Ooo-ooo-ooo-ooo-ooo-ooo-ooo-ooo-ooh
Marilyn Manson took the last name of Charlie Manson
He didn't take the name Marilyn Krautmeyer
If he was called Marilyn Krautmeyer
I bet no adults with large straws up their asses
Would try to cancel any of his concerts
The way they do with Marilyn Manson
I think he should be called Marilyn Krautmeyer
He'd probably get to play a few more concerts
And maybe he wouldn't sell quite as many of his shitty albums
But at least the truth would be out that
Charles Manson's real name was Charles Krautmeyer
Charles Manson's real name was Charles Krautmeyer
Charles Manson's real name was Charles Krautmeyer
Ooo-ooo-ooo-ooo-ooo-ooo-ooo-ooo-ooh
Charles Manson really was a lucky guy
People didn't hear his shitty album
People didn't know his name was Krautmeyer
His followers never saw him pick his nose
Which I understand he liked to do a lot
Charles Manson comes up for parole every now and then
Three guys sit across from him
And talk to him for half and hour
Then stamp denied on his papers
Then run home and tell their wives about it
Maybe he should go back to Krautmeyer
Maybe they'd ignore the swastika on his forehead
And stamp approved on his papers
We hereby parole you, Charles Krautmeyer
Charles Manson's real name was Charles Krautmeyer
Charles Manson's real name was Charles Krautmeyer
Charles Manson's real name was Charles Krautmeyer
Ooo-ooo-ooo-ooo-ooo-ooo-ooo-ooo-ooh
"Krautmeyer" by Dan Bern is a satirical commentary on the notorious criminal Charles Manson and his followers. The song begins with the revelation that Charles Manson has forgotten his real name, which was Charles Krautmeyer. The lyrics suggest that Manson's followers may not have been as inclined to follow his orders to kill if they knew his real name. The song also highlights Manson's failed attempt at a music career and the irony that his followers committed murders while also being fans of his music.
The song also touches on the controversy surrounding Marilyn Manson, who was named in part after Charles Manson. The lyrics suggest that if Marilyn Manson's last name was Krautmeyer rather than Manson, he may not face as much backlash and controversy surrounding his music and performances.
Overall, "Krautmeyer" is a tongue-in-cheek social commentary on the cult-like following of Charles Manson and the ongoing fascination with his crimes and infamy.
Line by Line Meaning
Charles Manson doesn't even know his last name anymore
Charles Manson has forgotten his real last name, which was Charles Krautmeyer.
Charles Manson's real name was Charles Krautmeyer
Charles Manson's birth name was Charles Krautmeyer, not Manson.
He's forgotten it
Charles Manson has forgotten his real last name, which was Charles Krautmeyer.
He had a buncha people who believed his every word
Charles Manson had followers who were highly influenced by his words and actions.
Who followed his directions
Charles Manson's followers obeyed his instructions without questioning them.
To cut up buncha rich people
Charles Manson instructed his followers to brutally murder a group of wealthy individuals.
Would they still have done it if they'd known his name was Krautmeyer
It's doubtful that Charles Manson's followers would have still committed murder if they knew his real name was Krautmeyer.
Charles Manson made a shitty album
Charles Manson recorded a poorly received album before he became known for his crimes.
If they'd heard his shitty album
It's doubtful that Charles Manson's followers would have still committed murder if they had heard his bad album.
Marilyn Manson took the last name of Charlie Manson
The artist Marilyn Manson adopted the last name of Charles Manson, but not his original last name of Krautmeyer.
If he was called Marilyn Krautmeyer
Had Marilyn Manson taken the last name Krautmeyer, it's possible that his controversial performances would not have faced as much backlash from certain groups.
He'd probably get to play a few more concerts
If Marilyn Manson had taken the last name Krautmeyer, he may have been less controversial and able to play more shows.
Charles Manson really was a lucky guy
Despite his heinous crimes, Charles Manson was fortunate that many negative aspects of his life were not more widely known.
His followers never saw him pick his nose
Charles Manson was fortunate that some of his less desirable habits were not witnessed by his followers.
Charles Manson comes up for parole every now and then
Charles Manson is periodically up for parole.
Maybe he should go back to Krautmeyer
It's suggested that Charles Manson should go back to using his original last name, Krautmeyer.
Maybe they'd ignore the swastika on his forehead
It's suggested that if Charles Manson used his original last name, Krautmeyer, his controversial tattoos may have less negative impact on his parole hearings.
We hereby parole you, Charles Krautmeyer
It's suggested that if Charles Manson adopted his original last name, Krautmeyer, he may have a greater chance of being paroled.
Contributed by Evelyn K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.