In 1982 the band released the Goth classic "Incubus Succubus". Drummer Caro May left the band and formed a new band, and the vacant drummer position was filled by Manuela Zwingmann the same year. While German audiences were less than receptive at first, a United Kingdom tour opening for the Cocteau Twins resulted in a label deal with independent label 4AD Records. Their debut album, Fetisch and the singles "Qual" and "Incubus Succubus II" were released in 1983, all 3 making the UK Independent charts, even though the band wrote and performed in German.
Manuela Zwingmann left the band after one year, being replaced by Peter Bellendir. This lineup, Huwe/Rickers/Sangster/Ellerbrock/Bellendir proved to be the longest running. 1984 saw the release of the single "Reigen" and the album Tocsin, followed by a world tour through 1985.
The Sequenz EP was essentially a remake of a John Peel session, which had been originally recorded April 30, 1985, and was broadcast May 13, 1985. The EP contained the tracks Jahr Um Jahr II, Autumn (the band’s first English lyrics, apart from brief snatches of English that appeared in Qual, Young Man and Tag für Tag) and Polarlicht but omitted Der Wind, which was played at the Peel sessions.
1986 saw the release of Matador, produced by Hugh Cornwell of The Stranglers. Xmal Deutschland also opened for The Stranglers at a concert at Wembley Arena in London. Their follow-up album, Viva was recorded in Hamburg and was released in 1987, followed by the single "Sickle Moon". Viva contains a large number of English lyrics, among others a poem by Emily Dickinson. It was during this time that the band were interviewed by Jamie Meakes for the infamous underground Goth Fanzine 'House Of Dolls'.
After the release of Viva, Manuela Rickers, Fiona Sangster and Peter Bellendir left the group. Anja Huwe and Wolfgang Ellerbrock continue to work with Frank Z. (Abwärts) on guitar. Producer Henry Staroste played keyboards, and German studio drummer Curt Cress completed the line-up that would record the 1989 LP Devils and the singles "Dreamhouse" and "I’ll be near you". This also proved to be the last release of Xmal Deutschland, showing a change of direction towards mainstream pop. 1990 saw a few scattered live appearances by the group, but eventually the group split up.
Discography
EP:s and singles:
1981 7" Großstadtindianer - Zick-Zack Schallplatten ZZ 31
1982 12" Incubus Succubus - Zick-Zack Schallplatten ZZ 110
1983 12" Qual - 4AD Records BAD 305
1983 7" Incubus Succubus II - 4AD Records AD 311
1983 12" Incubus Succubus II - 4AD Records BAD 311
1985 7" Sequenz - Red Rhino RRE-1
1985 12" Sequenz - Red Rhino RRET-1
1986 12"/CD The Peel Sessions (30.04.85)- Strange Fruit SFPS017
1986 7" Matador - eXile XMAL 107
1986 12" Matador - eXile XMAL 112
1987 7" Sickle Moon - eXile XMAL 207
1987 12" Sickle Moon -eXile XMAL 212
1989 12" Dreamhouse - Metronome 871543-1
1989 12" I'll be near you - Metronome 889709-1
Albums:
1983 Fetisch
1984 Tocsin
1987 Viva
1989 Devils
Begrab Mein Herz
Xmal Deutschland Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nur eine Stunde weit
Nur einen Flügeschlag
Begrab mein Herz bevor es flügel bekommt
Begrab mein Herz bevor es flügel bekommt
Bedecke mich mit Sand
Nur eine Stunde weit
Nur einen Flügeschlag
Nur eine Stunde weit
Begrab mein Herz bevor es flügel bekommt
Begrab mein Herz bevor es flügel bekommt
Bedecke mich mit Sand
Und pflanze in in mein Herz Rosen
Begrab mein Herz bevor es flügel bekommt
Begrab mein Herz bevor es flügel bekommt
The lyrics of "Begrab Mein Herz" by Xmal Deutschland are quite poetic and open to interpretation. In this song, the singer is asking someone to bury their heart before it grows wings. This may be interpreted in a few ways; it could be taken literally, as though the singer wants their heart to be buried before it takes flight like a bird, or it could be taken metaphorically, as though the singer wants their emotions to be silenced and buried before they grow stronger and cause them pain.
The repetition in the song, particularly of the phrase "nur eine Stunde weit" (just an hour away), suggest a sense of urgency or desperation. The singer seems anxious to have their heart buried before it's too late. The line "bedecke mich mit Sand" (cover me with sand) also contributes to this sense of finality, as though the singer wants to be completely hidden away and forgotten.
The final lines of the song offer a hint of hopefulness or beauty in what is otherwise a somewhat bleak song. The phrase "und pflanze es in mein Herz Rosen" (and plant roses in my heart) suggests that the singer wants something beautiful to grow within themselves, even if they have to bury their emotions to make it happen.
Overall, "Begrab Mein Herz" is a haunting and emotionally charged song that touches on themes of pain, loss, and the desire to escape from one's own emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
Nur eine Stunde weit
Only one hour away
Nur eine Stunde weit
Only one hour away
Nur einen Flügeschlag
Only one wing beat
Begrab mein Herz bevor es flügel bekommt
Bury my heart before it grows wings
Begrab mein Herz bevor es flügel bekommt
Bury my heart before it grows wings
Bedecke mich mit Sand
Cover me with sand
Baue mir ein Grab
Build me a grave
Nur eine Stunde weit
Only one hour away
Nur einen Flügeschlag
Only one wing beat
Nur eine Stunde weit
Only one hour away
Begrab mein Herz bevor es flügel bekommt
Bury my heart before it grows wings
Begrab mein Herz bevor es flügel bekommt
Bury my heart before it grows wings
Bedecke mich mit Sand
Cover me with sand
Und pflanze in in mein Herz Rosen
And plant roses in my heart
Begrab mein Herz bevor es flügel bekommt
Bury my heart before it grows wings
Contributed by Nathaniel T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Oliwia Chrapczyńska
Du bist allein, du bist allein
Wie die Nacht ist dunkel
Kein Stern am Himmel
Nur die weißen Augen folgen deinem Herzschlag
Der Weg ist endlos...
Du bist allein, du bist allein
Wie die Nacht ist dunkel
Kein Stern am Himmel
Nur die weißen Augen folgen deinem Herzschlag
Der Weg ist endlos, endlos, endlos, endlos
Deine weiße Haut leuchtet wie Porzellan
Du bist schwarz wie die Nacht allein...
Deine weiße Haut leuchtet wie Porzellan
Du bist schwarz wie die Nacht allein...
Du findest kein Licht, es gibt keine Sonne
Die Erde...
Kommen nie hoch so wie das Himmelslicht
Du bist allein, allein, allein, allein, allein, allein...
Nur die weißen Augen folgen deinem Herzschlag
Sie zeigen ihre Krallen. Sie reißen dich hinunter
Du fällst, du fällst, du fällst, du fällst, du fällst, du fällst...
Dein Weg ist am Ende...
Dein Weg ist am Ende...