What's the interpretation of Rammstein's "Amerika"?

Cafe Society
1

I just saw the video to Rammstein’s “Amerika.”

Two questions:

  1. What’s the slant of this song? It seems it’s not necessarily anti-America but more a recognition of American cultural imperialism or, even better, the assimilation of Americana with local cultures and traditions. But is this all?

  2. Is there a reason it’s named “Amerika” instead of “America”? The song is in English and German, but what language is the title supposed to be in? (There’s a very certain connotation when English-speakers render “America” and “Amerika.”)

WRS

2

Em, sorry. That should be: when English-speakers render “America” as “Amerika.”

WRS - I even previewed! Darn short words.

3

Good topic. :slight_smile:

I tend to agree with your analysis. I do not see it as a completely anti-american song, instead it recognises American influences on the world and these can be seen both as good and bad.

What I find interesting is the part in the end where he sings “This is not a lovesong … I don’t sing my mother tongue”. What’s your interpreation of that?

I see the title as being in German and then Amerika would be the correct spelling.

4 
http://www.serve.com/shea/oddsends.htm

Its just how it is. No “Amerikkka” involved.

5

Here’s the song and my translation.

Amerika v. Rammstein

We’re all living in Amerika
Amerika ist wunderbar (Amerika is Wonderful)
We’re all living in Amerika
Amerika
Amerika

We’re all living in Amerika
Amerika ist wunderbar (Amerika is Wonderful)
We’re all living in Amerika
Amerika
Amerika

Wenn getanzt wird will ich führen
Auch wenn ihr euch alleine dreht
Lasst euch ein wenig kontrollieren
Ich zeige euch wie’s richtig geht

Wir bilden einen lieben Reigen
Die Freiheit spielt auf allen Geigen
Musik kommt aus dem Weißen Haus
Und vor Paris steht Mickey Maus

We’re all living in Amerika
Amerika ist wunderbar
We’re all living in Amerika
Amerika
Amerika

Ich kenne Schritte die sehr nützen
Und werde euch vor Fehltritt schützen
Und wer nicht tanzen will am Schluss
Weiß noch nicht dass er tanzen muss

Wir bilden einen lieben Reigen
Ich werde euch die Richtung zeigen
Nach Afrika kommt Santa Claus
Und vor Paris steht Mickey Maus

We’re all living in Amerika
Amerika ist wunderbar
We’re all living in Amerika
Amerika
Amerika

We’re all living in Amerika
Coca-Cola, Wonderbra
We’re all living in Amerika
Amerika
Amerika

This is not a love song
This is not a love song
I don’t sing my mother tongue
No, this is not a love song

We’re all living in Amerika
Amerika ist wunderbar
We’re all living in Amerika
Amerika
Amerika

We’re all living in Amerika
Coca-Cola, sometimes war
We’re all living in Amerika
Amerika
Amerika

We’re all living in Amerika
Amerika ist wunderbar (Amerika is Wonderful)
We’re all living in Amerika
Amerika
Amerika

We’re all living in Amerika
Amerika ist wunderbar (Amerika is Wonderful)
We’re all living in Amerika
Amerika
Amerika

If we’re dancing, I want to lead,
And if you’re twirling alone
leave us a little control.
I’ll show you the right way.

We’re havin’ a helluva hoedown (squaredance).
and freedom is playing from every Fiddle.
(The) Music is coming from the White House
and in front of Paris stands Mickey Mouse.

We’re all living in Amerika
Amerika ist wunderbar
We’re all living in Amerika
Amerika
Amerika

I know some (dance)steps that are very useful
and will protect from a misstep
And whoever doesn’t want to dance when it’s over
still doesn’t know that they must.

We’re havin’ a helluva hoedown (squaredance).
and I’ll show you the direction
Santa Claus comes from Amerika
and in front of Paris stands Mickey Mouse

We’re all living in Amerika
Amerika ist wunderbar
We’re all living in Amerika
Amerika
Amerika

We’re all living in Amerika
Coca-Cola, Wonderbra
We’re all living in Amerika
Amerika
Amerika

This is not a love song
This is not a love song
I don’t sing my mother tongue
No, this is not a love song

We’re all living in Amerika
Amerika ist wunderbar
We’re all living in Amerika
Amerika
Amerika

We’re all living in Amerika
Coca-Cola, sometimes war
We’re all living in Amerika
Amerika
Amerika
Basically there’s a big world hoedown and America is the Square Dance Caller.
They’re dancin our dance to our music and our call…
Amerika is just the German word for America. Truthful and only slightly ironic, as the shoe is on the other dance foot. Shoe fits, wear it… I guess.

6

If we’re dancing, I want to lead,
And if you’re twirling alone
leave us a little control.
I’ll show you the right way.

after reviewing this…a better translation for this verse would be

If we’re dancing, I want to lead,
And if you’re twirling alone
let yourself be controlled a little.
I’ll show you the right way.

7

Oh, wow. This song actually has a meaning and is complex. Quite different from what’s around now.

Rammstein is cool. :slight_smile:

WRS

8

In general, intelligent lyrics are much more common in European music than American.

9

This song seems to have messages through subtle means.

  1. A common phrase in the song is, “We’re all living in America.” Who is “we all”? I suppose everyone on earth, emphasizing the worldwide reach of American culture (also shown in images such as Africans gathering to watch TV and eat pizza after traditional practices; an Indian man (Sikh maybe?) dressed traditionally but smoking American cigarettes; a Japanese young man seemingly influenced by American fashion and grooming).

  2. “This is not a love song, I don’t sing my mother tongue.” It’s obvious he’s not singing in his mother tongue - he’s German singing, in part, in English. Shows how Americana overshadows local culture and traditions.

  3. Santa Claus and MJickey Mouse - I suppose these figures would not be so familiar throughout the world were it not for Americana. These are other symbols, like Coca Cola and wonderbras (which he mentions as well in the song), of Americana found throughout the world. These back up point 1 above.

  4. “Coca Cola, sometimes war.” This is in contrast to “Coca Cola, wonderbra” earlier in the song. The fruits of Americana are not all positive or peaceful - Americana also is involved in wars, although perhaps less Americana and more the American government. The American government has, throughout history, have involved itself in wars throughout the world. But the “sometimes” is also important: the major presence and influence of Americana is in consumerism rather than politics or warfare.

How off am I?

And why are we Americans so stupid that we can’t have deep songs as a common feature? (“Slow Hands” by Interpol is a great example - not only not deep, it makes no sense whatsoever.)

WRS