Ton Steine Scherben (Literal English translation: "Clay Stones Shards" or "… Read Full Bio ↴Ton Steine Scherben (Literal English translation: "Clay Stones Shards" or "Sound Stones Shards") were a German Anarchist rock band formed in 1970 in West Berlin, Germany when the members were all around 20 years of age. Singer Rio Reiser usually told journalists the name was taken from a description by pioneer archeologist Heinrich Schliemann of what he saw when he first came to the site of ancient Troy. Other members of the band claim it is a play on the name of German labor union Bau Steine Erden (Construction Stones Earths). It is also believed that the name is a tribute to The Rolling Stones.

They are considered to have been the first genuine German-language rock band, together with Udo Lindenberg. Their first big-stage appearance was at an Open-Air on 6 September 1970 on the Fehmarn stage where Jimi Hendrix had had his last appearance directly before. The stage went up in flames while they were still playing; probably it had been set on fire by people around Hendrix who had just received news that the event's organizers had disappeared with all the cash, but many people believed that Ton Steine Scherben had set the stage on fire, which gave them tremendous credibility in the radical scene.

Their style can be described as somewhere between the Rolling Stones and yet-to-be-invented Punk rock. All their Albums were self-published; they published few singles and are still very rarely played on most German radio stations. Their lyrics were at the beginning quite anti-capitalist and pro-socialist. They didn't think the socialism of the Soviet Union was anywhere near real socialism, but they had connections to the squatter scene and the German Red Army Faction terrorists during the time before the latter turned to violent crime and murder. Later Ton Steine Scherben toned down on socialism and added themes like freedom, love, drugs, and sadness. Most of their songs can be described as slightly mad, sometimes in a funny way, sometimes in a rather scary way. Ton Steine Scherben disbanded in 1985.

Feierabend
Ton Steine Scherben Lyrics

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Acht Stunden Arbeit sind vorbei
Es sieht ganz so aus, als wärst du frei
Kannst dich vollaufen lassen
Kannst ins Kino gehen
Und du kannst dein Geld im Puff ausgeben

Es ist Feierabend und die Arbeit ist vorbei
Rück den Kies raus, Junge, und du bist dabei

Hast 'ne Pause verdient, aber mehr auch nicht
Morgen geht's weiter, warte nicht
Spring mitten rein ins süße Leben
Du brauchst dein Geld nicht der Heilsarmee geben

Es ist Feierabend und die Arbeit ist vorbei
Heut ist Tanz auf dem Vulkan und du bist dabei

Besuch doch heute Abend deinen Chef
Und fahr mit seinem Mercedes weg
Gib ihm doch endlich seinen Lohn
Mach dich auf die Socken, er wartet schon

Es ist Zahltag, Junge, und die Arbeit ist vorbei

Tu, was du tun willst und du bist frei
Frei

Overall Meaning

The song "Feierabend" by Ton Steine Scherben talks about the end of a workday and the freedom that comes with it. The opening lines celebrate the end of eight hours of work and how it appears that one is finally free. The singer then goes on to describe different ways that one can spend their newfound freedom. He suggests drowning one's sorrows in alcohol, going to the movies, or even spending money in a brothel. The overall message seems to be that after a hard day's work, it's time to indulge and take advantage of one's liberty.

However, the song also seems to suggest an underlying dissatisfaction with the nature of work and the status quo. The line "Du brauchst dein Geld nicht der Heilsarmee geben" (You don't need to give your money to the Salvation Army) implies a distrust of institutions when it comes to providing for oneself. The singer urges listeners to enjoy their time off because "tomorrow it will continue" which perhaps reflects a feeling of being stuck in a cycle of work.

Overall, "Feierabend" is a song about the celebration of freedom after work, but it also touches on themes of dissatisfaction with work and a desire to break free from the constraints of society.

Line by Line Meaning

Acht Stunden Arbeit sind vorbei
Eight hours of work have come to an end

Es sieht ganz so aus, als wärst du frei
It looks like you are free now

Kannst dich vollaufen lassen
You can get drunk

Kannst ins Kino gehen
You can go to the cinema

Und du kannst dein Geld im Puff ausgeben
And you can spend your money in the brothel

Es ist Feierabend und die Arbeit ist vorbei
It's end of workday and work is done

Rück den Kies raus, Junge, und du bist dabei
Take out your cash and you're in

Hast 'ne Pause verdient, aber mehr auch nicht
You've earned a break, but nothing more

Morgen geht's weiter, warte nicht
Tomorrow it continues, don't wait

Spring mitten rein ins süße Leben
Jump right into the sweet life

Du brauchst dein Geld nicht der Heilsarmee geben
You don't need to donate your money to the Salvation Army