Stoppok was born in Hamburg and grown up in Essen, Germany. His musical roo… Read Full Bio ↴Stoppok was born in Hamburg and grown up in Essen, Germany. His musical roots are situated in German folk rock. He was in the group Stenderband with Ex-Steeleye Span percussionist Nigel Pegrum in 1980. Since 1982 his appearances have been as a solo artist or as the group „Stoppok“.

Stoppok now lives in Bavaria (Bayern).

Verstand sei still
Stoppok Lyrics

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sie lassen uns wählen alle vier jahre
zwischen orange und apfelsine
lieber 'ne glatze als keine haare
besser den strick als die guillotine
waffenschmiede sitzen am ruder
und abenteurer haben das sagen
wenn's hart auf hart kommt heißt es dann bruder
du hälst den kopf hin wir halten den kragen

Verstand sei still und quäl mich nicht
ich will nicht wissen weswegen
erzähl' mir lieber das ändert sich
das geht und kommt und hört auf wie der regen
tränengas draußen in den gassen
das straßenpflaster ist noch blutig
auf die polizei da kann man sich verlassen
gegen wehrlose ist sie noch mal so mutig
und das soll also demokratie sein
was da geschieht des volkes wille
man tritt dich solange gegen's schienbein

bis du sie geschluckt hast die bittere pille
Verstand sei still ...

Overall Meaning

The song "Verstand sei still" by Stoppok is a critical commentary on the political system and society. The lyrics describe a world where every four years, people are forced to choose between two options, both of which offer no real choice. The mention of a preference for baldness over having no hair is a metaphor for an extreme situation where people would rather have something than nothing, even if that something is not preferable. The line "better the rope than the guillotine" suggests that people would rather have control over their own fate, even if it is a bad one.

The song also challenges the power structures in place, with the waffenschmiede (weapons producers) being the ones in charge and adventurers making decisions. This is a commentary on how those with the most resources and willpower tend to have the most power. The line "you hold your head out, we hold the collar" is an expression of the idea that those in power are willing to sacrifice the people for their own gain.

However, the song also calls for acceptance, suggesting that trying to understand why things are happening is fruitless, and it's better to focus on what can be changed. The line "tell me that it will change, that it comes and goes like the rain" highlights a sense of hopelessness, but also the idea that change will come eventually, even if it's not immediate.

Overall, the song is a condemnation of injustice and the power structures that perpetuate it. It urges people to focus on the things that can be changed and to accept the things that cannot.

Line by Line Meaning

sie lassen uns wählen alle vier jahre
We are allowed to vote every four years

zwischen orange und apfelsine
But we don't have much choice - it's either orange or apple juice

lieber 'ne glatze als keine haare
It's better to have a bald head than no hair at all

besser den strick als die guillotine
We'd rather hang ourselves than be executed by the guillotine

waffenschmiede sitzen am ruder
Those who make weapons are in control

und abenteurer haben das sagen
Adventurers are the ones who dictate what happens

wenn's hart auf hart kommt heißt es dann bruder
When it gets tough, we have to rely on each other

du hälst den kopf hin wir halten den kragen
You put your head on the line, we'll hold the collar up

Verstand sei still und quäl mich nicht
My mind must be quiet and not torment me

ich will nicht wissen weswegen
I don't want to know why

erzähl' mir lieber das ändert sich
Just tell me that things will change