Fehlfarben (lit. transl.: "wrong colours", this expression is used in a fig… Read Full Bio ↴Fehlfarben (lit. transl.: "wrong colours", this expression is used in a figurative sense to describe: a. card-game: a suit another player is missing or that is not trump, b. a cigar with a misscoloured wrapper or c. a stamp that has been printed with a wrong colour by accident) are a German rock band from Düsseldorf, Germany formed in 1979.

Founding members are:
Peter Hein(vocals 79-81 90-?, former Mittagspause (lit. transl.: "lunch break"))
Thomas Schwebel (guitar, vocals 81-84, former Mittagspause, S.Y.P.H. )
Uwe Bauer (drums, former Mittagspause, Materialschlacht)
Frank Fenstermacher (saxophone, keyboard, percussion, backingvocals, later Der Plan)
Michael Kemner (bass (until 81), former 20 Colors , Mau Mau (81) , DAF , YOU )
Markus Oehlen (guitar, former Mittagspause)

later members:
Hellmut 'Kraan' Hattler (bass (84))
Martin Schwebel (drums (84))
Uwe Jahnke (guiter)
Saskia von Klitzing (drums)
Kurt Dahlke (synthesizer, producer (atatak); also performing as Pyrolator).

Imitation Of Life
Fehlfarben Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Du gehst einsam wartest nicht auf Hilfe
Kein Mensch hofft mehr auf deine Briefe
Was wirst du tun wenn du jemanden triffst?
Wirst du sagen, nimm mich bitte mit?

Es gibt nur etwas für brave Kinder
Es gibt nur etwas für zärtliche Frauen
Es gibt nur etwas für fleissige Männer

Es gibt nicht viel um zurückzuschauen

Du gehst auf Stelzen dein Kopf fällt fast herunter
Du scheinst zufrieden, wirkst sehr munter
wenn jemand was sagt, schließ die Ohren ab
Vergiß niemals: schließ deine Haustür ab!

Es gibt nur etwas ...

Wenn was passiert, du bist es nicht gewesen
du hast erst Tage später davon gelesen

immer sehen, nicht aus der Masse zu stechen
Tödliche Angst sie könnte sich rächen

Overall Meaning

The song "Imitation of Life" by Fehlfarben is a melancholic reflection on the isolation and disillusionment that comes with modern life. The lyrics describe a character who is lonely and disconnected from the world around them. They don't expect anyone to come to their aid, and even their writing goes unanswered. The singer wonders what they would do if they met someone, but doubts that anyone would want to take them along.

The song muses on the limited opportunities available for those who don't conform to society's usual expectations. "There is only something for good children, there is only something for tender women, there is only something for diligent men," the lyrics note. But the singer doesn't have much to look back on. They appear to be living a precarious existence, teetering on stilts that threaten to collapse at any moment.

The singer's sense of isolation is further compounded by their unwillingness to engage with others. They cover their ears when people speak to them, and their fatalistic attitude- "when something happens, it's never your fault" - suggests a deep-seated sense of apathy and powerlessness. The song ends on a note of caution, warning against drawing too much attention to oneself for fear of provoking retribution.

Line by Line Meaning

Du gehst einsam wartest nicht auf Hilfe
You walk alone, never waiting for help

Kein Mensch hofft mehr auf deine Briefe
No one hopes for your letters anymore

Was wirst du tun wenn du jemanden triffst?
What will you do when you meet someone?

Wirst du sagen, nimm mich bitte mit?
Will you ask them to take you with them?

Es gibt nur etwas für brave Kinder
There is only something for good children

Es gibt nur etwas für zärtliche Frauen
There is only something for gentle women

Es gibt nur etwas für fleissige Männer
There is only something for hard-working men

Es gibt nicht viel um zurückzuschauen
There's not much to look back on

Du gehst auf Stelzen dein Kopf fällt fast herunter
You walk on stilts, your head almost falling down

Du scheinst zufrieden, wirkst sehr munter
You seem content, appear very cheerful

wenn jemand was sagt, schließ die Ohren ab
When someone says something, tune them out