RAMMSTEIN 'Puppe' Lyrics! 🧸 German Song Meaning Explained

[@spacemonkehh]

Just listened to this song. The way the verse is sung gives me goosebumps. So much anger and emotion in a dark and twisted way. My favorite song on this album by far.

[@shashankiyer5751]

True. When I heard Auslander, I thought it was amazing band then I heard this, the stark difference in the tone of the songs is amazing

[@prodigy84bg]

I'm probably one of the few ones who likes this song the least from the whole album.

[@metalhead6601]

Its one of my favorite songs ever made by Rammstein.

[@pixlplague]

Isn't it bloody amazing?!

[@hayleywilliams8938]

same!!! i had goosebumps the first verse Till sang it. can’t wait to hopefully hear it live on this tour

[@TheBankaiMusic]

I think the sister and the locked child and the puppet are the same person. When she goes to work she locks her mind and separates it from her body, which is a puppet for the men visiting her. When at the end she is being killed I think the lyrics saying she feels good mean that she is finally done with being a puppet. In a way she escaped her sad life.

[@TheGroundedCoffee]

Whoah

[@dewshinex3902]

Whoah indeed

[@siberianee6302]

O m g. You should really think of philosophy studies!

[@radik6125]

Wow. Man that's amazing. I hope Till is aware about that

[@markokarro]

oh shit, that went dark fast :)

[@mjvjohnson]

This song.... Till just paints a masterpiece and then comes in and smashes you into pieces at the chorus. Just brilliant. This song is next level. This is why I love rammstein. They always do this to you. Just a brilliant songwriter. Just goes to show how terrible our American music industry has become. We have no one, and nothing like rammstein.

[@tophercIaus]

I've been a Rammstein fan for well over a decade. I think this song is my favourite. It's stunning story telling, mixed with amazing vocals that share the desperation in the story. It's an art piece. Until now it has been Buch Dich, the first Rammstein song I ever heard, or maybe the piano version of Mein Hertz Brennt.

[@TacticalReaper56]

Theres just not alot of artist that use that intense of symbolism. It makes you appreciate music and all its expressionistic capabilities.

[@nidhishsharma9471]

well we americans do have good bands, like the heavy metal slipknot and the nu metal korn, also the rock band queens of the stone age. they are all really good

[@willrogers3793]

The biggest irony for me is that (from what I know), Rammstein are almost universally respected here in the USA (I’ve literally never found or heard of an American metal head with anything other than praise for them) but they’re apparently ignored or frowned upon (at least, in public when other people are around) in their native Germany.

[@fakenamelol527]

mjvjohnson Nine Inch Nails was the closest we had to this style of song writing. The similarities are really there (narrative driven, industrial, making use of traditional instruments). Both bands are/were very raw too. Still trying to find any new music that follows this trend tbh

[@BoserPSN]

Till’s voice crack during the refrain (esp. the “Hals“-part) is perfect

[@rubifye4739]

its almost orgasmic.

[@SomeTypicalTourist]

Loved the "Dam Dam"

[@brigicasto]

what does it mean the "dam dam"? *onomatopoeia of bite?

[@nickvanwagenen5460]

That's what I assume as well

[@iRinnda]

I'd also like to know what the "dam dam" means? It could be biting It could be the beating of a heart It could be the sound a bed as it hits the wall during steamy times It could be the sound of someone hitting a wall with their fist For god's sake tell me what it means!

[@SomeTypicalTourist]

@@iRinnda idk either to be honest

[@Mr_Wrap_A_Lot]

Dude..... love your videos!!! Te quiero Puta actually means “ I Want You Bitch “ Keep up the great work!!

[@mwojciak]

Puppe blew me away... I was driving in the middle of the night, was a little sleepy and tired, but when the chorus started... OMG, I was speechless. My german is not so good, but I understood general theme of the lyrics. I had shivers everywhere ;) This song is so powerful Greeting from Poland!

[@luna-p]

I was driving too and my jaw dropped when the chorus started. This is my new favorite Rammstein song!

[@lisa-m-jennings]

This song... it haunts me. Since I first heard it it became my favorite of all time. The waves of goosebumps I got listening to Till pour out this gut wrenching track made my hair stand on end and my breath nearly leave me. The man is just so good at what he does I never need to know a word of German to feel the message of the song. I am so grateful to finally know the meaning. Thank you for making this video.

