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.
Warum geht es mir so dreckig
Ton Steine Scherben Lyrics
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Warum geht es mir so dreckig, was kann ich allein dagegen tun?
Sieben Uhr aufstehen, Kaffee trinken, zur Arbeit fahren, freundlich sein,
Den Chef grüßen, nicht sagen, was ich denke, nicht denken, was ich sage
Ich möchte am liebsten tot sein und von allem nichts mehr sehen
Ich möchte am liebsten tot sein und von allem nichts mehr sehen
Warum geht es mir so dreckig, was kann ich allein dagegen tun?
Fünf Uhr, Feierabend, zum Bus rennen, n'Abend Alter, n'Abend Alte,
Abendessen, in die nächste Kneipe gehen, Bier trinken
Ich möchte so besoffen sein, dass ich alles nicht mehr seh
Ich möchte so besoffen sein, dass ich alles nicht mehr seh
Warum geht es mir so dreckig, was kann ich allein dagegen tun?
Warum geht es mir so dreckig, was kann ich allein dagegen tun?
Soll ich morgen abhauen und gehen, wohin ich will?
Soll ich die Papiere holen und machen, was ich will?
Soll ich mir'n Schuss machen und von allem nichts mehr sehen?
Ich möchte endlich frei sein, aber wohin soll ich gehen?
Ich möchte endlich frei sein, aber wohin soll ich gehen?
Warum geht es mir so dreckig?
Warum geht es mir so dreckig?
Warum geht es mir so dreckig?
Warum geht es mir so dreckig? (so dreckig, so dreckig)
Warum geht es uns so dreckig?
Warum geht es uns so dreckig?
Warum geht es uns so dreckig?
Warum geht es uns so dreckig? (so dreckig, so dreckig, so dreckig, so dreckig)
Ton Steine Scherben's song "Warum geht es mir so dreckig" (Why do I feel so lousy) was released in 1971 and addresses the feelings of emptiness and frustration that many people experience in a modern, capitalist society. The lyrics describe the mundanity of everyday life, the pressure to be polite and conform, and the desire to escape from it all through alcohol or even suicidal thoughts.
The song is written in the first person and repeatedly asks the question, "Warum geht es mir so dreckig, was kann ich allein dagegen tun?" (Why do I feel so lousy, what can I do about it alone?) The repetition of the question highlights the feeling of hopelessness and the lack of answers to the problems faced.
The verses describe a daily routine of waking up early, going to work, being polite, and suppressing one's true thoughts and feelings. The chorus expresses a desire to escape from this routine, to get so drunk that reality is blurred, or even to take one's own life. The final verse includes a suggestion to leave everything behind and start anew, but the question remains: "but where should I go?"
Overall, the song speaks to the human desire for freedom and fulfillment in a world that can often feel oppressive and limiting.
Line by Line Meaning
Warum geht es mir so dreckig, was kann ich allein dagegen tun?
The singer is questioning why they feel so miserable and wants to know what they can do on their own to change it.
Sieben Uhr aufstehen, Kaffee trinken, zur Arbeit fahren, freundlich sein,
Describing the daily routine of waking up at 7, drinking coffee, going to work, and pretending to be friendly.
Den Chef grüßen, nicht sagen, was ich denke, nicht denken, was ich sage
The singer feels trapped in their job, forced to greet their boss every day and keep their thoughts to themselves.
Ich möchte am liebsten tot sein und von allem nichts mehr sehen
Feeling overwhelmed and wanting to escape everything by not existing anymore.
Fünf Uhr, Feierabend, zum Bus rennen, n'Abend Alter, n'Abend Alte,
After work, the singer rushes to catch the bus and greets acquaintances with a casual hello.
Abendessen, in die nächste Kneipe gehen, Bier trinken
The singer seeks comfort in food and alcohol by going to a nearby pub.
Ich möchte so besoffen sein, dass ich alles nicht mehr seh
The singer wants to get drunk enough to forget everything and not see anything anymore.
Soll ich morgen abhauen und gehen, wohin ich will?
The singer contemplates leaving everything behind and going to a place where they can be free.
Soll ich die Papiere holen und machen, was ich will?
The singer is questioning whether gathering their documents and doing what they want is the solution to their problems.
Soll ich mir'n Schuss machen und von allem nichts mehr sehen?
The singer is debating on whether to use drugs to not feel anything anymore.
Ich möchte endlich frei sein, aber wohin soll ich gehen?
The singer wants to be free from their miserable life, but doesn't know where to go for that freedom.
Warum geht es mir so dreckig?
Repeating the same question from the beginning of the song, questioning why they feel so terrible.
Warum geht es uns so dreckig? (so dreckig, so dreckig, so dreckig, so dreckig)
Expanding the question to include everyone, wondering why society as a whole is so unhappy.
Contributed by Mila R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.