In 1988 Gunnar … Read Full Bio ↴Dritte Wahl ("third choice") is a German punk band.
In 1988 Gunnar Gunnar (voc/g), Busch'n (voc/bg) und Krel (dr) played their first gig in their hometown Rostock (North/East Germany).
In January 2005 Busch'n died of cancer. Stefan (voc, bg) became his worthy replacement.
Dritte Wahl has released nine studio albums, three live-cds and 2 dvds.
Amerika
Dritte Wahl Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hilft der Ami wo er kann
Sind die Reichen gegen dich
Amerika hilft dir dann nicht
Ref.: Aufgepat - sonst setzt es was!
Vietnam und Nigaragua
Willst du was sein in dieser Welt
Schnell mit den Yankees gutgestellt
Ref.: Aufgepat...
Die einzig waren Amerikaner
Sind unterdrckte Indianer
Ref.: Aufgepat
The lyrics to Dritte Wahl's song Amerika critique the perceived cultural and economic imperialism of the United States, specifically in relation to its foreign policy and its role in shaping the global power structure. The opening lines of the song suggest that anyone willing to offer money to America will receive aid in return, while those who are not financially viable will not benefit from any such help. The following lines evoke the historical context of America's interventions in Vietnam and Nicaragua, suggesting that the country is not hesitant to use force when necessary to assert its power.
The refrain, "Aufgepat - sonst setzt es was!" (Watch out - or you'll get hit!), is a warning that America will not hesitate to use its military might to maintain its power and influence. The final lines of the song offer a more nuanced critique, suggesting that the only true Americans are Native Americans, who have historically been subjugated and oppressed by the white majority.
Overall, the song paints a picture of a powerful and dominant America that is willing to use its military and economic strength to achieve its goals, even at the expense of other nations and peoples. At the same time, it suggests that there are alternative visions of what it means to be American, rooted in the experiences and struggles of marginalized communities.
Line by Line Meaning
Bietest du ihm Knete an
If you offer him money
Hilft der Ami wo er kann
The American will help where he can
Sind die Reichen gegen dich
If the rich are against you
Amerika hilft dir dann nicht
America won't help you
Ref.: Aufgepat - sonst setzt es was!
Chorus: Watch out or else there will be consequences!
Vietnam und Nigaragua
Vietnam and Nicaragua
Der Ami darf das, alles klar
The American can do that, it's all clear
Willst du was sein in dieser Welt
If you want to be something in this world
Schnell mit den Yankees gutgestellt
Quickly get on good terms with the Yankees
Ref.: Aufgepat...
Chorus: Watch out...
Die einzig waren Amerikaner
The only true Americans
Sind unterdrckte Indianer
Are the oppressed Native Americans
Ref.: Aufgepat
Chorus: Watch out
Contributed by Maya K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.