He is married and has a daughter (born 2003) and a son. The family lives with other musicians in M.A.R.S ("Moderne Anstalt Rigoroser Spakker"), a rural commune near Daun in the Eifel region, where they aim to live "a peaceful, spiritually oriented, artistically spontaneous, and vegetarian healthy lifestyle." The M.A.R.S. residents also operate their own music label, Haus Erika Productions.
Career
Thomas D is a member of the successful German hip-hop and rap group Die Fantastischen Vier. In addition, he has achieved success as a solo artist under the stage name Thomas D with his albums Solo (1997) and Lektionen in Demut (2001). Some of his best-known tracks include "Rückenwind," "Frisör," "Liebesbrief," and "Solo" (with Nina Hagen), as well as the song "Wish" sung with Franka Potente from the film "Run Lola Run." His solo releases are known for their profound lyrics with philosophical content. He also attempted a rap incorporating several poems by Schiller and Goethe. In addition to Die Fantastischen Vier, Thomas D was also the singer and lyricist of the band , which achieved chart success in 2002 with the song "Alle für Jeden" from the album "Crashkurs."
In spring 2005, Thomas D became a mentor for the rap project "Junge Dichter und Denker." On September 12, 2008, he released his third solo album "Kennzeichen D." The first single from the new album, "Get On Board," was released in August. The second single, "Vergiftet im Schlaf," which was featured in the credits of the film "The Day the Earth Stood Still," was released on December 5, 2008. Around Christmas 2004, Thomas D and his family were in the Thai holiday region of Khao Lak when the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami occurred. "We were swept four and a half kilometers inland and survived; it's a miracle," Thomas D said four years after the disaster. He and his family survived the wave practically unscathed. He only made public his near-victim status of the tsunami in 2008, in connection with the album "Kennzeichen D," on which the song "An alle Hinterbliebenen" is found.
In December 2008, Thomas D appeared alongside Smudo as a spokesperson for World of Warcraft. In the summer of 2010, he, on behalf of Deutsche Telekom, searched for singers for his new song. This was released in mid-November under the title "7 Seconds." In 2011, Thomas D was the jury president of the show "Unser Star für Baku," a casting show to select the German participant for the Eurovision Song Contest 2012.
Social and Environmental Engagement
Thomas D is a vegetarian and has been largely vegan since 2013. He supports the animal rights organization PETA but received criticism when he endorsed their controversial "Holocaust comparison" in 2003. Together with animal rights artist and illustrator Roland Straller, he developed the concept for an "Avenging Animals Collection" named "Ich bin da – the VIP-Collection" in 2008. Thomas D is also involved in climate and environmental protection. At the Protestant Church Congress 2009 in Bremen, he gave a concert for Bread for the World on the theme "For Justice and Against Climate Change." His song "Gebet an den Planet" (Prayer to the Planet) also addresses this issue. Since July 2013, Thomas D has been hosting the information program "Wissen vor acht – Natur" (Knowledge before eight – Nature) on ARD.
On September 17, 2015, Thomas D, along with Til Schweiger, Sigmar Gabriel, Jogi Löw, and other celebrities, announced the founding of the Til Schweiger Foundation, in which he, along with others, intends to advocate for the needs of refugee children and other socially disadvantaged children and adolescents. According to his own statement, Dürr has already contributed €100,000. The first project is planned to support a reception center in Osnabrück.
Discography
Solo (1965)
Lektionen in Demut (2001)
Kennzeichen D (2008)
Lektionen in Demut 11.0 (2011)
Aufstieg und Fall des Tommy Blank (2013)
M.A.R.S Sessions (2021)
Charly Brown
Thomas D Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Haben wir uns schon geseh'n?"
Ne, das kann'ste nich' fragen!
Lieber: "Woll'n wir geh'n oder
Soll ich dich tragen?" – So'n Schwachsinn
Oh komm Mann, was willst du ihr sagen?
Es liegt alles im Anfang, ja dann mach' mal Halblang,
Sonst wird die Begrüßung schon bald zu 'nem Abgang,
Aber Unverbindlichkeiten kann man auch übertreiben.
Ein Beispiel verdeutlicht, was schief laufen kann.
Wie neulich, du freust dich, denn sie spricht dich an,
Und sie sagte: "Hallo!", was dich hoffen lies,
Und du sagtest: "Vielleicht", was alles offen ließ!
