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.
Stranglehold
Die Toten Hosen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Four five six
Gotta do a dance
And it goes like this
Yeah some little girl's gotta hold on me
She's only thirteen but oh so sweet
Got me down on my knees
Puts her arms around me like a vice
It's oh so painful but nice
But I can only take it once or twice
Got a stranglehold on me
Got a stranglehold on me
Got a stranglehold on me
Got a stranglehold on me
Stranglehold
Puts her arms around me like a vice
It's oh so painful but nice
But I can only take it once or twice
Got a stranglehold on me
Got a stranglehold on me
Got a stranglehold on me
Got a stranglehold on me
Stranglehold
Stranglehold on me
Stranglehold on me
Got a stranglehold on me
Stranglehold
Five six seven
Eight nine ten
You want more?
We'll do it again
Stranglehold on me
Stranglehold on me
Stranglehold on me
Stranglehold
Stranglehold on me
Got a stranglehold on me
Stranglehold on me
Stranglehold
Stranglehold on me
Got a stranglehold on me
Stranglehold on me
Stranglehold
Stranglehold on me
Got a stranglehold on me
Stranglehold on me
Stranglehold
Stranglehold on me
Got a stranglehold on me
Stranglehold on me
Stranglehold
The song Stranglehold by Die Toten Hosen appears to be a song about being held captive by love. The lyrics describe a young girl who has a "stranglehold" on the singer, holding him tightly and not letting go. Despite the pain and discomfort, the singer seems to enjoy it, as evidenced by the line "It's oh so painful but nice." The repetition of the phrase "got a stranglehold on me" emphasizes the theme of being trapped and powerless.
The imagery in the song is striking, with the use of words like "stranglehold" and "vice" evoking a sense of physical restraint. The fact that the girl is only thirteen years old adds a layer of complexity to the song, as it raises questions about the nature of the relationship between the singer and the object of his affection. Overall, the song seems to be about the power of love to bend and constrict a person's will, leaving them helpless in its grip.
Line by Line Meaning
One two three
Starting off the song with a basic counting, setting the tone for the upcoming dance.
Four five six
Continuing the count, building anticipation for the dance.
Gotta do a dance
A statement of necessity, indicating that the dance is going to happen no matter what.
And it goes like this
Introducing the dance and suggesting that it is a repetitive and simple movement.
Yeah some little girl's gotta hold on me
Acknowledging that the artist is in the grip of a young girl who has captured his attention.
She's only thirteen but oh so sweet
Describing the girl as being young and attractive.
Got me down on my knees
The girl has reduced the singer to a subservient position.
Got a stranglehold on me
The girl has a strong hold on the artist's attention and affection.
Puts her arms around me like a vice
Describing the girl's embrace as tight and forceful.
It's oh so painful but nice
The artist is conflicted by the intensity of the girl's hold on him.
But I can only take it once or twice
The singer is enjoying the experience, but only in small doses.
Got a stranglehold on me
Reiterating that the girl has a firm grip on the artist's attention.
Five six seven
Counting again, building to a climax of the dance.
Eight nine ten
Almost at the end of the count, adding more tension to the song and possibly to the dance.
You want more?
Asking if the audience is ready for more intensity.
We'll do it again
Promising to repeat the dance or the song, indicating the artist's desire to experience the girl's hold again.
Stranglehold on me
The girl's hold still has an effect on the artist, creating a sense of obsession and fixation.
Stranglehold on me
Repetition of the previous phrase, further emphasizing the girl's hold.
Got a stranglehold on me
Reiteration that the girl has a grip on the singer's attention.
Stranglehold
Simple repetition of the word 'stranglehold', creating a sense of obsession and compulsion.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: David Charles Perez, Richard Anderson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind