Drummer Victor DeLorenzo said that he would be open to recording new material with the Violent Femmes, but on July 15, 2013, it was announced that Dresden Dolls drummer Brian Viglione would be replacing DeLorenzo as the band's drummer. In a statement, DeLorenzo said "It's always hard to write a eulogy for a lost loved one. In this case, I sadly lament the loss of a dream and an ideal that was once Violent Femmes." Viglione is credited as the drummer on the 2016 release We Can Do Anything but would later be replaced by John Sparrow, who had played in the Violent Femmes backing band previously.
Their music is an innovative combination of American folk music and punk rock. The lyrics mix common adolescent themes like yearning for love, sex and affection with explorations of sin, death, and the hope of salvation. Their songs often express both a lyrical and musical sense of humor. Critics often attribute the Violent Femmes as laying the groundwork of dynamicism for the 90s grunge movement.
In its early days, the band frequently played coffee houses and street corners. They were discovered by James Honeyman-Scott (of The Pretenders) on August 23, 1981, when the band was busking on a street corner in front of the Oriental Theatre, the Milwaukee venue that The Pretenders would be playing later that night. Chrissie Hynde invited them to play a brief acoustic set after the opening act. The band signed to Slash Records and recorded their eponymous debut in July 1982.
The group quickly gained a small cult following after the release of their self-titled album that never burgeoned into widespread popularity, although a few songs from this album did get some recognition ("Add It Up", "Blister in the Sun" and "Gone Daddy Gone"). The debut album Violent Femmes went platinum ten years after its release, and "Blister in the Sun" has become an alternative rock radio staple.
She Went to Germany
Violent Femmes Lyrics
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What you gonna do?
What you gonna do on your vacation?
What you gonna do?
What you gonna do?
What you gonna do for relaxation?
Change you name?
You can go anywhere.
You deserve some fun and rest.
You deserve the very best.
She went to Germany.
Went there without me.
She went to Germany.
Left me in misery.
She went to Germany.
Gots some style insanity.
She went to Germany.
Left me in disharmony.
Why you gonna do?
Why you gonna do?
Why you gonna do that to me baby?
Are you telling me we're through?
Are you telling me we're through?
Are you telling me we're through or is it maybe,
Just another declaration of some female independence,
Or another proclamation to some male friends in attendance.
She went to Germany.
Went there without me.
She went to Germany.
Left me in misery.
She went to Germany.
Gots some style insanity.
She went to Germany.
Left me in disharmony.
She eating wurst.
She's drinking beer.
She loves a crowd, that's what I hear.
She went to Germany.
Went there without me.
She went to Germany.
Left me in misery.
She went to Germany.
Gots some style insanity.
She went to Germany.
Left me in disharmony.
She went to Germany.
Went there without me.
She went to Germany.
Left me in insanity.
She went to Germany.
I gots some style in misery.
She went to Germany.
Left me in disharmony.
The song "She Went to Germany" by Violent Femmes is a track from their self-titled debut album in 1983. The song starts with a series of questions regarding the vacation plan of a woman, followed by the hurtful news that she decided to go to Germany without her lover. The singer then ponders over the reasons for her departure, whether it's a declaration of independence or just a desire for a fun vacation. The chorus repeats that she went to Germany, leaving the singer in misery, disharmony and insanity.
The song can be interpreted as a classic tale of heartbreak, a lover being left behind while the other person head off for vacation giving rise to feelings of abandonment and loneliness. The singer tries to understand the woman's actions, wondering whether it's a decision to end the relationship, or a simple desire for escape, eager to have fun and rest, perhaps relieve some urban insanity.
The chorus repeats the phrase "She went to Germany," reinforcing the woman's physical absence and the emotional distance between the two characters. The song captures the pain of separation through catchy lyrics and upbeat, folksy music with a hint of punk.
Line by Line Meaning
What you gonna do?
Asking someone about their plans for their vacation and what activities they would engage in.
You can go anywhere.
Encouraging the person to explore new places and have fun during their vacation.
She went to Germany.
The woman went on vacation to Germany without the singer, causing him to feel miserable.
Why you gonna do?
Questioning the woman's motives for going to Germany without the artist and leaving him in misery.
Are you telling me we're through?
Asking the woman if their relationship is over because of her decision to go to Germany without him.
Or is it maybe, just another declaration of some female independence, or another proclamation to some male friends in attendance.
Wondering if the woman's decision to go to Germany alone is a sign of her independence or if she made the decision to impress her male friends.
She's eating wurst. She's drinking beer. She loves a crowd, that's what I hear.
The woman is enjoying German cuisine and drinks and is socializing with locals and tourists.
I gots some style in misery.
The artist's style is affected by his sadness and anger over the woman's decision to go to Germany without him.
She went to Germany. Left me in disharmony.
The woman's decision to go to Germany without him causes disharmony in their relationship.
She went to Germany. Gots some style insanity.
The woman is having a great time and is expressing her unique sense of style while in Germany.
Went there without me. She went to Germany. Left me in misery.
The woman went on vacation to Germany without the singer and he is sad and upset about it.
You deserve some fun and rest. You deserve the very best.
Encouraging the person to enjoy their vacation and treat themselves to the best possible experience.
What you gonna do for relaxation? Change your name? Cut your hair?
Asking the person if they plan on doing anything different or exciting for their vacation, such as changing their appearance or trying new things.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: GORDON GANO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
veryoldstereo
One of the best lesser known femmes tracks
Kiaorafranz
At 1:50 they made me laugh, when they say "... ganz total Insanity..."