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.
Keine Macht für Niemand
Die Toten Hosen Lyrics
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Welche Diebe mich bestehlen, welche Mörder mir befehlen
Ich bin tausendmal verblutet und sie ham mich vergessen
Ich bin tausendmal verhungert und sie war'n vollgefressen
Im Süden, im Osten, im Westen und im Norden
Es sind überall dieselben, die uns ermorden
In jeder Stadt und in jedem Land Schreibt die Parole an jede Wand
Keine Macht für Niemand!
Keine Macht für Niemand!
Reißen wir die Mauern ein, die uns trennen
Kommt zusammen, Leute, lernt euch kennen
Du bist nicht besser als der neben dir
Keiner hat das Recht, Menschen zu regier'n
Im Süden, im Osten, im Norden und im Westen
Es sind überall dieselben, die uns erpressen
In jeder Stadt und in jedem Land
Heißt die Parole von unserem Kampf
Keine Macht für Niemand!
Keine Macht für Niemand!
Komm rüber Bruder, reih dich ein
Komm rüber Schwester, du bist nicht allein
Komm rüber Mutter, wir sind auf deiner Seite
Komm rüber Alter, wir wollen das Gleiche
In Augsburg, in München, in Frankfurt und Saarbrücken
Es sind überall dieselben, die uns unterdrücken
In jeder Stadt und in jedem Land
Keine Macht für Niemand!
Wir brauchen keine Macht für Niemand!
Wir brauchen keine Macht!
The lyrics to Die Toten Hosen's song Keine Macht für Niemand are a passionate critique of the societal structures that oppress and exploit the working class. The lyrics suggest that the singer is not truly free, despite having the ability to choose which oppressors will harm them. The use of the words "Diebe" (thieves) and "Mörder" (murderers) suggests that these oppressors may be powerful politicians, capitalists, or other figures with authority over the common person. The repetition of the phrase "Ich bin" (I am) throughout the first stanza drives home the point that the singer is not simply speaking for himself, but for many others like him who have suffered under these unjust systems.
The second stanza, which repeats the phrase "Keine Macht für Niemand" (No power for anyone), urges listeners to unite in a common cause against these oppressors. The singer calls for people to tear down the walls that divide them and come together to fight for their rights. The phrase "Du bist nicht besser als der neben dir" (You are not better than the person next to you) reminds listeners that they are all equal in the eyes of their oppressors, and that they must band together if they hope to change things. The repetition of the phrase "In jeder Stadt und in jedem Land" (In every city and every land) suggests that this struggle is not unique to any one place, but is a universal struggle faced by people all over the world.
Overall, the song is a powerful call to arms for the working class to unite and fight against their oppressors. It highlights the ways in which people are exploited and oppressed by those in power, and urges listeners to come together to demand change. The repeated refrain of "Keine Macht für Niemand" is a powerful reminder that true freedom can only be achieved when no one group holds power over another.
Line by Line Meaning
Ich bin nicht frei und kann nur wählen
I am not free and can only choose
Welche Diebe mich bestehlen, welche Mörder mir befehlen
Which thieves steal from me, which murderers command me
Ich bin tausendmal verblutet und sie ham mich vergessen
I have bled a thousand times and they have forgotten me
Ich bin tausendmal verhungert und sie war'n vollgefressen
I have starved a thousand times and they were fully fed
Im Süden, im Osten, im Westen und im Norden
In the south, the east, the west, and the north
Es sind überall dieselben, die uns ermorden
It is the same everywhere, they who murder us
In jeder Stadt und in jedem Land
In every city and in every country
Schreibt die Parole an jede Wand
Write the slogan on every wall
Keine Macht für Niemand!
No power for anyone!
Reißen wir die Mauern ein, die uns trennen
Let's tear down the walls that separate us
Kommt zusammen, Leute, lernt euch kennen
Come together, people, get to know each other
Du bist nicht besser als der neben dir
You are no better than the one next to you
Keiner hat das Recht, Menschen zu regier'n
No one has the right to rule over people
Im Süden, im Osten, im Norden und im Westen
In the south, the east, the west, and the north
Es sind überall dieselben, die uns erpressen
It is the same everywhere, they who blackmail us
Heißt die Parole von unserem Kampf
This is the slogan of our struggle
Komm rüber Bruder, reih dich ein
Come over brother, join us
Komm rüber Schwester, du bist nicht allein
Come over sister, you are not alone
Komm rüber Mutter, wir sind auf deiner Seite
Come over mother, we are on your side
Komm rüber Alter, wir wollen das Gleiche
Come over old one, we want the same thing
In Augsburg, in München, in Frankfurt und Saarbrücken
In Augsburg, Munich, Frankfurt, and Saarbrücken
Es sind überall dieselben, die uns unterdrücken
It is the same everywhere, they who oppress us
Mach 'ne Faust aus deiner Hand
Make a fist out of your hand
Wir brauchen keine Macht für Niemand!
We don't need power for anyone!
Wir brauchen keine Macht!
We don't need power!
Contributed by Mackenzie W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.