Die genaue Zeit
Einstürzende Neubauten Lyrics

The lyrics of "Die genaue Zeit" by Einstürzende Neubauten touch upon themes of conformity, power, and the dehumanizing effects of technology. The opening lines, "Alles wird Muzak, alle werden gleich" (Everything becomes Muzak, everyone becomes the same), suggest a homogenization of culture and a loss of individuality. The reference to Muzak, an early form of background music played in public spaces, emphasizes the numbing effect of mass media and commercialism. The repetition of the line "Wie spät mag es sein?" (What time may it be?) could imply a sense of uncertainty or disorientation in the face of these societal changes.

The line "Die Macht ist ein laufendes Band" (Power is a conveyor belt) foreshadows the idea that people are caught up in a machine-like system controlled by those in power. The phrase "Akkordnarben in meinem Gesicht" (Assembly line scars on my face) reinforces this imagery, as people become like machines themselves, marked by the repetitive labor they perform. The line "Hör auf die Stimme deines Herrn" (Listen to the voice of your master) suggests that people have become subservient to authority figures, while the following line "Auch Lakaien haben Taktgefühl" (Even lackeys have a sense of rhythm) implies that those in power rely on the compliance of their subordinates.

The final lines of the song, "Es ist eine Frage der Lautstärke und alle sind gleich, gleich" (It is a question of volume and everyone is the same, the same), reinforce the idea that conformity is enforced through technology and media. The repetition of the word "gleich" (same) underscores this message, leaving the listener with a sense of bleakness and hopelessness.