Meaning of “Deutschland” by Rammstein

“Deutschland” is what Germany is called in its native tongue. As such, this song is about the rock band Rammstein’s feelings about their home country as well as a glimpse into German history.

The song kicks off with the band stating that Germany has “cried a lot”, which is an allusion to its violent history. In fact the reason the song has become an international sensation is due its music video featuring the Rammstein living through various eras of Germany’s history, with most of these scenarios being highlighted by violence. 

They also bring up Deutschland’s record of political and ideological division. However, they acknowledge that despite these differences, the German people are indeed a united entity.

The members of Rammstein have a love/hate relationship with Germany. On one hand, they are committed nationalists, bigging up the German people and stating outright their desire to love the country in general. But at the same time, they acknowledge that there are aspects of the nation that they “hate” and want to “damn”. 

This again likely has to do with Germany’s turbulent history. For instance, “Deutschland’s” music video went viral before it was even fully released due to depictions of the Holocaust, with the hasty generalization being that the artists were supporting Nazism.

However, when studying the lyrics of the song and the video in its entirety, it can be seen that such is clearly not the case. Rather they were criticizing the murderous reign of the Nazis, indeed depicting themselves as victims of it.

“Germany – my heart in flames
Want to love and damn you
Germany – your breath’s cold
So young, and yet so old
Germany!”

Ultimately every positive characteristic Rammstein identifies with Germany also has its accompanying fault. For instance, where there is the potential to climb higher, there is also the possibility of falling further. Where there is a blessing, there is also a curse. And more than anything, where there is love, there is also hate. And in the end, due to this dichotomy, as much as they feel for their homeland, Rammstein finds it difficult to completely commit to it.

Release Date of “Deutschland”

This is the lead single from Rammstein’s seventh album. Said album was never given an official title.

The release date of this track was on 28 March 2019. And it came out via a collaborative effort between Vertigo/Capitol and Vertigo Berlin, which are both subsidiaries of the Universal Music Group.

Writing Credits

This song was written by the following members of Rammstein:

• Paul L. C. Lorenz
• R. Kruspe
• O. Riedel
• C. Schneider
• T. Lindemann 

And the band produced the track in conjunction with Olsen Involtini.

“Deutschland” Music Video

The music video to this song contributed to the track’s fame – or infamy – depending on one’s perspective. It features a controversial and violent view of German history alongside other challenging imagery, as depicted by director Specter Berlin.  Said clip comes complete with graphic references to Na**sm and the Jewish Holoc**st which led to the strongest backlash. It also notably features an Afro-German actress, Ruby Commey.

Commey, in the video portrays the role of Germania, the female personification of Germany. But ultimately such shock tactics are part of Rammstein’s established shtick, as in a tactic which helps them sell as a band.

And the video did go on to be celebrated by at least one prominent music publication, as readers of Kerrang voted it Video of the Year for 2019.

Performance on the Chart

Overall “Deutschland” performed extremely well on the charts. It reached number one on the music charts of Germany, Hungary and Switzerland. It also replicated this feat on Billboard’s Euro Digital Song Sales chart. The track has also been certified platinum in Germany, and overall it charted in about 25 nations.