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.
Auld Lang Syne
Die Toten Hosen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And never brought to mind
Should all acquaintance be forgot,
For the sake of auld lang syne
For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne
We'll take a cup of kindness yet
For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne
We'll take a cup of kindness yet
For the sake of auld lang syne
Let's have a drink or maybe two
Or maybe three or four
Or five or six or seven or eight
Or maybe even more
For auld lang syne, my dear
For old lang syne
We'll take a cup of kindness yet
For the sake of auld lang syne
When it gets to closing time
And if you still want more
I know a pub in Inverness
That never shuts its door
For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne
We'll take a cup of kindness yet
For the sake of auld lang syne
For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne
We'll take a cup of kindness yet
For the sake of auld lang syne
Die Toten Hosen's adaptation of the classic Scottish folk song "Auld Lang Syne," is a poignant tribute to forgotten friendships of past, and a nostalgic call to celebrate those who have journeyed with us. The opening lines of the song pose a rhetorical question, "Should all acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind?" with the answer clear that they should not, at least, not for the sake of auld lang syne or for the sake of old times. The subsequent verses carry on this theme, as the singer reminisces and pledges a cup of kindness, a metaphorical drink, to the people they hold dear.
As the song progresses, the focus shifts from reflection to celebration, inviting listeners to have a drink or five to cement friendships, before closing with a suggestion of a never-shut pub in Inverness for those who just can't bear to say goodnight. The lyric "We'll take a cup of kindness yet" is a call to raise a symbolic glass to the memories of the past, as well as to the hope for future friendships, resonating beyond Scotland, and into a more general and global spirit of camaraderie.
The song has become a New Year's Eve standard, thanks to the traditional performance of "Auld Lang Syne" during the midnight celebrations in Scotland, and is seen as a reminder of both the endings and the new beginnings. The lyrics of the song can be interpreted as an invitation to celebrate memories and encourage togetherness, while also grieving loved ones and times gone by. Die Toten Hosen's interpretation of the song captures these themes beautifully and can be seen as a warm tribute to old times that never fails to resonate with its audience.
Line by Line Meaning
Should all acquaintance be forgot,
Should we forget about all the people we've known and never remember them again
And never brought to mind
And never let them come to our thoughts
Should all acquaintance be forgot,
Should we forget about all the people we've known and never remember them again
For the sake of auld lang syne
For the sake of good old times
For auld lang syne, my dear,
For the sake of good old times, my dear
For auld lang syne
For the sake of good old times
We'll take a cup of kindness yet
We'll still have a drink together and be kind to one another
For auld lang syne, my dear,
For the sake of good old times, my dear
For auld lang syne
For the sake of good old times
We'll take a cup of kindness yet
We'll still have a drink together and be kind to one another
Let's have a drink or maybe two
Let's have a couple of drinks
Or maybe three or four
Or maybe a few more drinks
Or five or six or seven or eight
Or maybe more drinks than we should have
Or maybe even more
Or maybe we'll really have a lot of drinks
When it gets to closing time
When it's time to leave the bar
And if you still want more
And if you still want to keep drinking
I know a pub in Inverness
I know of a bar in Inverness
That never shuts its door
That never closes
For auld lang syne, my dear,
For the sake of good old times, my dear
For auld lang syne
For the sake of good old times
We'll take a cup of kindness yet
We'll still have a drink together and be kind to one another
For auld lang syne, my dear,
For the sake of good old times, my dear
For auld lang syne
For the sake of good old times
We'll take a cup of kindness yet
We'll still have a drink together and be kind to one another
Lyrics © DistroKid, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Traditional (pd), Robert Burns, Tim Rhys Evans
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Patrick Stott
Love it!
D nS
Höre das ganze Album - jedes Jahr beim einpacken 🍹🤣 💿 ... Hammer ..
-frohes Fest
-drummer boy
-ALS ...
Gehen immer wieder und nach Vorne 🙌🤩 Chapeau... danke
Pac Tha Maniac | Online Gaming
Jepp es ist einfach das Weihnachtsalbum für mich seid meiner Kindheit :D (bin 35)
Nikita Allgood
Great great great version of the old classic gotta love this, much love from Finland ;)
Dani B.
This is the version I think of when I think Auld Lang Syne! It's the ONLY version that matters anyway! Happy New Year!
Katrin Heil
I guess you are a fan of the only band that matters? ;)
MrBrightsideTK
Happy New Year to all!
Die toten hosen always the best!
Kim Carr
Such a FUN version of this old song! Happy New Year to ALL!
Claire Ashton
Just love it..
Pogo-Elvis
Ich höre mir die Weihnachtplatten von the Boys (YOBS) und die Rote Rosen selbst im Sommer an, so gut finde ich die ♥️☠