Amerika (song)
Encyclopedia
"Amerika" is a song performed by German
band Rammstein
, released as the second single from their album Reise, Reise
. It deals with the worldwide influence of the culture
of the United States of America
. The song's two verses are sung in German with a chorus in English: We're all living in Amerika, Amerika ist wunderbar, We're all living in Amerika, Amerika, Amerika. The band views it as a satirical commentary on Americanization
, and it features mentions of Coca-Cola
, and Mickey Mouse
.
The end of the song is construed by some to be criticizing American policies of interventionism on other countries.
(sung in German)
I know moves that are very useful
and I will protect you from missteps
And whoever doesn't want to dance at the end
Doesn't know yet that they must
(sung in English)
I don't sing my mother tongue
No, this is not a love song.
, and playing a pinball
machine with shots of other cultures acting like stereotypical Americans
and some using America
n-owned products, such as cigarettes, with the implication that American culture is negative but also everywhere. The high tech Apollo scenes are intercut with African, and Australian Aborigine tribal footage as a stark cultural contrast. The end of the video shows that the band have actually been in a fake Moon set in a studio, complete with film crew, an allusion to Apollo moon landing hoax accusations
. Till Lindemann
, Rammstein's lead singer, wears a space suit with the name "Armstrong" on it - referring to Neil Armstrong
.
is often seen riding around on a Segway PT
; confetti cannons, with red, white and blue confetti in a parody of a ticker-tape parade. It was the last song of the main set, and was played at every concert of the Reise, Reise tour. During a concert in Gothenburg, Sweden on July 30, 2005, Till Lindemann
suffered a knee injury when Flake accidentally ran into him with the Segway PT
This caused concerts scheduled in Asia to be cancelled.
Amerika has been played just once in the Liebe ist für alle da tour (however, not at the show in New York City), closing a show for the first time.
Pock-it CD
Australian Edition
UK Version
UK 7" Vinyl
UK DVD
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
band Rammstein
Rammstein
Rammstein is a German Neue Deutsche Härte band from Berlin, formed in 1994. The band consists of members Till Lindemann , Richard Z. Kruspe , Paul H. Landers , Oliver "Ollie" Riedel , Christoph "Doom" Schneider and Christian "Flake" Lorenz...
, released as the second single from their album Reise, Reise
Reise, Reise
Reise, Reise is Neue Deutsche Härte band Rammstein's fourth studio album. It was released on 27 September 2004 in Germany and followed shortly by its release across Europe. It was released in North America on 16 November 2004...
. It deals with the worldwide influence of the culture
Culture
Culture is a term that has many different inter-related meanings. For example, in 1952, Alfred Kroeber and Clyde Kluckhohn compiled a list of 164 definitions of "culture" in Culture: A Critical Review of Concepts and Definitions...
of the United States of America
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The song's two verses are sung in German with a chorus in English: We're all living in Amerika, Amerika ist wunderbar, We're all living in Amerika, Amerika, Amerika. The band views it as a satirical commentary on Americanization
Americanization
Americanization is the influence of the United States on the popular culture, technology, business practices, or political techniques of other countries. The term has been used since at least 1907. Inside the U.S...
, and it features mentions of Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola is a carbonated soft drink sold in stores, restaurants, and vending machines in more than 200 countries. It is produced by The Coca-Cola Company of Atlanta, Georgia, and is often referred to simply as Coke...
, and Mickey Mouse
Mickey Mouse
Mickey Mouse is a cartoon character created in 1928 by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks at The Walt Disney Studio. Mickey is an anthropomorphic black mouse and typically wears red shorts, large yellow shoes, and white gloves...
.
The end of the song is construed by some to be criticizing American policies of interventionism on other countries.
(sung in German)
I know moves that are very useful
and I will protect you from missteps
And whoever doesn't want to dance at the end
Doesn't know yet that they must
(sung in English)
I don't sing my mother tongue
No, this is not a love song.
Video
The video shows the band in Apollo-era space suits on the moonMoon
The Moon is Earth's only known natural satellite,There are a number of near-Earth asteroids including 3753 Cruithne that are co-orbital with Earth: their orbits bring them close to Earth for periods of time but then alter in the long term . These are quasi-satellites and not true moons. For more...
, and playing a pinball
Pinball
Pinball is a type of arcade game, usually coin-operated, where a player attempts to score points by manipulating one or more metal balls on a playfield inside a glass-covered case called a pinball machine. The primary objective of the game is to score as many points as possible...
machine with shots of other cultures acting like stereotypical Americans
People of the United States
The people of the United States, also known as simply Americans or American people, are the inhabitants or citizens of the United States. The United States is a multi-ethnic nation, home to people of different ethnic and national backgrounds...
and some using America
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
n-owned products, such as cigarettes, with the implication that American culture is negative but also everywhere. The high tech Apollo scenes are intercut with African, and Australian Aborigine tribal footage as a stark cultural contrast. The end of the video shows that the band have actually been in a fake Moon set in a studio, complete with film crew, an allusion to Apollo moon landing hoax accusations
Apollo Moon Landing hoax accusations
Different Moon landing conspiracy theories claim that some or all elements of the Apollo program and the associated Moon landings were hoaxes staged by NASA and members of other organizations. Various groups and individuals have made such conspiracy claims since the end of the Apollo program in 1975...
. Till Lindemann
Till Lindemann
Till Lindemann is a German musician, actor and poet who is the frontman for the German Neue Deutsche Härte band Rammstein.-Biography:...
, Rammstein's lead singer, wears a space suit with the name "Armstrong" on it - referring to Neil Armstrong
Neil Armstrong
Neil Alden Armstrong is an American former astronaut, test pilot, aerospace engineer, university professor, United States Naval Aviator, and the first person to set foot upon the Moon....
.
Live performance
As with every song from Reise, Reise (except Ohne Dich) Amerika debuted live on 3 consecutive concerts for members of the fan club. During the live performances of this song in tour, FlakeChristian Lorenz
Christian "Flake" Lorenz is a German musician, notable as the keyboardist for the Neue Deutsche Härte band Rammstein. He is also known for his role in the band Feeling B.-Early years:...
is often seen riding around on a Segway PT
Segway PT
The Segway PT is a two-wheeled, self-balancing transportation machine invented by Dean Kamen. It is produced by Segway Inc. of New Hampshire, USA. The name "Segway" is a homophone of "segue" while "PT" denotes personal transporter....
; confetti cannons, with red, white and blue confetti in a parody of a ticker-tape parade. It was the last song of the main set, and was played at every concert of the Reise, Reise tour. During a concert in Gothenburg, Sweden on July 30, 2005, Till Lindemann
Till Lindemann
Till Lindemann is a German musician, actor and poet who is the frontman for the German Neue Deutsche Härte band Rammstein.-Biography:...
suffered a knee injury when Flake accidentally ran into him with the Segway PT
Segway PT
The Segway PT is a two-wheeled, self-balancing transportation machine invented by Dean Kamen. It is produced by Segway Inc. of New Hampshire, USA. The name "Segway" is a homophone of "segue" while "PT" denotes personal transporter....
This caused concerts scheduled in Asia to be cancelled.
Amerika has been played just once in the Liebe ist für alle da tour (however, not at the show in New York City), closing a show for the first time.
Track Listing
CD Single- Amerika
- Amerika (English Version)
- Amerika (Digital Hardcore Mix)
- Amerika (Western-remix)
- Amerika (Andy Panthen & Mat Diaz's Clubmix)
- Amerika (Electro Ghetto Remix)
- Amerika (Jam & Spoon So Kann's Gehen Mix)
- Mein Herz brennt Orchesterlied V
- Released in a jewelcase, digipack and as a digital download
Pock-it CD
- Amerika
- Amerika (Digital Hardcore Mix)
- A 2-track CD single was also released in a card sleeve
Australian Edition
- Amerika
- Amerika (Digital Hardcore Mix)
- Amerika (Western-remix)
- Amerika (Andy Panthen & Mat Diaz's Clubmix)
- Mein Herz brennt Orchesterlied V
UK Version
- Amerika
- Amerika (Digital Hardcore Mix)
- Mein Herz brennt
- Ich will Orchesterlied VII
UK 7" Vinyl
- Amerika
- Wilder Wein
UK DVD
- Amerika (Video)
- Making of the Amerika Video
- Amerika (Album Version)
Charts
| Chart (2004) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Germany (Media Control AG Media Control Charts The official music charts in Germany are gathered and published by the company Media Control GfK International on behalf of Bundesverband Musikindustrie... ) |
2 |
| US Mainstream Rock Songs (Billboard Billboard (magazine) Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis... ) |
40 |