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.
Big Bad Wolf
Die Toten Hosen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And giant-size men in a Liliput world
She knows some stories, but never tells
Of all her haunted adventures
Because the big bad wolf
Has whispered in her ear
That no one else must know what happens here
Breathe a single word
Or he'll blow down her fairy tale world
Now safely in her mother's arms
Her tears are like diamonds that roll down her cheeks
She's afraid and she's ashamed
But the spell is so strong, that she just cannot speak
The big bad wolf
Has whispered in her ear
That no one else must know what happens here
And she must never ever
Breathe a single word
Or he'll blow down her fairy tale world
She is so shy, just like a deer
And when she senses danger, she knows she must hide
In the forest she'll disappear
Away from those sharp teeth and piercing grey eyes
And the big bad wolf
Will never find her here
Or fill her small heart up with fear
And she will never ever
Breathe a single word
She'll stay in her fairy tale world
She will never ever
Breathe a single word
She'll just stay in her fairy tale world
The lyrics to Die Toten Hosen's song "Big Bad Wolf" are a haunting exploration of the psychology of childhood trauma. The song tells the story of a young girl who has experienced abuse at the hands of a figure that the lyrics refer to as the "big bad wolf." The girl is deeply afraid and ashamed of what has happened to her, but is also under a spell that prevents her from speaking out about it.
The lyrics suggest that the girl copes with her trauma by retreating into a world of fantasy and imagination. She is depicted drawing pictures of herself and giant-size men in a Liliput world, and is said to know "some stories" of her own, which she keeps to herself. The big bad wolf, it seems, has instructed her not to speak about what has happened, warning her that he will "blow down her fairy tale world" if she does.
The song is both heartbreaking and chilling in its portrayal of the devastating effects of childhood abuse. But it is also a powerful reminder of the importance of breaking the silence that often surrounds these experiences, and the need for victims to find a way to speak out and seek help.
Line by Line Meaning
She's drawing pictures of herself
She is creating artwork that represents her world.
And giant-size men in a Liliput world
The art she creates includes men who are larger than life in a world where they stand out.
She knows some stories, but never tells
She has lived experiences she wants to forget and never shares with anyone.
Of all her haunted adventures
She has gone through painful and traumatic experiences in the past that follow her in the present.
Because the big bad wolf
The abuser in her life
Has whispered in her ear
Has threatened or manipulated her into silence
That no one else must know what happens here
No one else must know what is going on because it is a secret.
And she must never ever
She is prohibited from
Breathe a single word
Tell anyone what is happening because of the threat of violence or lies.
Or he'll blow down her fairy tale world
If she speaks up or tells anyone, the illusion of her perfect world will be destroyed.
Now safely in her mother's arms
She found refuge in a safe environment.
Her tears are like diamonds that roll down her cheeks
Her tears of fear and sadness are precious, but her situation is still painful.
She's afraid and she's ashamed
She feels scared and embarrassed for the experiences she has gone through.
But the spell is so strong, that she just cannot speak
Even though she wants to speak up, the fear and manipulation are too much to overcome.
She is so shy, just like a deer
She is timid and unassuming, just like an animal.
And when she senses danger, she knows she must hide
She is aware of when she is in a dangerous situation and retreats into safety.
In the forest she'll disappear
She'll escape to safety.
Away from those sharp teeth and piercing grey eyes
Evildoers with malicious intent who are out to harm her for their own pleasure or benefit.
And the big bad wolf
The abuser in her life.
Will never find her here
He will never know where she is and cannot hurt her anymore.
Or fill her small heart up with fear
He will not be able to instill fear in her heart anymore.
And she will never ever
She never will
Breathe a single word
Speak a word to give up the illusion of her perfect world which she has created.
She'll stay in her fairy tale world
She is content to live in her illusion and does not want to face reality even if it means being in danger.
She will never ever
She will never
Breathe a single word
Speak to reveal her secret.
She'll just stay in her fairy tale world
She will choose to continue living in an illusion instead of facing her harsh reality.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Andreas Frege, Andreas Holst Von, Timothy Smith
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mathias Ungstrup
I love this song I'm a big fan of die toten hosen I have all there CD's
Mathias Ungstrup
i love this song I'm a big fan of die toten hosen