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.

Ein Stuhl in der H��lle
Einstürzende Neubauten Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Wo bist do gewesen?
Sag es mir
Ich bin bei der Schwester der Mutter gewesen
Oh weh mir
Was hast do denn dort getan?
Sag es mir
Ich hab gegessen und auch getrunken
Oh weh mir

Was hast do gegessen dort?
Sag es mir
Eine BrÃ¼he mit Pfeffer gab es dort
Oh weh mir
Was hast do getrunken?
Sag es mir
Ein Glas voll mit rotem Wein
Oh weh mir
Was haben die Hunde und Katzen gefressen?
Sag es mir
Sie haben die BrÃ¼he mit Pfeffer gefressen
Oh weh mir
Was ist denn darauf geschehen?
Sag es mir
Sie sind in einer Stunde verreckt
Oh weh mir
Was wÃ¼nschst do dir fÃ¼r deinen Vater?
Sag es mir
Ich wÃ¼nsch ihm einen Stuhl I'm Himmel
Oh weh mir
Was wÃ¼nschst do dir fÃ¼r deine Mutter?
Sag es mir

Ich wÃ¼nsch ihr einen Stuhl in der HÃ¶lle
Oh weh mir

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Einstürzende Neubauten's song "Ein Stuhl in der Hölle" tell a story of someone who went to visit the sister of their mother. The singer is asked what they did there, and they reply that they ate and drank. Specifically, they had a soup with pepper and a glass of red wine. The listener then asks about the food the dogs and cats ate, and the singer reveals that they, too, had the soup with pepper and subsequently died within an hour. The conversation turns to the singer's wishes for their parents - to have a chair in heaven for their father, and a chair in hell for their mother.

The lyrics of "Ein Stuhl in der Hölle" can be interpreted in a number of ways. On one level, it can be seen as a cautionary tale about the dangers of indulgence and excess. The singer's actions indirectly lead to the deaths of the dogs and cats, suggesting that even innocent actions can have unintended and deadly consequences. Additionally, the contrast between the singer's wishes for their parents - a chair in heaven for their father and one in hell for their mother - highlights the complicated nature of familial relationships and the challenges of reconciling conflicting emotions.

Line by Line Meaning

Wo bist do gewesen?
Where have you been?

Sag es mir
Tell me

Ich bin bei der Schwester der Mutter gewesen
I've been to my mother's sister's place

Oh weh mir
Oh woe is me

Was hast do denn dort getan?
What did you do there?

Ich hab gegessen und auch getrunken
I ate and drank

Was hast do gegessen dort?
What did you eat there?

Eine BrÃ¼he mit Pfeffer gab es dort
There was a broth with pepper

Was hast do getrunken?
What did you drink?

Ein Glas voll mit rotem Wein
A glass full of red wine

Was haben die Hunde und Katzen gefressen?
What did the dogs and cats eat?