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.
Beten
Die Toten Hosen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
War mir keiner Schuld bewusst
War als Kind nie gern in der Kirche
Freiwillig hab ich dich selten besucht
Schon so oft bitter geweint
Auf diesen harten Bänken aus Holz
Bin wieder da, um dir nah zu sein
Ich bin hier, um mit dir zu reden
Hörst du mir zu?
Wer bestimmt die Zeit des Sterbens
Und wie viel Schuld trägst du?
Du musst mir keine Gnade schenken
Ich brauch auch keinen neuen Freund
Nur eine Frage brennt in mir
Was hast du mit Erlösung gemeint?
Ich bin hier, um mit dir zu reden
Hörst du mir zu?
Hast du die Bibel je selbst gelesen?
Bist du nur ein Versuch?
Und jeder Tod treibt mich hierher
Warum erwarte ich Trost von dir?
Ich bin hier, um mit dir zu reden
Hörst du mir zu?
Wenn du in mir und ich in dir bin
Wer ist Ich und wer ist du
Es ist als habe ich keinen Namen
Ich bin nur ein Versuch
Ich bin ein Kompass ohne Nadel
Ich bin genau wie du
The lyrics of the Die Toten Hosen's song "Beten" explore the relationship between the singer and religion. In the first verse, the singer admits that they never learned how to pray properly and didn't feel any sense of guilt about it. They also mention that they didn't enjoy going to church as a child and rarely visited voluntarily. The opening lines suggest a sense of distance between the singer and religion.
In the following verses, the singer expresses their sadness and desire for comfort in times of grief. They mention that they have cried on the hard wooden benches in church before and that they have come back to feel close to God again. The second verse also grapples with fundamental questions of existence, such as who decides when we die and how much responsibility God holds for what happens in our lives.
The chorus of the song repeats the idea that the singer is there to talk to God and ask for answers to their questions. However, there is a sense of detachment from God throughout the song, suggesting that the singer doesn't necessarily feel heard or understood.
Overall, "Beten" is a contemplative song that explores the complexities of faith and grief. The lyrics express a sense of longing for connection with something greater than oneself, while also acknowledging the challenges and doubts that can arise when grappling with these big questions.
Line by Line Meaning
Ich hab nie richtig gelernt zu beten
I never learned to pray properly
War mir keiner Schuld bewusst
I wasn't aware of any guilt
War als Kind nie gern in der Kirche
I never liked going to church as a child
Freiwillig hab ich dich selten besucht
I rarely visited you voluntarily
Schon so oft bitter geweint
I have cried so many bitter tears
Auf diesen harten Bänken aus Holz
On these hard wooden benches
Bin wieder da, um dir nah zu sein
I'm back to be close to you again
Weiß nicht, wo ich dich sonst suchen soll
I don't know where else to look for you
Ich bin hier, um mit dir zu reden
I'm here to talk to you
Hörst du mir zu?
Are you listening to me?
Wer bestimmt die Zeit des Sterbens
Who determines the time of death
Und wie viel Schuld trägst du?
And how much guilt do you bear?
Du musst mir keine Gnade schenken
You don't have to grant me mercy
Ich brauch auch keinen neuen Freund
I don't need a new friend either
Nur eine Frage brennt in mir
Only one question is burning inside me
Was hast du mit Erlösung gemeint?
What did you mean by redemption?
Hast du die Bibel je selbst gelesen?
Have you ever read the Bible yourself?
Bist du nur ein Versuch?
Are you just an experiment?
Und jeder Tod treibt mich hierher
And every death brings me here
Warum erwarte ich Trost von dir?
Why do I expect comfort from you?
Wenn du in mir und ich in dir bin
If you're in me and I'm in you
Wer ist Ich und wer ist du
Who is I and who is you
Es ist als habe ich keinen Namen
It's as if I have no name
Ich bin nur ein Versuch
I am only an attempt
Ich bin ein Kompass ohne Nadel
I am a compass without a needle
Ich bin genau wie du
I am exactly like you
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Andreas Frege, Andreas von Holst
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
summer
das haben wir auch im reli unterricht durchgenommen :D hab mir die melodie anders vorgestellst .. ;)
Just •-• Felix
Wir hören das gerade im Unterricht und die Stimmung ist stramm und from
M123ry
absolut geil! 5* ^^
BestOfStefanWöhlke
das haben wir gerade im unterricht besprochen :D
Franzi K.
das lied steht bei uns im reli-buch :D
Singen ist Leben
bei uns auch
Frite
Haha, deswegen bin ich gerade hier
Joel
Deswegen bin ich auch da
Matt Vl
can anyone translate in english?
Müslie Hofius
Yes, but before you have to riply