The band formed out of the ashes of punk band, ZK, founded 1978. The members of Die Toten Hosen (literally "The Dead Trousers" in English; "tote Hose" is a German expression meaning "lifeless", "boring", or "nothing going on") are Campino (Andreas Frege), Kuddel (Andreas von Holst), Vom (Stephen George Ritchie), Andi (Andreas Meurer) and Breiti (Michael Breitkopf). Vom replaced Wölli as the drummer in 1999 (Wölli's untimely departure from the band was due to injuries caused by a car accident), who himself had replaced Trini in 1985 and is still an honorary member of the band; Trini became the band's manager.
The band has existed for over 20 years, and their songs' focus gradually shifted from funny and nonsensical to serious; the songs from their first LP were mostly about having fun, but by the end of the 1980s they were focusing more on political and social issues such as racism.
Part of the folklore surounding the band is the story that in their early days they played for free on private birthday parties or similar events. However only under the conditions that the host provided for unlimited beer supply and paid for all damages caused by the band.
The debut single "Wir sind bereit" ("We are ready") was released in 1982, and was followed by their first album, "Opel-Gang", the next year. In 1988, Die Toten Hosen released the LP "Ein kleines bisschen Horrorschau". It refers to the movie A Clockwork Orange based on the book by Anthony Burgess. In 1993, Frank Castorf produced a German theater version of the book, in which Die Toten Hosen performed as actors and musicians.
Their 1000th concert was on 28th June 1997, in the Düsseldorfer Rheinstadium, and was attended by more than 60,000 fans. A Dutch girl died in the crowd; after various talks with security and police, the band decided to play soft songs until the end, in order not to panic the crowd. Later the band produced the song "Alles ist Eins" in memoriam for the Dutch girl.
Die Toten Hosen have collaborated with numerous other musicians (like Bad Religion, AC/DC, U2, Rolling Stones); they are also one of the few German punk bands popular outside of Germany (esp. in South America, Australia, eastern Europe) other notable bands being Die Ärzte and Rammstein.
As longtime fans of the their local soccer team Fortuna Düsseldorf they have been sponsoring the club from 2001 to 2003.
After their Unplugged concert in the end of 2005 they've taken a time-out. But they disclaimed rumors, that this is the end of the band.
In 2008 they released the Album "In aller Stille.
In 2012, Die Toten Hosen released their album Ballast der Republik. A special edition includes a bonus CD with cover versions of songs that influenced the band. On 26 April 2016, it was announced that former drummer Wolfgang Rohde had died of cancer.
Am Ende
Die Toten Hosen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Und dass so vieles, das wir tun, Zeitverschwendung is
Erst wenn das Ende kommt, werden uns die Fehler klar
Die jeder Mensch im Lauf der Zeit immer wieder macht
Was willst du behalten außer deiner Erinnerung?
Sie wird das Allerletzte sein, was du noch geben kannst
Was du geben kannst
Erst wenn wir das Ende sehen, beginnen wir zu verstehen
Worum es eigentlich für uns im Leben geht
Wenn vor uns das Ende liegt und wir alleine sind
Erkennen wir für uns das Glück, das wir sonst nie sehen
Wie ein Netz wirft sich der Regen über das ganze Land
Klopft an unser Fenster und erinnert uns daran
Dass es kein Leben ohne Schmerz gibt und ohne Suche nach dem Sinn
Keine Chance etwas aufzuhalten, keine Chance etwas zurückzudrehen
Zurückzudrehen, zurückzudrehen
Erst wenn es zu Ende ist, sehen wir, dass es keine Ziele gibt
Und dass das meiste, was wir tun, Zeitverschwendung ist
The lyrics to Die Toten Hosen's song "Am Ende" describe the realization people experience once they reach the end of their lives. The band expresses that only when we are faced with the end do we understand that there really are no goals or destinations in life. The activities we engage in are often time-wasting and the mistakes we have made throughout our lives become clearer. The song goes on to explain that our memories are the most precious thing we can hold onto and give. Only when we see the end and find ourselves alone, are we able to recognize the joy that we had in life but had failed to see before.
The lyrics highlight the importance of understanding the meaning of life before it is too late. We spend so much time striving for things without understanding what we truly want, and only once we are forced to see the end can we begin to comprehend what truly matters. The rain in the song serves as a metaphor for the pain that we endure in life and the constant search for meaning. The song ultimately comes to the conclusion that life does not have a direction or purpose and that we should focus on living it fully and making the most of it while we have the chance.
Line by Line Meaning
Erst wenn es zu Ende ist, sehen wir, dass es keine Ziele gibt
Only after it's over, we realize that there are no goals in life.
Und dass so vieles, das wir tun, Zeitverschwendung is
And so much of what we do is a waste of time.
Erst wenn das Ende kommt, werden uns die Fehler klar
Only when the end comes, we become aware of our mistakes.
Die jeder Mensch im Lauf der Zeit immer wieder macht
Mistakes that every person makes over time.
Was willst du behalten außer deiner Erinnerung?
What else do you want to keep besides your memories?
Sie wird das Allerletzte sein, was du noch geben kannst
Memories will be the very last thing that you can give.
Was du geben kannst
What you can give.
Erst wenn wir das Ende sehen, beginnen wir zu verstehen
Only when we see the end, we start to understand.
Worum es eigentlich für uns im Leben geht
What really matters for us in life.
Wenn vor uns das Ende liegt und wir alleine sind
When we're alone facing the end.
Erkennen wir für uns das Glück, das wir sonst nie sehen
We discover the happiness that we never saw before.
Wie ein Netz wirft sich der Regen über das ganze Land
The rain falls like a net over the whole land.
Klopft an unser Fenster und erinnert uns daran
Knocks on our window and reminds us.
Dass es kein Leben ohne Schmerz gibt und ohne Suche nach dem Sinn
That there is no life without pain, and without searching for meaning.
Keine Chance etwas aufzuhalten, keine Chance etwas zurückzudrehen
No chance to stop anything, or to turn anything back.
Zurückzudrehen, zurückzudrehen
To turn back, to turn back.
Und dass das meiste, was wir tun, Zeitverschwendung ist
And that most of what we do is a waste of time.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Andreas Frege, Andreas Meurer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Alexander Arsov
Very nice cover of one of Die Toten Hosen's finest songs.
Marcel Jaeger
Thank you Alexander! Keep it up!
Jack Warren
Good work, well done. Sounds very similiar like Campino with your Voice there
Marcel Jaeger
Thank you for this nice comment, but I think my voice is far away to sound like Campino's ;-)