Autobahn
Kraftw erk Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Wir fahren, fahren, fahren auf der Autobahn
Wir fahren, fahren, fahren auf der Autobahn

Vor uns liegt ein weites Tal
Die Sonne scheint mit Glitzerstrahl

Wir fahren, fahren, fahren auf der Autobahn
Wir fahren, fahren, fahren auf der Autobahn

Fahrbahn ist ein graues Band
Weiße Streifen, grüner Rand

Wir fahren, fahren, fahren auf der Autobahn
Wir fahren, fahren, fahren auf der Autobahn

Jetzt schalten wir ja das Radio an
Aus dem Lautsprecher klingt es dann
Wir fahren auf der Autobahn





Wir fahren, fahren, fahren auf der Autobahn
Wir fahren, fahren, fahren auf der Autobahn

Overall Meaning

Kraftwerk's "Autobahn" is an iconic and pioneering electronic music track released in 1974. The lyrics are simple, repetitive, and compliment the overall theme of endless driving on the German autobahn highway system. The song opens with the phrase "Wir fahren, fahren, fahren auf der Autobahn" which translates to "We are driving, driving, driving on the freeway". This is repeated throughout the song, with slight variations added in the second verse. The repetition serves to illustrate the never-ending cycle of driving, with each verse adding new images of the landscape and surroundings.


The first verse paints a picture of a wide valley with a shining sun, while the second verse describes the road itself as a gray strip with white markings and green surroundings. The lyrics then introduce the radio, which becomes a new component of the driving experience. The final verse expands on this experience by "driving" through a world of electronic music, becoming one with the machine as they explore this new horizon.


In summary, "Autobahn" by Kraftwerk is a song that explores themes of travel, technology, and electronic music. The lyrics create a sense of endless movement and discovery, with the road serving as a metaphor for life itself. The song is a landmark in electronic music and its influence can be heard in many genres today.


Line by Line Meaning

Wir fahren, fahren, fahren auf der Autobahn
We are constantly driving on the Autobahn, and this act defines who we are and what we do.


Vor uns liegt ein weites Tal
Ahead of us lies an expansive valley, representing the limitless possibilities on this journey.


Die Sonne scheint mit Glitzerstrahl
The sun shines brightly, reflecting off the smooth surface of the Autobahn, filling us with a sense of hope and positivity.


Fahrbahn ist ein graues Band
The road stretches out before us like a gray ribbon, reminding us that this journey is just one small part of a larger road trip that is life.


Weiße Streifen, grüner Rand
The white stripes and green borders on the edge of the road help guide us and keep us safe on this journey.


Jetzt schalten wir ja das Radio an
We turn on the radio, hoping it will bring us closer together and help us feel more alive on this long trip.


Aus dem Lautsprecher klingt es dann
From the singers of the radio, we hear music and voices that manage to soothe us and lift our spirit on this long and wearisome ride.


Wir fahren auf der Autobahn
We continue to drive on the Autobahn, taking in the beautiful scenery and landmarks that remind us why we took this trip in the first place.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Emil Schult, Florian Schneider-Esleben, Ralf Huetter

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@truthbtruth8559

CRIKEY! 😆 In 1975 when my parents sent my younger sister and I to visit our relatives and her pen-pal in Germany, Kraftwerk was already famous there. I was 18, she was 16. I purchased their LP vinyl Album there and brought it back to Canada on our return home.❣
We drove on the Autobahn to go shopping in Zurich and sang "Fahn Fahn Fahn on the Autobahn" nonstop LOL 😆
Seriously, my cousin stopped on the side of the Autobahn so I could get out of her green VW BEETLE (of course!) to cross the pavement to the median and take pics of the Swiss Alps mountains in the far distance.
Which is illegal unless we had an extreme emergency!
There literally IS NO SPEED LIMIT!!
Porches and super fast cars whizzed by us at well over 100 kph, it was nuts!
I had finally crossed the median to take pics when OF COURSE a German Police car showed up with 2 Officers who immediately jumped out of their cruiser and yelled at me to "COME HERE!" in German but I couldn't because cars kept whizzing by at supersonic speeds!
They kept yelling at me to "SCHNELL!!" (HURRY!!) even if I were to get killed!! 😆 The Police were naturally quite angry!
Once I was able to run across the double lane road, my cousin had already explained to them that I was her TOURIST cousin and that I didn't know any better, so then the Police didn't ticket us!!
The AUTOBAHN IS REAL, it's NOT to be trifled with!! 😆 🤣 😂😢



All comments from YouTube:

@haeleth7218

They are singing, "Wir fahren, fahren, fahren auf der Autobahn" which means, "We drive, drive, drive on the autobahn". It's not, "Fun, fun, fun on the autobahn". Hope this helps.

@bobm3957

Very special to me. Back in 1974 I was age 12 and my cousin/ best friend Mike was 9 Mike had Leukemia and one day while watching him recieve a blood transfusion a nurse turned up the radio with Kraftwerk Autobahn playing as we both liked it. A few mins later I passed out for the 1st time in my life. Mike died soon after and this music and he has always stayed with me. To this day I can't get my blood drawn without hearing this in my mind BM. Hamden, Ct.

@lynnflynn5591

Kraftwerk Autobahn is very special to me also. In the 1970's my high school German teacher played this song for us in language class. I thought it was unique and have liked it very much ever since.

@bobm3957

@@lynnflynn5591 Very unique sound that for me is a portal in my mind back to a most difficult time. I guess I'm lucky to be able to stir up such a vivid memory a half century later

@HarryBlu

❤️

@aldershot5100

Touching story.Thanks for sharing it with us

@catey62

Sorry that you lost you friend like that. 😥

9 More Replies...

@amandaallen1898

Nearly 50 years old, still sounds futuristic 🙂

@stephaniepayne2263

I was 49yrs old, and my pops told me about this band xx He liked asleep at the wheel too alot, Willie, list goes on....RIP Telltale

@NKA23

The lyrics do not say "the fun, fun, fun of the autobahn", but "Wir fahr'n, fahr'n, fahr'n auf der Autobahn" (= "we drive, drive, drive on on the Autobahn"). Trust me, I am German.

More Comments

More Versions