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.
Draußen vor der Tür
Die Toten Hosen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In dieser Zeit die für uns beide schwierig war
Warst so Gewalt, und ich so voller Hass
Wir kamen jahrelang überhaupt nicht klar
Ich wollte nie so sein wie du und wie du denkst
Heut merke ich immer wieder wie ähnlich ich dir bin
Zum Glück war's damals nicht zu spätWir haben uns verziehen, der Wind hat sich gelegt
Das ist alles so lange her, so unendlich weit weg
Doch es fällt mir nicht schwer
Mich zu erinnern, wie's beim letzten Mal war
Als wir uns noch sahen
Da draußen vor der Tür
Man sagt, und ich weiß jetzt dass es stimmt
Dass es viele Freunde doch nur einen Vater gibt
Und heute wo du weit weg bist
Kann ich dich langsam so viel besser sehen
So wie jetzt habe ich dich früher nie vermisst
Schritt für Schritt komm' ich zu dir zurück
Das ist alles so lange vorbei
Doch die Bilder dieser Zeit, sie sind alle noch hier
Ein ganzes Jahr, ist eine halbe Ewigkeit
Und es ist Ewigkeiten her, da draußen vor der Tür
Das ist alles so lange her, so unendlich weit weg
Und ich habe kapiert
Dass ich dich nie, niemals verliere
Doch obwohl du mir bleibst, fehlst du mir sehr
The lyrics to Die Toten Hosen's song "Draußen vor der Tür" tell the story of two people who have struggled to accept each other for a long time. The singer and the person they are referring to have ignored each other and have found it difficult to get along. They both have traits of anger and hatred, but in the end, they realize how similar they are. Fortunately, they eventually forgive each other, and the tension between them dissipates. However, despite the time that has passed, they still carry the memories of their tumultuous relationship and how they used to meet outside the front door.
Throughout the song, the singer reflects on the difficult relationship they have with the other person, likely a family member. They initially have a lot of animosity towards each other, but over time, they begin to realize that they are more alike than they realized. Even though the person they are talking about is far away, the singer begins to see them in a different light and realizes that they miss them dearly. In this way, the song is ultimately about forgiveness, acceptance, and love.
Line by Line Meaning
Haben uns lang ignoriert und kaum noch akzeptiert
We ignored each other for a long time and barely accepted each other during a difficult period for both of us.
In dieser Zeit die für uns beide schwierig war
This was a challenging time for both of us.
Warst so Gewalt, und ich so voller Hass
You were so violent, and I was full of hate.
Wir kamen jahrelang überhaupt nicht klar
We couldn't get along for years.
Ich wollte nie so sein wie du und wie du denkst
I never wanted to be like you or think like you.
Heut merke ich immer wieder wie ähnlich ich dir bin
Today, I realize how much I am like you, time and time again.
Zum Glück war's damals nicht zu spät
Fortunately, it was not too late back then.
Wir haben uns verziehen, der Wind hat sich gelegt
We forgave each other, and things calmed down.
Das ist alles so lange her, so unendlich weit weg
All of that happened a long time ago and feels infinitely far away now.
Doch es fällt mir nicht schwer
But it's not hard for me
Mich zu erinnern, wie's beim letzten Mal war
To remember what it was like the last time we saw each other
Als wir uns noch sahen
When we used to see each other
Da draußen vor der Tür
Out there, in front of the door
Man sagt, und ich weiß jetzt dass es stimmt
They say, and now I know it's true
Dass es viele Freunde doch nur einen Vater gibt
That there may be many friends, but only one father
Und heute wo du weit weg bist
And now that you're far away
Kann ich dich langsam so viel besser sehen
I can slowly see you so much more clearly
So wie jetzt habe ich dich früher nie vermisst
I never missed you like this before, until now
Schritt für Schritt komm' ich zu dir zurück
Step by step, I am coming back to you
Das ist alles so lange vorbei
All of that is long gone
Doch die Bilder dieser Zeit, sie sind alle noch hier
But the memories of that time are still here
Ein ganzes Jahr, ist eine halbe Ewigkeit
A whole year feels like half an eternity
Und es ist Ewigkeiten her, da draußen vor der Tür
And it feels like an eternity ago, out there, in front of the door
Und ich habe kapiert
And I have realized
Dass ich dich nie, niemals verliere
That I will never, ever lose you
Doch obwohl du mir bleibst, fehlst du mir sehr
But even though you're still with me, I miss you very much
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Andreas Frege
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind