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.
Oh Margarethe
Marius Müller-Westernhagen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Und gibst du mir nicht die Knete
Dann rate ich dir - bete
Du hast doch wohl nicht schon vergessen
Wer dich aus der Gosse zog
Und wer dir Brot und Arbeit gab
Und für dich vor den Kadi zog
Ich kann mir doch nichts aus den Rippen schneiden
Du wearst doch früher so bescheiden,
Du kriegst doch jetzt schon zehn Prozent
Also wenn man das nicht nobel nennt.
Ich habe meine Ausgaben
Die Rolex ist kaputt, ich brauch nen neuen Daimler Benz
Ich muß nen neuen Anzug von Cerutti haben
Und mim Werner will ich nächste Woche nach Florenz
Guck doch mal Doris ihren Kerl
Der hat schon wieder nen neuen Targa
Und weißt du, wer nen Iso fährt
Du wirst's nicht glauben, der Heinz von Marga.
Die Lebenshaltungskosten steigen, Margarethe
Hör's dir doch mal in der Glotze an
Die Rita macht am Tag zwölf Riesen
Der Werner fragt nicht lange, die muß ran
Oh Margarethe, gib mir die Knete
Und gibst du mir nicht die Knete
Dann rate ich dir - bete
The lyrics of Marius Müller-Westernhagen's song "Oh Margarethe" describe a man demanding money from someone named Margarethe. He reminds her of who helped her in the past and who stood up for her in court. He also implies that he deserves her money because he needs to maintain a certain lifestyle, including a Rolex watch, a new Daimler Benz car, and a suit from designer Cerutti. He compares himself to others who have expensive possessions and concludes by threatening Margarethe to pray if she doesn't give him the money.
The song is a satirical commentary on the greed and materialism of society. The singer represents the stereotype of a self-centered, entitled person who believes he deserves more than he has. Meanwhile, Margarethe represents someone who potentially owes him something, perhaps a debt or a favor, but he takes advantage of her position and pushes her to the brink. By the end of the song, the singer's character is revealed as deeply flawed and cruel, not just in his actions but also in his thoughts and worldview.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh Margarethe, gib mir die Knete
Marius Müller-Westernhagen requests Margarethe to give him money
Und gibst du mir nicht die Knete
In case Margarethe doesn't give him money
Dann rate ich dir - bete
Marius Müller-Westernhagen warns Margarethe to pray because he will be upset
Du hast doch wohl nicht schon vergessen
Marius Müller-Westernhagen thinks Margarethe has forgotten
Wer dich aus der Gosse zog
Marius Müller-Westernhagen is the one who helped Margarethe when she was in trouble
Und wer dir Brot und Arbeit gab
Marius Müller-Westernhagen provided Margarethe with food and work
Und für dich vor den Kadi zog
Marius Müller-Westernhagen stood up for Margarethe in court
Ich kann mir doch nichts aus den Rippen schneiden
Marius Müller-Westernhagen can't create money from nothing
Du warst doch früher so bescheiden
Marius Müller-Westernhagen remembers Margarethe being humble before
Du kriegst doch jetzt schon zehn Prozent
Marius Müller-Westernhagen thinks Margarethe already gets a good portion of his income
Also wenn man das nicht nobel nennt
Marius Müller-Westernhagen believes that what he is doing is commendable
Ich habe meine Ausgaben
Marius Müller-Westernhagen has expenses to cover
Die Rolex ist kaputt, ich brauch nen neuen Daimler Benz
Marius Müller-Westernhagen needs a new luxury car and watch
Ich muss nen neuen Anzug von Cerutti haben
Marius Müller-Westernhagen wants to buy a new expensive suit from the designer brand Cerutti
Und mim Werner will ich nächste Woche nach Florenz
Marius Müller-Westernhagen plans on going to Florence with Werner
Guck doch mal Doris ihren Kerl
Marius Müller-Westernhagen points out that Doris' man has bought a new expensive car
Der hat schon wieder nen neuen Targa
Doris' man owns another Porsche Targa
Und weißt du, wer nen Iso fährt
Marius Müller-Westernhagen reveals that Heinz from Marga drives an Iso
Du wirst's nicht glauben, der Heinz von Marga.
Marius Müller-Westernhagen is surprised that Heinz from Marga owns an Iso
Die Lebenshaltungskosten steigen, Margarethe
Marius Müller-Westernhagen is concerned about the rising cost of living
Hör's dir doch mal in der Glotze an
Marius Müller-Westernhagen suggests that Margarethe should listen to the news on TV
Die Rita macht am Tag zwölf Riesen
Marius Müller-Westernhagen gives an example of someone making a lot of money
Der Werner fragt nicht lange, die muss ran
Marius Müller-Westernhagen implies that Werner is willing to work hard to earn more money
Oh Margarethe, gib mir die Knete
Marius Müller-Westernhagen repeats his request for Margarethe to give him money
Und gibst du mir nicht die Knete
Marius Müller-Westernhagen reiterates that if Margarethe doesn't give him money
Dann rate ich dir - bete
Marius Müller-Westernhagen warns Margarethe again to pray because he will be angry
Writer(s): Marius Mueller Westernhagen Copyright: Neue Welt Musikverlag Gmbh & Co. Kg
Contributed by Grayson O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.