Chorus:
Lach' über dich, mach's wie 'n Clown,
Dann klappt das automatisch.
Kaum Selbstvertrauen, wie Charlie Brown,
Aber das macht dich sympathisch. (2x)
Die Frauen zu durchschauen is 'n schwieriges Ding,
Und du kannst mir glauben, nich weil ich 'n Lied davon sing',
Weiß ich, dass ohne Selbstvertrauen kein Text gelingt,
Is' wie mit dir und deinen Frauen, du steckst nich' drin,
Nur 'ne Türsteherin hat dich mal umgehau'n.
Und auch wenn Fußgängerinnen sich nach dir umschau'n,
Nur die Fahrlehrerin saß schon in deinem Wagen,
Und auf Händen getragen hat dich nur deine Mom.
Hier is' keine von denen,
Doch sie fährt auf dich ab,
Und sie will mit dir reden,
Und 'n ehrlichen Rat, sagt:
"Ich lieb' da so'n Typen, der blickt's nich'!"
Mmmh, und leider liegt sie richtig.
Chorus
Heute kommt sie dich besuchen, ja Wahnsinn!
Fünf Minuten sitzt sie dafür in der Bahn drin,
Du hast dir 'ne Liste gemacht, weil es vor diesem Tag
In deinen Planungen schon Pannen und Krisen gab.
Nun ist der Champagner gekühlt, deine Hose gebügelt,
Du vor'm Spiegel ermüdent, zum Schniedel gestriegelt,
Und sie klopft an der Tür, das geht übel aus,
Denn deine Hose hattest du zum Bügeln aus.
Chorus
Sie kommt auf dich zu,
Wie in einem Traum,
Du traust deinen Augen kaum
– Wie schön sie ist –
Dann sagt sie zu dir:
"Wen haben wir denn hier?
Wahrscheinlich doch nur
Wieder so'n Machoarsch!"
Ihr seid doch alle gleich, butterweich, nuttengeil,
Ihr setzt doch Frauen nur mit Huren oder Muttern gleich,
Dir zu vertrau'n käm' dem Brechen aller Regeln gleich,
Wir hätten ewig Streit, wegen Penisneid,
Jetzt tut's dir leid, das war's mit Held,
Das ändern wir gleich, deine Männlichkeit fällt,
Verlass' dich drauf, wie 'ne heiße Nadel
Und dann wachst du auf – und bist schweißgebadet.
Chorus (2x)
The song "Charly Brown" by Thomas D is about the struggles of a man trying to impress a woman and gain her love and affection. The song starts with a conversation between the man and his friend, who advises him to make light of the situation and not take himself too seriously. The chorus emphasizes the importance of having a sense of humor and not being afraid to laugh at oneself, as it makes one more likable and approachable.
The song continues with the man reflecting on his past experiences with women, acknowledging that understanding them can be difficult and that confidence is essential to success. However, he also admits to lacking self-assurance and describes himself as being similar to the Peanuts character Charlie Brown, who is known for his insecurities and failures. The lyrics suggest that despite his shortcomings, the man's vulnerability makes him more sympathetic and endearing to women.
The final verse highlights the tension that can arise between men and women, as the man is accused of being a typical "macho" and is told that he needs to change his ways to earn the woman's trust. The song ends with the repeated chorus, emphasizing the importance of not taking oneself too seriously and having a sense of humor.
Line by Line Meaning
Angenehmen Guten Abend.
Nice good evening.
Haben wir uns schon geseh'n?
Have we seen each other before?
Ne, das kann'ste nich' fragen!
No, you can't ask that!
Lieber: "Woll'n wir geh'n oder
Soll ich dich tragen?" – So'n Schwachsinn
Rather, "Shall we go or
Should I carry you?" - Such nonsense!
Oh komm Mann, was willst du ihr sagen?
Oh come on man, what do you want to say to her?
Es liegt alles im Anfang, ja dann mach' mal Halblang,
Sonst wird die Begrüßung schon bald zu 'nem Abgang,
Am Anfang alles offen lassen, lieber frei bleiben,
Aber Unverbindlichkeiten kann man auch übertreiben.
It all lies in the beginning, so take it slow,
Otherwise, the greeting may soon become an exit,
Leave everything open at the beginning, rather stay free,
But being non-committal can also be taken too far.
Ein Beispiel verdeutlicht, was schief laufen kann.
