His breakthrough in music came with the album "Mit Pfefferminz bin ich dein Prinz" ("With peppermint, I'm your prince") in 1978.
Müller-Westernhagen's music is shaped through his concise voice and shouting passages. His texts are very direct and provoking, e.g. "Dicke" ("Fat people"), but also social critical texts like "Freiheit" (freedom) are included in his emotional repertoire.
Die Welt ist schön
Marius Müller-Westernhagen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Heilige Nagelfeile alle - wissens schon
Helmut hat vergessen den Gashahn abzudrehn
Ist das nicht schön?
Jeder ist darauf versessen
Unsern Helmut's Abflug live zu sehn
Auch Fred Zeilenquäler das Reporterass
Mit 'nem Backstagepaß.
Und die Delegierten ham die Klos verstopft
Verstopft
Verstopft
Alle Affen applaudieren
Unser kleiner Helmut hängt am Tropf.
Uh la la la
Uh la la la
Uh la la la
Die Welt ist schön
Uh la la la
Uh la la la
Uh la la la
Die Welt ist schön.
Jetzt mal ohne Scheiße
Ich bin gar nicht so
Schwarze oder weiße
Selbe grüne rote Freibier!
Auch für Helmut Ringelpietz von vorn
Ich zahl' das schon.
Päpste immer sehr mobil
Onanieren voller Zorn.
Uh la la la ...
The lyrics to Marius Müller-Westernhagen's song Die Welt ist schön are a satirical commentary on the state of the world and the political class. The opening lines state that there is boredom in Paris and Rome, and everyone is aware of the nail file; a reference to the fashion accessories of the time. The song then takes a turn towards German politics, mentioning Helmut, who has forgotten to turn off the gas in his home, leaving the door open for the viewer to draw their conclusions on the implications of this. The next line suggests that everyone is waiting for Helmut's departure, an indication that they are tired of the current leadership.
The lyrics then point out a journalist's backstage pass, indicative of the media's collusion with politicians. The mention of delegates clogging up the toilets is a comment on their lack of concern for ordinary people. The next line mentions how all the monkey's are applauding Helmut, while he is attached to a drip, which may signify his reliance on drugs. The chorus follows, with the repeated phrase 'Die Welt ist schön,' (The world is beautiful), becoming ironic in retrospect.
The song is sung in a light-hearted and cheerful style, which stands in contrast to the serious political commentary it provides. The lyrics, which are filled with references to contemporary politics of the time, are meant to provide a scathing critique of the political and social status quo. Its whimsical tone, combined with its hit-worthy melody, makes it one of the more memorable songs of the 80s German music charts.
Line by Line Meaning
Es herrscht Langeweile in Paris und Rom
There is boredom in Paris and Rome.
Heilige Nagelfeile alle - wissens schon
Everyone knows about the holy nail file.
Helmut hat vergessen den Gashahn abzudrehn
Helmut forgot to turn off the gas valve.
Ist das nicht schön?
Isn't that beautiful?
Jeder ist darauf versessen
Everyone is obsessed with it.
Unsern Helmut's Abflug live zu sehn
Watching Helmut's departure live.
Auch Fred Zeilenquäler das Reporterass
Even Fred, the reporter, made his way through.
Hat sich tatsächlich durchgeschlagen
He actually managed to make it through.
Mit 'nem Backstagepaß.
With a backstage pass.
Und die Delegierten ham die Klos verstopft
And the delegates have clogged the toilets.
Verstopft
Clogged.
Alle Affen applaudieren
All the monkeys are applauding.
Unser kleiner Helmut hängt am Tropf.
Our little Helmut is hanging on a drip.
Uh la la la
Uh la la la.
Die Welt ist schön
The world is beautiful.
Jetzt mal ohne Scheiße
Now without bullshit.
Ich bin gar nicht so
I'm not so.
Schwarze oder weiße
Black or white.
Selbe grüne rote Freibier!
Same green, red free beer!
Auch für Helmut Ringelpietz von vorn
Also for Helmut Ringelpietz from the front.
Ich zahl' das schon.
I'll pay for that.
Päpste immer sehr mobil
Popes are always very mobile.
Onanieren voller Zorn.
Masturbating full of anger.
Uh la la la ...
Uh la la la ...
Contributed by Alex S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.