The founding members were Schorsch Kamerun (vocals), Ale Sexfeind (drums), Ted Gaier (bass, guitar) and Aldo Moro (guitar, bass). Initially they combined hard rock with 1970s-era punk and lyrics that were both angry, yet comedic and pop-like. The band rejected the traditional music industry, seeing themselves as a symbol of artistic independence not wanting to "serve the structures of rock" (Ted Gaier.) Since 1995's departure of Psycho 1 only Schorsch Kamerun (vocals, diverse instruments) and Ted Gaier (synthesizer, guitar, e-bass, diverse instruments) remain from the early days. On the other hand, with a group now functioning more like a loose collective with shared duties on most instruments than a fixed band, no member has ever left since - they are Julius Block (piano, bass, guitar, organ, diverse Instruments), Enno Palucca (drums, triangle), Hans Platzgumer (guitar, organ, drums, diverse instruments), Stephan Rath (drums) and Mense Reents (synthesizer, e-bass, clavinet, trumpet, diverse instruments).
In 1986 Die Goldenen Zitronen courted initial attention with their single "Am Tag als Thomas Anders starb" (~The Day Thomas Anders died). Their subsequent release, "Für Immer Punk" (~Forever Punk, basically a cover of the similar named Foreigner song with modified lyrics), was a cult hit in the German punk scene, inspiring comparisons with bands such as Die Toten Hosen and Die Ärzte. It even included contributions by Rodrigo González (banjo) of Die Ärzte.
The band developed their style further with 1990's Fuck You, in which they mock popular rock groups and protest against the tedium of daily life.
But, due to social, political and personal developments and encounters, that fun-punk approach wore off in the beginning of the 90s. A notion of change was first implied by the Billy Childish-produced Punkrock album of 1991. Yet it was 1994's Das Bisschen Totschlag (~That Dram of Manslaughter) that saw the major musical transition. The Zitronen mixed their power-rock style with elements of garage-trash, electro-beat, hip-hop and noise-pop. This trend of experimentation continued with 1996's Economy Class, which was influenced by improvisational jazz.
With 1998's Dead School Hamburg, the band further altered their style, pursuing a greater emphasis on electronic instrumentation. Their 2001 released album, Schafott zum Fahrstuhl (~Lift to the Elevator, a play on the Louis Malle classic), takes a more avant-garde direction.
Lenin, published in 2006 via Buback Records, is a bit slowed down. Daniel Richter, a long time friend of the band, contributed the cover artwork. 2009 saw the release of Die Entstehung der Nacht (~The Genesis of Night) with guest appearances by Mark stewart, Melissa Logan and Michaela Melian,
Die Goldenen Zitronen have had a diverse number of sometimes frequent collaborators, ranging from the poet Franz Josef Degenhardt to Chicks on Speed or Peaches (see WMFU blog for more information and mp3-examples).
Beautiful People
Die Goldenen Zitronen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But somehow I never noticed
You before today
I'm ashamed to say
Beautiful people
We share the same back door
And it isn't right
But then
We may never meet again
If I weren't afraid you'd laugh at me
I would run and take all your hands
And I'd gather everyone together for a day
And when we gather'd
I'll pass buttons out that say
Beautiful people
Then you'd never have to be alone
'Cause there'll always be someone
With the same button on as you
Include him in everything you do.
Beautiful people
You ride the same subway
As I do ev'ry morning
That's got to tell you something
We've got so much in common
I go the same direction that you do
So if you take care of me
Maybe I'll take care of you
Beautiful people
You look like friends of mine
And it's about time
That someone said it here and now
I make a vow that some time, somehow
I'll have a meeting
Invite ev'ryone you know
I'll pass out buttons to
The ones who come to show
Beautiful people
Never have to be alone
'Cause there'll always be someone
With the same button on as you
Include him in ev'rything you do
He may be sitting right next to you
He may be beautiful people too
And if you take care of him
Maybe I'll take care of you
And if you take care of him
Maybe I'll take care of you...
people
The Die Goldenen Zitronen song, Beautiful People, explores the theme of social alienation in modern society. The lyrics tell of the singer's realization that there are many people in the world he shares common ground with, but has never taken the time to notice or connect with. The song is an expression of regret for the isolation that many people face in their daily lives and a call to action to break down the walls that separate us from each other.
The repetition of the phrase "Beautiful people" serves to highlight how the singer sees the potential for beauty in all people, regardless of appearance or status. The song encourages empathy and kindness towards others, with the idea that if everyone cared for others, nobody would have to be alone.
The use of buttons as a symbol of connection is a powerful metaphor for the unity the song advocates. The button is a tangible item that anyone can wear, yet it carries the intangible message that its wearer is not alone. The idea of the singer "gathering everyone together for a day" gives the sense of a utopian vision in which all people are connected and equal. The song has a positive and uplifting tone, providing hope for a better future.
Line by Line Meaning
You live in the same world as I do
We coexist in the same world
But somehow I never noticed you before today
I regret not having acknowledged your presence earlier
I'm ashamed to say
I feel embarrassed about my lack of attention toward you
Beautiful people
Societal classification of attractive, desirable individuals
We share the same back door
We have a common entrance or access point
And it isn't right
It is unjust or immoral
We never met before
We have not had the opportunity to become acquainted
But then we may never meet again
There is a possibility that we may not have another chance encounter
If I weren't afraid you'd laugh at me
I fear being ridiculed or rejected
I would run and take all your hands
I would enthusiastically greet and connect with everyone present
And I'd gather everyone together for a day
I would organize a group gathering or event
And when we gather'd
During the occasion
I'll pass buttons out that say beautiful people
I would distribute buttons with the phrase 'beautiful people' on them
Then you'd never have to be alone
You would never feel lonely or isolated
'Cause there'll always be someone with the same button on as you
You would be able to identify others who share your values or beliefs
Include him in everything you do
Invite and involve others in your activities
You ride the same subway as I do ev'ry morning
We take the same public transportation route each day
That's got to tell you something
That should indicate a connection or similarity between us
We've got so much in common
We share many similarities
I go the same direction that you do
We have similar goals or priorities
So if you take care of me
If you show me kindness or consideration
Maybe I'll take care of you
I will reciprocate and care for you as well
You look like friends of mine
You resemble my acquaintances or companions
And it's about time
It is long overdue
That someone said it here and now
That someone acknowledged our similarities in the current moment
I make a vow that some time, somehow
I pledge to make an effort in the future
I'll have a meeting
I will arrange a gathering or assembly
Invite ev'ryone you know
Invite every person you are familiar with
I'll pass out buttons to the ones who come to show
I will distribute buttons to those who attend the event
He may be sitting right next to you
There could potentially be someone nearby who shares your values
He may be beautiful people too
That person may also belong to the same societal category
And if you take care of him
If you demonstrate kindness or consideration to that person
Maybe I'll take care of you
I will return that kindness to you
Contributed by Caden O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.