Krieg in den Städten
Einstürzende Neubauten Lyrics
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verbrannte erde
ich steh auf viren
ich steh auf chemie
aufstehn
abst
ürzen
The lyrics to "Krieg in den Städten" by Einstürzende Neubauten explore themes of violence, destruction, and turmoil in urban spaces. The line "Aufstehn/hinlegen" can be interpreted as a call to action - to wake up and take action against the chaos around us, but then to also find moments of rest and stillness in between. The phrase "verbrannte erde" literally means "burnt earth," and reflects the idea of total destruction and devastation. The lines "ich steh auf viren / ich steh auf chemie" suggest a fascination with things that can cause harm, such as diseases and chemicals.
The repetition of "aufstehn / abstürzen" can be interpreted as a cycle of hope and despair - the desire to rise up and fight against chaos, followed by the inevitable crash back down. This theme is further emphasized by the jarring and dissonant instrumentation of the song, which creates a sense of chaos and instability.
Overall, "Krieg in den Städten" is a powerful commentary on the destructive nature of human conflict and the impact it can have on urban environments.
Line by Line Meaning
Aufstehn/hinlegen
Rise up and lie down, symbolizing the chaotic and unpredictable nature of the war
verbrannte erde
Referring to the military tactic of scorching the earth, leaving nothing behind for the enemy to use
ich steh auf viren
Expressing a twisted fascination with biological weapons and their destructive power
ich steh auf chemie
Glorifying the use of chemical weapons to annihilate enemies and disrupt their infrastructure
aufstehn
abstein
A repeating of the first line, emphasizing the chaotic, repetitive, and brutal aspects of urban warfare
Contributed by Sebastian T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.