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.
Alles in Allem
Einstürzende Neubauten Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Eine ist schon festgewachsen
Sperrt ihren Rachen auf
Ein Schwätzer versucht dem Felsen etwas einzureden
Der es versucht, aber doch nicht flüchten kann
Eine Wolke mit kleinen Augen hat sich abgelöst
Erdreste hängen ihr noch an
Alles in Allem
Alles auf einmal
Alle auf einmal
Alle auf einmal
Der trickreiche Schattenspieler operiert mit beiden Händen
Zwei Marionetten gut und nicht so gut
Am anderen Ende ein verkürztes Krokodil
Eine Plasmazelle ohne Zellkern
Unter der Grenze hängt ein Lichtfraß
Hinten trägt er ein zweites Gesicht
Sein Junges kricht im Dialog dahinter
Ins Abseits vorwärts gewandt
In der Unendlichkeit bin ich auch
Alles in Allem
Unendlich oft vorhanden
Alle auf einmal
Alle auf einmal
Alles auf einmal
Alles in Allem
The lyrics of Einstürzende Neubauten's song "Alles in Allem" paint a vivid and abstract picture of various elements and entities coming together in a chaotic and interconnected world. The verses describe different scenes and characters that represent aspects of this larger whole.
In the opening lines, the mention of a river with multiple islands symbolizes the diversity and multitude of experiences and perspectives. One island stands out, firmly attached and ready to reveal something significant. The image of a talkative person trying to persuade a rock signifies the futility of trying to alter something that is unyielding, emphasizing the limits of influence and change.
The following lines introduce a cloud with small eyes that has detached from its original form. It still carries remnants of the earth, indicating a connection to the material world. This imagery could suggest a fragmented or distorted perception of reality, a moment of detachment from the familiar.
The chorus, with its repetition of "Alles in Allem" (Everything in everything), emphasizes the interconnectedness of all things and the idea that everything exists simultaneously. It suggests a holistic perspective, highlighting the notion that everything is intrinsically linked and cannot be understood or separated in isolation. The mention of all together and all at once reinforces the idea of unity and collective existence.
The second verse brings the focus to a deceptive shadow player, operating with both hands. The presence of two puppets, one skilled and the other less so, represents the duality of skill and mediocrity in the world. At the other end, there is a shortened crocodile and a plasma cell without a nucleus, embodying abnormalities and anomalies.
The mention of a "light erosion" under the limit suggests a degradation or decay of something fundamental or essential. There is a hidden face at the back, implying a concealed or obscured nature. The dialogue of the young one behind the scenes, taking a forward stance towards marginalization, may represent the potential for transformation and growth in challenging circumstances.
The final lines express a sense of infinite presence and transcendence, implying that the singer also exists within this vastness. The repetition of "Alles auf einmal" (Everything at once) and "Alle auf einmal" (Everyone at once) emphasizes the notion of unity and multiplicity, reinforcing the idea that everything exists simultaneously and interdependently. The concluding frase "Alles in Allem" encapsulates the essential theme of the song, suggesting that within the whole is the sum of its parts, and in every part, one can find the essence of the whole.
Line by Line Meaning
Ein Fluss mit fünf, sechs Inseln
A river with five, six islands - A situation with multiple aspects or elements
Eine ist schon festgewachsen
One has already become firmly established - One aspect has become steady or unchangeable
Sperrt ihren Rachen auf
Opens its jaws - Expresses a readiness or desire to consume or engulf
Ein Schwätzer versucht dem Felsen etwas einzureden
A talker tries to persuade the rock - An attempt to convince or influence something unyielding or resistant
Der es versucht, aber doch nicht flüchten kann
Who tries, but still cannot escape - Shows a futile attempt to escape or avoid something
Eine Wolke mit kleinen Augen hat sich abgelöst
A cloud with small eyes has detached - A detached or separate entity with perceptiveness or awareness
Erdreste hängen ihr noch an
Earth remnants still cling to it - Remnants or traces of the past are still attached
Alles in Allem
Everything in everything - The sum or entirety of all components or elements
Alles auf einmal
Everything at once - The simultaneous occurrence or existence of everything
Alle auf einmal
Everyone at once - The collective presence or involvement of all individuals
Alle auf einmal
Everyone at once - The collective presence or involvement of all individuals
Der trickreiche Schattenspieler operiert mit beiden Händen
The cunning shadow player operates with both hands - Using clever tactics or strategies with full control and versatility
Zwei Marionetten gut und nicht so gut
Two puppets, one good and not so good - Two entities with different levels of effectiveness or success
Am anderen Ende ein verkürztes Krokodil
