Their most popular sound was comparable to that of Yes, but they also explored other progressive rock styles. Their sound was characterized by sometimes humorous approach to making music, exhibited in both the lyrics and in the chimeric sound of the instruments.
The band made nearly fifteen albums, from general hard rock album to concept albums. Their vocals are mostly in English, although some albums were released with German vocals for the home market and English vocals for export.
PARADOX
Grobschnitt Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sie wissen nicht wohin
Die Schuhe auf dem Kopf - die Mütze auf dem Fuß
Gedacht ohne Verstand - das Ende ohne Schluss
Bau dir einen Schneemann - warte bis er weint
Zauber aus dem Hut - es war nicht so gemeint
Hundert Indianer spielen nicht den Held
Keine Angst - es gibt keine Wirklichkeit - die anderen malen den Kopf
Keine Angst - es gibt keine anderen - c'est la vie - paradox
Alles lose - das Klatschen einer Hand ist der Ton
Alles lose - der Spiegel an der Wand Illusion
Ich will gar nichts haben - ich will einfach sein
Will fliegen ohne Flügel - leuchten ohne Schein
Will ohne Ohren hören - sprechen ohne Mund
Die Kreise sind längst eckig - die Würfel kugelrund
Keine Angst - es gibt keine Wirklichkeit - die anderen malen den Kopf
Keine Angst - es gibt keine anderen - c'est la vie - paradox
Alles lose - das Klatschen einer Hand ist der Ton
Alles lose - der Spiegel an der Wand Illusion
Alles lose - das Klatschen einer Hand ist der Ton
Alles lose - der Spiegel an der Wand Illusion
Ich will gar nichts haben (alles lose)
Will einfach sein (alles lose)
Fliegen ohne Flügel (alles lose)
Leuchten ohne Schein (alles lose)
Bau mir einen Schneemann (alles lose)
Warte bis er weint (alles lose)
Zauber aus dem Hut (alles lose)
Es war nicht so gemeint (alles lose)
Es war nicht so gemeint (alles lose)
The lyrics to Grobschnitt's song Paradox describe a world that is full of absurdities and contradictions. The imagery of a thousand tin soldiers wandering aimlessly through a swamp with their shoes on their head and hats on their feet sets the stage for a world that doesn't make sense. The line "thought without reason, the end without conclusion" reinforces this idea. The singer also longs for things that don't make sense, like wanting to fly without wings and hear without ears. The repeated refrain "alles lose" (everything's loose) suggests that nothing is certain or grounded in reality, and that everyone is just making things up as they go along.
The second verse introduces a group of one hundred Indians who have "nothing to lose" and are still themselves. The idea of having nothing to lose suggests that they are not bound by societal expectations or norms, and can therefore be authentic and true to themselves. The line "there is no reality, the others paint the head" suggests that others create the expectations and standards that people feel the need to conform to, and that these are not necessarily grounded in truth or reality. The song's overall message seems to be that the world is full of contradictions and absurdities, and that the only way to make sense of it is by embracing paradox and letting go of expectations and conventions.
Line by Line Meaning
Tausend Zinnsoldaten zieh'n wieder durch das Moor
A large army marches aimlessly through the swamp without direction or purpose.
Sie wissen nicht wohin
They do not know where they are going or what their goal is.
Die Schuhe auf dem Kopf - die Mütze auf dem Fuß
Uniformity and conformity are taken to absurd levels as soldiers wear their shoes on their heads and hats on their feet.
Gedacht ohne Verstand - das Ende ohne Schluss
Thought without reason leads to a never-ending cycle with no conclusion.
Bau dir einen Schneemann - warte bis er weint
Creating something without regard for its feelings or emotions invites inevitable sadness and regret.
Zauber aus dem Hut - es war nicht so gemeint
Tricks and illusions can have unintended consequences, and intentions may not always match reality.
Hundert Indianer spielen nicht den Held
A group of individuals refuse to conform to societal norms of heroism or bravery.
Gar nichts zu verlieren - sie sind noch sie selbst
Having nothing to lose allows them to be true to themselves, rather than putting on a facade to please others.
Keine Angst - es gibt keine Wirklichkeit - die anderen malen den Kopf
There is no need to fear since reality is subjective and created by others' perceptions and interpretations.
Keine Angst - es gibt keine anderen - c'est la vie - paradox
One should not fear others since we are all connected and living in a paradoxical existence.
Alles lose - das Klatschen einer Hand ist der Ton
Nothing has inherent meaning or value, and even the simplest sound can be significant in such a context.
Der Spiegel an der Wand Illusion
The reflection in the mirror is nothing but an illusion, as it is not a true representation of oneself.
Ich will gar nichts haben - ich will einfach sein
The desire to have nothing is driven by a need for simplicity and a hope to exist in an unencumbered way.
Will fliegen ohne Flügel - leuchten ohne Schein
A wish to transcend physical limitations and to shine without the aid of external sources.
Will ohne Ohren hören - sprechen ohne Mund
The desire to communicate and experience the world in non-traditional ways, free from societal expectations.
Die Kreise sind längst eckig - die Würfel kugelrund
Perceptions of order and structure are turned upside down as familiar shapes and patterns become distorted.
Es war nicht so gemeint (alles lose)
Even seemingly well-intentioned actions or words can have unintended consequences since nothing has inherent meaning or value.
Contributed by Sophia R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.