Einstürzende Neubauten is an ever-changing musical entity, originally forme… Read Full Bio ↴Einstürzende Neubauten is an ever-changing musical entity, originally formed in Berlin, Germany, on the 1st April 1980. Neubauten were initially seen as part of the second wave of industrial bands, filling the space left when Throbbing Gristle terminated their mission. Neubauten's early output fit the term "industrial" well, as it (ab)used the sounds of machinery, metal-on-metal, construction-site equipment, and treated tape loops, creating harsh soundscapes and rhythmic textures reminiscent of krautrock. Their inclusion on the record label Some Bizarre, with acts like Foetus, Coil, and Test Dept., consolidated this position as new industrial pioneers.

However, Neubauten soon outgrew the confines of even the broad scope of industrial music. In their 25-plus years, they have produced a dozen studio albums, live records, a remix album and EP, scored theatre pieces, and more.

Lead vocalist Blixa Bargeld is perhaps the best-known member of the group, both for his work with Neubauten and as guitarist for Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. His fellow founding members Alexander Hacke and N.U. Unruh have likewise been active in various musical roles outside the group over the years.

Bassist Mark Chung was a member of the group from 1981 to 1994. He founded the publishing house Freibank Music Publishing to handle business affairs for Neubauten and other groups, and has continued in this role (concurrently serving as a senior vice-president of Sony Music International for nine years). Percussionist FM Einheit, was a member from 1981 to 1995, and has also been active as a solo artist and member of groups such as Gry.

Since 1997 the group has also included guitarist Jochen Arbeit and percussionist Rudi Moser.

Neubauten's most recent work has been available exclusively to subscribers to their online home, www.neubauten.org. Neubauten completed the third incarnation of their online project in November 2007 and were touring Europe in 2008 in support of their latest album Alles Wieder Offen.

Currently Einstürzende Neubauten is celebrating their 30th anniversary with a tour through Europe and the United States. In October/November 2010 the band is releasing Strategies Against Architecture IV, the fourth album in the archival compilation series by Neubauten which collates the band’s output from 2002-2010.

3 Thoughts
Einstürzende Neubauten Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

first,
i thought:
the advent of the iron age
made the elongation of the male sex
unavoidable
and its main aim
the penetration
the knife, the sword, the spear

second,
i thought:
gunpowder, firearms
the main aim shifted
to ejaculation
and - bombs:
the mystification of the orgasm
third,
i think:
simulation
through screen or helmet

makes this
pornography

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Einstürzende Neubauten's "3 Thoughts" are an insightful commentary on the human relationship with violence and sexuality. The lyrics explore how violence and sexuality have evolved throughout human history, and how our current culture is still heavily influenced by these primal instincts.

In the first verse, the singer reflects on how the advent of the iron age led to the elongation of the male sex. This is a reference to the fact that weapons such as knives, swords, and spears were used as phallic symbols, and became associated with male power and dominance. The main aim of these weapons was the penetration of flesh, which is a violent and aggressive act.

In the second verse, the singer reflects on how the main aim of violence shifted with the invention of gunpowder and firearms. The focus of male power and dominance shifted from the physical act of penetration to the release of ejaculation, which is associated with sexual pleasure. The use of bombs and other powerful weapons further mystified this connection between violence and sexuality.

In the final verse, the singer reflects on how our current culture is increasingly saturated with pornography, which is a form of simulated sexuality. The use of screens and helmets provides a detached experience of sexuality, which is similar to how violence is simulated in video games and other forms of media. The lyrics suggest that these simulated forms of sexuality and violence are a result of our primal instincts being sublimated and redirected into new forms of expression.

Overall, "3 Thoughts" is a powerful exploration of the links between violence and sexuality, and how these primal instincts continue to shape our culture and society today.

Line by Line Meaning

first,
In the beginning,

i thought:
I believed that

the advent of the iron age
The introduction of metal tools

made the elongation of the male sex
Contributed to the idea of phallic symbolism in male culture

unavoidable
Inevitable

and its main aim
Its predominant goal

the penetration
Sexual intercourse

the knife, the sword, the spear
Weapons and tools metaphorically associated with male genitalia

second,
Next,

i thought:
I came to understand that

gunpowder, firearms
The invention of guns and explosives