# What's the interpretation of Rammstein's "Amerika"? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 15, 2004, 7:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-interpretation-of-rammsteins-amerika/279941 "2004-12-15T07:39:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![WeRSauron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f19dbf/32.png) [@WeRSauron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WeRSauron)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2004, 7:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-interpretation-of-rammsteins-amerika/279941/1 "2004-12-15T07:39:23Z")
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 ---
**Author:** ![WeRSauron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f19dbf/32.png) [@WeRSauron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WeRSauron)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2004, 7:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-interpretation-of-rammsteins-amerika/279941/2 "2004-12-15T07:41:59Z")
Em, sorry. That should be: when English-speakers render “America” _as_ “Amerika.” WRS - I even previewed! Darn short words. ---
**Author:** ![Coil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Coil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coil)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2004, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-interpretation-of-rammsteins-amerika/279941/3 "2004-12-15T12:40:07Z")
Good topic. 🙂 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. ---
**Author:** ![smiling\_bandit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@smiling\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smiling_bandit)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2004, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-interpretation-of-rammsteins-amerika/279941/4 "2004-12-15T15:15:08Z")
```auto http://www.serve.com/shea/oddsends.htm ``` Its just how it is. No “Amerikkka” involved. ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2004, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-interpretation-of-rammsteins-amerika/279941/5 "2004-12-15T18:51:51Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2004, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-interpretation-of-rammsteins-amerika/279941/6 "2004-12-15T19:04:40Z")
_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._ ---
**Author:** ![WeRSauron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f19dbf/32.png) [@WeRSauron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WeRSauron)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2004, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-interpretation-of-rammsteins-amerika/279941/7 "2004-12-15T20:01:24Z")
Oh, wow. This song actually has a meaning and is complex. Quite different from what’s around now. Rammstein is cool. 🙂 WRS ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2004, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-interpretation-of-rammsteins-amerika/279941/8 "2004-12-15T20:18:21Z")
In general, intelligent lyrics are much more common in European music than American. ---
**Author:** ![WeRSauron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f19dbf/32.png) [@WeRSauron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WeRSauron)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2004, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-interpretation-of-rammsteins-amerika/279941/9 "2004-12-16T03:53:54Z")
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