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.

Bili Rubin
Einstürzende Neubauten Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Wir trinken uns zusammen
und betrunken zum Thema stossen wir
zusammen über unseren Köpfen
unter unseren Füssen und
im Untergrund
Wir rollen über den Boden
kugeln uns wie Asseln
Wenn du etwas für mich übrig hast

dann gib mir bitte den Rest

Billy Rubin ist niedrig
Billy Rubin verschwindet
Billy Rubin ist auf der Flucht

Nosotros nos tomamos
y borracho a ese tema
juntos todos brindamos
sobre nuestras cabezas
a bajo de nuestros pies
y en el subsuelo
rodamos sobre el suelo

si tienes algo para mi
damelo todo por favor

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Einstürzende Neubauten's song Bili Rubin suggest a scene of intoxicated revelry amongst a group of friends. The first stanza describes the group drinking and toasting to their topic ("thema"), whatever that may be. The imagery of things above and below them, as well as in the underground, suggest a sense of disorientation and disconnection from the world around them, perhaps a result of their inebriation. The second stanza furthers this sense of physical disconnect, as the group is rolling across the ground like pill-bugs. The final line, "If you have anything for me, please give me the rest," suggests a sense of completion and satisfaction, perhaps in the form of the shared intoxication they've achieved.

Musically, Bili Rubin is characterized by its driving, repetitive beat and the use of unconventional instruments like power tools and broken glass. The vocals, delivered by band leader Blixa Bargeld, are harsh and guttural, further adding to the sense of disorientation and chaos in the lyrics.

Line by Line Meaning

Wir trinken uns zusammen
We drink together

und betrunken zum Thema stossen wir
And drunkenly we touch on the topic

zusammen über unseren Köpfen
Together above our heads

unter unseren Füssen und
Under our feet and

im Untergrund
In the underground

Wir rollen über den Boden
We roll over the floor

kugeln uns wie Asseln
Curl up like pill bugs

Wenn du etwas für mich übrig hast
If you have anything left for me

dann gib mir bitte den Rest
Then please give me the rest

Billy Rubin ist niedrig
Billy Rubin is low

Billy Rubin verschwindet
Billy Rubin disappears