[@redpillsatori3020]

Rammstein songs can typically be broken down into one of these few categories: - Songs about abuse/misuse (usually child abuse): Wiener Blut, Donaukinder, Spiel Mit Mir, Dalai Lama, Halleluja, Hilf Mir, Laichzeit, Liese, Mein Herz Brennt, Mutter, Tier, Wiener Blut - Songs about sadism or hurting/violating others: Bestrafe Mich, Bück Dich, Dalai Lama, Hilf Mir, Ich Tu Dir Weh, Liebe Ist Für Alle Da, Mehr, Mein Teil, Spring, Tier, Waidmanns Heil, Weisses Fleisch, Wiener Blut, Zerstören - Songs about dealing out justice, or getting justice: Der Meister, Du Hast, Feuer Frei!, Ich Will, Links 2 3 4, Moskau, Wut Will Nicht Sterben, Zerstören - Songs about lust and/or addiction: Adios, Keine Lust, Das Alte Leid, Du Riechst so Gut, Feuer und Wasser, Kokain, Laichzeit, Liese, Mann Gegen Mann, Mehr, Mein Teil, Rein Raus, Tier, Waidmanns Heil, Weisses Fleisch, Wilder Wein, Wollt Ihr das Bett in Flammen Sehen, Zwitter - Songs about betrayal, or being betrayed/heartbroken (usually by a woman): Amour, Du Hast, Das Alte Leid, Herzeleid, Liebe Ist Für Alle Da, Mein Herz Brennt, Mutter, Wollt Ihr das Bett in Flammen Sehen, Wut Will Nicht Sterben - Songs about love/jealousy: Eifersucht, Engel, Frühling In Paris, Heirate Mich, Klavier, Morgenstern, Nebel, Ohne Dich, Wo Bist Du, Wollt Ihr das Bett in Flammen Sehen - Songs about vanity, conformity, or deep introspection: Alter Mann, Das Model (Kraftwerk cover), Küss Mich (Fellfrosch), Morgenstern, Stripped (Depeche Mode cover), Zwitter - Songs about insanity, or being driven mad: Bück Dich, Heirate Mich, Spring - Songs about brotherhood or Kamraderie: Haifisch, Ohne Dich, Rammlied ... and lastly, "gimmicky" songs with puns, cliches, and often with many foreign words: Amerika, Benzin, Ausländer, Mein Land, Los, Moskau, Pussy, Te Quiero Puta!

[@kmikat]

Donaukinder is a song about an accident near Baia Mare in Romania where the river was contaminated due to the flooding of the goldmine nearby. Die Kinder are the fishes that died because the poisoned water :/ Some people think that it's actually talking about kids and/or the ones that died in the Holocaust when they're clearly being metaphorical.

[@k-doggy1762]

Deutschland is far from gimmicky though

[@JulesD92]

Pussy is about Sex Tourism Buddy.

[@zxbzxbzxb1]

Dalai llama was about a Japanese airliner crash in 1974(?). It's not about abuse

[@redpillsatori3020]

@@k-doggy1762 Ya probably Ausländer is the more gimmicky song in the latest album. Reminds me of Mein Land

[@thePuding99]

When I first heard the song I didn't really understand exactly what was being said since I'm not a native speaker (I'm Swedish, but read some german in school). But the emotion in his voice in itself made me emotional so I went onto Genius and looked at the lyrics. When in written form I understood even more and started to form an image of what was going on in the song. In my head the lyrical I was a little boy whose older sister HAD to work as a prostitute to be able to take care of her younger brother. There seems like there is an absense of a parental figure in the story in my head, hence why the older sister has to take care of her brother. She gives a doll to him with the intent of him having something to play with and keep him distracted while she "goes to work". The boy does not like hearing his sister screaming becomes enraged. In a combination of him knowing that she must do this to take care of HIM and also knowing that he cannot do anything about it since he is just a small boy, he takes his anger out in the doll. He rips of the dolls head, and he bites the neck of the doll. Both to release his anger but also because he is angry at his sister for making him feel this way, even though he understands why. He is angry with himself being the reason for why she has to do what she does. And when the sister finally gets murdered he blames himself, and starts to attack himself since the doll is now already destroyed. He uses sharp obejcts on himself, bangs his head against his wardrobe, to finally slitting his own throat, with himself being the doll in the last chorus. Finally, as he falls to the floor, he feels good again. That was the story that went through my head! Would love to hear yours!

