DAF's most famous song is the grimly sarcastic "Der Mussolini" from the album "Alles Ist Gut", a pulsing dance song featuring the lyrics "Dance the Mussolini, move your behind, clap your hands, and now the Adolf Hitler, and now the Jesus Christ, and now the communism ...". The song caused a scandal amongst the more humourless elements of German liberal society.
In interviews they claimed to not target anything or anyone specific while creating lyrics to be taken as a parody of words and phrases floating around in the public media. "Sato-Sato" and "Der Mussolini" are both examples of songs written around Delgado-Lopez's fascination with the sound of a particular word.
The album "Alles Ist Gut" (All Is Well) received the German "Schallplattenpreis" award by the "Deutsche Phono-Akademie", an association of the German recording industry.
Following that they released two more similar albums called "Gold und Liebe" and "Für Immer", all produced by legendary Conny Plank.
After experimenting with more mainstream attempts of their particular style of contemporary dance music on the 1986 album "1st Step to Heaven" but with limited success DAF split up (1986).
A few months before the 2003 invasion of Iraq DAF released "Der Sheriff (anti-amerikanisches lied)" (An Anti-American Song) criticizing perceived American imperialism.
In the hiatus of DAF 1985-2002 both Robert and Gabi had their own careers. DAF was more or less resurrected by Gabi alone when he toured in 1994-5 as DAF OPD (On Public Demand) touring with classic and remixed DAF material. Following the success of that partial comeback he started Daf.Dos with Wotan Wilke. They released two more techno oriented albums and toured much until Gabi and Robert reunited for the album "Fünfzehn Neue DAF lieder" in 2003.
Notable is also Robert Görls contribution to Eurythmics first album In the Garden where he unmistakably plays the drums on the tracks Belinda and Caveman Head.
Gabi Delgado continued releasing music under his own name, creating the following albums: 1 (2013), X (2014), and 2 (2015).
Gabi Delgado died in March 2020, thus ending his career, but forever immortal in the music and style he created, which would inspire and spawn whole music genres in decades to come.
Verschwende Deine Jugend
Deutsch Amerikanische Freundschaft Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Schön und jung und stark
Du bist schön und jung und stark
Nimm dir was du willst
Nimm dir was du willst
Solang du nur noch kannst
Verschwende deine Jugend
Verschwende deine Jugend
Schön und jung und stark
Schön und jung und stark
Nimm dir was du willst
Tu was du willst
Tu was du willst
Solang du nur noch kannst
Solang du nur noch kannst
Verschwende deine Jugend
Verschwende deine Jugend
Schön und jung und stark
Schön und jung und stark
Du bist schön
Und du bist jung
Und nimm dir was du willst
Und nimm dir was du willst
Solang du nur noch kannst
Solang du nur noch jung bist
Verschwende deine Jugend
Verschwende deine Jugend
Nimm dir was du willst
Solang du nur noch jung bist
Du bist jung
Und du bist stark
Du bist jung
Und du bist stark
Nimm dir was du willst
Verschwende deine Jugend
Verschwende deine Jugend
Solang du nur noch kannst
Solang du nur noch jung bist
Schön und jung und stark
Schön und jung und stark
Und nimm dir was du willst
Nimm dir was du willst
Schön und jung
Schön und jung und stark
Nimm dir was du willst
Verschwende deine Jugend
Verschwende deine Jugend
Solang du nur noch jung bist
Nimm dir was du willst
Nimm dir was du willst
Tu was du willst
Nimm dir was du willst
Solang du nur noch kannst
Solang du nur noch kannst
Verschwende deine Jugend
Solang du nur noch jung bist
The lyrics of "Verschwende Deine Jugend" by Deutsch Amerikanische Freundschaft (DAF) are a call to live life to the fullest, to take what you want while you still can, and to not waste your youth. The repetition of "schön und jung und stark" (beautiful and young and strong) emphasizes the importance of youth and vitality. The verses encourage the listener to take action and do what they want, without regard for the consequences or social norms. The chorus repeats the titular phrase "verschwende deine Jugend" (waste your youth), driving home the message that the listener should use their youth to explore and indulge in life's pleasures.
The song can be interpreted as a commentary on the hedonistic culture of the 1980s and the importance of living in the moment. DAF was known for their provocative and confrontational lyrics, and "Verschwende Deine Jugend" is no exception. The song's repetitive nature and driving electronic beat create a sense of urgency and immediacy, driving home the message that time is fleeting and must be taken advantage of.
Line by Line Meaning
Schön und jung und stark
You are in your prime with youthful beauty and vigor.
Nimm dir was du willst
Take whatever you desire without hesitation.
Solang du nur noch kannst
As long as you are able to do so, without being slowed down by the passage of time.
Verschwende deine Jugend
Waste your youth carelessly, without considering the consequences.
Tu was du willst
Do what you please, without concerning yourself with how it affects those around you.
Du bist schön
You possess physical beauty.
Und du bist jung
You also possess youthfulness, which is fleeting.
Und nimm dir was du willst
Take what you desire without hesitation, as it may soon be out of reach.
Solang du nur noch jung bist
As long as you still possess the physical attributes associated with youth.
Du bist stark
You possess strength, both physical and mental, which should be used to your advantage.
Schön und jung
Physical beauty and youth are all you need to live your life without restraint.
Und nimm dir was du willst
Take what you desire without hesitation, while you still have the strength and energy to do so.
Tu was du willst
Do what you please, without considering the long-term consequences or the impact on others.
Nimm dir was du willst
Seize what you desire and never look back.
Solang du nur noch kannst
Take advantage of your youth while you still possess the freedom to act without restraint.
Contributed by Victoria F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@zzspq
timeless magic, will smash any dance floor!
@marceloandrade3807
Nossa! Não quero ouvir mais nada hoje! Nocauteado!!!! Que som delícia!
@kylevaldes3974
electronic body music is one of the greatest things to ever happen.
@andreasboose5611
DAF = the "real" Pioneers of EBM 🖤
@andrewbrett3197
Damn, Gabi gone? I had no idea. This was always genius, loved totally and unreservedly by me. Utterly brilliant.
@andreasboose5611
The most badass Synthesizer Bassline ever 🖤👍
@gamalsalazar8103
Divina la música.
@brommservice
I have that album, and it was my favorite song from them. 1981 was a good musical year.
@lololololololololololololol338
Me too.
@bundesficker5366
Das Album habe ich auch! Damals wie heute geil!