From 1972 to 1973, Hagen enrolled in the crash-course performance program at The Central Studio for Light Music in East Berlin. Upon graduation, she joined the band Automobil (picture), which released a well-received album in Germany, including her first hit "Du hast den Farbfilm vergessen" in 1974.
After a concert for a West German labour union in 1976 her stepfather, Wolf Biermann, was forbidden to return to the GDR. Because of their protests against it her mother, Eva-Maria Hagen and Nina were thrown out of GDR in 1977, and followed Biermann to his hometown Hamburg.
Nina subsequently met West-Berlin photographer Jim Rakete (who also produced some bands he shot the cover-photos for - like "Nena" some years later). He brought Nina together with the politically left-wing band "Lokomotive Kreuzberg" (later known as "Spliff"): thus the "Nina Hagen Band" was born.
In 1978 The Nina Hagen Band released their self-titled debut album, which included titles like "TV-Glotzer" (a cover of "White Punks on Dope" by The Tubes) and "Auf'm Bahnhof Zoo".
According to reviewer Fritz Rumler, she thrusts herself into the music, aggressively, directly, furiously, roars in the most beautiful operatic alto, then, through shrieks and squeals, precipitates herself into luminous soprano heights... she parodies, satirises, and howls on stage like a dervish.
Nina Hagen's eccentricity led to big disputes in the band and during a subsequent European tour Hagen decided to leave the band, though she was still under contract to produce a second album in 1979. This LP, Unbehagen (in addition to the obvious pun on her name, in German this also means 'discomfort' or 'unease'), was eventually produced with the band recording their tracks in Berlin and Hagen recording the vocals in Los Angeles, California. It included the single "African Reggae"/"Wir leben immer... noch" (a cover of Lene Lovich's "Lucky Number"). The headless Nina Hagen Band soon developed a successful independent musical career as Spliff.
Meanwhile, Hagen's public persona was steadily creating an increasing media uproar and she became infamous for an appearance on an Austrian talk show called Club 2, in which she performed an explicit simulation of masturbation. She also acted with Dutch sex-drugs-and-rock-'n'-roll legend Herman Brood in the movie Cha Cha, along with Lene Lovich and various Dutch bands.
An European tour with a new band in 1980 was cancelled, she had a love affair with a 16 year old punk from Amsterdam called Noddy (www.noddyriot.co.uk) and sang a RHCP rapduet with him at the OneWorldPoetry festival at the MilkyWay and lived with him in New York and in the Bahamas.
In 1982 her first solo album NunSexMonkRock, a dissonant mix of punk, funk and opera, was a minor hit, and led to a world tour with the No Problem Orchestra.
In 1983 came the album Angstlos and a minor European tour. By this time, Hagen's public appearances were becoming even stranger; over the years they frequently included discussions of God, UFOs, her social and political beliefs, animal rights / vivisection and claims of alien sightings. The English version of Angstlos, 'Fearless', generated two major club hits in America , "Zarah" and the disco/punk/opera classic, "New York New York".
1985's 'Nina Hagen In Ekstasy' fared less well, but it did generate club hits with "Universal Radio" and a cover of "Spirit In The Sky", and it also featured her hardcore punk take on Frank Sinatra's "My Way", which had been one of her signature live tunes in previous years. Her contract with CBS over, she released the Punk Wedding EP independently in 1987, a celebration of her marriage to an 18-year old punk. It followed an independent 1986 one-off single with Lene Lovich, the anthemic "Don't Kill The Animals".
In 1989 Hagen released the album Nina Hagen which was backed up by another German tour. Now living in Paris with her daughter Cosma Shiva, in 1991 she toured Europe in support of her new album Street.
In 1992 Hagen became the host of a TV show on RTLplus. The following year she released Revolution Ballroom and two years later the German-language album Freud Euch appeared, recorded in English as Beehappy in 1996. Also in 1996, Hagen collaborated with electronic music composer Christopher Franke on "Alchemy of Love", the theme song for the Tenchi Universe movie Tenchi Muyo! in Love.
In 1998, Hagen became the host of a weekly science fiction show on the British Sci-Fi-Channel, in addition to embarking on another tour of Germany. In 1999, she released the devotional album Om Namah Shivay, which was distributed exclusively online. She also sang "Witness" on KMFDM's Adios.
Nina has a strong interest in various religions, but that is mainly driven by her urge to build a better world and her own colorful freedom within it.
In 2000, her song Schön ist die Welt became the official song of Expo 2000. The album The Return of the Mother was released in February 2001, accompanied by another German tour.
Hagen dubbed the voice of Sally in the German release of Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas and she also did some voice work in Hot Dogs by Michael Schoemann.
Hagen has been featured on many songs by other bands, for instance Oomph!'s song Fieber, a cover of Rammstein's "Seemann" with Apocalyptica and in 2008 appeared readily on psy-trance act S.U.N. Project's X Black Album, most notably on the fully vocal track We're In Space. She also sang the song "Garota de Berlim" with Brazilian singer Supla in her early years.
Her two children are Cosma Shiva and Otis.
