Amerika (No, thats not a typo)

[Just-Legal]

Rammstein - German Industrial Band, famed for their single about a cannibal (Mein Teil - My Love) - are releasing a new single titled Amerika. Both the video and song are pretty critical about the influence of America over the world.

Classic lines, "We all live in Amerika, Amerika, its wunderbar" and "Coca-Cola, Wonderbra, Coca-Cola, sometimes war"

Bush is gonna hate it, but I kinda have to wonder if this is how they really feel, or if its being done for publicity, or both? I adore this band, and they've not been afraid to be contraversial before (The video for Sonne - Sun - featured a drug addicted Snow White, and the Ich Will - I Want - video had various references to past dictatorships ect).

Anyone got any thoughts?


(EDIT: Edited because I kept spelling Amerika as Amerkia... ROFL)

 

[SnoopDog]

I like Rammstein. They are a cool band that I, even though they creep me out by their appearance and especially their lyrics sometimes (since I understand the lyrics), really enjoy listening to.

I never heard a song by them that I disliked.
I don't possess an album or anything but know a few good songs (Engel, Sonne, Mutter, Feuer Frei, Du Hast, Halleluja, Mein Teil, Amerika)
Even the controversial 'Mein Teil' , obviously referring to the canniballistic murder in Germany some time ago, is a good song.

The video to 'Amerika' juststarted to air on MTV over here and I have seen parts of it. I have to say that it seems like it's one of their inferior songs, still a good tune.

The lyrics are really not typical for Rammstein since they are less shocking but more political.

Anyways, any song that is critical about American politics is a good song in my opinion.

Snoopy

 

[Just-Legal]

Never said it was a bad song, though it seems a tad more commercial.

 

[SnoopDog]

Never said it was a bad song, though it seems a tad more commercial.

I understand. You're right. It's more commercial.
Then again in the US Rammstein has always been very popular so all their music is 'kinda' commercial over there.

Now over here, it's a complete different thing. Most people feel offended by their music and especially lyrics.
Guess it must be that american guys don't understand what they're saying.

Snoopy

 

[tolyk]

I understand. You're right. It's more commercial.
Then again in the US Rammstein has always been very popular so all their music is 'kinda' commercial over there.

Now over here, it's a complete different thing. Most people feel offended by their music and especially lyrics.
Guess it must be that american guys don't understand what they're saying.

Snoopy

It really isn't hard to find translated versions of their lyrics, just like any other "foreign" band, for us here in North America.

I've not personally heard many of their songs, but I got tired of Du Hast a very long time ago.. When one of my wife's friends kept saying Du Hast every 5 seconds, every time she was around.. *shudder*

(Picture it, a louisianan drawl trying to speak german, when she can barely speak english...... very grating on the nerves )

 

[SnoopDog]

It really isn't hard to find translated versions of their lyrics, just like any other "foreign" band, for us here in North America.

I've not personally heard many of their songs, but I got tired of Du Hast a very long time ago.. When one of my wife's friends kept saying Du Hast every 5 seconds, every time she was around.. *shudder*

(Picture it, a louisianan drawl trying to speak german, when she can barely speak english...... very grating on the nerves )

I'm trying to imagine what it sounds like when an american says 'Du Hast'....I just can't figure it out.

I think 'Du Hast' is one of their weaker songs that really was stretched out too far. Yet I enjoy listening to it once in a while.

My most favourite is 'Engel' followed by 'Feuer Frei'/''Mutter'

Snoopy

 

[R. Richard]

Bush is gonna hate it, but I kinda have to wonder if this is how they really feel, or if its being done for publicity, or both? I adore this band, and they've not been afraid to be contraversial before (The video for Sonne - Sun - featured a drug addicted Snow White, and the Ich Will - I Want - video had various references to past dictatorships ect).

Anyone got any thoughts?

When I was in college, I had to take German. I found out that the school library did not have German newspapers and never would. The reason was that the German (and European) view of the US is not a kindly one.

 

[Guest]

Re: Re: Amerika (No, thats not a typo)

When I was in college, I had to take German. I found out that the school library did not have German newspapers and never would. The reason was that the German (and European) view of the US is not a kindly one.

What a censorius attitude for an educational institution.

Perdita

 

[dr_mabeuse]

but I kinda have to wonder if this is how they really feel, or if its being done for publicity, or both? I adore this band, and they've not been afraid to be contraversial before (The video for Sonne - Sun - featured a drug addicted Snow White, and the Ich Will - I Want - video had various references to past dictatorships ect).

Spelling it as 'Amerika' or even 'AmeriKKKa' was an old trope from the 60's and '70's.

