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.
Rambo-Dance
Die Toten Hosen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Äh ist das hier nicht das Schützenfest
Ey da det mich ziemlich interessieren
Wat is das hier die Toten Hosen äh?
Ja mir doch egal äh, Hauptsache ich kann ja mal was umstoßen hier ne
Hier ist der letzte Schrei aus Amerika, oh yeah
Es gibt kaum Regeln, alles klar oh no
Man macht nur einen Schritt nach vorn oh yeah
Wirbelt durch den ganzen Raum oh no
Und springt wieder zur Ausgangsposition
Man schaltet sein Gehirn aus
Denn man braucht nicht viel dazu
Man tanzt so im Dschungel
Und in jeder Dorfdisco
Es ist der Rambo-Dance
Es ist der Rambo-Dance
Es ist der Rambo-Dance
Es ist der Rambo-Dance
Jetzt reißt man seinen Partner mit oh yeah
Nimmt Anlauf und versucht sein Glück oh no
Bis man langsam in die Knie geht
Dann hilft man sich gegenseitig hoch oh yeah
Klopft sich ab und umarmt sich kurz oh no
Und startet einen neuen Versuch
Es ist 'ne Art von Tango
Aber eher wie Rock 'n' Roll
Man tanzt so im Dschungel
Und in jeder Dorfdisco
Es ist der Rambo-Dance
Es ist der Rambo-Dance
Es ist der Rambo-Dance
Es ist der Rambo-Dance
Rambo-dance
Rambo-dance (boah faule Möhre eh, super äh)
Rambo-dance (erst mal abhauen gerade, ich will mal zu deiner Alten ne)
Oh yeah, oh no (äh äh geh mal weg da vom Hals, bist du wahnsinnig aä)
Oh yeah, oh no
Oh yeah
Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah
Oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no
Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah
Oh no, Oh no, Oh no, Oh no
Oh yeah (yeah)
Man schaltet sein Gehirn aus
Denn man braucht nicht viel dazu
Man tanzt so im Dschungel
Und in jeder Dorfdisco
So geht der Rambo-Dance (oh yeah)
So geht der Rambo-Dance (oh no)
So geht der Rambo-Dance
So geht der Rambo-Dance
Das ist der Rambo-Dance (oh yeah)
Das ist der Rambo-Dance (oh no)
Das ist der Rambo-Dance (oh yeah)
Das ist der Rambo-Dance
Uh! Yeah!
Äh is doch voll link äh
Äh ich voll die Nase im Eimer ja hab ich schon fünzehn Mark für bezahlt
Ich kann nicht auf Schützenfest gehen, krieg es umsonst äh ist doch Scheiße so
The Toten Hosen's song "Rambo-Dance" is an energetic and satirical take on the dance crazes that were popular in the 80s. The song is generally speaking about a simplified, mindless way of dancing that is comparable to the way some westerners see the dance traditions of cultures different from their own. The lyrics playfully describe a dance craze that originated in America and spread to Germany, called the "Rambo-Dance", a reference to the popular action movies featuring the character John Rambo. The song also touches on the idea of youth rebellion and desire for freedom, as the dancers are described as not adhering to rules, and going against the norm with their energetic movements.
The song lyrically invites the listener to join in the Rambo-Dance and let go of inhibitions while describing the dance steps and movements. The Rambo-Dance steps involve taking one step forward and then swirling around the room. The lyrics encourage dancing partners to take turns in leading the dance, and to be playful and physical, pushing each other to the floor and then helping each other back up. As the song goes on, there is a sense of chaos and frenzy generated by the fast-paced drums and guitar riffs, and the lyrics mention various scenarios where people dance this way, including in the jungle and in small village discos.
The song can be seen as both a satirical commentary on the shallow nature of some dance trends and a celebration of youthful rebellion and energy. It may also be viewed as a reflection of Die Toten Hosen's punk origins and their desire to push against societal norms. The song's catchy hooks and up-beat tempo make it a popular choice during live shows, and it has become a classic track from the German punk rock legends.
Line by Line Meaning
Ey ey sag mal kann ich mal hier rein
Excuse me, can I come in here?
Äh ist das hier nicht das Schützenfest
Isn't this the shooting festival?
Ey da det mich ziemlich interessieren
Hey, that really interests me
Wat is das hier die Toten Hosen äh?
Is this the Dead Pants, huh?
Ja mir doch egal äh, Hauptsache ich kann ja mal was umstoßen hier ne
I don't care, as long as I can knock something over here, right?
Hier ist der letzte Schrei aus Amerika, oh yeah
Here's the latest craze from America, oh yeah
Es gibt kaum Regeln, alles klar oh no
There are hardly any rules, everything's a mess, oh no
Und jetzt passt auf, was man zu tun hat
Now pay attention to what you have to do
Man macht nur einen Schritt nach vorn oh yeah
You just take one step forward, oh yeah
Wirbelt durch den ganzen Raum oh no
Whirling through the entire room, oh no
Und springt wieder zur Ausgangsposition
And jumps back to the starting position
Man schaltet sein Gehirn aus
You turn off your brain
Denn man braucht nicht viel dazu
Because you don't need much for this
Man tanzt so im Dschungel
You dance like you're in the jungle
Und in jeder Dorfdisco
And in every village disco
Es ist der Rambo-Dance
It's the Rambo-Dance
Jetzt reißt man seinen Partner mit oh yeah
Now you grab your partner, oh yeah
Nimmt Anlauf und versucht sein Glück oh no
You run up and try your luck, oh no
Bis man langsam in die Knie geht
Until you slowly sink to your knees
Dann hilft man sich gegenseitig hoch oh yeah
Then you help each other up, oh yeah
Klopft sich ab und umarmt sich kurz oh no
You pat each other and hug briefly, oh no
Und startet einen neuen Versuch
And start a new attempt
Es ist 'ne Art von Tango
It's a kind of tango
Aber eher wie Rock 'n' Roll
But more like rock 'n' roll
So geht der Rambo-Dance (oh yeah)
That's how the Rambo-Dance goes, oh yeah
So geht der Rambo-Dance (oh no)
That's how the Rambo-Dance goes, oh no
Das ist der Rambo-Dance (oh yeah)
This is the Rambo-Dance, oh yeah
Das ist der Rambo-Dance (oh no)
This is the Rambo-Dance, oh no
Rambo-dance
Rambo-dance
Uh! Yeah!
Uh! Yeah!
Äh is doch voll link äh
Uh, that's totally shady
Äh ich voll die Nase im Eimer ja hab ich schon fünzehn Mark für bezahlt
Uh, my nose is totally messed up, yeah, I already paid fifteen marks for it
Ich kann nicht auf Schützenfest gehen, krieg es umsonst äh ist doch Scheiße so
I can't go to the shooting festival, I get it for free, uh, that sucks
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Andreas Frege, Andreas Meurer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ivonne Schmiedel
rambo dance das klingt schon wieder so wie erst bier trinken und dann lied schreiben.
Timon Saal
Hauptsache ich kann man watt umstoßen, ne?! :D
Marco Mommsen
Die geilste LP die die Hosen je gemacht haben !
Mrs Angel Berlin
Super Leid...:-)
drachenfriedhof
Bester Pogo song den ich kenn (einziger pogo song den ich kenne)
Rabauke 1904
hab au au ne eiskalte hansa aufm zahm ;D
Rabauke 1904
probier mal daily terror wenn ich mit dir pogotanz ;)
Eden Gardener
Super Lied, aber warum ist die letzten drei Minuten nur Stille?
Studio 51
soweit ich mich erinnere kam dannach der Hidden Track "schöner Tag"