Rammstein’s “Engel” Lyrics Meaning
There are two prevailing theories as to the meaning of Rammstein’s “Engel”, both of which are plausible – or perhaps better-stated interconnected. But first off it should be noted that the word “engel” translates from German into English as “angel”. Thus two factors that can be conclusively ascertained from this track is that it deals with these spiritual beings and also the afterlife.
And in that regard, neither angels nor the afterlife, as in going to “heaven”, are presented as ideal in this song. “Angels” are referred to as lonely, fearful, confused, “fading souls” and “ashen white” despite being immortal. So that is one theory behind the track, that Rammstein is questioning not the existence but rather the validity of the afterlife, as in viewing “paradise” as a place inhabited by these tortured beings.
That brings us to the second theory, or perhaps what we should call the ultimate conclusion of this track. Being that the singer perceives angels in such a way, he has no intention of becoming one. Or put differently, he proclaims that ‘when he dies’ he will “not” do so as an angel. That is to say that, based on the beliefs delineated in the previous paragraph, becoming an angel – which is likely a metaphor for making a conscientious effort to live an upright life or something along those lines – has no appeal to him, and in a wider context neither does going to heaven.
Facts about “Engel”
- The chorus of this track features a female voice. That is actually Christiane “Bobo” Hebold of the German pop band White Wooden Houses.
- The music video to “Engel” was inspired by the 1996 Quentin Tarantino flick From Dusk till Dawn.
- “Engel” makes somewhat of a cameo in a 2017 episode of “Twin Peaks”, as one of the characters (Gordon Cole) whistles the song.
- The band also produced the track alongside their long-time collaborator, Jacob Hellner.
- “Engel” was officially released by Motor Music on 1 April 1997. It is featured on Rammstein’s second studio album, “Sehnsucht”.
Who wrote Rammstein’s “Engel”?
The entirety of Rammstein composed this track. The official writers of the track are therefore as follows:
- Till Lindemann
- Richard Z. Kruspe
- Paul Landers
- Oliver Riedel
- Christian “Flake” Lorenz
- Christoph “Doom” Schneider
Am I the only one seeing images of elite child abuse and torture in this videoclip? They are burning the children at the end for goodness sake.
I picked up on that and the Panda eyed children. I was hoping that this was an anti trafficking song.
This is what brought me here!!! Finding now answers… im thinking by the interpretation of this song… that those babies are not symbols for antitrafficking in this song 🙁 “symbols will be their downfall” i think they are admitting something with this song 🙁
Dude, WTF! Why can’t people sing a f—ing song without someone thinking that they believe in the sh-t? If they did, you think they’d be still be globetrotting and singing these amazing songs in their beautiful Vatertoungue? No! They’d be all in cells in Deutschland! All of you assholes are so shallow, it’s unbelievable the kinda sh-t YOU believe in. You think if they liked child abuse they’d be German and NOT be Na–s? Well, sh-t, use your logic
Exactly my thoughts as well, I wish I hadn’t seen the video now. I literally googled why there are panda children in Engel and that’s how I got here.
I gasped when I saw Panda kids in a cage. WTF. At first I thought maybe they were trying to save them, nope.
Rammstein has been famous for over 20 years.They are not creeps. I met them years ago …. They like women.
I interpret it as victims like these poor children are those who become angels- hence his choosing not to be a victim/Angel and to Fight Back.
Real fans who actually understand their message – get it
Yeah, nah, they don’t believe in the child abuse sh-t, they just singing a song, one about angels and sh-t and stripping and paradise and sh-t, just sit back, find a balance on your life and enjoy. I’m soooooo high!
Panda eyes did cross my mind for a mere second.. I watched and read up about the song and meaning before I cast a harsh judgment.. I’m a God fearing Christian and I’m well aware of heaven and hell.. And if a child doesn’t want to be a angel in heaven.. Then satan and his demons have changed a child’s mind.. It’s sad to know that hell has children too.
Probably that’s why they turned YouTube comments off I was wondering about the kids thing also seems a lot of people do
They turned the comments off because too many people were calling them Nazis
Probably that’s why they turned YouTube comments off probably a lot of people wondering the same thing so f up
I like the song and my interpretation is the elites who are partying have abused and sacrificed the children, and with the adult also becoming a victim, the message is that the innocent as well as the not so innocent are potential victims of the elite class. Did they become angels? It seems their souls are trapped.
Or maybe whey just want to open eyes to sleepers about that child se×trafic
I saw a live video. Don’t know what the rest of you imagined.
They mean the music video