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.
Industrie‐Mädchen
Die Toten Hosen Lyrics
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So was, wie sie, das gab es noch nie,
Beim Elektrizitätswerk da traf ich sie wieder,
Vor Freude riss ich fast die Hochspannung nieder
Ich mag sie, ich mag sie, ich mag sie, oh oh
Ich mag sie, ich mag sie, ich mag sie, oh oh
Ich mag sie,
Ich kam in ihr Zimmer hinterm Güterbahnhof,
Drei Stock über überm Hinterhof,
Unten beim Kraftwerk haben wir uns geliebt,
Neben uns hat leise der schnelle Brüter gepiept
Ich mag sie, ich mag sie, ich mag sie, oh oh
Ich mag sie, ich mag sie, ich mag sie, oh oh
Ich mag sie, ich mag sie
Ich mag sie, ich mag sie, ich mag sie, oh oh
Ich mag sie, ich mag sie, ich mag sie, oh oh
Ich mag sie, ich mag sie
The lyrics to Die Toten Hosen's song "Industrie-Mädchen" tell the story of the singer's infatuation with a woman who works in the industrial sector. He first sees her at a refinery and is immediately drawn to her unique qualities. When he encounters her again near an electricity plant, he is overjoyed and nearly causes a power outage. The singer then describes a sexual encounter with the woman in her room above a railroad yard. Despite the noise from a nearby nuclear breeder reactor, the two engage in lovemaking. Throughout the song, the singer repeatedly declares his love for the "industrial girl."
On the surface, the song can be interpreted as a simple love story between two people from different backgrounds. However, the lyrics also highlight the beauty and importance of the industrial sector, which is often overlooked or dismissed in society. The woman, who represents this sector, is portrayed as strong, independent, and alluring. The singer is drawn to her because of her unique qualities and their shared love for the industrial world.
Overall, "Industrie-Mädchen" is a song that celebrates the power and beauty of the industrial sector and the individuals who work within it. Its lyrics are both a love story and a homage to those who keep the world running.
Line by Line Meaning
Ich sah sie zum ersten Mal bei der Raffinerie,
I first saw her at the refinery, and someone like her had never been seen before.
So was, wie sie, das gab es noch nie,
No one like her had been seen before.
Beim Elektrizitätswerk da traf ich sie wieder,
I met her again at the power station.
Vor Freude riss ich fast die Hochspannung nieder
I was so happy that I almost shorted the high voltage.
Ich kam in ihr Zimmer hinterm Güterbahnhof,
I went to her room behind the freight station.
Drei Stock über überm Hinterhof,
Her room was three floors above the backyard.
Unten beim Kraftwerk haben wir uns geliebt,
We made love down by the power plant.
Neben uns hat leise der schnelle Brüter gepiept
The fast breeder reactor beeped quietly next to us.
Ich mag sie, ich mag sie, ich mag sie, oh oh
I like her, I like her, I like her, oh oh.
Ich mag sie, ich mag sie, ich mag sie, oh oh
I like her, I like her, I like her, oh oh.
Ich mag sie,
I like her.
Ich mag sie, ich mag sie, ich mag sie, oh oh
I like her, I like her, I like her, oh oh.
Ich mag sie, ich mag sie, ich mag sie, oh oh
I like her, I like her, I like her, oh oh.
Ich mag sie, ich mag sie
I like her, I like her.
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: Uwe Jahnke, Thomas Schwebel
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind