Marius Müller-Westernhagen (often just referred to as "Westernhagen" by fan… Read Full Bio ↴Marius Müller-Westernhagen (often just referred to as "Westernhagen" by fans as well as on record covers) is a German singer and actor. He was born 1948 in Düsseldorf.
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.

Rien ne va plus
Marius Müller-Westernhagen Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Du fragst mich noch, warum ich geh
Du kannst die Zeit nicht zurückdreh'n
Und mach nicht wieder deinen Leidensblick
Ich falle nicht mehr rein auf deine Tricks

Oh Liebling, es ist schon lang zu spät
Oh Liebling, du weißt, daß nichts mehr geht

Unsere Liebe ist Vergangenheit
Ich hab' nur Angst, allein zu sein
Ich kenn 'ne Frau, die paßt gut zu mir
Die hat 'nen Mann, der paßt nicht gut zu ihr

Oh Liebling, es ist schon lang vorbei
Oh Liebling, gib mich endlich frei

Rien ne va plus

Steck dir das Haus an deinen Hut
Denn Sicherheit, die tut dir gut
Du hast mir so geholfen, Stein auf Stein
Soll das im Leben etwa alles sein

Oh Liebling, es ist schon lang zu spät
Oh Liebling, du weißt, daß nichts mehr geht
Oh Liebling, es ist schon lang vorbei
Oh Liebling, gib mich endlich frei

Rien ne va plus

Overall Meaning

The song "Rien ne va plus" by Marius Müller-Westernhagen talks about a couple that has fallen out of love and cannot rekindle their romance. The singer is talking directly to his partner, who begs him not to leave. He tells her that she cannot turn back time and that he will not fall again for her tricks. He has tried to make their love work, but it is now in the past, and he is afraid of being alone.

He mentions that he knows another woman who is a better fit for him, but she is already married to a man who is not good for her. The chorus of the song repeats the line "Rien ne va plus," which is French for "nothing works anymore" or "the game is over." This indicates that their relationship is broken beyond repair.

The lyrics suggest that the singer's partner is clinging onto the past and is focused on security, rather than taking risks and living a full life. He urges her to let him go and move on to a better life, one where she can find happiness and fulfillment. The song is about accepting that some things cannot be fixed and that it is better to let go and move on.

Line by Line Meaning

Du fragst mich noch, warum ich geh
You ask me why I'm leaving, even though you can't turn back time.

Du kannst die Zeit nicht zurückdreh'n
You can't turn back time to fix our relationship.

Und mach nicht wieder deinen Leidensblick
Don't give me your sad look again to make me change my mind.

Ich falle nicht mehr rein auf deine Tricks
I won't fall for your tricks and come back to you anymore.

Oh Liebling, es ist schon lang zu spät
Oh darling, it's already too late to save our relationship.

Oh Liebling, du weißt, daß nichts mehr geht
Oh darling, you know that nothing can be done to save our love anymore.

Unsere Liebe ist Vergangenheit
Our love is a thing of the past that we can't resurrect.

Ich hab' nur Angst, allein zu sein
I am just afraid of being alone without you.

Ich kenn 'ne Frau, die paßt gut zu mir
I know a woman who is suitable for me.

Die hat 'nen Mann, der paßt nicht gut zu ihr
She is with a man who is not suitable for her.

Oh Liebling, es ist schon lang vorbei
Oh darling, it's already over between us.