URLs:
BEST archive for Nina Hagen pictures and stuff (regrettably just in German), incl. very old GDR pics like a beautiful one at the age of 18 and one shot by the "Stasi" (together with her stepfather Wolf Biermann - wiki)
Poetenclub
Nina Hagen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
"I want to get my audience again, cause I'm too lonely without them..."
"Ja, maybe, hopefully"
"Falco Falco"
Überdosis Alkohol,
Zuviel Koks und Kohle
Stoßen auf dich an -zum Wohle
So viel Sterben, wie geht's den Armen
Wer war denn nun der Vater?
So viele Scherben, ich vermiße dich!
Du bist jetzt im Licht.
Hast so ein liebes Gesicht.
Hast du dir schon vergeben,
Kennst du jetzt deine ganzen Leben?
Und kommst du bald mal wieder,
Bist Popstar und machst wieder Volkslieder,
Du Lieber!
Hey ich auch mal mit,
Wir trippen jetzt zu Dritt...????
Erschein' mir mal im Traum und sag mal was dazu,
Du Falco; jetzt bin ich der Hans!
Hans Hälsig - nee, Hans Hagen!
Darf ich es mal wagen,
Dich zu fragen,
Wieviel Kragen
Du getragen
Als du flachlagst ?????,
In der Hauptstadt
Mit dem Namen Kopenhagen?
"Wie die Hasen"
"Falco Falco"
Ich kenne das Szenario,
Nichts Unmenschliches ist mir mehr fremd,
My friend, diese Industrie
Ist die reinste Ornanie,
Man leckt und schleckt,
Es schmeckt wie Dreck!
Nichts wie Weg!
(Schall und Rauch) Künstlerische Freiheit!
"Falco Falco" - Kurt Cobain
Dieser Beruf ist alles,
Aber nicht bequem
Ganz schön insane,
But who's to blame
What's the name of the game?
Ach Gott!
Ach Gott, was soll's,
Ich lauf auf Holz
Gott sei Dank
Auf das bißchen Stolz
Ohne dich ist uns jetzt klar,
Was nicht ist, aber was mal war
Alle müßen sterben,
Vielleicht sogar auch ich
Ja Falco ich weiß,
So einfach geht das nicht!
"??????"
"Mich hat es eigentlich ganz gut erwischt!"
"Ich könnte dir ein Referat halten über meine Marxistischen Ansichten!" - Ja gerne!
"I'm still searching for my way!" - Aha!
"Eins, zwei, drei..." - Und crash!
Und vorbei!
Ja oh may
This way that way,
Whichever way
The way is the goal,
And the soul went exit
Through a hole in the Head on the bed
Be glad
That the way is the goal!
Tao, Falco, tao!
Endlich Waffen Embargo!
Total peace! "Richtig!"
Shanti Shanti Shanti, Falco,
"Er vermißt uns"
Om Shanti Shanti Shanti!
Andere Dimensionen,
Ahnen können wir es schon.
Da wo du jetzt bist bei den Göttern,
Da glaubt ja keiner dran von den ganzen Spöttern.
Aber ich weiß es,
War ja auch schon da,
Aber seit du plötzlich Weg bist wohl,
Ist mir erst so richtig klar.
Falco, Mensch sein eine Seele haben,
Lob, Gott, es ist einfach wunderbar.
Eine Seele ist nämlich immer da
Wo eine Seele hingehört,
Geht nie verloren,
Wird nie zerstört.
"Richtig! Nudelsuppe, Nudelpuppe!"
Eine Seele ist immer da
Wo eine Seele hingehört,
Geht nie verloren,
Wird nie zerstört.
The song Poetenclub by Nina Hagen is a touching tribute to her friend and fellow musician, Falco, who passed away in 1998. The lyrics express the pain of losing a loved one but also celebrate the art and music that brought them together. The first verse talks about the excesses of the music industry - alcohol, drugs, and money - and how these things can tear people apart. The second verse addresses Falco directly, asking him questions about his life and struggles. The chorus features the repeated refrain "Falco Falco," as if calling out to him across the universe.
As the song progresses, it becomes more philosophical in nature. Hagen muses on the nature of art and the difficulty of being a successful musician. She identifies with Falco's struggle to find his place in the industry and his desire to connect with his audience. The final verses take on a more spiritual tone, with references to other dimensions and the idea that the soul is eternal. Overall, Poetenclub is a powerful and emotional song that showcases Hagen's incredible voice and songwriting talent.
Line by Line Meaning
Kunst für's Volk, durch's Volk
Art for the people, by the people
I want to get my audience again, cause I'm too lonely without them...
I desire to reconnect with my audience because being without them makes me feel lonely
Ja, maybe, hopefully
Yes, maybe, hopefully
Falco Falco
Falco Falco
Überdosis Alkohol,
Overdose of alcohol,
Zuviel Koks und Kohle
Too much cocaine and money
Stoßen auf dich an -zum Wohle
Cheersing to you - to good health
So viel Leben, so viele Krater,
So much life, so many craters
So viel Sterben, wie geht's den Armen
So much death, how are the poor doing?
