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.
Am I Only Jesus
Einstürzende Neubauten Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
grosses kino
holzgetäfelt
evangelisten-session in progress
die bühne betritt unter applaus
ein französischer freund der gemeinde:
benoît
tänzer und tänzerinnen
i am only jesus
er fordert alle zum aufstehen auf
v ich stehe bereits
nur mit meinem weissen morgenmantel bekleidet
an der seite im gang
ein mann gestikuliert mir heftig
ich solle weiter nach vorne kommen
das enthusiastische publikum vorne klatscht
auf der bühne ist nur noch benoît
die tänzer und tänzerinnen sind abgegangen
am i only jesus?
i am only jesus
und irgendwann sollen wir dann wohl alle auf die bühne
zum singen und tanzen
zum ekstatischen höhepunkt der veranstaltung
zur gemeinsamen glossolalie
am i only jesus?
i am only jesus
The lyrics to Einstürzende Neubauten's song "Am I Only Jesus" seem to depict a scene of a grand evangelistic session or gathering. The mention of "amerika" and "grosses kino" suggests a spectacle or a large-scale performance, while "holzgetäfelt" may refer to the stage being panelled with wood. It appears that a French friend of the community, named Benoît, takes the stage to applause. There are dancers and the singer questions their own role, asking if they are only Jesus. This line is repeated, emphasizing the uncertainty and introspection of the singer's identity.
Continuing on, Benoît calls for everyone to stand up. The singer explains that they are already standing in the aisle, wearing only a white morning robe. A man gestures for them to come forward, and the enthusiastic audience claps. Eventually, only Benoît remains on stage as the dancers have exited. The repeated questioning of whether the singer is only Jesus suggests a search for meaning or purpose in the midst of a religious or spiritual gathering.
Overall, the lyrics of "Am I Only Jesus" appear to explore themes of identity, performance, and religious questioning within the context of a communal event.
Line by Line Meaning
amerika
The country known as America
grosses kino
A movie theater of significant size
holzgetäfelt
Covered with wooden paneling
evangelisten-session in progress
A gathering of evangelists engaged in a session
die bühne betritt unter applaus
The stage is entered to applause
ein französischer freund der gemeinde: benoît
A French friend of the community, named Benoît
tänzer und tänzerinnen
Dancers, both male and female
am i only jesus?
Am I solely resembling Jesus?
i am only jesus
I am exclusively Jesus
er fordert alle zum aufstehen auf
He requests everyone to stand up
v ich stehe bereits
I already stand
nur mit meinem weissen morgenmantel bekleidet
Adorned only with my white morning robe
an der seite im gang
On the side, in the aisle
ein mann gestikuliert mir heftig
A man gestures to me vigorously
ich solle weiter nach vorne kommen
I should come further forward
das enthusiastische publikum vorne klatscht
The enthusiastic audience in the front applauds
auf der bühne ist nur noch benoît
On the stage, only Benoît remains
die tänzer und tänzerinnen sind abgegangen
The dancers have departed
am i only jesus?
Am I solely resembling Jesus?
i am only jesus
I am exclusively Jesus
und irgendwann sollen wir dann wohl alle auf die bühne
And eventually we will all probably go on stage
zum singen und tanzen
To sing and dance
zum ekstatischen höhepunkt der veranstaltung
To the ecstatic climax of the event
zur gemeinsamen glossolalie
To the collective speaking in tongues
am i only jesus?
Am I solely resembling Jesus?
i am only jesus
I am exclusively Jesus
Lyrics © Freibank Musikverlags und vermarktungs GmbH
Written by: ALEXANDER HACKE, ANDREW CHUDY, BLIXA BARGELD, JOCHEN ARBEIT, RUDOLPH MOSER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind