When founded in the 1990s as Sunnyglade, they sang songs in English. After changing their name to Juli and beginning to sing German songs in 2002, they released their first single, Perfekte Welle on June 28, 2004. It reached #2 of the German Top 100 in November, and stayed in the charts for 6 months. Their first album, Es ist Juli was released in August 2004 and stayed in the German charts until July 2006, peaking at #2.
Along with bands such as Wir sind Helden and Silbermond they were one of the most successful German pop bands of the summer of 2004, which re-established songs with German lyrics in the German charts.
In late December 2004, Perfekte Welle (which means “Perfect Wave” in English) was banned from radio and TV stations after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. The media were criticized for that measure because the song has no relation to catastrophes, but is a metaphorical description of a person taking the chance he/she has waited for. The stations expressed particular discomfort with the lines in the bridge: "Now it slowly comes to you, the water hits you in the face" and chorus: "This is the perfect wave, this is the perfect day/Let yourself be carried by it..."
In October 2006 a new CD was released, called “Ein Neuer Tag” (A New Day).
1999
Gießen, Germany
Eisenherz
Juli Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
mein größter Feind
was haben wir falsch gemacht
die Hände leer, das Glück verkauft
so war das nicht gedacht
Mein lieber Freund
mein größter Feind
wir haben beide nichts gelernt
wir sind weit davon entfernt
und eigentlich gehts mir jetzt besser
und eigentlich....
Mein lieber Freund
mein größter Feind
was haben wir falsch gemacht
die Hände leer, das Glück verkauft
so war das nicht gedacht
und eigentlich gehts mir jetzt besser
und eigentlich gehts mir nicht gut
irgendwann gings mir mal besser
irgendwann gings mir mal gut
Denn wir hatten Herzen aus Eisen
und wir hatten Körper aus Glas
wir mussten uns gar nichts beweisen
denn wir dachten, das hier sei Spaß
ich hab unsere Träume begraben
in der dreckigsten Stadt dieser Welt
denn das was du willst, sollst du haben
aber frag nicht, ob mir das gefällt
Mein lieber Freund
mein größter Feind
was hab ich dir gesagt
das Spiel ist aus, der Spaß vorbei
wir haben nicht gelacht
und eigentlich geht es mir besser
und eigentlich geht es mir gut
aber irgendwann gings mir mal besser
und irgendwann gings richtig gut
Denn wir hatten Herzen aus Eisen
und wir hatten Körper aus Glas
wir mussten uns gar nichts beweisen
denn wir glaubten, das hier sei Spaß
ich hab unsere Träume begraben
in der dreckigsten Stadt dieser Welt
denn das was du willst, sollst du haben
aber frag nicht, ob mir das gefällt
Frag nicht ob mir
Frag nicht ob mir
Frag nicht ob mir das Gefällt
In this song, the singer is addressing her friend who she considers both her closest friend as well as her greatest enemy. Together, they have sold their happiness and learned nothing in the process. The lyrics suggest that things did not turn out the way they had planned and both of them are far from satisfied with the way their lives have turned out. Despite this, the singer does feel that she is in a better place now than before, even though she acknowledges that her current state is far from perfect.
The chorus of the song focuses on their previous state, where they had hearts made of iron and bodies made of glass, to represent a time when they took their lives lightly and did not have anything to prove. They thought that everything was just for fun, but as the song progresses, it becomes clear that things have changed. The singer admits that she has buried their dreams in the "dirtiest city in the world" and that what her friend wants, he can have, but he should not ask if it makes her happy.
Overall, Juli's "Eisenherz" is a song about growing up and the disillusionment that comes with it. The singer is reflecting on her past and acknowledging her mistakes while also looking towards the future and hoping for something better.
Line by Line Meaning
Mein lieber Freund
Addressing a dear friend
mein größter Feind
Acknowledging that this friend can also be their biggest enemy
was haben wir falsch gemacht
Questioning what mistakes they made
die Hände leer, das Glück verkauft
Regretting selling their happiness and ending up with empty hands
so war das nicht gedacht
Realizing that things didn't go the way they planned
wir haben beide nichts gelernt
Confronting the fact that they haven't learned anything
was immer auch, zufrieden heißt
Reflecting on what it means to be satisfied
wir sind weit davon entfernt
Admitting that they are far from it
und eigentlich gehts mir jetzt besser
Contrasting the past with the present and mentioning that they feel better now
und eigentlich...
Trailing off, leaving the thought unfinished
und eigentlich gehts mir nicht gut
Admitting that, even though they feel better now, they aren't really doing well
irgendwann gings mir mal besser
Remembering a time when they were doing better
irgendwann gings mir mal gut
Remembering a time when they were doing well
Denn wir hatten Herzen aus Eisen
Recalling a time when they had hearts of steel
und wir hatten Körper aus Glas
Also remembering a time when their bodies were fragile
wir mussten uns gar nichts beweisen
Rationalizing that they had nothing to prove to anyone
denn wir dachten, das hier sei Spaß
Thinking that life was just a game
ich hab unsere Träume begraben
Admitting to giving up on their dreams
in der dreckigsten Stadt dieser Welt
Specifically recalling the dirtiest city they have ever been to
denn das was du willst, sollst du haben
Accepting that one should chase their desires
aber frag nicht, ob mir das gefällt
However, asking not to be questioned about what they truly enjoy
was hab ich dir gesagt
Referring back to a past conversation with their friend
das Spiel ist aus, der Spaß vorbei
Acknowledging that the game is over and the fun has ended
wir haben nicht gelacht
Remembering that they didn't even laugh
Frag nicht ob mir
Begging not to be questioned
Frag nicht ob mir
Repeating the same plea
Frag nicht ob mir das Gefällt
Asking one final time not to be asked if they truly enjoy something
Contributed by Hunter H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.