I don't know anything about the band, but I think it's pretty safe to say that the world no longer considers America to be a Shining Beacon of Hope & Justice or an example of all that's best in mankind.

The impression I get is that we're now seen as reckless, selfish, and hypocritical, and the most dangerous nation on the face of the earth. But you could ask some non-American Litsters too.

---dr.M.

 

[shereads]

Luc Legal, I wouldn't count on GWB hating this video. He'd have to know it exists first. Then he'd have to care what people think who aren't part of his base.

 

[Guest]

Georgi W Bish is the greatest champion of the world!
30-28-2 (22KOs)

 

[Black Tulip]

I've heard of the band, my son keeps me informed. LOL

I kind of liked Sonne.

I guess their lyrics are more or less an expression of their opinion, why wouldn't it? And yes, a lot of people are getting a bit fed up with the GWB show on terrorism.

Personally, I'm more angry with my own government for following along like a faithful puppy instead of using their own brains.

 

[Guest]

 

[Guest]

(was just feeling left out) P.

 

[killallhippies]

Re: Re: Amerika (No, thats not a typo)

Spelling it as 'Amerika' or even 'AmeriKKKa' was an old trope from the 60's and '70's.

franz kafka must have been a bit ahead of the curve then.

 

[Lying Eyes]

I was expecting something about Franz Kafka's work, not anything on German industrial bands.

Have I told you how much I like you Just-Legal?

 

[Liar]

Classic lines, "We all live in Amerika, Amerika, its wunderbar" and "Coca-Cola, Wonderbra, Coca-Cola, sometimes war"

I haven't heard this new one yet, but do they mix languages in the lyrics now?

Rammstein is a band that I have had a little trouble getting into. I really like their style, but I found that sheer volume and a noteworthy stage show had more redeeming value than the actual quality of the songs.

But either way, I think they deserve a nod for becoming a big hit in the US, with a repertoir manly on German.

#L

 

[Guest]

(was just feeling left out) P.

Nevermind

 

[cantdog]

Re: Re: Re: Amerika (No, thats not a typo)

What a censorius attitude for an educational institution.

Perdita

Perhaps it was not really an educational institution.

 

[Just-Legal]

I was expecting something about Franz Kafka's work, not anything on German industrial bands.

Have I told you how much I like you Just-Legal?

Not before, but that quote is sooo going in my sig line *snickers*

Black Tulip - Lets NOT get me started on lapdog governments *fumes*

 

[Just-Legal]

Re: Re: Amerika (No, thats not a typo)

I haven't heard this new one yet, but do they mix languages in the lyrics now?

Rammstein is a band that I have had a little trouble getting into. I really like their style, but I found that sheer volume and a noteworthy stage show had more redeeming value than the actual quality of the songs.

But either way, I think they deserve a nod for becoming a big hit in the US, with a repertoir manly on German.

#L

Yes, in this song they do, I think its part of the statement about America's "taking over of the world". If you ever catch the video you'll see what I mean.

The stage show is just... amazing. I HAVE to see them live before I die. Must admit I had a bit of a giggle when the London Astoria tried to tell them they couldn't have their pyrotechnics... The fans would have revolted if that had gone ahead!

And yes, they do.

That and they deserve a nod for managing to still look hot in the Sonne video despite being covered in dirt... Ahm.

 

[CrazyyAngel]

Re: Re: Amerika (No, thats not a typo)

The impression I get is that we're now seen as reckless, selfish, and hypocritical, and the most dangerous nation on the face of the earth. But you could ask some non-American Litsters too.

I am a non-American Litster. You are right.

CA

 

[Just-Legal]

Durn! I knew I had another response to make! Ya beat me to it

 

[Xelebes]

I find the song to be a bit more ironic - as someone brought up the term GWB's War on Terror. Rammstein is industrial - the concept being that what we are leading ourselves, our society to is a lot grimmer. It's sort of a defeatist attitude, but in sort of a way, it kind of reminds us not to corrupt what we have and to aim for better, thus very much anthemic.

Thus, this song is ok to be abit political. The message is a lot more direct.

Also, for another twist of irony, the famous phrase/audio clip "War on Terror" has kind of replaced the meaning of some genres. For example, a branch of industrial/rave is terrorcore, where the music is insanely hard and dirty/grungey and borrows a lot more gor/macabre motifs than industrial. Before 2000, it was all about crazy gothic and macabre references but now since the famous quote/audio clip/sample "War on Terror" has kind of permeated into the genre and has become a staple for the genre.

A very good example of this is DJ Plague's - The War on Terror