All of us, every single man, woman, and child on the face of the Earth were born with the same unalienable rights; to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. And, if the governments of the world can't get that through their thick skulls, then, regime change will be necessary.
Saturday, April 04, 2009
What Obama Wants
This is an excellent video on the topic at hand. It uses a song on its soundtrack from some German metal band.
If anyone knows the name of the band, please share. Thanks
Just for the record, I am NOT accusing Rammstein of Anti-Semitism,
but,
http://german.about.com/library/blrammst.htm
The German band known as Rammstein is unique in that it has managed to become popular in the English-speaking world by singing almost exclusively in German. Most other German artists or groups (think the Scorpions or Alphaville) have sung in English in order to reach the English-language market-or they sing in German and remain virtually unknown in the Anglo-American world (think Herbert Grönemeyer). But Rammstein has somehow turned their German lyrics into an advantage. It certainly can become an advantage for learning German.
But Rammstein has also stirred up controversy on their road to fame. One of the latest incidents involved their use of clips from the works of the Nazi filmmaker Leni Riefenstahl in one of their music videos. Even before that, their lyrics and images had given rise to criticism that the band has neo-Nazi or far right tendencies. With German lyrics that are often far from politically correct, their music was even linked to the Columbine, Colorado school shooting. Some British and American radio stations have refused to play Rammstein songs (even if they don't understand the German lyrics).
While there is no real evidence that any of Rammstein's six eastern German musicians themselves hold such right-wing beliefs, some people are either a little naive or in denial when they claim that Rammstein has done nothing to lead people to suspect the band of fascist leanings. The band itself has been a bit coy in their claims of "why would anyone accuse us of such things?" In light of some of their lyrics, they really should not pretend to be so innocent. The band members themselves have admitted they intentionally make their lyrics ambiguous and full of double entendre ("Zweideutigkeit").
However... I personally refuse to join those who totally reject artists for their supposed or actual political views. There are people who won't listen to Richard Wagner operas because he was antisemitic (which he was). For me, the talent evident in Wagner's music rises above other considerations. Just because I condemn his antisemitism doesn't mean I can't appreciate his music. The same goes for Leni Riefenstahl. Her former Nazi connections are undeniable, but so is her cinematic and photographic talent. If we choose or reject music, cinema or any art form only for political reasons, then we are missing the point of art.
But if you're going to listen to Rammstein's lyrics and their meaning, don't be naive about it. Yes, you can learn German through their lyrics, but be aware that those lyrics may have offensive overtones of a political, religious, sexual or social nature that people have a right to object to. (Not everyone is comfortable with lyrics about sadistic sex or the use of the f-word - even if it's in German.) If Rammstein's lyrics make people think about issues from fascism to misogyny, then that's for the good. If listeners also learn some German in the process, so much the better!
I don't want to diminish or augment any discussion about this clip. But between the wars a lot of propagandistic art was used. Swiss, German, Russian, French; I don't care.
The Nazis got a huge deeeeeeeep gulp with their supremacist theories when John Woodruff won.
Nowadays,statistically speaking, one can't disprove nor deny the contribution of non-aryan athletes to the Olympic games. It is beyond ridiculous and I think Rammestein saw it the same way. I also think it is not coincidental this clip was their first (and few) songs in English.
This is one band I have not seen but they they rock, I learnt about them from my sons who happened to catch them in Czecko, at the concert that was used in the film XXX. the track is Feuer Frei
The venue was an old bombed out cathedral, it was a great place for concerts, I happened to see The Young Gods there
11 comments:
Rammstein-Ich will.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlPhAmaFtVE
I love Ramstein - nobody does industrial metal like the Germans!
If Barack Obama's other orifice could speak, what would he say?(parody) BHO Taileprompter
Thanks, Andre for the tip.
Wow, I do not like Rammstein at all. But, this is a perfect coupling of a band I hate and a President I dislike intensely.
Just for the record, I am NOT accusing Rammstein of Anti-Semitism,
but,
http://german.about.com/library/blrammst.htm
The German band known as Rammstein is unique in that it has managed to become popular in the English-speaking world by singing almost exclusively in German. Most other German artists or groups (think the Scorpions or Alphaville) have sung in English in order to reach the English-language market-or they sing in German and remain virtually unknown in the Anglo-American world (think Herbert Grönemeyer). But Rammstein has somehow turned their German lyrics into an advantage. It certainly can become an advantage for learning German.
But Rammstein has also stirred up controversy on their road to fame. One of the latest incidents involved their use of clips from the works of the Nazi filmmaker Leni Riefenstahl in one of their music videos. Even before that, their lyrics and images had given rise to criticism that the band has neo-Nazi or far right tendencies. With German lyrics that are often far from politically correct, their music was even linked to the Columbine, Colorado school shooting. Some British and American radio stations have refused to play Rammstein songs (even if they don't understand the German lyrics).
While there is no real evidence that any of Rammstein's six eastern German musicians themselves hold such right-wing beliefs, some people are either a little naive or in denial when they claim that Rammstein has done nothing to lead people to suspect the band of fascist leanings. The band itself has been a bit coy in their claims of "why would anyone accuse us of such things?" In light of some of their lyrics, they really should not pretend to be so innocent. The band members themselves have admitted they intentionally make their lyrics ambiguous and full of double entendre ("Zweideutigkeit").
However... I personally refuse to join those who totally reject artists for their supposed or actual political views. There are people who won't listen to Richard Wagner operas because he was antisemitic (which he was). For me, the talent evident in Wagner's music rises above other considerations. Just because I condemn his antisemitism doesn't mean I can't appreciate his music. The same goes for Leni Riefenstahl. Her former Nazi connections are undeniable, but so is her cinematic and photographic talent. If we choose or reject music, cinema or any art form only for political reasons, then we are missing the point of art.
But if you're going to listen to Rammstein's lyrics and their meaning, don't be naive about it. Yes, you can learn German through their lyrics, but be aware that those lyrics may have offensive overtones of a political, religious, sexual or social nature that people have a right to object to. (Not everyone is comfortable with lyrics about sadistic sex or the use of the f-word - even if it's in German.) If Rammstein's lyrics make people think about issues from fascism to misogyny, then that's for the good. If listeners also learn some German in the process, so much the better!
I know, it is the clip called "Stripped".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbUej2HRKaY
I still have to say they are the only music band singing in German I ever heard in Israel.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfHlA3fmJG0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9DdyBHxGXQ
Andre,
That Stipped video is beautiful. Wow.
Pastorius,
I don't want to diminish or augment any discussion about this clip. But between the wars a lot of propagandistic art was used. Swiss, German, Russian, French; I don't care.
The Nazis got a huge deeeeeeeep gulp with their supremacist theories when John Woodruff won.
Nowadays,statistically speaking, one can't disprove nor deny the contribution of non-aryan athletes to the Olympic games. It is beyond ridiculous and I think Rammestein saw it the same way. I also think it is not coincidental this clip was their first (and few) songs in English.
Andre,
I wasn't being sarcastic. I was truly expressing my feeling on watching the video. It is absolutely beautiful.
I am stunned.
This is one band I have not seen but they they rock, I learnt about them from my sons who happened to catch them in Czecko, at the concert that was used in the film XXX. the track is Feuer Frei
The venue was an old bombed out cathedral, it was a great place for concerts, I happened to see The Young Gods there
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