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.
Guten Morgen
Ton Steine Scherben Lyrics
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fröhlich sein Liedchen geigt,
und ich mit dem linken Fuß zuerst
aus dem Bette steig,
wenn die erste Zigarette
mir halb den Bart verbrennt,
dann sag ich mir:
"Hätt'ste bloß diesen Tag verpennt!"
Guten Morgen!
Wenn ich mich dann aufrapple
und ab zur Arbeit geh
und schon aus der Ferne
meine Firma seh,
den freundlichen Kasten
aus Klinkerstein,
dann sag ich mir:
"Mann, wird das heute wieder fein!"
Guten Morgen!
Wenn ich dann da bin
und vor der Stechuhr steh
und mal wieder 'n roten Druck
auf meiner Karte seh,
wenn der Alte mich anmacht:
"Panzer! Sie sind schon wieder zu spät!"
Dann sag ich mir:
"Sei froh, wenn bei dir noch was richtig geht."
Guten Morgen!
Wenn ich in der Frühstückspause
mein drittes Brötchen verschling
und in Gedanken schon wieder
meine Feile schwing,
wenn der Alte mich fragt:
"Panzer, wie geht's denn so?"
Dann sag ich mir:
"Setz dich erstmal 'ne Stunde aufs Klo."
The song "Guten Morgen" by Ton Steine Scherben is a commentary on the dehumanizing effects of modern society and the mundanity of everyday life. The lyrics describe a man waking up early in the morning to go to work, feeling burned out and unenthusiastic about his daily routine. The sound of his alarm clock, the burning of his face while smoking a cigarette, and the sight of his workplace are all symbols of his dissatisfaction and boredom. He longs to skip the day and stay in bed, but he knows he must go to work.
At work, he faces the same routine and the same criticisms from his boss. He eats breakfast quickly and wishes he was doing something more fulfilling. The lyrics emphasize the repetitive nature of modern life and the struggle to find meaning in it. The man's only solace is in the phrase "Guten Morgen," which he repeats to himself as a way of coping with his day-to-day struggles.
The song is a critique of the capitalist system that values productivity over creativity and human connection. It is a call to action for people to resist the oppressive forces of modern society and find ways to live more fulfilling and meaningful lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Wenn der Wecker um halb sechs fröhlich sein Liedchen geigt,
When the alarm clock cheerfully plays its song at half past five in the morning,
und ich mit dem linken Fuß zuerst aus dem Bette steig,
and I step out of bed with my left foot first,
wenn die erste Zigarette mir halb den Bart verbrennt,
when the first cigarette burns half my beard,
dann sag ich mir: 'Hätt'ste bloß diesen Tag verpennt!'
then I say to myself: 'I wish I had overslept this day!'
Guten Morgen!
Wenn ich mich dann aufrapple und ab zur Arbeit geh
When I then struggle to get up and head off to work
und schon aus der Ferne meine Firma seh,
and I already see my company from afar,
den freundlichen Kasten aus Klinkerstein,
the friendly box made of brick,
dann sag ich mir: 'Mann, wird das heute wieder fein!'
then I say to myself: 'Man, it's going to be great again today!'
Guten Morgen!
Wenn ich dann da bin und vor der Stechuhr steh
When I arrive and stand in front of the time clock
und mal wieder 'n roten Druck auf meiner Karte seh,
and once again see a red mark on my card,
wenn der Alte mich anmacht: 'Panzer! Sie sind schon wieder zu spät!'
when the boss yells at me: 'Panzer! You're late again!'
Dann sag ich mir: 'Sei froh, wenn bei dir noch was richtig geht.'
Then I say to myself: 'Be happy if anything still goes right for you.'
Guten Morgen!
Wenn ich in der Frühstückspause mein drittes Brötchen verschling
When I devour my third bun during breakfast break,
und in Gedanken schon wieder meine Feile schwing,
and already swing my file in my mind again,
wenn der Alte mich fragt: 'Panzer, wie geht's denn so?'
when the boss asks me: 'Panzer, how are you doing?'
Dann sag ich mir: 'Setz dich erstmal 'ne Stunde aufs Klo.'
Then I say to myself: 'Just sit on the toilet for an hour first.'
Contributed by Vivian S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.