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.

Wo Ist Behle
Marius Müller-Westernhagen Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Ich sitz auf meiner Wolke
Über dem Jammertal
Und die Witwe Bolte
Hat die Qual der Wahl

Wo ist Behle?

Alle oder Keiner

Schreit der letzte Mann
Und dann fragt er ungeniert
Wo man hier pinkeln kann

Wo ist Behle?

Bi-Ba Butzemann
Zieh dein Mäntlein an
Mäntlein purpurrot
In hundert Jahren bist du tot

Frauen zuerst und Kinder
Wer soll das verstehn
Wär es nicht gesünder
Zusammen durchzudrehn

Wo ist Behle?

Ich sitz auf meiner Wolke
Krank vor Eifersucht
Und die Witwe Bolte
Völlig ausgebucht

Wo ist Behle?

Bi-Ba Butzemann
Zieh dein Mäntlein an
Mäntlein purpurrot
In hundert Jahren sind wir tot

Wo ist Behle?

Overall Meaning

The song "Wo ist Behle?" by Marius Müller-Westernhagen can be interpreted in a few different ways, but at its core, it seems to be a commentary on the chaos and confusion of modern society. The singer describes himself as sitting on a cloud above a valley of lamentation, while a character named Widow Bolte struggles to make a choice. The repeated refrain, "Wo ist Behle?", adds to the sense of confusion and disorientation.

Later in the song, the lyrics take on a more pointed social commentary, with references to the "last man" shouting "Alle oder Keiner" (everyone or no one) and asking where to urinate. The singer questions the logic behind the common phrase "women and children first" during emergencies and suggests that it might be better for everyone to work together rather than trying to save themselves.

The song ends with the singer expressing jealousy over Widow Bolte being "fully booked" and reiterating the refrain "Wo ist Behle?" once more, leaving the meaning of the song open-ended.

Line by Line Meaning

Ich sitz auf meiner Wolke
I am in a state of detachment, observing from a distance

Über dem Jammertal
Above a place of misery, suffering and despair

Und die Witwe Bolte
And the woman who has recently lost her husband

Hat die Qual der Wahl
Is struggling to make a difficult decision

Wo ist Behle?
Where is the person who can provide answers or comfort?

Alle oder Keiner
Everyone or no one

Schreit der letzte Mann
The last man standing yells

Und dann fragt er ungeniert
And then he asks without any shame

Wo man hier pinkeln kann
Where one can find a bathroom in this unfamiliar place

Wo ist Behle?
Where is the person who can provide answers or comfort?

Bi-Ba Butzemann
A nursery rhyme character