Uran
Kraftwerk Lyrics


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Through constant decay
uranium creates
the radioactive ray

Durch stetigen Zerfall
entstehen radioaktive Strahlen
aus dem Urankristall




Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Kraftwerk's "Uran" highlight the natural phenomenon of uranium's continuous decay, which creates a powerful radioactive ray that has been heavily utilized in modern society – both as an energy source and in weapons of mass destruction. The song's haunting electronic melody and poignant lyrics convey the dual nature of uranium's power, illustrating the danger and destructive potential of nuclear energy as well as its potential for beneficial applications.


In these lyrics, the band seems to be cautioning listeners about the potential dangers of uncontrolled use of nuclear energy, reminding us that its power is always present and creating hazardous byproducts that pose a serious health risk. The use of repetition – both in the lyrics and the musical composition – reinforces this message, emphasizing the constant, unrelenting nature of uranium's decay.


Overall, Kraftwerk's "Uran" is a thought-provoking and somber reflection on humanity's use of nuclear power, urging us to remain vigilant in our efforts to regulate and monitor this powerful force.


Line by Line Meaning

Through constant decay
As uranium slowly deteriorates over time


uranium creates
It produces


the radioactive ray
The hazardous radiation that harms living beings


Durch stetigen Zerfall
Durch sukzessives Verfallen


entstehen radioaktive Strahlen
Radiokative Strahlen werden erzeugt


aus dem Urankristall
Aus dem Mineral Uran




Contributed by Cole W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Pablo Romero

1975: an analog Senheizer vocoder with the mic. The VAKO "Orchestron" keyboard to make this chorus that New Order sampled in 1983 for "Blue Monday". Pure experimentation. Kraftwerk ahead of its time. A Physics class just so simple...

Electronics, Synthesizer, Vocoder, Voice: Florian Schneider

"Through constant decay,
Uranium creates the radioactive ray

Durch stetigen zerfall,
Entstehen radioaktive
Strahlen aus dem urankristall..."



All comments from YouTube:

Ian Piepenbrock

They should have used bits of this album for the unsurpassed "Chernobyl" series. Imagine how crazy that would have been.

a cat on the internet

this is too much. it’s not a horror movie

Ian Piepenbrock

@Lennart Regebro I was literally listening to the Tour de France album as this comment notification came in. Which is weird as I only revisit Kraftwerk every other year at a random moment. Pretty insane timing.

Lennart Regebro

Johan Renck is a Kraftwerk fan. I'd bet money he asked. And probably was entirely ignored.

Rubin Tuesday

@Skull20002000 Being with how Kraftwerk is, they may not have allowed it anyways

2 More Replies...

Pablo Romero

1975: an analog Senheizer vocoder with the mic. The VAKO "Orchestron" keyboard to make this chorus that New Order sampled in 1983 for "Blue Monday". Pure experimentation. Kraftwerk ahead of its time. A Physics class just so simple...

Electronics, Synthesizer, Vocoder, Voice: Florian Schneider

"Through constant decay,
Uranium creates the radioactive ray

Durch stetigen zerfall,
Entstehen radioaktive
Strahlen aus dem urankristall..."

Tall32guy

exactly. And they were VERY adventurous and almost gambling, by putting such an avant-garde, experimental type of music out there when such music was very uncommon and mostly unheard of and thus unappreciated, during disco and classic rock.

ROCKSATION

Yeah because added it to the song with out the robotic German speaking

Ennar

@aceyage You're right, it really sounds like a manually controlled votrax

aceyage

Ennar According to Bartos' biography it's likely a customized Votrax system built by the inventor himself. I'm still not convinced, though.

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