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
Polarlicht
Xmal Deutschland Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Scheine scheine...
Polarlicht...
Von Alaska bis Kiruna
Von Alaska bis Kiruna
Scheine scheine...
Sturm zwischen den Sternen
Fackeln am Horizont!
Brenne brenne...
Aura am Nachthimmel
Polarlicht...
(Tänzer am firmament)
Scheine scheine...
The lyrics to Xmal Deutschland's song "Polarlicht" are a celebration of the aurora borealis, or northern lights. The repeated refrain of "Polarlicht Polarlicht Polarlicht" emphasizes the majesty and wonder of this natural phenomenon. The verses describe the lights as they appear across the sky, from Alaska to Kiruna, with descriptions of the lights as "fackeln" or torches on the horizon and an "aura am Nachthimmel" or aura in the night sky. The lyric "sturm zwischen den Sternen" or "storm among the stars" adds a sense of dynamic energy to the imagery.
Throughout the song, there is a sense of awe and reverence for the beauty of the northern lights, which are seen as almost otherworldly ("tänzer am firmament" or "dancers in the firmament"). The repetition of "scheine scheine" emphasizes the idea of the lights shining brilliantly and invites the listener to join in the celebration.
Overall, "Polarlicht" is a lyrical tribute to one of the most visually stunning natural phenomena, capturing the sense of wonder and majesty that is often associated with the aurora borealis.
Line by Line Meaning
Polarlicht Polarlicht Polarlicht
Northern lights, northern lights, northern lights
Scheine scheine...
Shine, shine...
Von Alaska bis Kiruna
From Alaska to Kiruna
Polarlicht...
Northern lights...
Sturm zwischen den Sternen
Storm between the stars
Fackeln am Horizont!
Torches on the horizon!
Brenne brenne...
Burn, burn...
Aura am Nachthimmel
Aura in the night sky
Tänzer am firmament
Dancers in the firmament
Scheine scheine...
Shine, shine...
Contributed by Asher W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Oliwia Chrapczyńska
Where is ,,Jahr um Jahr''? I can't find lyrics.
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...
@Bangkokian007
Here are the lyrics in English if you are interested:
aurora
aurora
aurora
Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant, brilliant
aurora
aurora
aurora
From Alaska to Kiruna
From Alaska to Kiruna
Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant, brilliant
aurora
aurora
aurora
Striker between the stars
Torches on the horizon
aurora
Burn, burn, burn, burn
Aura in the night sky
aurora
aurora
aurora
From Alaska to Kiruna
From Alaska to Kiruna
Dancer in the firmament
Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant, brilliant
@EF0303
Polarlicht
Polarlicht
Polarlicht
Scheine scheine scheine scheine
Polarlicht
Polarlicht
Polarlicht
Von Alaska bis Kiruna
Von Alaska bis Kiruna
Scheine scheine scheine scheine
Polarlicht
Polarlicht
Polarlicht
Sturm zwischen den Sternen
Fackeln am Horizont
Polarlicht
Brenne brenne brenne brenne
Aura am Nachthimmel
Polarlicht
Polarlicht
Polarlicht
Von Alaska bis Kiruna
Von Alaska bis Kiruna
Tänzer am Firmament
Scheine scheine scheine scheine
@augustocaie
Polarlicht Polarlicht Polarlicht
Scheine scheine...
Polarlicht...
Von Alaska bis Kiruna
Von Alaska bis Kiruna
Scheine scheine...
Polarlicht...
Sturm zwischen den Sternen
Fackeln am Horizont !
Brenne brenne...
Aura am Nachthimmel
Polarlicht...
(Tänzer am firmament)
Scheine scheine...
@divisionfledermaus
One of if not the most underrated band in Germany.
@stephie.m
Agree. Together with Propaganda.
@woody5831
They might be reforming later this year.
@user-nt6ct1vb4d
@@woody5831wonderful news
@tambocha
To this day I keep hearing "Órale" instead of "Polarlicht." That kind of makes me happy.
@kittenkittenmiau
Same here.
@Senator107
Órale!!!
@duantorruellas716
tambocha , me too hahaha but i love it so much she could pee down my back hahahaha