[@dydy0928]

My favourite song from their new album. Insane

[@AndyHoward]

I like Weit weg and Auslander also Deutschland and Radio (naturlich)

[@lunarzam6277]

Great video! I personally think that the doll is, to the lyrical I, the embodiment of the sister. When biting the doll's head off the lyrical I is actually wishing the death of their sister. She is hated due to her locking the lyrical I in a room and screaming (the protagonist is probably very young and does not understand what is happening). So finally, when one of the clients beats the sister to death she "shuts up" and the lyrical I now feels happy, because what they were wishing has finally happened.

[@notsoordinaryhumanbeing8197]

I always thought of this. Then there's also the part with the medicine: The sister probably wanted to keep the lyrical I quiet, therefore gave it medicine and locked it in its room. So maybe the lyrical I is feeling good in the end because it can now be "free".

[@franckcaniard3386]

@@notsoordinaryhumanbeing8197 This is exactly the way I understand that song too. The visitors are never directly mentioned. Instead the narrator keeps mentioning their sister who locked them in and gave them medicine, probably to keep them quiet. This makes a lot more sense I think.

[@iRinnda]

I listened to the song a couple of times now, and thanks to your direct translation, this is how I interpret the song to the best of my ability. It might be totally wrong, but it's the most logical conclusion I managed to make up. - The little brother or sister loves their big sister dearly, as they use the term "Schwesterlein", which in my mind sounds like a pet name or cooing (like "a dear sister of mine" / "my sweet, little, darling sister") - The siblings live together and by the looks of it, the big sister provides for them and has done so for a while already. - The younger sibling (the singer) is ill, but the sister has managed to scrape up enough money for his/her medicine, for the roof over their heads, for proper bedding, for the doll... - The ill younger sibling dutifully takes the medicine the sister provides for him/her and is bedridden most of the time, but the dark ominous clouds are telling us everything is not quite alright. - As the darkness falls the younger sibling hears as the sister is at work. The late birds are her customers singing in delight, while the sister herself screams in pain as she is "working." - The bridge starts for the second time, which makes it sound like the situation is repeating itself. Through the sister's painful work, she can buy the medicines her sibling needs, but as the ill sibling lays in bed, locked up in his/her room every night and hears the sister's screams, he/she is starting to feel like this situation has turned them more into prisoners than anything. - The chorus shows how angry the younger sibling is at their situation and to his/her sister. The doll reminds him/her of the sister and he/she is angry that the sister just gives him/her a doll to keep them company at night, just like the sister gives herself to her customers to do as they please. He/she'd rather see the older sister dead. Though he/she bites on the doll, wanting to rip off its head and throat, the ill sibling still feels bad about it. The medicines they've got only give temporary relief. He/she will be permanently ill, but they don't want to all their sister's hard work and caring go to waste. This is why the ill sibling is not doing and feeling well, blaming him-/herself for their situation, but not being able to do anything about it. - Still not sure what the dam-dam means, but I take it as the sound of bed thumping against the wall as the big sister is at work, echoing in the little siblings head. - One night the voices from the room next door are different, and the ill sibling sees through the keyhole as their sister is clubbed to death, for whatever reason. - There's no more mention of dark clouds or medicine. The younger sibling can finally vent out all the pent up frustration onto the doll without feeling guilty for putting someone go through work as low and painful as prostituting to get the medication he/she needs. He/she is glad that the sister is free from all the pain she suffered and that he/she themself will probably die soon too without the medication. The dam-dam still echoes in their fractured mind, but it'll all be over eventually. Just a side note: I think the younger sister/brother was somehow physically ill, since they took their medicine well before sunset, already waiting in bed as the sun goes down. Their sister's screams from next door and realization of their situation probably ended up fucking up the ill sibling's mind too, which caused them to let the emotions out by biting on the doll. I might be wrong about all this though and there's some awesome intricate explanation Till might someday give us?

[@esumitkumar]

awesome you nailed it !

[@Zandouc]

When I first heard this song, I thought it was really dark. Then I saw the first few minutes of this video and I thought: "Puppe is even darker than I thought!" And then I got the end: "Puppe is WAY darker than I could have imagined 😮" I love this song and I love your explanation of it! Keep doing what you do, you're awesome!

[@bonofrancou2]

I'm 22 years old. I started to listen to Rammstein when I was 7 yo when I found the music Reise, Reise in my dad's phone that my brother stored. That song made me shiver. Rammstein always be my favourite band. I'm new to the channel and I'm loving your videos a lot, thank you so much! By the way, I'm from Portugal :P

[@DefinitelyGerman]

Hey Bruno, thanks for tuning in an staying tuned! :D Greetings to Portugal from Germany! :)

[@soulmaiden]

In TIll's book, In stillen nächten (english version On quiet nights), there is a poem entitled When mommy goes off late to work... it is the lyrics to this song. Well, except the violence expressed towards the doll... beautifully dark and broken.

[@TheSullenDude]

"Alright guys I hope you've enjoyed this video" Yeah sure that was a really enjoyable theme to kick the day off :'D

[@sent4dc]

I can't wait for the video to come out. That should be great!

[@herzifritz]

Yesterday in Gelsenkirchen! The show to the song is great!

[@wormatianer96]

Fun Fact: The Song is based on Till Lindemann's poem "Wenn Mutti spät zur Arbeit geht" from 2014: Wenn Mutti spät zur Arbeit geht Dann bleibe ich allein Sie wirft mir Zwieback auf den Mund Schließt mich im Zimmer ein Wenn Mutti spät zur Arbeit muß Fährt nicht mit Bus noch Bahn Ihr Arbeitsplatz ist gar nicht weit Ist das Zimmer nebenan Sie kommen und sie gehen Manchmal auch zu zweit Die späten Vögel singen Und wenn die Mutti schreit Wenn sie mich früh zu Bette schickt Sagt ich soll nicht traurig sein Weint mir ein bißchen ins Gesicht Schließt mich im Zimmer ein Sie kommen und sie gehen Das Licht im Fenster rot Ich sehe zu durchs Schlüsselloch Und einer schlug sie tot Traurig war ich vorher schon Die Mutter fehlt mir nicht Ich riech an ihren Schlüpfern Und mal mir ihr Gesicht

[@ferociouspterodactyl520]

Duolingo and this is all I need, keep them coming. From, an Afrikaner

[@stefanf922]

Seems to me that the puppe represents a Wicca tradition also, it's much like a voodoo doll. So ripping the head off kills the man that beat her.

[@paulligeti450]

I just heard puppe, and you pronounced the chorus just like in the song, very good video!

[@paulligeti450]

He said "dam dam" like till, with the same darkness and dramatic voice... and congratulations for speak german, I'm gonna make a party for you!

[@ferdithetank7535]

I like how deep lyrics go on multiple levels, since The Puppet can also relate to character's sister since many people think of prostitutes as toys rather than people. Once again, big flashbacks to "Im Stillen Nachten"

[@metalequine]

I got it in my head that the doll might be a baby and character had a psychotic break, what with "to not feel alone" and the "medicine" and all.

[@wormatianer96]

Regarding the "Dam Dam"... That has no meaning, like "La La" or "yeah yeah". But it's a pretty iconic part of the famous german song "Marmor, Stein und Eisen bricht" by Drafi Deutscher. Maybe coincidence, maybe on purpose. But the lyrics from that song sound fitting (and rather dark) in context with "Puppe". Translated that song goes: If I can't be with you one time - dam dam, dam dam, remember you are not alone - dam dam, dam dam, marble, stone and iron breaks - but not our love, everything everything comes to an end, but we stay faithful [to each other]

[@MrZhish]

This is closely related to Lindemann's poem "Wenn Mutti spät zur Arbeit" muss from his book "Messer". One my favourites.

[@DefinitelyGerman]

Aaaah, thanks for telling me! Have to read that now.

[@MrZhish]

@@DefinitelyGerman sorry, that should be from In stillen Nächten.

[@DefinitelyGerman]

No problem. :)

[@kennyfuhr1095]

Really loved this breakdown! It was cool getting to hear a solid translation from a native speaker and not just a google translation that uses the simplest English terms. It was well thought out and helped me understand what it might be talking about, especially how you elaborated on Rammstein’s possible double meanings. One song that just got released recently that I tried to find lyrics on don’t seem to be available yet is Kreuziget Mich by Schwarzer Engel, I think it sounds really good, but I would like to see an analysis on it if possible. Thanks!

[@Fdhlh]

Download the new album on spotify. The song auslander already made me download the whole album. listened to it while on the way home from work, puppe made my hair stood when it hits the chorus! So much emotions hit me when I listened to it.