Wie neulich, du freust dich, denn sie spricht dich an,
Und sie sagte: "Hallo!", was dich hoffen lies,
Und du sagtest: "Vielleicht", was alles offen ließ!
An example clarifies what can go wrong.
Like that time, you were happy because she spoke to you,
And she said, "Hello!", which made you hopeful,
And you said, "Maybe", which left everything open!
Chorus:
Chorus:
Lach' über dich, mach's wie 'n Clown,
Dann klappt das automatisch.
Kaum Selbstvertrauen, wie Charlie Brown,
Aber das macht dich sympathisch. (2x)
Laugh about yourself, act like a clown,
Then, it happens automatically.
Little self-confidence, like Charlie Brown,
But that makes you likable. (2x)
Die Frauen zu durchschauen is 'n schwieriges Ding,
Und du kannst mir glauben, nich weil ich 'n Lied davon sing',
Weiß ich, dass ohne Selbstvertrauen kein Text gelingt,
Is' wie mit dir und deinen Frauen, du steckst nich' drin,
Nur 'ne Türsteherin hat dich mal umgehau'n.
Understanding women is a difficult thing,
And you can believe me, not because I sing about it,
But because I know that without self-confidence, no text succeeds,
It's like you and your women, you're not into it,
Only a bouncer once knocked you off your feet.
Und auch wenn Fußgängerinnen sich nach dir umschau'n,
Nur die Fahrlehrerin saß schon in deinem Wagen,
Und auf Händen getragen hat dich nur deine Mom.
And even though pedestrians look after you,
Only the driving instructor was already in your car,
And only your mom carried you on her hands.
Hier is' keine von denen,
Doch sie fährt auf dich ab,
Und sie will mit dir reden,
Und 'n ehrlichen Rat, sagt:
"Ich lieb' da so'n Typen, der blickt's nich'!"
Mmmh, und leider liegt sie richtig.
There's no one like those here,
But she's into you,
And she wants to talk to you,
And an honest advice, she says:
"I love a guy who doesn't get it!"
Mmmh, and unfortunately she's right.
Chorus
Chorus
Heute kommt sie dich besuchen, ja Wahnsinn!
Fünf Minuten sitzt sie dafür in der Bahn drin,
Du hast dir 'ne Liste gemacht, weil es vor diesem Tag
In deinen Planungen schon Pannen und Krisen gab.
Nun ist der Champagner gekühlt, deine Hose gebügelt,
Du vor'm Spiegel ermüdent, zum Schniedel gestriegelt,
Und sie klopft an der Tür, das geht übel aus,
Denn deine Hose hattest du zum Bügeln aus.
Today, she comes to visit you, it's crazy!
She sits on the train for five minutes for this,
You made a list because there were already problems and crises in your planning before this day.
Now, the champagne is chilled, your pants are ironed,
You are tired in front of the mirror, combing your hair,
And she knocks on the door, it goes badly,
Because you had your pants for ironing.
Chorus
Chorus
Sie kommt auf dich zu,
Wie in einem Traum,
Du traust deinen Augen kaum
– Wie schön sie ist –
Dann sagt sie zu dir:
"Wen haben wir denn hier?
Wahrscheinlich doch nur
Wieder so'n Machoarsch!"
She comes to you,
Like in a dream,
You can barely believe your eyes
- How beautiful she is -
Then she says to you:
"Who do we have here?
Probably just
Another macho ass!"
Ihr seid doch alle gleich, butterweich, nuttengeil,
Ihr setzt doch Frauen nur mit Huren oder Muttern gleich,
Dir zu vertrau'n käm' dem Brechen aller Regeln gleich,
Wir hätten ewig Streit, wegen Penisneid,
Jetzt tut's dir leid, das war's mit Held,
Das ändern wir gleich, deine Männlichkeit fällt,
Verlass' dich drauf, wie 'ne heiße Nadel
Und dann wachst du auf – und bist schweißgebadet.
You're all the same, soft like butter, horny for prostitutes,
You equate women with whores or mothers,
Trusting you would be like breaking all the rules,
We would have eternal strife, due to penis envy,
Now you're sorry, that was it with being a hero,
We'll change that, your masculinity falls,
Count on it, like a hot needle,
And then you wake up - and you're bathed in sweat.
Chorus (2x)
Chorus (2x)
Contributed by Eli J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.