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.
Lasset Uns Singen
Die Toten Hosen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lass die Arbeit ruhen für diesen einen Tag
Frauen tanzen bunt geschmückt und drehen sich im Kreis
Betören uns mit Ihrem wallend Haar
Wir scharen uns ums Feuer
Laben uns an Brot und Wein
Lass die Nacht heut' ewig währenMöge es die Schönste sein
Diesen Anblick nie vergessend
Uns das Herz im Busen springt
Komm wir zücken uns're Leier
Und beginnen dieses Lied
Wir erheben das Glas und stoßen auf uns an
Ein Gelage so wie heute hat die Welt noch nicht geseh'n
Wir erheben das Glas voll bis zum Rand
Ein jeder Rausch sei uns willkommen bis wir in die Knie geh'n
Holde Maid halt inne, habt Ihr für heut' schon einen Mann?
Der Kühnheit meiner Frage sei verzieh'n
Welchen Schatz birgt Ihr wohl unterm seidenen Gewand?
Erbitte Eure schönen Hügel kurz zu seh'n
Drunten auf der Wiese
Weht ein Lüftchen zart und fein
Dort will ich in Euch gesunden
Reinste Lust wollen wir uns sein
Und sie öffnet mir die Tore
Ich durchwühl' ihren Besitz
In Glückseligkeit gebadet
Geht's zu den anderen zurück
Wir erheben das Glas und stoßen auf uns an
Männchen jagen Weibchen
Jagen Männchen hinterher
Und heiteres Gelächter
Ist von überall zu hör'n
Ja es ist des Festes Krönung
So schön vereint zu sein
Ein jeder liebet jeden
Und so frönen wir dem Wein
Wir erheben das Glas und stoßen auf uns an
Ein Gelage so wie heute hat die Welt noch nicht geseh'n
Wir erheben das Glas voll bis zum Rand
Ein jeder Rausch sei uns willkommen bis wir in die Knie geh'n
The Die Toten Hosen song Lasset uns Singen is an ode to the power of celebration and the importance of taking a break from work to enjoy life's pleasures. The lyrics describe a scene of people gathered around a fire, feasting on bread and wine while women dance and twirl with their hair flying around them. The lyrics invite the listener to join in, to let the night stretch on forever and to never forget the beauty of the moment.
As the song progresses, the lyrics become more playful and almost bawdy, with a man asking a woman if she already has a man for the night and another section describing the playful chasing and laughter that can be heard all around. Overall, the message of the song is clear: life is meant to be celebrated and enjoyed, and moments of joy should be cherished and remembered.
In terms of the song's structure and arrangement, it features a strong folk influence with its use of acoustic instruments like guitar, mandolin, and accordion, and its emphasis on group vocals and sing-along choruses. The verses are largely spoken rather than sung, which gives the song a sense of community and camaraderie, as if the people gathered around the fire are all contributing to the song and telling their own stories. The song's simple, upbeat melody and catchy chorus make it an easy song to sing along to and remember.
Line by Line Meaning
Lasset uns jetzt singen und zusammen fröhlich sein
Let's sing and be happy together now
Lass die Arbeit ruhen für diesen einen Tag
Leave work aside for this one day
Frauen tanzen bunt geschmückt und drehen sich im Kreis
Women dance in colorful attire and spin around in circles
Betören uns mit Ihrem wallend Haar
Mesmerize us with their flowing hair
Wir scharen uns ums Feuer
We gather around the fire
Laben uns an Brot und Wein
We nourish ourselves with bread and wine
Lass die Nacht heut' ewig währen
Let tonight's night be forever
Möge es die Schönste sein
May it be the most beautiful
Diesen Anblick nie vergessend
Never forgetting this view
Uns das Herz im Busen springt
Our hearts burst with joy
Komm wir zücken uns're Leier
Come, let's take out our lyre
Und beginnen dieses Lied
And start this song
Wir erheben das Glas und stoßen auf uns an
We raise our glasses and toast to ourselves
Ein Gelage so wie heute hat die Welt noch nicht geseh'n
The world has not yet seen a feast like today's
Ein jeder Rausch sei uns willkommen bis wir in die Knie geh'n
Every intoxication is welcome until we fall to our knees
Holde Maid halt inne, habt Ihr für heut' schon einen Mann?
Fair maiden, have you already found a man for today?
Der Kühnheit meiner Frage sei verzieh'n
Forgive the audacity of my question
Welchen Schatz birgt Ihr wohl unterm seidenen Gewand?
What treasure do you carry under your silken garment?
Erbitte Eure schönen Hügel kurz zu seh'n
Please let me see your beautiful hills for a moment
Drunten auf der Wiese
Down on the meadow
Weht ein Lüftchen zart und fein
A soft and gentle breeze is blowing
Dort will ich in Euch gesunden
There, I want to heal inside of you
Reinste Lust wollen wir uns sein
We want to be pure pleasure for each other
Und sie öffnet mir die Tore
And she opens the gates for me
Ich durchwühl' ihren Besitz
I rummage through her belongings
In Glückseligkeit gebadet
Bathed in bliss
Geht's zu den anderen zurück
We go back to the others
Männchen jagen Weibchen
Males chase females
Jagen Männchen hinterher
Females chase males
Und heiteres Gelächter
And cheerful laughter
Ist von überall zu hör'n
Is heard from everywhere
Ja es ist des Festes Krönung
Yes, it is the crowning of the festival
So schön vereint zu sein
To be so beautifully united
Ein jeder liebet jeden
Each one loves everyone
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Graf Zirben, Destilie Van Der Vogelbeer, Andreas Frege, Andreas Von Holst
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind