Die Toten Hosen is a punk band from Düsseldorf (NRW), Germany. They are one… Read Full Bio ↴Die Toten Hosen is a punk band from Düsseldorf (NRW), Germany. They are one of very few German-language acts who have enjoyed decades-long mass appeal in Germany.

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.

Europa
Die Toten Hosen Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Unten im Hafen setzen sie die Segel
Fahren hinaus aufs offene Meer
Zum Abschied winken ihre Familien
Schauen ihnen noch lange hinterher

Und das Wasser liegt wie ein Spiegel
Als sie schweigend durchs Dunkel ziehen
Kaum fünfzig Meilen bis zum Ziel

Das so nah vor ihnen liegt

Sag mir, dass das nur ein Märchen ist
Mit Happy End für alle Leute
Und wenn sie nicht gestorben sind
Leben sie noch heute

Sie kommen zu Tausenden, doch die Allermeisten
Werden das gelobte Land niemals erreichen
Denn die Patrouillen werden sie aufgreifen
Um sie in unserem Auftrag zu deportieren

Und der Rest, der wird ersaufen
Im Massengrab vom Mittelmeer

Weil das hier alles kein Märchen ist
Kein Happy End für all die Leute
Und wenn sie nicht gestorben sind

Sterben sie noch heute
Sterben sie noch heute

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Die Toten Hosen's song "Europa" tell a story of immigrants leaving the safety and familiarity of their home countries to seek a better life in a new land. The first verse sets the scene of these individuals leaving the harbor, with their families left behind to watch them go. The "open sea" represents the unknown journey that lies ahead of them. The water "like a mirror" amplifies the tranquility of the moment while also highlighting the fragility and danger that surrounds them.

The second verse starkly contrasts the hopeful beginning, as the reality of the situation unfolds. The distance left to travel is short, yet with the threat of deportation always present, it feels miles away. The chorus reflects on the harsh truth that not all of the immigrants will make it to their intended destination. The lyrics describe how the majority of people who set out will never reach their destination, faced with the brutal reality of patrols and deportations, ultimately meeting their demise in mass graves. The song's final line, "if they haven't died yet, they are still dying today" emphasizes the ongoing tragedy of the situation.

"Europa" offers a poignant yet hard-hitting commentary on the plight of those who must leave their home countries in search of a better life. Through its lyrics, the song serves as a testament to the hardships faced by immigrants and the struggles they must overcome in the pursuit of a safer and more prosperous existence.

Line by Line Meaning

Unten im Hafen setzen sie die Segel
They set sail from the harbor

Fahren hinaus aufs offene Meer
They sail away into the open sea

Zum Abschied winken ihre Familien
Their families wave goodbye

Schauen ihnen noch lange hinterher
Their families watch them leave for a long time

Und das Wasser liegt wie ein Spiegel
The water is as calm as a mirror

Als sie schweigend durchs Dunkel ziehen
As they silently travel through the dark

Kaum fünfzig Meilen bis zum Ziel
Only fifty miles to their destination

Das so nah vor ihnen liegt
That is so close in front of them

Sag mir, dass das nur ein Märchen ist
Tell me that this is only a fairy tale

Mit Happy End für alle Leute
With a happy ending for all people

Und wenn sie nicht gestorben sind
And if they haven't died