Auf der Flucht
Falco Lyrics
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Erster Eindruck, grüne Männer
Straßensperre gegen Spinner
Habt ihr Bock auf 'ne Tracht Prügel?
Wir bedienen euch nicht übel, aha
Ecke Joachimstaler am Ku'damm ein Exzess
Wer das Gas als letzter riecht, hat als erster den Prozess
Und man sieht sich wieder mal auf der Flucht
Aus—, ah, ah
Aus—
Aus—
Ausbruch, auf der Flucht
Zürich Limmatquai, 1982
Alles ist in Ordnung, nichts am Platz
Ein Ende hat's mit dem Rabatz
Gewonnen hat die Steuer
Und am Seeufer kein Feuer, ah-ah
Das Fazit aus fünfzehn Jahren
Die Kontrolle zu bewahren
Edle Werte zu genießen
Sieht man, wohin Gelder fließen
Schmeißt die Rockrabauken raus
Und renoviert das Opernhaus, ah-ah
Was die Ordnung anbelangt
Hat sich alles Gott sie dank
Fast wie ganz von selbst ergeben
Denn die starke Hand siegt eben
Hält die Märchenwelt beisammen
Und die Räuber sind gefangen, ah-ah
Für die Zukunft sei gesagt
Sicher kommt mal wer und fragt
Was die Jungwähler so denken
Über Kräfte, die sie lenken
Schwere Wolken, Donnerschlag
Und wer sieht sich da jetzt auf der Flucht?
Auf der Flucht
Auf der Flucht
Auf der Flucht
Auf der Flucht
The song "Auf der Flucht" by Falco depicts two different eras, locations and social conditions through two verses. The first verse is set in West Berlin in 1967 during the height of the Cold War, where the government's repression was felt strongly. Inhabitants are subjected to constant interrogation and scrutiny, as symbolized by the "green men," who were West German police detectives. The lyrics describe how young Berliners are stopped on the streets by them and threatened with violence if they are suspected of being politically radical. The second stanza is set in Zurich in 1982 when the world was transitioning from the Cold War era to a time of prosperity, accelerated by technological advances. The lyrics suggest a society much more content with the way things are, where the fight for increased freedom is in the past, and people are enjoying the fruits of their labor.
The song’s title, “Auf der Flucht,” translates to “On the Run” or “Fleeing,” which is a common theme in songs from that era. It describes a situation of running from unpopular governments and governments that failed to live up to the hopes and aspirations of their people. The lyrics of the song underscore how governmental repressions can be a constant reminder of the past, as symbolized by the "cloud" that triggers memories of prior political turmoil. Falco's use of varied imagery, such as the "Ecke Joachimstaler am Ku'damm ein Exzess," paints the picture of the rebellious mood of young people in Berlin who are struggling to find their way out of a society they perceive as unfair.
Line by Line Meaning
Westberlin, 1967
In 1967, in West Berlin
Erster Eindruck, grüne Männer
First impression, green men (referring to police)
Straßensperre gegen Spinner
Roadblock against crazies (referring to protestors or countercultural groups)
Habt ihr Bock auf 'ne Tracht Prügel?
Do you want a beating?
Wir bedienen euch nicht übel, aha
We won't treat you too badly, aha
Ecke Joachimstaler am Ku'damm ein Exzess
Joachimstaler corner at Kurfürstendamm, an excess (referring to a violent or chaotic incident)
Wer das Gas als letzter riecht, hat als erster den Prozess
Whoever smells the gas last will be the first to be charged (referring to the use of tear gas by the police)
Ganz Berlin ist eine Wolke
All of Berlin is a cloud (referring to the tear gas or general atmosphere of chaos)
Und man sieht sich wieder mal auf der Flucht
And once again, we find ourselves on the run
Zürich Limmatquai, 1982
In 1982, in Zurich's Limmatquai street
Alles ist in Ordnung, nichts am Platz
Everything is in order, nothing out of place
Ein Ende hat's mit dem Rabatz
The commotion has come to an end
Gewonnen hat die Steuer
The tax has won
Und am Seeufer kein Feuer, ah-ah
And no fire at the lakeside, ah-ah
Das Fazit aus fünfzehn Jahren
The summary of fifteen years
Die Kontrolle zu bewahren
To maintain control
Edle Werte zu genießen
To enjoy noble values
Sieht man, wohin Gelder fließen
You can see where the money flows
Schmeißt die Rockrabauken raus
Throw out the rowdy rockers
Und renoviert das Opernhaus, ah-ah
And renovate the opera house, ah-ah
Was die Ordnung anbelangt
Regarding the order
Hat sich alles Gott sie dank
Everything has, thank God,
Fast wie ganz von selbst ergeben
Almost naturally come about
Denn die starke Hand siegt eben
Because the strong hand always wins
Hält die Märchenwelt beisammen
Keeps the fairy tale world together
Und die Räuber sind gefangen, ah-ah
And the robbers are caught, ah-ah
Für die Zukunft sei gesagt
For the future, it should be said
Sicher kommt mal wer und fragt
Someone will surely come and ask
Was die Jungwähler so denken
What the young voters think
Über Kräfte, die sie lenken
About the forces that are directing them
Schwere Wolken, Donnerschlag
Heavy clouds, thunderclap
Und wer sieht sich da jetzt auf der Flucht?
And who now sees themselves on the run?
Auf der Flucht
On the run
Auf der Flucht
On the run
Auf der Flucht
On the run
Auf der Flucht
On the run
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Johann Hoelzel, Robert Ponger
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Carine Aroyan
I can't recall any other artist of such an exceptional artistic freedom. I am watching an old poor quality video and his energy is smashing. I can't imagine what his live concerts felt like. Genius.
derek.thomas00
👋 hello
TheWildhound
I saw him once live, he played brilliant bass guitar and his vocals were legendary. He was so sympathic and such a great performer.
The press and media at this time and before always tried to set him under a bad light and provokate him with foolish interviews, talk shows..he never lost his face, always smart, funny, a real gentlemen and cool cat. We loved him. What a loss.
Kelly Howard
In addition to his incandescent looks & talent, the man had the best facial expressions & hand gestures in history.
France Mary
A sublime song in every respect: text, voice and interpretation of Falco, orchestration, and rhythms. The video adds to the story. Great and pure Falco
KaSandra
Super Künstler, super Text, super Video...eines der noch sehr wenigen Gründe sowas wie "Stolz" zu verspüren, aus der selben Stadt zu kommen, wie einst Falco/Hans...
it was like a siren, a secret song
He was a whole other level of star. I'm sorry for those who don't know Falco.
Too bad that his career is derailed, it has been underestimated, not fully understood and today it can only be rediscovered through youtube. As happened to me. Undoubtedly my favorite artist ever and I couldn't live him in my life. Totally genial, clealry too much, too ahead of his time, he was so different. A modern pop-rock-hip hop Mozart, blending languages, master of fun, entartaining and style. What a show. Why the hell media don't remember this guy??? I have to reiterate these comments periodically, really. The guy is not remembered by media for the unique talent he was. Imagine Falco in today's music with artists as Weeknd blending 80s wave, synth pop, hip hop, rock and that retro chic-iconic style, leading everywhere. Falco was ahead of 40 years. LOL. he would have been in 2061 if he still alive.
France Mary
you are right ! I am French and I listen to his songs very regulary ; I have all his albums.
LA Evan
Well put & spot on, IMHO. TY&TC! {hugz}
WILSON PARDI JUNIOR
Excellent coment, Leonardo Fabbri! Falco was really ahead of his time, he had an unique style, very different from others at those years. Best Regards from Japan, Wilson