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.

Grundstück
Einstürzende Neubauten Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Was ich in deinen Träumen suchen?
Ich suche nichts.
Ich räume auf.

Was du dereinst liegen ließest
Ich staple es auf, es wird noch verwendet.
Ich räum' es nur weg.

Die ganzen vergebenen Möglichkeiten
es lässt sich nichts mehr mit ihnen anfangen.
Auch sie räum' ich weg.

Was ich in deinen Träumen suche?
Ich suche nichts.
Ich räume nur auf.

Es kommen zum Vorschein die Ungetüme
lange verborgen doch noch vorhanden.
Unter den Schichten
Geschichten
Geschichte
Auch sie sind nicht weg

Was ich in deinen Träumen suche?
Ich suche nichts

Bis ich deine Träume im Dunklen leuchten seh'

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Einstürzende Neubauten's "Grundstück" speak of a person who is cleaning up after someone else- someone who has left things behind and moved on. The person who is cleaning up does not search for anything in the other person's dreams, rather they are simply tidying up and organizing what has been left behind. Despite the fact that some opportunities have been missed, the person cleaning up still finds uses for the things they come across, and they continue to sort and discard things that are no longer relevant or useful. As they continue their cleaning, they uncover "monsters" and hidden stories, which had been buried beneath the layers of the past. Yet, even amidst all of this, the person cleaning up does not search for anything in the other person's dreams. Instead, they continue to work until they see the shining brightness of the other person's dreams - catching a glimpse of what their true hopes and dreams may be.

The song's lyrics take on a metaphorical meaning, beyond a simple tidying up of physical possessions. The cleaning represents a process of letting go and moving forward, after someone else has left behind their past. The "monsters" and "hidden stories" that are uncovered represent the emotions and experiences that the other person has left behind, which may be difficult to confront or deal with. The song suggests that by facing and sorting through these emotions, the cleaner is able to bring forth the brightness of the other person’s dreams, and see what they truly want.

Line by Line Meaning

Was ich in deinen Träumen suchen?
What am I looking for in your dreams?

Ich suche nichts.
I am not searching for anything.

Ich räume auf.
I am cleaning up.

Was du dereinst liegen ließest
What you left behind in the past.

Ich staple es auf, es wird noch verwendet.
I stack it up, it can still be used.

Ich räum' es nur weg.
I just clean it up.

Die ganzen vergebenen Möglichkeiten
All the missed opportunities.

Es lässt sich nichts mehr mit ihnen anfangen.
They are no longer useful.

Auch sie räum' ich weg.
I also clean them up.

Was ich in deinen Träumen suche?
What am I looking for in your dreams?

Ich suche nichts.
I am not searching for anything.

Ich räume nur auf.
I am just cleaning up.

Es kommen zum Vorschein die Ungetüme
The monsters come into view.

Lange verborgen doch noch vorhanden.
Hidden for a long time but still here.

Unter den Schichten, Geschichten, Geschichte
Beneath the layers of stories and history.

Auch sie sind nicht weg.
They are not gone either.

Was ich in deinen Träumen suche?
What am I looking for in your dreams?

Ich suche nichts.
I am not searching for anything.

Bis ich deine Träume im Dunklen leuchten seh'
Until I see your dreams shining in the dark.

Lyrics © THE ROYALTY NETWORK INC.
Written by: ALEXANDER HACKE, ANDREW CHUDY, BLIXA BARGELD, JOCHEN ARBEIT, RUDOLPH MOSER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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