An Ironic and Satirical Take on Germanness (2001)
Abstract
Performed by “Die Prinzen,” the pop song “Deutschland” (“Germany”) offers up an irreverent, satirical take on stereotypical German qualities and habits. The playful but pointed lyrics are the work of German songwriter Steve Van Velvet. The song pokes fun at certain aspects of Germanness and German culture while posing thought-provoking questions about patriotism/chauvinism, xenophobia, and other social issues.
Source
Die Prinzen, “Deutschland” (“Germany”)
German, German, German,
German, German, German
Of course it was a German who invented “Wanna Bet?”
Thanks for the hours of entertainment.
As customers, we’re as sweet as honey,
We’re modest, we’ve got money.
The very best in every sport,
The tax system here breaks all records.
Travel through Germany
And stay awhile!
You’re the kind of visitor who makes us smile.
If you like it, you can live here, boy or girl
We’re the friendliest people in the world.
German, German, German, German
There’s just one thing that makes no sense
That [Michael] Schumacher doesn’t drive a Mercedes Benz
(A Mercedes Benz)
All this is Germany,
That much is clear,
Can’t find it overseas,
Just here, just here.
All this is Germany,
That much is clear,
We live and we die here.
German, German, German,
German, German, German
When it comes to Germany, some folks believe all the hype.
And some enjoy acting like complete asswipes.
Some like to complain about immigration
And fly to Thailand every year for a fornication vacation.
We love our cars more than our bitches,
Cause German cars will never ditch us.
God only kissed the Earth one single time
Right on the spot that we call “Heim.”
We’re the best everywhere, also in the sack,
We are especially nice
to dogs and cats.
All this is Germany,
That much is clear,
Can’t find it overseas,
Just here, just here.
All this is Germany,
That much is clear,
We live and we die here.
We are especially handy with our fists,
And can also be relied upon as arsonists.
For us, order and cleanliness are king.
We’ll go to war over any old thing.
Kind regards to the world, it’s time for y’all to see.
We can be proud of Germany
(Germany, Germany.)
Swine, swine, swine, swine
Swine, swine, swine, swine
All this is Germany,
That much is clear,
Can’t find it overseas,
Just here, just here.
All this is Germany,
That much is clear,
We live and we die here.
All this is Germany,
That much is clear,
Can’t find it overseas,
Just here, just here.
All this is Germany,
That much is clear,
We live and we die here.
Source: Deutschland by Steve Van Velvet. Copyright © 2001 Edition Boogiesongs (GEMA). All Rights Administered by WC Music Corp. All Rights Reserved. Reproduced by Permission of Alfred Music.
Further Reading
Michael Ahlers and Christoph Jacke, Perspectives on German Popular Music. New York: Routledge, 2018.
Cornelia Wilhelm, Migration, Memory, and Diversity. Germany from 1945 to the Present. New York: Berghahn Books, 2016.