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."
Reeperbahn
Dan Bern Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They'll go about their business and I'll go about mine
Mine is standing on the balcony
On the 4th floor above the Reeperbahn
Where the Beatles used to play
But I won't get all soppy and nostalgic
'Cause it's all right
And it's all right
And I don't care about anything at all
Tonight
Maybe I will take a walk and look at girls
Sometimes it amazes me that all of them have breasts
Some places they hide them, some they show them off
But it's all right I like it either way
It's a world-class distraction
You either get it or you don't
And it's all right
It's all right
And I don't care 'bout anything at all
Tonight
And I don't give a damn
The world could end tonight
Aliens could just start dropping bombs
Then the people of the Earth
Would love one another
For a couple days and then goodbye
So tonight I'll spare the prostitutes my body
And my money clip I'll keep my hard-earned money
The moon's behind a cloud
The drunks below are loud
I flick my ash it falls four floors down on the Reeperbahn
Where the Beatles used to play
But that was a long time ago and anyway
It's all right
I probably won't jump
It's all right
And I don't care 'bout anything at all
Tonight
The song "Reeperbahn" by Dan Bern speaks to the idea of being present in the moment and not getting caught up in the past or future. The singer is standing on the balcony of a building, above the infamous red-light district in Hamburg, known as Reeperbahn. Although the setting holds historical importance since this is where the Beatles initially started their journey towards fame, the singer refrains from being nostalgic but instead takes in the scenic view of the moonlit night. He admits that he might take a stroll to gaze at women, but finds the beauty in natural aspects such as enjoying the view of the moon or the sight of women's breasts, regardless of whether they're hidden or revealed.
Furthermore, the singer contemplates life's inevitabilities, such as the prospect of the world ending, a situation in which humans would temporarily love one another before saying goodbye. He seems to be at peace with his worldview and desires to enjoy the present, dismissing the striking and rowdy scene below of drunken people on the streets. The singer decides against availing the services of the sex workers, opting to enjoy the moment and finds solace in flicking his cigarette ash over the Reeperbahn.
Line by Line Meaning
I ain't interested in the whores tonight
I have no desire to engage with prostitutes tonight.
They'll go about their business and I'll go about mine
They will do what they do, and I will do what I do.
Mine is standing on the balcony
My thing is standing on the balcony.
On the 4th floor above the Reeperbahn
I am on the fourth floor above the Reeperbahn.
Where the Beatles used to play
This is the area where the Beatles used to perform.
But I won't get all soppy and nostalgic
But I will not become overly sentimental and nostalgic.
'Cause it's all right
Because everything is fine.
The moon is full
The moon is in a full state.
And it's all right
And everything is okay.
And I don't care about anything at all
I have no concern for anything at the moment.
Tonight
This specific evening.
Maybe I will take a walk and look at girls
Perhaps I will take a stroll and observe women.
Sometimes it amazes me that all of them have breasts
It astonishes me that every woman has breasts.
Some places they hide them, some they show them off
Some women conceal their breasts, while others display them openly.
But it's all right I like it either way
It does not matter to me; I enjoy it regardless.
It's a world-class distraction
It is a top-notch diversion.
You either get it or you don't
You either comprehend it or you do not.
And I don't give a damn
I do not care at all.
The world could end tonight
The planet may cease to exist before the night is through.
Aliens could just start dropping bombs
Aliens could arrive and initiate an assault.
Then the people of the Earth
Subsequently, the humans who inhabit the Earth.
Would love one another
Would develop feelings of endearment and compassion for one another.
For a couple days and then goodbye
For a limited period before departing permanently.
So tonight I'll spare the prostitutes my body
Therefore, this evening, I will abstain from involving myself with the prostitutes in any way.
And my money clip I'll keep my hard-earned money
Also, I will preserve my hard-earned financial resources by retaining my money clip.
The moon's behind a cloud
The moon is currently obscured by a cloud.
The drunks below are loud
Individuals who have consumed excessive amounts of alcohol are creating a noisy disturbance below.
I flick my ash it falls four floors down on the Reeperbahn
I flick my cigarette's ash and watch it fall four floors down towards the Reeperbahn.
But that was a long time ago and anyway
But that was an extended time ago, and in any case.
I probably won't jump
It is unlikely that I will engage in self-harm by jumping from the balcony.
And I don't care 'bout anything at all
I continue to have no interest in anything at the present time.
Tonight
This specific evening.
Contributed by Maria H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.