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.

Am I Only Jesus?
Einstürzende Neubauten Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

amerika
grosses kino
holzgetaefelt
evangelisten-session in progress
die buehne betritt unter applaus
ein franzoesischer freund der gemeinde:
benoit
taenzer und taenzerinnen

am i only jesus?
i am only jesus
er fordert alle zum aufstehen auf
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 buehne ist nur noch benoit
taenzer und taenzerinnen sind abgegangen
am i only jesus?
i am only jesus
und irgendwann sollen wir dann wohl alle auf die buehne
zum singen und tanzen
zum ekstatischen hoehepunkt der veranstaltung
zur gemeinsamen glossalie
am i only jesus?
i am only jesus

Am I only Jesus? I am only Jesus.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of 'Am I Only Jesus?' by Einstürzende Neubauten are a critique of the religious fervour seen in the western world, especially in the US, where televangelists attract huge crowds to their sessions of preaching, singing and dancing. The song describes the scene of such a session, with wooden paneling, a French friend of the congregation called Benoit, and a call to rise and stand up.

The lyrics are presented from the perspective of an observer who is already standing at the back in white morning clothes. A man urges him to come forward, and the dancer and singer Benoit is the only one left on stage. The dancers have gone and the singer questions whether he is only Jesus. The song reflects on the idea that there is a desire for a unity and ecstasy in these events that is only attainable by following the figurehead of Christianity, Jesus.

The song critiques the idea of televangelism, where people are easily manipulated and not given a chance to think for themselves. The song suggests that people should have the courage to stand back and think about what they are being asked to do. The singer questions whether the urge to follow blindly is driven by a need for community and belonging.

Line by Line Meaning

amerika
They're in America, a place known for its grandiose productions and Hollywood glamour.

grosses kino
It's like a big movie theater.

holzgetaefelt
The stage is covered in wood paneling.

evangelisten-session in progress
There's a religious gathering happening.

die buehne betritt unter applaus
Someone enters the stage to the sound of applause.

ein franzoesischer freund der gemeinde: benoit
The person who enters the stage is a French man named Benoit, who's a friend of the religious community.

taenzer und taenzerinnen
There are dancers on stage.

am i only jesus?
The artist questions whether they are only Jesus.

i am only jesus
They believe that they are only Jesus.

er fordert alle zum aufstehen auf
Benoit asks everyone to stand up.

ich stehe bereits
The singer is already standing up.

nur mit meinem weissen morgenmantel bekleidet
The artist is wearing only a white robe.

an der seite im gang
They are standing at the side of the aisle.

ein mann gestikuliert mir heftig
A man aggressively gestures for the singer to come forward.

ich solle weiter nach vorne kommen
The man tells the singer to come further forward.

das enthusiastische publikum vorne klatscht
The audience at the front claps enthusiastically.

auf der buehne ist nur noch benoit
Benoit is the only one left on stage.

taenzer und taenzerinnen sind abgegangen
The dancers have left the stage.