Autostop
Karussell Lyrics
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Autostop – kein verdammtes Gefährt fährt da mal ran zu mir.
Autostop – sie sehen über mich weg, wie über 'n dreckigen Hund.
Autostop – eine Stunde steh ich mir schon die Seele wund.
Da fahr'n sie vorbei o Mutter Tugend
Da fahr'n sie vorbei an ihrer Jugend
Da fahr'n sie vorbei
Autostop – alle fahrn sie vorbei und registriern mich nicht
Autostop – nur einmal eine Frau schaut ihrem Mann ins Gesicht.
Autostop – doch er weiß es nicht mehr, dass er mal selbst so stand.
Autostop – und da hat ihn die Frau wieder einmal erkannt.
Die Nacht bricht herein
Und ich steh noch hier.
Fallt mir in euer Bett hinein,
Schlaf nur schlecht und träumt noch lang von mir.
Da fahr'n sie vorbei o Mutter Tugend
Da fahr'n sie vorbei an ihrer Jugend
Da fahr'n sie vorbei
Und haben ein und zwei und drei Plätze frei
The song Autostop by Karussell depicts the struggle of a lonely individual stranded by the side of the road, trying to hitch a ride to their destination. The lyrics carry a sense of desperation, as the singer has been standing there for hours with no luck. As they watch the cars drive past, they feel invisible and insignificant, with no one even noticing their presence. They long for someone to stop and offer them a ride, but the passing drivers seem to ignore them, as if they were beneath notice.
However, the lyrics also show a glimmer of hope when a woman briefly makes eye contact with the singer, but her husband does not notice. This momentary acknowledgement is a small comfort to the singer, as they feel seen and recognized. The singer then describes the night falling, and the singer resigning themselves to sleeping rough once again. The repetition of the refrain "Da fahr'n sie vorbei" (They drive past) adds to the feeling of abandonment, emphasizing the isolation and frustration of the singer.
Overall, Autostop is a poignant commentary on the loneliness and isolation of modern life, where technology and individualism often leave us feeling disconnected from each other. The song reflects on the human need for connection, and the desire for someone to notice and care for us, even in small ways.
Line by Line Meaning
Autostop – eine Stunde steh ich schon auf der Stelle hier.
Standing in one spot for an hour, waiting for someone to stop and pick me up.
Autostop – kein verdammtes Gefährt fährt da mal ran zu mir.
No vehicle has stopped to give me a ride, not even one.
Autostop – sie sehen über mich weg, wie über 'n dreckigen Hund.
People pass by me without noticing or caring, as if I were a dirty animal.
Autostop – eine Stunde steh ich mir schon die Seele wund.
My soul has been worn down by standing here for an hour without any success.
Da fahr'n sie vorbei o Mutter Tugend
Cars drive past me, not stopping, ignoring my presence.
Da fahr'n sie vorbei an ihrer Jugend
These cars pass by people who used to be like me, young and hopeful.
Da fahr'n sie vorbei
Cars keep driving by, not stopping for me.
Und haben ein und zwei und drei Plätze frei
There are available seats in these vehicles yet they do not stop for me.
Autostop – alle fahrn sie vorbei und registriern mich nicht
All the cars pass me by, without even noticing or acknowledging me.
Autostop – nur einmal eine Frau schaut ihrem Mann ins Gesicht.
Only one woman looked at her husband while passing by me.
Autostop – doch er weiß es nicht mehr, dass er mal selbst so stand.
However, he does not remember that he was also in my position at some point in his life.
Autostop – und da hat ihn die Frau wieder einmal erkannt.
The woman recognized her husband and perhaps saw herself reflected in my situation.
Die Nacht bricht herein
Night falls, and I am still stuck here.
Und ich steh noch hier.
I am still standing here, feeling hopeless.
Fallt mir in euer Bett hinein,
I wish I could fall into someone's bed and find some comfort.
Schlaf nur schlecht und träumt noch lang von mir.
I hope that whoever I fall asleep next to, they will have a restless night and dream about my struggles.
Writer(s): Kurt Demmler, Reinhard Huth
Contributed by Isabelle D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.