After dropping out of high school, he started an apprenticeship as a construction draftsman. He soon changed plans and was admitted to the Duisburg conservatoire to study piano, after passing an entrance exam for particularly gifted applicants (it later turned out that his diploma was invalid since he dropped out of high school too early). He then toured as a little-known jazz musician and as entertainer, basically as stand-up comedian in local clubs. Schneider plays various instruments such as the Hammond organ, acoustic and electric guitar, ukulele, drums, piano, accordion, trumpet and others.
He became a popular comedian in the 1990s and still is among the best known German comedians. He toured and still tours (alone and with his bands "Hardcore", "The Firefuckers" and others) through major concert halls with a mixture of music and comedy. He frequently appears on German TV, and is probably best known for his song Katzenklolied (Kitty Litter Box Song): "Katzenklo, Katzenklo, ja das macht die Katze froh" ("Kitty litter box, kitty litter box, that makes the cat happy."), a number one hit in 1994. He wrote, directed and starred in four movies. In 2007 he appeared as Adolf Hitler in a satirical film: Mein Führer: The Truly Truest Truth About Adolf Hitler.
Schneider has written nine books, including an autobiography ("There is my whole life in this book, up to right now. The second part comes in thirty, forty years") and a musical, "Mendy - das Wusical", which appeared at Bochum Theatre in 2004.
His comic techniques include parody, use of the local Ruhr area dialect, surprising use of infantile language and other unexpected changes in style, slapstick/physical humour, Dada like absurdities, sudden and unexpected use of crude/sexual humour, references to national and international highbrow and lowbrow culture, and phonetic and declamatory playfulness and exaggeration. Most of his material is heavily language dependent and therefore does not translate well into other languages.
Tanzen
Helge Schneider Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dabdadadadada ... Ich will immer tanzen, egal wo ich grad bin. In der Straßenbahn zum Beispiel, ich tu ja keinem Weh. Tanzen ist das schönste, fühlt man sich mal schwach. Oder wird man Nacht von einem bösen Traum auch wach. Ich will immer tanzen, egal wo ich grad steh. Dabdadadada. Ich will immer tanzen, egal wo ich grad steh.
Dabdadadadada ... Ich will immer tanzen, egal wo ich grad steh. Dabadadadada. Ich will immer tanzen, egal wo ich grad steh.
Hey Aha. A women. James Brown. Melone Small. Fischer. Äh. The who ja. Sonny Ronnie. Grönemayer. Blanco. Duke Allington. Eminem. Amadateo. David Bowie. Siegel. Gershwin. Schneider. König. Orff. Alphaville.
The song "Tanzen" by Helge Schneider is about the joy of dancing and how music can put someone in a good mood instantly. The lyrics describe how the rhythm of music can make one unaware of their surroundings, and they dance freely as if no one is watching. The singer expresses their love for dancing and how they do it anywhere, even in public places like a tram, making sure not to bother anyone. The repetition of the phrase "Ich will immer tanzen, egal wo ich grad steh" (I always want to dance, no matter where I stand) emphasizes the singer's passion for dancing, and they don't care about the location.
The phrase "Dabdadadadada" acts as an onomatopoeic representation of the rhythm of the music, which is lively and upbeat. The singer mentions several names of renowned musicians like James Brown, David Bowie, and Gershwin. These musicians are known for their musical style, which matches the energy and vibe of the song. The singer also uses the phrase "Hey Aha," which may indicate that music is a way of expressing oneself beyond words. In summary, the song "Tanzen" is a celebration of the freedom and joy of dancing, regardless of one's location.
Line by Line Meaning
Immer gute Laune krieg ich von Musik.
Music always puts me in a good mood.
Wenn der Rhythmus gut ist, krieg ich gar nichts mit.
If the rhythm is good, I become completely oblivious to everything else.
Wackel' mit der Nase, tanze mit dem Schuh.
I wiggle my nose and dance with my shoe.
Hopse wie ein Hase, alle gucken zu.
I hop like a bunny and everyone watches.
Ich will immer tanzen, egal wo ich grad steh.
I always want to dance, no matter where I am.
Dabdadadadada Ich will immer tanzen, egal wo ich grad steh.
I will always dance, regardless of my surroundings.
Ich will immer tanzen, egal wo ich grad bin.
I will always dance, no matter where I find myself.
In der Straßenbahn zum Beispiel, ich tu ja keinem Weh.
For example, on a streetcar, where I won't hurt anyone.
Tanzen ist das schönste, fühlt man sich mal schwach.
Dancing is the most beautiful thing, especially when feeling weak.
Oder wird man Nacht von einem bösen Traum auch wach.
Or if awoken from a terrible dream at night.
Dabadadadada. Ich will immer tanzen, egal wo ich grad steh.
I will always dance, regardless of my surroundings.
Hey Aha. A women. James Brown. Melone Small. Fischer. Äh. The who ja. Sonny Ronnie. Grönemayer. Blanco. Duke Allington. Eminem. Amadateo. David Bowie. Siegel. Gershwin. Schneider. König. Orff. Alphaville.
A string of seemingly random names.
Contributed by Madelyn A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.