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.
Lichterloh
Marius Müller-Westernhagen Lyrics
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Hinter blauen Augen
Die Welt brennt lichterloh
Was sagt die Mutter
Revolution
Verhüllte Mutter
Die Welt brennt lichterloh
Die Welt brennt lichterloh
Die Welt brennt lichterloh
Die Potentaten
Sie kamen über das Meer
Ist dass das Ende
Die Welt brennt lichterloh
Die Welt brennt lichterloh
Die Welt brennt lichterloh
Die Welt brennt lichterloh
Ich steige auf den Tempelberg
Kassiere meinen Lohn
Man nennt mich Selbstgerechtigkeit
Die Welt brennt lichterloh
Die Welt brennt lichterloh
Die Welt brennt lichterloh
Die Welt brennt lichterloh
Die Welt brennt lichterloh
Die Welt brennt lichterloh
Die Welt brennt lichterloh
Die Welt brennt lichterloh
Die Welt brennt lichterloh
Die Welt brennt lichterloh
Die Welt brennt lichterloh
Die Welt brennt lichterloh
The lyrics of Marius Müller-Westernhagen's song "Lichterloh" convey a sense of chaos and destruction engulfing the world. The first two stanzas depict a father and mother's reaction to the world burning "lichterloh" or ablaze. The father's reaction is portrayed through his blue eyes, which possibly reflect a sense of sadness and despair over the state of the world. The mother, on the other hand, seems to be more accepting of the situation and calls for a revolution. The third stanza talks about the "Potentaten" or the powerful leaders who came over the sea, possibly referring to an invasion or takeover. There is a sense of uncertainty and fear around the situation.
The fourth stanza shifts the perspective to the singer himself, who is climbing the Temple Mount and receiving his reward. However, he's also called "Selfgerechtigkeit," which means self-righteousness. This suggests that the singer is possibly complicit in the world burning, that he isn't blameless in the destruction happening around him. Overall, the song paints a bleak picture of the world, with everyone seemingly at fault for its current state.
Line by Line Meaning
Was sagt der Vater zu seinem Sohn
The father and son have a conversation but is unclear in this song what specifically is discussed.
Hinter blauen Augen
Perhaps the blue eyes of the father or son are hiding what they truly feel about the situation.
Die Welt brennt lichterloh
The world is burning with intense flames, likely meaning there is chaos and destruction happening.
Was sagt die Mutter
The mother has something to say about the situation but it is unclear what exactly.
Revolution
The mother advocates for a revolution, possibly for changing a system or fighting against an oppressive force.
Verhüllte Mutter
The mother could be hiding certain feelings or thoughts that she doesn't want to reveal.
Die Potentaten
This likely refers to people in power, possibly from another location, who have come to exacerbate the situation.
Sie kamen über das Meer
The potentates arrived from overseas, possibly meaning they were not originally from the area.
Ist dass das Ende
The question is posed whether this is the end of things or not, hinting at a potentially apocalyptic event.
Ich steige auf den Tempelberg
The artist goes up to a high place, possibly symbolizing a desire for perspective or clarity.
Kassiere meinen Lohn
The singer may feel entitled to some kind of reward for their actions or thoughts.
Man nennt mich Selbstgerechtigkeit
Others might call the artist self-righteous or too prideful.
Die Welt brennt lichterloh
The world is still burning with intensity and chaos.
Lyrics © SCHUBERT MUSIC PUBLISHING INC.
Written by: MARIUS MUELLER-WESTERNHAGEN, BJOERN WARNS, BORIS LAUTERBACH, MARTIN VANDREIER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind