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.
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Die Toten Hosen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hark! The Herald angels sing: "Glory to the newborn King!"
Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled
Joyful, all ye nations rise, join the triumph of the skies
With angelic host proclaim: "Christ is born in Bethlehem!"
Hark! The herald angels sing: "Glory to the newborn King!"
Thanks to science he can smile, wife and husband reconciled
No more let-downs, no more strife. All because the pill of life
"Hail viagra" she will cry. Hallelujah, what a night
Hark! The herald angels sing: "Glory to the newborn King!"
Hark! The herald angels sing: "Glory to all newborn kings!"
Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled
Joyful all ye nations rise; all because the pill of life
"Hail viagra", holy night! Everybody's satisfied
Hark! The herald angels sing: "Glory to all newborn kings!"
Hark! The herald angels sing: "Glory to the newborn King!"
These lyrics are a new interpretation of the traditional Christmas song "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing". The first verse celebrates the birth of Jesus, with the angels singing "glory to the newborn King" and the reconciliation between God and sinners that his birth represents. The second verse takes on a different twist, with a nod to modern medicine and the pill of life that can reconcile husband and wife. The new lyrics suggest that modern-day miracles can be celebrated in the same way as the birth of Christ, with a cry of "hail viagra" and "glory to the newborn King" sung in unison. The final verse extends this idea to all "newborn kings", praising the peace, mercy, and satisfaction that can be achieved through scientific breakthroughs like the pill of life and viagra.
Overall, these lyrics seem to be poking fun at the commercialization of Christmas and the way that modern society looks for quick fixes and solutions to problems. By contrasting the miracles of Jesus with the miracles of science, the song highlights how different belief systems and values can clash in contemporary culture.
Line by Line Meaning
Hark! The Herald angels sing: "Glory to the newborn King!"
Listen! The heavenly messengers are singing praises to the newly born ruler!
Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled
May there be peace on earth and forgiveness for all people through the grace of God!
Joyful, all ye nations rise, join the triumph of the skies
Let all nations join together in celebration of this joyous occasion like the victorious host of angels in the heavens!
With angelic host proclaim: "Christ is born in Bethlehem!"
Let the angelic hosts announce to all that the Christ has been born in Bethlehem!
Hark! The herald angels sing: "Glory to the newborn King!"
Listen! The heavenly messengers continue singing praises to the newly born ruler!
Contributed by Penelope D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Hark! The Herald angels sing: "Glory to the newborn King!"
Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled.
Joyful, all ye nations rise, join the triumph of the skies.
With angelic host proclaim: "Christ is born in Bethlehem!"
Hark! The herald angels sing: "Glory to the newborn King!"
Hark! The herald angels sing: "Glory to the newborn King!"
Thanks to science he can smile, wife and husband reconciled.
No more let-downs, no more strife. All because the pill of life.
"Hail viagra" she will cry. Hallelujah, what a night!
Hark! The herald angels sing: "Glory to the newborn King!"
Hark! The herald angels sing: "Glory to all newborn kings!"
Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled.
Joyful all ye nations rise; all because the pill of life.
"Hail viagra", holy night! Everybody?s satisfied.
Hark! The herald angels sing: "Glory to all newborn kings!"
Hark! The herald angels sing: "Glory to all newborn kings!"
Skirakzalus
Mein Lieblingsweihnachtslied. Mit Abstand!
Marixil
Yay same :D
Rainer Heuer
Immer wieder schön!
Affenhirte
beste weihnachts-cd haha, good ol' days
frank wibberg
Klasse...DANKE
Corvus
#loriz