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.
How Do You Feel?
Die Toten Hosen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The poison keeps running through your veins
A ripple goes around the world and comes back as a wave
You'll be judged by every word you say
Most people have to struggle to keep their sanity,
No one needs your negativity
Do you feel better for it, what's the deal?
How do you feel?
How do you feel?
Two can play at your game if you wanna mess with me
I'll take you fucking on and you will see
Just how it feels when I decide to kick somebody down
And leave them sprawling on the ground!
How do you feel?
How do you feel?
How do you feel?
If you think it's worth it (how do you feel?)
Try to mess with me (how do you feel?)
Come on I'll take you on and we will see!
Everything comes back to you,
Everything comes round
Which of us is on the solid ground?
The inciter, the fighter, the neutral or the weak,
The one who always turns the other cheek
How do you feel?
How do you feel?
How do you feel?
If you think it's worth it (how do you feel?)
Try to mess with me (how do you feel?)
Come on I'll take you on and we will see!
How do you feel?
How do you feel?
How do you feel?
How do you feel?
How do you feel?
The lyrics to "How Do You Feel?" by Die Toten Hosen seem to be a direct challenge to those who spread negativity and criticize others without reason. The first part of the song talks about how actions have consequences and the negative thoughts and behavior that one projects will eventually come back to them. It also speaks of the power of words and how they will be judged by others. The chorus, "How Do You Feel?" seems to be asking those who spread negativity to confront their own emotions and understand the impact they have on others.
The second verse takes a more aggressive stance, with the singer challenging the perpetrator to mess with them and see how it feels to be kicked down. The third verse questions who is on the "solid ground," and ponders whether it is the one who incites, fights, or turns the other cheek. The final repetition of "How Do You Feel?" seems to be a final challenge, questioning the worth of spreading negativity and highlighting the power of one's own emotions and attitude.
Overall, the song seems to be a call to action for people to stand up to those who spread negativity and question themselves on the impact of their own actions and words.
Line by Line Meaning
Everything comes back to you, it never fades away
No matter what you do, the consequences of your actions will always come back to you, leaving a lasting mark on your life.
The poison keeps running through your veins
The negative emotions and experiences you hold onto will continue to affect you and those around you.
A ripple goes around the world and comes back as a wave
The impact of your words and actions can have far-reaching effects that eventually come back to you in a bigger way.
You'll be judged by every word you say
People are often quick to judge and evaluate others based on the words they speak.
Most people have to struggle to keep their sanity,
Life can be tough and many people struggle just to maintain their mental health and well-being.
No one needs your negativity
Negativity only adds to the problems of the world and doesn't serve any useful purpose.
Why do you always criticize and tell those selfish lies?
What motivates someone to always criticize and spread lies, especially if they offer nothing helpful or constructive?
Do you feel better for it, what's the deal?
Does spreading negativity and causing harm to others actually make someone feel better, and if so, why?
Two can play at your game if you wanna mess with me
If someone chooses to engage in harmful behaviors, don't be surprised when others respond in kind.
I'll take you fucking on and you will see
If someone tries to mess with you, don't back down but rather stand up for yourself and prepare to fight back.
Just how it feels when I decide to kick somebody down
Sometimes people need a taste of their own medicine in order to understand how their harmful behaviors affect others.
And leave them sprawling on the ground!
Vengeance and retaliation may feel gratifying in the moment, but ultimately only serve to bring more suffering into the world.
Which of us is on the solid ground?
In any given situation or conflict, it's hard to say who is truly in the right or standing on firm moral ground.
The inciter, the fighter, the neutral or the weak,
In a conflict, there are often different roles taken by individuals, with some trying to incite or provoke others, some choosing to fight back, some remaining neutral, and some feeling powerless or weak.
The one who always turns the other cheek
Choosing to turn the other cheek and not retaliate in a conflict can be seen as either a sign of weakness or inner strength, depending on one's perspective.
How do you feel?
The repeated refrain of the song seems to be an invitation to self-reflection and introspection on how someone feels about their own behavior and actions.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ANDREAS FREGE, MICHAEL BREITKOPF, TIMOTHY SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind