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.
Hand in Hand
Die Toten Hosen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She comes in a cloud but she don't know
She walks in a haze
Do we get up before it ever gets too late
Hand in hand we walk on down
The alley and our common ground
We walk in a haze
Do we pass out before we ever know it's on
She ain't never gonna get wise
She ain't never gonna get wise
She ain't never gonna get wise
And I feel better with my hands tied
She ain't never gonna get wise
She ain't never gonna get wise
She ain't never gonna get wise
And I feel better with my hands tied
She follows me down to where I go
Not pulling a chain not feeling low
Don't wake me up I can't relate to any other song today
Hand in hand we walk along
The alley and our common ground
I walk in a haze why should I care
I'm waiting out the days go anywhere
She ain't never gonna get wise
She ain't never gonna get wise
She ain't never gonna get wise
And I feel better with my hands tied
She ain't never gonna get wise
She ain't never gonna get wise
She ain't never gonna get wise
And I feel better with my hands tied
The song "Hand in Hand" by Die Toten Hosen is a melancholic rock ballad that explores the theme of willful ignorance and self-deception in relationships. The singer is involved with a woman who seems to be in a constant state of confusion and disorientation. She follows him blindly, unaware of her own state of mind, while he leads her down the alleyways of their shared existence. The lyrics suggest a sense of guilt and responsibility on the part of the singer, who is torn between the desire to protect his partner and the realization that he is, in a way, enabling her self-destructive behavior.
The repeated refrain of "She ain't never gonna get wise, and I feel better with my hands tied" portrays a sense of resignation and fatalism. The singer seems to accept the fact that his partner is unlikely to change or grow, and he finds comfort in the idea of being helpless and powerless. The imagery of "hands tied" suggests a sense of being bound and constrained, but it also implies a degree of freedom and release from responsibility.
Overall, "Hand in Hand" is a haunting and introspective song that captures the complexities and contradictions of human relationships, and the often-difficult choices we make in our attempts to navigate them.
Line by Line Meaning
She follows me down to where I go
She goes wherever I go, but she doesn't understand why she does.
She comes in a cloud but she don't know
She's uncertain about her decision to follow me.
She walks in a haze
She's confused and uncertain about her surroundings.
Do we get up before it ever gets too late
Are we aware of our actions before it's too late to change them?
Hand in hand we walk on down
We stick together as we walk along.
The alley and our common ground
We agree on our values and beliefs.
We walk in a haze
We're unsure about where we're headed.
Do we pass out before we ever know it's on
Do we lose consciousness before we realize the consequences of our actions?
She ain't never gonna get wise
She'll never become wise or change her ways.
And I feel better with my hands tied
I feel more in control when she's not trying to steer me in a different direction.
Not pulling a chain not feeling low
I'm not being held back or feeling down.
Don't wake me up I can't relate to any other song today
I'm lost in this moment and can't connect with anything else.
I walk in a haze why should I care
I'm still unsure about my direction, but I don't feel the need to worry about it.
I'm waiting out the days go anywhere
I'm taking it one day at a time, open to any opportunity that comes my way.
Contributed by Brody A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
JessesGirl54
Es war wahnsinn...danke für die tolle Aufnahme <3
ThePunkroXstar
Haha, ich hab die DVD :D Ich bin durch das 'Hand in Hand' Cover im Wiener Burgtheater erst auf die Beatbuletten aufmerksam geworden. Und das Hosenkonzi inner Wuhlheide war dann echt 'n erlebnis. Am besten fand ich die 'Eisgekühlter Bommerlunder' Version und NATÜRLICH 'Hand in Hand'. Beatsteaks sind der Hammer!! Freu mich auf den 24.03. in München. :D
Herberthaashimself
Arnim ist einfach der Beste!!! was hätte ich dafür gegeben dabei zu sein??? DTH und Arnim... Beatsteaks meine Absolute lieblingsband und die hosen eine meiner top favoriten ... beide schon live gesehen und beide nur geil!!!
kopf carossell
meine 2 lieblingsbands auf einen haufen bzw. auf einer bühne...geil
frechdachs83
beatsteaks sind die geilsten und feieren können die :)
1nekochan1
War schon ganz nice,so fast 2 Konzerte in einem.^^
citron-grenadine
Ich höre dieses Lied gern
Soeckchen91
Arnim + Campino = ♥ :D
Noetziqlb
sauuuuuuuuuuuu Geil
Justus Wright Lopez
saustark!