German Metal Music / Rammstein

Hello Class:

While I was seeking out a copy of the haunting East German national anthem on youtube, I came the across the dependably strange Rammstein video catalogue. Rammstein is a German 'dance-metal' band, that writes and sings their songs in German for a huge global audience, most of whom can not speak the German language. So, I guess lots of non-Germans just like the sounds of the music, not the words. What do you think?

But, why am I posting a Rammstein video for an 8th grade social studies class?

Well, most of the band members grew up in the former Communist East Germany.

(East Germans suffered under the cruel and oppressive Soviet-style government. Remember how the East German people poured over the border for the first time in 1989, when they were given permission to leave? Certainly, many people dreamed of American style freedoms while growing up in such a restrictive society.)

16 years later.....
The following song is called "Amerika". It seems to be both critical and complimentary of the USA.

What do you think?

I have posted a portion of the lyrics below the video.

By the way, please comment on this video (besides: "totally weird") in the Comments section.

One last note: this concert was held in Southern France, played by a German band, who were singing about "Amerika", sometimes in English. Note all the American flags in the audience.

What do you think?






Amerika Translation:

We're all living in America,
America is wunderbar.
We're all living in America,
Amerika, Amerika.


I know steps that are very useful,
and I'll protect you from missteps,
and anyone who doesn't want to dance in the end,
just doesn't know that he has to dance!
We form a nice round (circle),
I'll show you the right direction,
to Africa goes Santa Claus,
and near Paris stands Mickey Mouse.

We're all living in America,
America is wunderbar.
We're all living in America,
Amerika, Amerika.
We're all living in America,
Coca-Cola, Wonderbra,
We're all living in America,
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 America,
Amerika is wunderbar.
We're all living in America,
Amerika, Amerika.