[@savagejustis4909]

Great breakdown. Can't wait for this album.

[@Laszlo4320]

You’re awesome for makin this video man. And I love that Rammstein hasn’t shied away from those dark sickening topics that really make them unique in their way of story telling. Thanks for the rundown bro, keep it up

[@CristiNeagu]

8:53 Now that the song came out, i doubt anyone is saying it's monotonous...

[@VashPlissken45]

Hardest song on the album!!!

[@j.pabloquinche3283]

@@VashPlissken45 Hard? The Song on guitar is easy AF

[@VashPlissken45]

@@j.pabloquinche3283 I mean hard as in the beat :)

[@mfrafael]

I was just listening to this album, and when this song got to the 2:02 mark..... oh man, I got goosebumps all over!

[@periurban]

Me too!

[@zoranhacker]

my whole scalp was freaking tingling throughout the chorus

[@JoshLynagh]

My favourite song off the album, the anger and emotion is not what I'm used to, very well done. Thanks for the video, it's really helped me understand :)

[@JoshLynagh]

...relevance?

[@angelicawilson2515]

I love the almost "Saw" looking doll you used in the thumbnail! This song is both beautiful and a raw, gut punch. Increbile! I really love this whole album, so good!

[@ampdoc]

Thank you for this! I think you nailed it, and I also think it's the strongest Rammstein song ever. The expressiveness is unbelievable, nothing from them is as impressive as this one.

[@DefinitelyGerman]

Thank you!

[@vikinglore1066]

This is for sure my favorite song on the album so far. I agree pretty much with what you said in that it’s a fever dream that the person locked in the closet is having..reliving the nightmare of what they witnessed. The working woman kept this other person away from her night business which slowly took its toll on the person being locked away seeing their sister being used in such a way..clearly disturbed already they witness her death and something Snaps in them..no longer will the medicine help them quiet the screams they will only be ok after they punish the one who hurt their sister. Could be a flashback they are having whilst stalking their victim and then exacts their revenge? At any rate it’s vocal delivery and dark tone make this song stand out and when they set that chorus in you just wanna turn it up and headband your heart out. Fantastic work!!

[@ridleyzebesian2723]

What can I say... I found the perfect channel to prepare myself for Rammstein concert! Danke, mein Freund. Du bist groß!

[@DefinitelyGerman]

You're welcome! :)

[@valkyriast6748]

Thank you for the video!!Perfectly explained!!This son mades me go crazy. It's absolutely insane and dark. I thought Deuschtland was the best buy.. Now I think that Puppe it's the song that makes me feel the most.

[@ticoman12]

Amazing song wow tills voice

[@mustangj0hn]

Holy cow, that's deep. Thanks so much for the insights and translation.

[@jaredevildog6343]

I just found your channel. Thank you for this video. Rammstein is my favorite band and i was wondering what this song was about. Great video and info. Thanks

[@Creatiff777]

I love this song! What a fun way to learn German :) Thanks for the video. I like your voice too.

[@stg4478]

thanks too you and Rammstein I"am starting to pick up more and more German herd it a lot as a kid as I'am half German

[@markokarro]

Love your breakdown of the lyrics. Keep up the good work.

[@rolandluttmer4758]

Great video and explaination! My absolute favorite song on this album! Will see Rammstein for the first time in Rotterdam, tuesday 25th next week!

[@lukasbengtsson1083]

This is perfect, a ad with the new album from Rammstein

[@michellealbers6732]

Thank you , Dave... I value your insight into the German language via the lyrics of Rammstein...

[@metalpandemonium5780]

