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.
I Fought the Law
Die Toten Hosen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Breaking rocks in the hot sun
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the law won
I needed money 'cause I had none
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the law won
I guess my race is run
She's the best girl that I've ever had
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the
Robbing people with my six-gun
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the law won
I lost my girl and I lost my fun
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the law won
I killed my baby and it feels so bad
I guess my race is run
She's the best girl that I've ever had
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the law
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the
Das nächste
Ist eine etwas unbekanntere Melodie
Hoffentlich gefällt's euch trotzdem
Hier kommt Alex!
The song "I Fought the Law" by Die Toten Hosen is a cover of the original song by The Crickets. The lyrics tell the story of a man who is having a run of bad luck and is forced to turn to crime to make ends meet. He robs people at gunpoint and even kills his girlfriend, yet is ultimately caught and punished by the law. The repetitive refrain "I fought the law and the law won" highlights the futility of resisting authority and the consequences of one's actions.
The lyrics can be interpreted in many ways, but one possible reading is as a critique of societal inequality and the desperation it can drive people to. The singer is portrayed as a sympathetic figure, pushed to desperate measures by his circumstances, while the law is depicted as a faceless authority that crushes his rebellion without mercy. The use of violent imagery and dark humor adds an edgy, provocative tone to the song, making it a favorite among punk and rock fans.
Overall, "I Fought the Law" is a catchy, hard-hitting anthem that speaks to the rebel spirit in all of us. Its message about the power dynamics between individuals and institutions resonates as much today as it did when the song was first released.
Line by Line Meaning
I fought the law!
I stood up against the legal system and fought against it.
Breaking rocks in the hot sun
I was performing hard labor in the sun, possibly as part of serving a sentence in prison.
I fought the law and the law won
Even though I fought against the law, it ultimately prevailed and I ended up being punished for my actions.
I needed money 'cause I had none
I was struggling financially and may have resorted to illegal means to obtain money.
I killed my baby and it feels so bad
I committed a terrible crime which I now deeply regret and feel guilty for.
I guess my race is run
I feel like my life is over and I am left with the consequences of my actions.
She's the best girl that I've ever had
I had a wonderful partner who I now cannot be with due to my mistakes.
Robbing people with my six-gun
I was committing armed robbery, putting innocent people's lives in danger.
I lost my girl and I lost my fun
My actions have cost me dearly, including the loss of my partner and any enjoyment I used to have in life.
I fought the law and the law won
Despite my efforts to resist the legal system, I was unable to overcome its power and authority.
Hier kommt Alex!
This is a shift to a new topic entirely, unrelated to the song's main theme.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Sonny Curtis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Altri82
Is this the show when Green Day open for them ???
Klargion
No, Green Day did five shows in May 1994 as opener for them
Ulrich Bergmann
Garnicht so gut die Version ;) Aber die meisten Bands spielen das Riff falsch, auch Bruce Springsteen, The Clash, Stray Cats, Green Day....
Einfach mal richtig hinhören was Bobby Fuller wirklich spielt. Buddy Holly hat es hinbekommen ;)
Beavis Butt-Headson
Die Crickets haben den Song zuerst aufgenommen. Aber der Buddy Holly war da schon tot. Die Bobby Fuller Version kam erst 6 Jahre später.
Aber ja, die Version hier ist ganz schön ranzig
Dennis Lee Mondl
Lass die großen tracks die großen Jungs spielen... Aber nice try 👍