At the other end, a shortened crocodile - At the opposite side, a distorted or incomplete representation
Eine Plasmazelle ohne Zellkern
A plasma cell without a cell nucleus - An entity lacking a central or essential component
Unter der Grenze hängt ein Lichtfraß
Below the boundary, light erosion hangs - A deterioration or decay beneath a limit or threshold
Hinten trägt er ein zweites Gesicht
At the back, he wears a second face - Concealing an alternative or hidden aspect
Sein Junges kricht im Dialog dahinter
Its offspring creeps in the dialogue behind - A concealed or indirect influence operating in the background
Ins Abseits vorwärts gewandt
Turned forward into the offside - Advancing in an unconventional or divergent direction
In der Unendlichkeit bin ich auch
In infinity, I am as well - Assertion of existence within an infinite realm
Alle auf einmal
Everyone at once - The collective presence or involvement of all individuals
Unendlich oft vorhanden
Infinitely present many times - Existing in countless iterations within infinity
Alle auf einmal
Everyone at once - The collective presence or involvement of all individuals
Alle auf einmal
Everyone at once - The collective presence or involvement of all individuals
Alles auf einmal
Everything at once - The simultaneous occurrence or existence of everything
Alles in Allem
Everything in everything - The sum or entirety of all components or elements
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@neubautenorg
Lyrics:
Ein Fluss mit 5, 6 Inseln
Eine ist schon festgewachsen
Sperrt ihren Rachen auf
Ein Schwätzer versucht
Dem Felsen etwas einzureden
Der es versucht aber doch
nicht flüchten kann
Eine Wolke mit kleinen Augen
Hat sich abgelöst
Erdreste hängen ihr noch an
Alles in allem
Alles auf einmal
Alle auf einmal
Alle auf einmal
Der trickreiche Schattenspieler
Operiert mit beiden Händen
Zwei Marionetten:
Gut und Nicht-so-gut
Am anderen Ende:
Ein verkürztes Krokodil
Eine Plasmazelle ohne Zellkern
Unter der Grenze hängt ein Lichtfraß
hinten trägt er ein 2. Gesicht
Sein Junges kriecht im Dialog dahinter
Ins Abseits – vorwärtsgewandt
In der Unendlichkeit
Bin ich auch
Alles in allem
Unendlich oft vorhanden
Alle auf einmal
Alle auf einmal
Alles auf einmal
Alles in allem
@neubautenorg
Lyrics in English:
A river with five, six islands
One is already anchored
Opens up its jaws
A prattler attempts
To sweet-talk the rock
Which tries all it can but
Cannot take flight
A cloud with tiny eyes
Has broken loose
Remnants of the earth still attached
All in all
All at once
Everyone at once
Everyone at once
The cunning shadow puppeteer
Operates with both his hands
Two marionettes:
Good and Not-so-good
At the other end:
A truncated crocodile
A plasma cell without its nucleus
Under the border hangs a devourer of light
A second face inscribed at its rear
Its young creeps in dialogue behind
Into back and beyond – faced forwards
In this infinitude
I am too
All in all
Infinitely often existent
Everyone at once
Everyone at once
All at once
All in all
@neubautenorg
Lyrics:
Ein Fluss mit 5, 6 Inseln
Eine ist schon festgewachsen
Sperrt ihren Rachen auf
Ein Schwätzer versucht
Dem Felsen etwas einzureden
Der es versucht aber doch
nicht flüchten kann
Eine Wolke mit kleinen Augen
Hat sich abgelöst
Erdreste hängen ihr noch an
Alles in allem
Alles auf einmal
Alle auf einmal
Alle auf einmal
Der trickreiche Schattenspieler
Operiert mit beiden Händen
Zwei Marionetten:
Gut und Nicht-so-gut
Am anderen Ende:
Ein verkürztes Krokodil
Eine Plasmazelle ohne Zellkern
Unter der Grenze hängt ein Lichtfraß
hinten trägt er ein 2. Gesicht
Sein Junges kriecht im Dialog dahinter
Ins Abseits – vorwärtsgewandt
In der Unendlichkeit
Bin ich auch
Alles in allem
Unendlich oft vorhanden
Alle auf einmal
Alle auf einmal
Alles auf einmal
Alles in allem
@mahammaduli9820
Summa Sumarum
@julianreverse
@@deniselopez
A cloud with small eyes
Has come off
Remains of earth are still attached to her
@mosheroyburt7195
Please translate.
@carlospires7411
Thank guys, fan since The 80's! Love you guys!
@neubautenorg
Lyrics in English:
A river with five, six islands
One is already anchored
Opens up its jaws
A prattler attempts
To sweet-talk the rock
Which tries all it can but
Cannot take flight
A cloud with tiny eyes
Has broken loose
Remnants of the earth still attached
All in all
All at once
Everyone at once
Everyone at once
The cunning shadow puppeteer
Operates with both his hands
Two marionettes:
Good and Not-so-good
At the other end:
A truncated crocodile
A plasma cell without its nucleus
Under the border hangs a devourer of light
A second face inscribed at its rear
Its young creeps in dialogue behind
Into back and beyond – faced forwards
In this infinitude
I am too
All in all
Infinitely often existent
Everyone at once
Everyone at once
All at once
All in all
@mactheAnimal798
Poetisch, verletzlich und von königlichem Anmut! Ich bin Dankbar das es sowas noch gibt.
@Autoluminescense
One of the reasons that I am an EN fan, is that even though I don't understand German somehow I can understand the feelings of their songs, and this one captivated me without me knowing why and I believe that is the true power of art. For it knows no language but it's own.
@rorybell2161
You nailed it
@mikewilson3581
That's like me with Jacques Brel. I get it.