He sings about politics, society, sexuality, religion, and many other topics, usually in a humorous way. He accompanies his songs with the guitar, sometimes with the harmonica. He founded the band Lassie Singers. Since 1978 he has lived in Berlin. He is married and has four children.
The punk band Die Toten Hosen interpreted some of his songs, notably Trauriges Arschloch, Bayern, Frauen dieser Welt, and Lesbische schwarze Behinderte. Die Schröders, another punk rock band, made his song Saufen more famous.
As of 2005 van Dannen had published nine albums; except for Info 3, Herzscheiße and Nebelmaschine all were recorded live.
His newest Album "Authentic Trip" appeared in 2005 and is, one more time, a live-album, recorded on 2 evenings in Munich.
Vaterland
Funny van Dannen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Warum mögen wir keine Juden?
Wo haben wir Deutschen unsern Stolz her
Und was schätzen wir an Imbissbuden?
Was finden wir Deutschen am Opel so gut?
Warum trinken wir soviel Bier?
Was ist ein richtiger Deutscher
Warum sagen wir Deutschen "Mutti"
Von München bis Helgoland
Ach Mutti, Mutti, Mutti
Was heißt "Vaterland"?
Warum sind wir Deutschen so fleißig
Und was sind für uns "Große Männer"?
Was lieben wir an Musicals?
Warum ist Volksmusik der Renner?
Wieso sind wir Deutschen im Fußball so gut
Trotz erheblicher Schwächen am Ball?
Wo gibt es so schöne Wörter
Wie "Möse" und "Hosenstall"?
Warum sagen wir Deutschen "Mutti"
Von München bis Helgoland
Ach Mutti, Mutti, Mutti
Was heißt "Vaterland"?
Warum kriegen wir zu wenig Kinder
warum leben so viele alleine?
Warum gibt es so viele Alters- und so wenig Jugendheime
Warum halten wir stur die Richtung, obwohl wir wenden müßten.
Warum gibt es so viele Beamte und Rentenfetischisten.
Warum machen wir Deutschen so gründlich die Tags und Graffiti weg
wieso taten wir das nicht längst schon mit all dem Nazidreck?
Warum sind in Deutschland die ander'n Schuld
Wenn man selbst zu doof ist zum denken
Warum machen wir Deutschen den Führerschein
Bevor wir das Herz verschenken?
Warum sagen wir Deutschen "Mutti"
Von München bis Helgoland
Ach Mutti, Mutti, Mutti
Was heißt "Vaterland"?
The lyrics of Funny van Dannen's song "Vaterland" explore different aspects of the German identity, asking why Germans have certain attitudes, values, and behaviours. The first stanza begins by asking why Germans love Sissi and dislike Jews, two seemingly contradictory sentiments that suggest the complexity and contradictions of German culture. Van Dannen then asks where Germans derive their pride and admiration from and what they value in snack bars. The second stanza questions why Germans like Opel cars and drink so much beer, and it poses the larger question of what makes somebody a "proper" German and why foreigners choose to remain in Germany. Moving to the third stanza, the song wonders why Germans collectively refer to their mothers as "Mutti" and what it means to belong to a "Vaterland." Additionally, van Dannen questions why Germans are so diligent in their work, what they consider to be great men, and why they have a liking for musicals and folk music. The fourth stanza delves into the topic of sports, asking why Germans are good at soccer despite not having the best ball-handling skills and what beautiful words Germans use in their vocabulary. Finally, the final stanza raises questions about the societal issues surrounding Germany's aging population, the prevalence of bureaucracy and pension fetishism, and the nation's obsession with orderliness and cleanliness. Ultimately, the song's overarching question is what it means to be German and what Germans are proud of and why.
Line by Line Meaning
Warum lieben wir Deutschen Sissi so sehr?
What is it about Sissi that Germans adore?
Warum mögen wir keine Juden?
Why do Germans dislike Jewish people?
Wo haben wir Deutschen unsern Stolz her
Where does German pride come from?
Und was schätzen wir an Imbissbuden?
What do Germans appreciate about fast food stands?
Was finden wir Deutschen am Opel so gut?
What do Germans appreciate about Opel cars?
Warum trinken wir soviel Bier?
Why do Germans drink so much beer?
Was ist ein richtiger Deutscher
What makes someone a 'true' German?
Und warum bleiben Ausländer hier?
Why do foreigners choose to stay in Germany?
Warum sagen wir Deutschen 'Mutti'
Why do Germans refer to their mothers as 'Mutti'?
Von München bis Helgoland
Throughout the entirety of Germany
Ach Mutti, Mutti, Mutti
Oh mother, mother, mother
Was heißt 'Vaterland'?
What does 'fatherland' mean?
Warum sind wir Deutschen so fleißig
Why are Germans so hardworking?
Und was sind für uns 'Große Männer'?
Who do Germans consider as 'great men'?
Was lieben wir an Musicals?
What do Germans appreciate about musicals?
Warum ist Volksmusik der Renner?
Why is folk music so popular in Germany?
Wieso sind wir Deutschen im Fußball so gut
Why are Germans so skilled in soccer?
Trotz erheblicher Schwächen am Ball?
Despite significant weaknesses with the ball?
Wo gibt es so schöne Wörter
Where else can you find such beautiful words?
Wie 'Möse' und 'Hosenstall'?
Like 'pussy' and 'fly on your zipper'?
Warum kriegen wir zu wenig Kinder
Why are the birth rates in Germany so low?
Warum leben so viele alleine?
Why do so many Germans live alone?
Warum gibt es so viele Alters- und so wenig Jugendheime?
Why are there so many homes for the elderly and so few for youth?
Warum halten wir stur die Richtung, obwohl wir wenden müßten?
Why do we continue to stay on the same path when we should change directions?
Warum gibt es so viele Beamte und Rentenfetischisten?
Why are there so many civil servants and pension fetishists?
Warum machen wir Deutschen so gründlich die Tags und Graffiti weg
Why are Germans so thorough in removing graffiti and tags?
Wieso taten wir das nicht längst schon mit all dem Nazidreck?
Why haven't we done the same with all the Nazi messes a long time ago?
Warum sind in Deutschland die ander'n Schuld
Why do Germans blame others for their problems?
Wenn man selbst zu doof ist zum denken
When they themselves are too dumb to think
Warum machen wir Deutschen den Führerschein
Why do Germans prioritize getting a driver's license?
Bevor wir das Herz verschenken?
Before giving away our hearts?
Contributed by Alexandra W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.