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.

Merle
Einstürzende Neubauten Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Kennen Sie eine Merle?
Kennen Sie eine Merle?
Sind Sie mit ihr verwandt?
Das ist gut, zu gut
haha, äh, bald geht's Ihnen auch an'n Kragen
hach, das werden Sie schon noch sehen
gerade Sie, Sie sind mein Opfer
hatte Merle Siroka eine Schwester?

War sie älter als sie oder jünger?
natürlich, ich kenne sie ja nur vom Namen her

wie alt ist sie denn genau?
Schade um sie, sie wird's auch nicht länger durchhaltenl

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Einstürzende Neubauten's "Merle" are cryptic and unnerving. The song starts with the question, "Do you know a Merle?" repeated twice, followed by "Are you related to her?" The tone shifts abruptly as the next few lines include a sinister laugh and a threatening statement, "That's good, too good haha, soon it will be your turn. Oh, you'll see." The singer then identifies the listener as their victim, saying "You, particularly, you are my victim."

The singer then asks if Merle Siroka had a sister, and wonders how old she is. The song ends with a cold statement, "Too bad for her, she won't survive much longer." The lyrics seem to suggest a serial killer or stalker who is fixated on Merle and may be targeting her family or friends as well. The song's unsettling tone is emphasized by the industrial sounds of the band's music and the aggressive delivery of the vocals.

Overall, "Merle" is a disturbing and ambiguous song that leaves the listener with more questions than answers. It is a haunting example of Einstürzende Neubauten's unique and unsettling approach to music.

Line by Line Meaning

Kennen Sie eine Merle?
Do you know anyone named Merle?

Sind Sie mit ihr verwandt?
Are you related to her?

Das ist gut, zu gut
That's good, too good

haha, äh, bald geht's Ihnen auch an'n Kragen
Haha, soon it will be your turn to get what's coming to you

hach, das werden Sie schon noch sehen
Oh, you will see soon enough

gerade Sie, Sie sind mein Opfer
Especially you, you are my victim

hatte Merle Siroka eine Schwester?
Did Merle Siroka have a sister?

War sie älter als sie oder jünger?
Was she older or younger than her?

natürlich, ich kenne sie ja nur vom Namen her
Of course, I only know of her name

wie alt ist sie denn genau?
Exactly how old is she?

Schade um sie, sie wird's auch nicht länger durchhalten
It's too bad for her, she won't survive much longer