Wer war denn nun der Vater?
So, who was the father?
So viele Scherben, ich vermiße dich!
So many broken pieces, I miss you!
Du bist jetzt im Licht.
You are now in the light.
Hast so ein liebes Gesicht.
You have such a lovely face.
Hast du dir schon vergeben,
Have you already forgiven yourself?
Kennst du jetzt deine ganzen Leben?
Do you now know your whole life?
Und kommst du bald mal wieder,
And will you come back soon,
Bist Popstar und machst wieder Volkslieder,
Being a pop star and making folk songs again,
Du Lieber!
You lovely!
Hey ich auch mal mit,
Hey, me too,
Wir trippen jetzt zu Dritt...????
Now we're tripping as three...????
Erschein' mir mal im Traum und sag mal was dazu,
Appear to me in a dream and tell me your thoughts,
Du Falco; jetzt bin ich der Hans!
You, Falco; now I am Hans!
Hans Hälsig - nee, Hans Hagen!
Hans Hälsig - no, Hans Hagen!
Darf ich es mal wagen,
May I be so bold
Dich zu fragen,
To ask you,
Wieviel Kragen
How many collars
Du getragen
Have you worn
Als du flachlagst ?????,
While you were lying flat ?????,
In der Hauptstadt
In the capital
Mit dem Namen Kopenhagen?
With the name Copenhagen?
Wie die Hasen
Like rabbits
Falco Falco
Falco Falco
Ich kenne das Szenario,
I know the scenario,
Nichts Unmenschliches ist mir mehr fremd,
Nothing inhuman is strange to me,
My friend, diese Industrie
My friend, this industry
Ist die reinste Ornanie,
Is the purest pornography,
Man leckt und schleckt,
One licks and sucks,
Es schmeckt wie Dreck!
It tastes like dirt!
Nichts wie Weg!
Nothing but to leave!
(Schall und Rauch) Künstlerische Freiheit!
(Sound and smoke) Artistic freedom!
Falco Falco - Kurt Cobain
Falco Falco - Kurt Cobain
Dieser Beruf ist alles,
This profession is everything,
Aber nicht bequem
But it's not comfortable
Ganz schön insane,
Pretty insane,
But who's to blame
But who is responsible?
What's the name of the game?
What is the name of the game?
Ach Gott!
Oh, God!
Ach Gott, was soll's,
Oh, God, what the hell
Ich lauf auf Holz
I'm running on wood
Gott sei Dank
Thank God
Auf das bißchen Stolz
For that little bit of pride
Ohne dich ist uns jetzt klar,
Without you, it's now clear to us
Was nicht ist, aber was mal war
What is no longer there, but once was
Alle müßen sterben,
Everyone must die,
Vielleicht sogar auch ich
Maybe even me
Ja Falco ich weiß,
Yes, Falco, I know,
So einfach geht das nicht!
It's not that simple!
??????
??????
Mich hat es eigentlich ganz gut erwischt!
Actually, it hit me pretty well!
Ich könnte dir ein Referat halten über meine Marxistischen Ansichten!
I could give you a lecture on my Marxist views!
Ja gerne!
Yes, please!
I'm still searching for my way!
I'm still searching for my way!
Aha!
Aha!
Eins, zwei, drei...
One, two, three...
Und crash!
And crash!
Und vorbei!
And it's over!
Ja oh may
Yes, oh my
This way that way,
This way, that way,
Whichever way
Either way
The way is the goal,
The journey is the destination,
And the soul went exit
And the soul exited
Through a hole in the Head on the bed
Through a hole in the head on the bed
Be glad
Be happy
That the way is the goal!
That the journey is the destination!
Tao, Falco, tao!
Tao, Falco, tao!
Endlich Waffen Embargo!
Finally, an arms embargo!
Total peace!
Total peace!
Richtig!
Right!
Shanti Shanti Shanti, Falco,
Shanti Shanti Shanti, Falco,
Er vermißt uns
He misses us
Om Shanti Shanti Shanti!
Om Shanti Shanti Shanti!
Andere Dimensionen,
Other dimensions,
Ahnen können wir es schon.
We can already sense it.
Da wo du jetzt bist bei den Göttern,
Where you are now with the gods,
Da glaubt ja keiner dran von den ganzen Spöttern.
No one believes it among all the scoffers.
Aber ich weiß es,
But I know it,
War ja auch schon da,
I've been there myself,
Aber seit du plötzlich Weg bist wohl,
But since you suddenly went away,
Ist mir erst so richtig klar.
It only hit me recently.
Falco, Mensch sein eine Seele haben,
Falco, being human means having a soul,
Lob, Gott, es ist einfach wunderbar.
Praise God, it's just wonderful.
Eine Seele ist nämlich immer da
A soul is always there
Wo eine Seele hingehört,
Where a soul belongs,
Geht nie verloren,
It is never lost,
Wird nie zerstört.
It is never destroyed.
Richtig! Nudelsuppe, Nudelpuppe!
Right! Noodle soup, noodle doll!
Contributed by Alexis F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
danny ca
I like it👌👌