Just listened to the song and it really caught me off guard by how vulgar Till's vocals are. My assumption and explanation of the lyrics is a bit far fetched but it could make sense so here goes nothing: This may be the case of two children, one girl that works as a prostitute and the lyrical I, not declared if male or female. The medicine that the lyrical I is being given may be a result of a chronic disease, and as we can listen by the repetition of the filled with anger verse "dann reiß ich der puppe den kopf ab", one can assume that the lyrical I suffers from autism. Why that? Not only because it gets medicine, but also because extreme reactions to an unpleasant situation are common observations in people who suffer from that disease. Therefore one can assume that the lyrical I heavily dislikes being locked in the room while their sister is working and thus exerting its anger on the doll. That's why it may be happy in the end, when the final client kills their sister, being overwhelmed by the current anger of being locked up in the room and neglecting the fact that it was its sister that died. Given that Lindemann enjoys lyrical games, I have taken it a step further and assumed some more things. Why would the sister have to work as a prostitute in the first place? My guess is that they are orphans. That way the sister resorting to such a profession is explained, since she's the only one available to make money for them both and they're in desperate need of it, since they don't only have to make ends meet when it comes to food, water, electricity and all that, but also the lyrical I's medicine for its supposed illness. This creates a huge ironic atmosphere in the song, as the sister only does what she does to support her and her sibling's needs and doesn't want them to witness it, since we're not talking about a job one is proud of doing in the first place. Therefore we are led to a result of the sister dying while trying to save herself and her sibling from starvation and the lyrical I being happy about it because it's unable to comprehend both the reasons that led her sister to taking those actions and the consequences her death will bring to them. If I were to be correct, we can also safely assume that the sister is an adult, probably on the verge of desperation, and the lyrical I an underage boy or girl, though such anger may be more indicative of a male figure. That's my take on the song lyrics, and though I understand how improbable it is for me to actually be correct, it surely makes for a great story to tell, which Rammstein are no strangers to doing. Thank you for taking the time to read all of that :]

[@andrearamirezarenare3973]

I was considering the lyrical I had Schizophrenia, but autism makes more sense

[@Brynwyn123]

Autism is not a disease and it doesn't fit at all unless you don't know much about autism. It does sound, however, like a traumatised child, which makes sense.

[@metalpandemonium5780]

@@Brynwyn123 wasn't my intention to present it as a disease, my apologies if it seemed that way. I was just suggesting that the kid could be autistic as a possible explanation for the lyrics. That was my initial interpretation, anyway. Edit: my wording in the original post appears to be wrong in the beginning. I do not consider autism a disease, but it is a fact that people do take medication in many cases. Again, sorry for any misunderstanding.

[@duffyy1]

Such a awesome song. Hey Annabelle comes home might want to add this to your soundtrack.

[@dfhellraiser4td]

Phenomenal video. Very engaging.

[@silversandwich]

This was really informative and easy to understand, great video!!

[@isaacthepierat1000]

I just saw them live yesterday and this song (or more the visuals) left a scar on my mind that's gonna bleed for a few months.

[@mslatif3378]

I appreciate your translation of this song. I enjoy the controversial topics Rammstein sing about . I’m a ‘ new ‘ fan of the band . I now understand the young sister is symbolizing the doll, as her sister’s assailant. I love Til’s talent & ability to tell such dark stories to music !! He’s. Truly amazing & of course the entire band for their musical talents.❤️

[@VashPlissken45]

This song is super hard its probably my favorite in the album!

[@gb6003]

Love the song and Till's vocals, wish I could play it even louder than full volume

[@patriciacarter1007]

Thanks again mate, liking your translation and explanation of of Rammstein’s lyrics. TY from Australia 🇦🇺 the Land Down Under 😃🇦🇺👍🏻🐨🐊

[@LinkWolf12]

Er singt: Ich warte hier im Daunenbeet, nicht bett. Inhaltlich das selbe, aber lyrisch ein Unterschied ;)

[@ssamirs1881]

This is my favourite song in the album, and i loved the way you explained all the lyrics and the context, you got a New subscriber!! Excellent video

[@DefinitelyGerman]

Thank you, Samir! :)

[@Reason1717]

So thank you so much for your breakdown of this song. I got to say you do a complete and well fashioned breakdown, bravo sir.

[@buckd1ch]

You got a sub mate. Very good video. I really want to learn to speak German one day

[@DefinitelyGerman]

Thank you, Tim! Welcome! :)

[@chestbuster1987]

Very good idea for a video! Not understanding German well enough has made me ignore Rammstein too much over the years

[@luc9177]

My german is not verry strong, and after listening to the song i only understood that he was ripping the dolls head off. But now i saw your video it all cleared up. Thank you! Because understanding the lyrics makes songs mutch better than they already are.

