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
Young Man
Xmal Deutschland Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Young man may die
Young man may die
Young man may die
Glück ist für dich wie ein Schiff
Es sucht und fährt und fährt und fährt und fährt
Und findet keinen Hafen
Young man may die
Irgendwann
Schliesst sich die Tür
Für dich für dich für dich
Young man may die
Und deine Hoffnung wird versickern
Wie eine Perle im Sand
Wie eine Perle im Sand
Young man may die
Young man may die
Und meine nägel rissen dir
Spuren ins Fleisch
Und meine nägel rissen dir
Spuren ins Fleisch
The song "Young Man" by Xmal Deutschland is a haunting and introspective track that explores the fragility of life and the futility of hope. The repetition of the phrase "Young man may die" creates a sense of foreboding and finality, conveying a message that death is an inevitable part of life. The lyrics suggest that happiness and contentment are elusive concepts that can never be fully realized, symbolized by the metaphor of a ship that sails aimlessly without ever finding a safe harbor.
The second verse describes the closing of a door, hinting at the finality of death and the inevitability of its arrival. The imagery of hope "versickern" or sinking like a pearl into the sand emphasizes the transience of life and the fleeting nature of joy. The closing lines of the song are particularly dark, describing the act of physically harming another person. The nails that "ripped into flesh" suggest a sense of pain and desperation, suggesting that hopelessness can lead to destructive behaviors.
Overall, "Young Man" is a powerful and introspective song that reflects on the fragility of life, the inevitability of death, and the transient nature of happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
Young man may die
The possibility of a young man dying is present throughout the song, repeatedly emphasized
Glück ist für dich wie ein Schiff
Happiness for you is like a ship that searches and sails but never finds a port
Es sucht und fährt und fährt und fährt und fährt
The ship keeps searching and sailing endlessly, without any real direction or purpose
Und findet keinen Hafen
The ship never finds a safe harbor or a place to call home
Irgendwann
At some point in time
Schliesst sich die Tür
The door closes
Für dich für dich für dich
For you, for you, for you
Und deine Hoffnung wird versickern
And your hope will drain away
Wie eine Perle im Sand
Like a pearl lost in the sand
Und meine nägel rissen dir
And my nails tore into your flesh
Spuren ins Fleisch
Leaving marks on your skin
Contributed by Peyton 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...