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.
Schrei nach Liebe
Die Toten Hosen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hass ist deine Attitüde, ständig kocht dein Blut
Alles muss man dir erklären, weil du wirklich gar nichts weißt
Höchstwahrscheinlich nicht einmal, was Attitüde heißt
Deine Gewalt ist nur ein stummer Schrei nach Liebe
Deine Springerstiefel sehnen sich nach Zärtlichkeit
Du hast nie gelernt dich zu artikulierenUnd deine Eltern hatten niemals für dich Zeit
(Oh oh oh, Arschloch!)
Warum hast du Angst vorm Streicheln?
Was soll all der Terz?
Unterm Lorbeerkranz mit Eicheln
Weiß ich, schlägt ein Herz
Und Romantik ist für dich nicht bloß graue Theorie
Zwischen Störkraft und den Onkelz steht 'ne Kuschelrock-LP
Deine Gewalt ist nur ein stummer Schrei nach Liebe
Deine Springerstiefel sehnen sich nach Zärtlichkeit
Du hast nie gelernt dich zu artikulieren
Und deine Eltern hatten niemals für dich Zeit
(Oh oh oh, Arschloch!)
Weil du Probleme hast, die keinen interessieren
Weil du Schiss vorm Schmusen hast, bist du ein Faschist
Du musst deinen Selbsthass nicht auf andere projizieren
Damit keiner merkt, was für ein lieber Kerl du bist (oh oh oh)
Deine Gewalt ist nur ein stummer Schrei nach Liebe
Deine Springerstiefel sehnen sich nach Zärtlichkeit
Du hast nie gelernt dich artizukulieren
Und deine Freundin hatte niemals für dich Zeit
(Oh oh oh, Arschloch, Arschloch!, Arschloch!!)
The song "Schrei nach Liebe" by Die Toten Hosen delves into the topic of hate and love. The opening lines of the song take a direct aim at the person who is the target of the song's message. The lyrics express that the person is foolish for harbouring hate, it is their attitude, and they are always angry. They are ignorant and lack knowledge and understanding. The verse explicitly implies that the addressee not only has misunderstood the meaning of "attitude," but he does not know how to articulate his feelings. His violent actions are a mere cover-up for his lack of empathy.
The chorus, "Deine Gewalt ist nur ein stummer Schrei nach Liebe" (Your violence is only a muted cry for love), is the heart of the song, where the message becomes more poignant. It suggests that the person who is perpetuating the violence is merely seeking love and attention. Despite wearing steel-capped boots and being violent, the person longs for love and intimacy. The violence is an embodiment of the pent-up emotions he struggles to release. The lyrics further suggest that this person has never been shown how to express themselves in any other way, which is partly due to their upbringing. It is a raw and honest observation of such people. The final lines of the song delve even further into their problematic upbringing and project their self-hate onto others. The song's overall theme, as shown through the lyrics, is that love can conquer hate, and kindness towards others is the key to a better world.
Line by Line Meaning
Du bist wirklich saudumm, darum geht's dir gut
You are truly stupid, that's why you are happy.
Hass ist deine Attitüde, ständig kocht dein Blut
Hate is your attitude, your blood keeps boiling.
Alles muss man dir erklären, weil du wirklich gar nichts weißt
Everything must be explained to you because you really know nothing.
Höchstwahrscheinlich nicht einmal, was Attitüde heißt
Most likely, you don't even know what attitude means.
Deine Gewalt ist nur ein stummer Schrei nach Liebe
Your violence is just a silent cry for love.
Deine Springerstiefel sehnen sich nach Zärtlichkeit
Your combat boots long for tenderness.
Du hast nie gelernt dich zu artikulieren
You have never learned how to articulate yourself.
Und deine Eltern hatten niemals für dich Zeit
And your parents never had time for you.
(Oh oh oh, Arschloch!)
(Oh oh oh, asshole!)
Warum hast du Angst vorm Streicheln?
Why are you afraid of being petted?
Was soll all der Terz?
What's all the fuss about?
Unterm Lorbeerkranz mit Eicheln
Under the laurel wreath with acorns
Weiß ich, schlägt ein Herz
I know there is a heart beating.
Und Romantik ist für dich nicht bloß graue Theorie
And romance is not just a gray theory for you.
Zwischen Störkraft und den Onkelz steht 'ne Kuschelrock-LP
Between Störkraft and the Onkelz, there is a Kuschelrock LP.
Weil du Probleme hast, die keinen interessieren
Because you have problems that no one cares about.
Weil du Schiss vorm Schmusen hast, bist du ein Faschist
Because you are afraid of petting, you are a fascist.
Du musst deinen Selbsthass nicht auf andere projizieren
You don't have to project your self-hatred on others.
Damit keiner merkt, was für ein lieber Kerl du bist (oh oh oh)
So that no one will notice what a lovely guy you are.
Und deine Freundin hatte niemals für dich Zeit
And your girlfriend never had time for you.
(Oh oh oh, Arschloch, Arschloch!, Arschloch!!)
(Oh oh oh, asshole, asshole!, asshole!!)
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Dirk Felsenheimer, Jan Vetter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind