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.
Negativ Nein
Einstürzende Neubauten Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nein nein nein
Nein nein nein
Negativ nein
Das Leben ist nicht bunt
Geballt gehen wir zugrunde
Sag nein
Nein nein nein
Negativ nein
Aber nein
Drei mal nein
Nein nein nein
Sag nein
Negativ nein
Asyl, Exil
Hier nicht und da nicht
Frag mich nicht ich weiß es auch nicht
Aber nein
Nein nein nein
Aber nein, aber nein
Hauptsache negativ nein
Negativ nein
Mit einem Schrei geht es zugrunde
Mit meinem Schrei
Sag nein
Sag negativ nein
The lyrics to Einstürzende Neubauten's song Negativ Nein are simple yet powerful. The repetition of the word "nein" (no) emphasizes the rejection of something or someone. The phrase "das Leben ist nicht bunt" (life is not colorful) suggests a pessimistic view of life, that it lacks vibrancy and excitement. The line "geballt gehen wir zugrunde" (we clump together and go under) implies that when we stick together, we inevitably fail together.
The second verse introduces the concepts of asylum and exile, indicating that the rejection is not only towards an individual but also towards a society or system. The phrase "frag mich nicht ich weiß es auch nicht" (don't ask me, I don't know either) could be interpreted as a refutation of society's expectations and demands. The repetition of "aber nein" (but no) emphasizes the refusal and the need to stand up for oneself. The final lines "mit einem Schrei geht es zugrunde" (it goes down with a scream) and "sag nein, sag negativ nein" (say no, say negative no) suggest that sometimes we need to shout and be heard in order to make a difference.
Line by Line Meaning
Sag nein, sag nein
Repeat after me, say no, say no
Nein nein nein
Absolutely not, absolutely not, absolutely not
Nein nein nein
Absolutely not, absolutely not, absolutely not
Negativ nein
Not just no, but a resounding negative no
Das Leben ist nicht bunt
Life is not colorful, exciting or optimistic
Geballt gehen wir zugrunde
Together, we are heading towards destruction
Sag nein
Say no, don't let things continue as they are
Nein nein nein
Absolutely not, absolutely not, absolutely not
Nein nein nein
Absolutely not, absolutely not, absolutely not
Negativ nein
Not just no, but a resounding negative no
Aber nein
But no, we can't just accept everything that's happening
Drei mal nein
Three times no, just to emphasize our refusal
Nein nein nein
Absolutely not, absolutely not, absolutely not
Sag nein
Say no, don't be passive or indifferent
Negativ nein
Not just no, but a resounding negative no
Asyl, Exil
Refuge, exile - topics that evoke a sense of displacement and loss
Hier nicht und da nicht
Not here, not there - a sense of instability and constant change
Frag mich nicht ich weiß es auch nicht
Don't ask me, I don't know either - a sense of confusion and uncertainty
Aber nein
But no, we can't just ignore these issues
Nein nein nein
Absolutely not, absolutely not, absolutely not
Aber nein, aber nein
But no, we must keep refusing and resisting
Hauptsache negativ nein
The most important thing is to say no, to resist and counteract negative forces
Negativ nein
Not just no, but a resounding negative no
Mit einem Schrei geht es zugrunde
With a scream, everything collapses and falls apart
Mit meinem Schrei
With my scream, I will vocalize my opposition and resistance
Sag nein
Say no, don't be complacent or passive
Sag negativ nein
Say a resounding negative no, and actively resist negative forces
Lyrics © THE ROYALTY NETWORK INC.
Written by: Blixa Bargeld
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind