Feuer und Wasser by Rammstein Lyrics Meaning – Diving into the Tumultuous Interplay of Desire and Disconnection

You can view the lyrics, alternate interprations and sheet music for Rammstein's Feuer und Wasser at Lyrics.org.

Lyrics

Wenn sie Brust schwimmt ist das schön
Dann kann ich in ihr Zentrum sehn
Nicht dass die Brust das Schöne wär
Ich schwimm ihr einfach hinterher
Funkenstaub fließt aus der Mitte
Ein Feuerwerk springt aus dem Schritt

Feuer und Wasser kommt nicht zusammen
Kann man nicht binden sind nicht verwandt
In Funken versunken steh ich in Flammen
Und bin im Wasser verbrannt
Im Wasser verbrannt

Wenn sie nackt schwimmt ist das schön
Dann will ich sie von hinten sehn
Nicht dass die Brüste reizvoll wären
Die Beine öffnen sich wie Scheren
Dann leuchtet heiß aus dem Versteck
Die Flamme aus dem Schenkeleck

Sie schwimmt vorbei bemerkt mich nicht
Ich bin ihr Schatten sie steht im Licht
Da ist keine Hoffnung und keine Zuversicht denn

Feuer und Wasser kommt nicht zusammen
Kann man nicht binden sind nicht verwandt
In Funken versunken steh ich in Flammen
Und bin im Wasser verbrannt
Im Wasser verbrannt

So kocht das Blut in meinen Lenden
Ich halt sie fest mit nassen Händen
Glatt wie ein Fisch und kalt wie Eis
Sie wird sich nicht an mich verschwenden
Ich weiß

Feuer und Wasser kommt nie zusammen
Kann man nicht binden sind nicht verwandt
In Funken versunken steh ich in Flammen
Und bin im Wasser verbrannt
Im Wasser verbrannt

Feuer und Wasser kommt nie zusammen
Kann man nicht binden sind nicht verwandt
In Funken versunken steh ich in Flammen
Und bin im Wasser verbrannt
Im Wasser verbrannt

Rammstein, known for their electrifying performances and deeply provocative lyrics, delivers yet another masterpiece with ‘Feuer und Wasser’, a song that artfully navigates the tempestuous dance of fiery passion and the chill of unattainable desire. The song’s rich symbolism and visceral imagery conjure a world where the elemental forces of fire and water metaphorically represent the complexities of human connections and the ironic nature of desire—that which is most yearned for is often out of reach.

As we peel back the layers of ‘Feuer und Wasser’, we encounter not only a portrait of lust and obsession but also a profound commentary on the nature of relationships and human emotion. Intricately woven with poetic fineness, the song invites listeners to delve into the internal conflicts and paradoxes that accompany intense attraction and the inherent separation in the act of coveting.

A Fiery Yearning in Chilly Waters: Unpacking Passion and Detachment

Rammstein’s lyrical prowess shines as they juxtapose the heat of desire with the coolness of detachment in ‘Feuer und Wasser’. The song depicts an individual’s intense attraction to another, symbolized by fire, clashing with the stark reality of unreciprocated feelings, symbolized by water. Fire’s seductive dance, its spark and energy, becomes muted and extinguished in the enveloping embrace of water, pointing to the painful realization that closeness remains an illusion.

This motif of unfulfilled longing is crafted not only through the overt imagery of the lyrics but also through the meticulous arrangement of music that Rammstein is known for. Swelling guitar riffs and a brooding baseline evoke the ebb and flow of conflicting emotions, allowing the listener to feel submerged in the narrative’s undercurrents.

Sculpting Desire: Sensuality and Objectification in Rammstein’s Imagery

The song’s narrative provides a provocative examination of the male gaze, presenting it through the lens of objectification. The voyeuristic tone of observing the swimmer’s physical form, from the breast to the opening legs like scissors, captures sexuality in its most raw and animalistic state. Notably, ‘Feuer und Wasser’ doesn’t glorify this act; instead, it lays bare the often-unspoken realities of lust and the tendency to objectify the object of one’s desire.

However, the clever use of metaphor goes beyond mere titillation. Through these images, Rammstein critiques a broader societal tendency to value the aesthetic without recognizing the personhood beneath, inciting a dialogue on where to draw the line between admiration and dehumanization.

Shadow and Light – The Futility of Pursuit and Recognition in ‘Feuer und Wasser’

The lyrics poignantly highlight the despair of the unseen lover, a ‘Schatten’ (shadow) who follows the object of his affection yet remains unnoticed, as she stands illuminated center stage. This stark contrast between shadow and light encapsulates the resignation of one who realizes the futility of their pursuit in the face of indifferent beauty. There’s a haunting stillness to the realization that hope and confidence are useless in the sight of unrequited love.

By effusing this sense of existential melancholy into the song, Rammstein resonates with listeners who have found themselves in parallel emotional landscapes, where silent adoration never meets the warming gaze of acknowledgment.

Deciphering the Chorus: The Hidden Meaning in Repetition

The recurring chorus – ‘Feuer und Wasser kommt nicht zusammen’ (Fire and water do not come together) – acts as a lament and a mantra, engraving the song’s central theme into the minds of its audience. With each repetition, it reinforces the inexorable divide between opposing forces, may they be emotional states, elements, or people. The inevitability etched into the core of this chorus speaks volumes about the human condition and the universal struggle with accepting the limits of control in desire and passion.

Moreover, the phrase ‘und bin im Wasser verbrannt’ (and am burnt in the water) serves as a paradoxical testament to the pain of desire that persists even when immersed in the unresponsive waters of rejection and indifference. It’s a poetic expression of being consumed by a fire that one carries internally, even when the external world is oblivious to its heat.

Memorable Lines: The Power of Poetic Provocation

‘Ein Feuerwerk springt aus dem Schritt’ (A firework jumps from the stride) – this line, in particular, exemplifies Rammstein’s bold approach to lyricism, intertwining sexual innuendo with explosive imagery to craft an unforgettable visual metaphor. It’s through such provocative lines that the song transcends mere melody into a realm of tantalizing theater of the mind, showcasing the band’s literary artistry.

Such potent lines echo the grandiosity of Rammstein’s stage performances and offer a glimpse into the depths from which the band draws its dark poetry. As provocative as they are poetic, these lyrics strike chords that resonate with the complexities of human emotion and desire — forbidding and fiery, yet irresistibly drawn to the cool touch of the unattainable.