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.
Pessimist
Die Toten Hosen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So wie ein Lied vorüber geht
All die schönen Illusionen
Mit jedem Tag ein Neu-Abschied
Und man schaut zum Fenster raus
Wartet nur noch auf die Tagesschau
Von irgendwo erklingt ein Lied
Die fetten Jahre sind vorbei
Wir sollen den Gürtel enger schnallen
Das Glück liegt immer noch auf der Straße
Man muss es nur in bar bezahlen
Und wir schauen zum Fenster raus (zum Fenster raus)
Fürchten uns schon vor der Tagesschau
Und von irgendwo ein Lied (ein schönes Lied)
Dass alle Pessimisten Lügner sind
Doch wenn am Abend die Stille
All das Geschwätz besiegt
Und sich wie ein Teppich
Über mich legt
Kann ich mich endlich
Wieder atmen hören mit jedem Herzschlag wieder
Etwas mehr von mir spüren
Und im Kopf den Impuls
Es gibt nichts zu verlieren
Und ich schau' zum Fenster raus (schau' zum Fenster raus)
Seh' wie die Nacht den ganzen Tag aufsaugt
Dann möchte ich glauben, dass es stimmt (ich glaub es stimmt)
Dass alle Pessimisten Lügner sind
The lyrics of "Pessimist" reflect a sense of disappointment and disillusionment with the world. The first stanza talks about how dreams slowly fade away, like a passing song, leaving behind only illusions which gradually disappoint over time until one is left to only wait for the news. The chorus talks about how everything is coming to an end: the good times are over and people are forced to tighten their belts. Everyone is searching for happiness, but it seems to always come with a cost, nothing is given for free. Then there is a glimmer of hope in the second verse as the singer talks about the peace and quiet of the evening, which allows them to focus on their own thoughts and feelings, reminding them that there is nothing to lose by being optimistic.
Line by Line Meaning
Und wieder schmilzt ein Traum dahin
Once again, a dream is disappearing and fading away
So wie ein Lied vorüber geht
Similar to how a song comes to an end and fades away
All die schönen Illusionen
All of the beautiful illusions
Mit jedem Tag ein Neu-Abschied
With each passing day, there is a new goodbye
Und man schaut zum Fenster raus
And one looks out the window
Wartet nur noch auf die Tagesschau
Waiting only for the news program to start
Von irgendwo erklingt ein Lied
A song is heard from somewhere
Dass alle Pessimisten Lügner sind
That all pessimists are liars
Die fetten Jahre sind vorbei
The prosperous times are over
Wir sollen den Gürtel enger schnallen
We should tighten our belts
Das Glück liegt immer noch auf der Straße
Happiness is still found on the streets
Man muss es nur in bar bezahlen
You just have to pay for it in cash
Und wir schauen zum Fenster raus (zum Fenster raus)
And we look out of the window (out of the window)
Fürchten uns schon vor der Tagesschau
We're already afraid of the news program
Und von irgendwo ein Lied (ein schönes Lied)
And from somewhere a song (a beautiful song)
Dass alle Pessimisten Lügner sind
That all pessimists are liars
Doch wenn am Abend die Stille
But when the silence comes at night
All das Geschwätz besiegt
Defeating all the chatter
Und sich wie ein Teppich
And it covers me like a carpet
Über mich legt
Over me it goes
Kann ich mich endlich
Finally, I can
Wieder atmen hören mit jedem Herzschlag wieder
Hear myself breathing again with every heartbeat
Etwas mehr von mir spüren
Feeling more of myself
Und im Kopf den Impuls
And in my mind, the impulse
Es gibt nichts zu verlieren
There's nothing to lose
Und ich schau' zum Fenster raus (schau' zum Fenster raus)
And I look out the window (look out the window)
Seh' wie die Nacht den ganzen Tag aufsaugt
Seeing how the night absorbs the entire day
Dann möchte ich glauben, dass es stimmt (ich glaub es stimmt)
Then I want to believe that it's true (I believe it's true)
Dass alle Pessimisten Lügner sind
That all pessimists are liars
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Andreas Frege, Michael Breitkopf
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Geschichtenzauber
Ich liebe diese Band sooo sehr. <3
@tobiasbehnke6466
TheMandalakind yse sy
@sonjafenner9752
Ich auch 😘😍
@jonasfrank3834
Beste deutsche Rockband
@lexireining8058
Ich liebe dieses Lied
@maxwolf476
Geiles lied
@3lackhands
klasse lied^^
@SuchALizard
xD