The video for the song was influenced by Reservoir Dogs.
Two versions can be found, one with the chorus and first three verses in English, and another completely in German. The lyrics to the English version are not a translation of the lyrics in German.
The song hit #20 on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart in the United States. It is the highest charting German language song in the history of that chart.
Lyrics
The whole song is a play on German wedding vows.
The refrain ("Willst du, bis der Tod euch scheidet, treu ihr sein für alle Tage?") translates to "Will you, until Death separates you, be faithful to her forever?" Instead of answering with "ja" ("yes"), the singer says "nein" ("no"), finally breaking his silence earlier in the song: "Du hast mich gefragt, und ich hab nichts gesagt", which translates to "You asked me, and I said nothing."
As stated earlier, the English version of Du Hast is not translated, but changed altogether ("Du hasst" (du haßt) means "you hate". The extra "s" differentiates it from the conjugated verb form of haben (to have).
Interpretation
The title is commonly interpreted as "You Hate", but can be considered as a play on words: "Du hast" means 'you have', while the homophonous "du hasst" means 'you hate'. The pun is illustrated by a comparison of the German version, a literal English translation, and the band's non-literal English version of the song.
The wedding vow is sung word-by-word many times, each line with subtle ironic meanings:
* Du: You
* Du hast: You have
* Du hast mich: You have me
* Du hast mich gefragt: You have asked me
* Du hast mich gefragt und ich hab nichts gesagt: You have asked me and I have said nothing.
As often with Rammstein songs, slight modifications reveal more of the intentions of the lyrics.
* Willst du, bis der Tod euch scheidet, treu ihr sein für alle Tage?: Do you want to, till Death splits you, be faithful to her for all the (remaining) days (of your life)?
* Willst du, bis zum Tod, der scheide, sie lieben auch in schlechten Tagen?: Will you, till death splits you, love her also in her bad days?
If the line is sung as "Tod der Scheide" it would be not "till death, that shed (split)," but literally "till death of the scheide," where "scheide" is a common synonym for vagina, as "scheide" will be changed from a verb to a noun.
Finally, the last three words ("für alle Tage") of the first question are skipped, to leave the meaning "Will you be faithful to her?"
Live story
The first known performance of the song dates from April 9th, 1997 in Amsterdam, The Netherlands [1]
. Over the years, several stunts have been used during the live performances of Du hast, ranging from the dildo used in Bück dich, to the bow used in Du riechst so gut. In their Reise, Reise tour, flames shoot several feet into the air and Till Lindemann shot with a different bow into the air, "starting" a chain reaction that fired rockets over the audience. Being a fan favorite, it has been played in almost every concert to date since its initial performance.
Covers
* Black Warrant, a metal band from Pakistan, covered this song on their 2006 album Recover II.
* Hannibal performed Du hast live at the 1st Scorpions Festival 2007 (18/6/2007) at Karaiskaki Stadium, Piraeus, Athens.
Du hast
Rammstein Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Du hast
Du hast mich
Du
Du hast
Du hast mich
Du
Du hast
Du hast mich
Du
Du hast
Du hast mich
Du
Du hast
Du hast mich
Du hast mich
Du hast mich gefragt
Du hast mich gefragt
Du hast mich gefragt und ich hab' nichts gesagt
Willst du bis der Tod euch scheidet
Treu ihr sein für alle Tage
Nein
Nein
Willst du bis der Tod euch scheidet
Treu ihr sein für alle Tage
Nein
Du
Du hast
Du hast mich
Du
Du hast
Du hast mich
Du
Du hast
Du hast mich
Du hast mich
Du hast mich gefragt
Du hast mich gefragt
Du hast mich gefragt und ich hab' nichts gesagt
Willst du bis der Tod euch scheidet
Treu ihr sein für alle Tage
Nein
Nein
Willst du bis zum Tod, der scheidet
Sie lieben auch in schlechten Tagen
Nein
Nein
Willst du bis der Tod euch scheidet
Treu ihr sein
Nein
Nein
Rammstein's song "Du hast" is a powerful statement about love and commitment, and the consequences of failing to follow through on one's promises. The song begins with the repetition of the phrase "Du hast" which translates to "you have," but can also be understood as "you hate" in a play on the similarity between the German words "hast" (have) and "hasst" (hate). This ambiguity sets the tone for the rest of the song, which is about a relationship that is failing because of a lack of commitment.
The chorus of the song repeats the line "Willst du bis der Tod euch scheidet" which means "do you want to be true to her until death do you part." The response to this question is a defiant "Nein" (no), which suggests that the relationship is doomed from the start. The repetition of "du hast mich gefragt" (you asked me) emphasizes the importance of communication in relationships, and the failure to communicate effectively is ultimately what leads to the breakdown of this particular relationship.
The lyrics of "Du hast" are intentionally ambiguous, and the song can be interpreted in a number of different ways. Some have suggested that the song is about a wedding ceremony gone wrong, while others argue that it is a commentary on the nature of German-American relations. Regardless of the specific interpretation, there is no denying that "Du hast" is a powerful and haunting song that continues to resonate with listeners around the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Du
Addressing someone or something
Du hast
You have
Du hast mich
You have me
Du hast mich gefragt
You asked me
Du hast mich gefragt und ich hab' nichts gesagt
You asked me and I said nothing
Willst du bis der Tod euch scheidet
Do you want to be faithful to her until death separates you?
Treu ihr sein für alle Tage
To be loyal to her for all days
Nein
No
Willst du bis zum Tod, der scheidet
Do you want to love her until death separates you?
Sie lieben auch in schlechten Tagen
To love her even in bad days
Treu ihr sein
To be faithful to her
Nein
No
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Richard Z. Kruspe, Paul Landers, Till Lindemann, Doktor Christian Lorenz, Oliver Riedel, Christoph Doom Schneider
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
David Mijangos Pain
on Fried Eis
ich werde immer bei dir sein;
FERTIG - bin ich mit dir, bis zum Morgen sitz ich da.
DU BIST - so ganz allein,
das Schicksal hat mich angelacht;
UNHEIL - hört wie ihr schreit,
sie singen die letzten Melodien.
Uuuuh - you were the night
Holding breath, cause you all remind it
(DU BIST ALLEIN)
Uuuuh - and let me show you,
I am not alone
(DU ALLEIN)
Uuuuh - (???)
horror may remind it
TIEFE - die Einsamkeit,
es ist so weit - Aus Vorbei!
KRAFTLOS - Hab keine Angst,
sie singen die letzten Melodien
Uuuuh - you were the night
Holding breath, cause you all remind it
(DU BIST ALLEIN)
Uuuuh - and let me show you,
I am not alone
(DU ALLEIN)
Uuuuh - (???)
horror may remind it
Du gehörst zu mir, ich zeige wann und wie
du gehst.
Du hast keine and're Wahl, sie sind einsam und allein
allein.
allein
allein
du allein
Laaaahhh
Uuuuh - you were the night
Holding breath, cause you all remind it
(DU BIST ALLEIN)
Uuuuh - and let me show you,
I am not alone
(DU ALLEIN)
Uuuuh - (???)
Horror may remind it
May remind it
Rammstein - Freid Eis
SabrinaOnlineFan96
on Sonne
This song reminds me of Gru from Despicable Me, as he is so powerful, that he paralyzed a shark and was able to outrun supersonic missiles.
Ben - Moderator
on Keine Lust
Corrected the music video fact above.
Andrew
on Keine Lust
The music video has them performing in fat suits, not at a funeral.