[@annaslattery3878]

Thank you, yet again :) for this!!! So happy that you do these videos!! I'm so chomping at the bit to hear the entire album..... SOON :D

[@shashankiyer5751]

That song messed me up proper, the way Till sings the chorus is man, the emotion. I initially thought it was going to be a loud song like Mein Herz Brennt and it still is in many ways but also so different

[@cocolores5967]

Sehr gute Arbeit :)

[@msummerson]

If they made a video for this song, I would cry my eyes out. I know I will. The German language is so beautiful. If this was sung in English, I wouldn’t get as many goosebumps every time the chorus comes in. It wouldn’t mean as much. So many of their songs are about things like this, but to have a doll given to you as a child in this story, you’d assume the child is 9 or 10 max. And she’s the younger sister so she has to be, what, up to 7 years old and then she gets killed by the man who just had his way with her. Jesus H. Christ. It doesn’t matter if something similar to this has an effect on you or not. This has got to touch on each and every one of our darkest moments we’ve had in our lives we didn’t even know we had, slowly pours gasoline on them and throws them back to you. I’d love to get inside the heads of each band member. This kind of song begs me to have a small taste of the pain and traumatic scenarios that get tossed around. These guys are incredible.

[@elmomusk9952]

"Schwesterlein" doesnt mean that shes younger! its more like a cute word for sister.

[@GoodVideos23]

So excited for the new album! Thanks for all the work you have done to explain it😀

[@patriciacarter1007]

I love this song just loving the whole album

[@shvinehoond]

This is my favorite song on the album

[@ichtyophobia]

At first I thought sister was a nurse and the person with the puppet a patient in a institution. Thanks for clearing this up :)

[@DefinitelyGerman]

Another good idea! :) Thanks for watching!

[@sandykovaly3372]

I view the song as she is the little sister, being she gives him medicine and a doll seems as if he is in need of care (as in special needs). He isnt in control of his actions or emotions. Then he hears the screams and replicates his actions on the doll with the guy who killed his sister.

[@juhanj7909]

Thank you! Cool analysis. Maybe you could have explained dativ/akkusativ in "der Puppe den Kopf" for beginners

[@sophiemason8444]

My interpretation of the song is that the doll represents that narrator's sister, with him repeatedly attacking it to cope with the lack of control (or understanding) over what his sister does. It seems to me that they're at a very young age based on the lines about taking their medicine 'dutifully' (translation I read) and the sheer rage that Till sings the chorus (it's very much like child throwing a tantrum). This is probably why the first chorus the narrator screams that they're not feeling well while attacking the doll: the child is ill and attacks the doll as though they were demanding their sister's attention. And, in the second chorus, the child screams out that they're doing better now because they're devolved into blaming the sister for their situation. The only other Rammstein song that gives me sheers like this is Hilf Mir, and that's only cos being immolated is one of my biggest fears. Puppe is just disturbing to listen to in general.

[@yasmimamorim5153]

Nice interpretation of this lyrics. Love your channel 🤟

[@catherinepalmer4812]

Thank u for doing another awesome translation and love your sense of hummor too :-D

[@Frank074]

I just heard the song. It is amazing. Till has never sounded as aggressive as he does in Puppe. The lyrics are correct! The album has some excellent tracks (Zeit Dich, Puppe, Diamant & Deutschland), but also two stinkers (Radio & Ausländer)

[@pixlplague]

Dude. I came here to learn German and I learn an English word too (wooer). Neat!

[@paulmeyer9149]

I think this song is about how serious murder fantasies are a normal and helpfull reaction to intense dispair. Also I want to add, while yes, the words were chosen wisely and precisely something like "Ich muss jetzt arbeiten gehen" is a normal everyday sentence and wouldn't ring any alarm bells. The "muss" is being revealed as to be taken literally only on the second time the song is listened to. Edit: To the meaning: I think that the situations drives the lyrical I so mad that she actually hopes for one of the customers to murder her beloved sister and then come for her as that woukd give her an opportunity and justification to unleash her wrath. Edit2: Oh und btw you should have said that the minimization suffixes "lein" and "chen" can also be used to (as in this case plus the implied weakness that comes along with sth being small) express affection. After the first few lines I thought it was meant ironically ("oooh my pretty sister can have fun next door while she just locks me up, but lucky me, I got this puppet") but after some more lines i think it became appearant, that it's not meant ironically in any way.

[@louisestromback6265]

This song is just amazing! When I heard it I imagined the main character as a boy or maybe a man in the sense that he might be a grown man with a mental/intellectual disability. Since they mention taking their medicine and all. Since the household is a dysfunctional one that person is likely emotionally unstable. I imagined the first time it was actually the doll torn apart and the second time it could have been the john but I imagined it might also have been the sister he killed himself. It’s interesting to think about, I love this kind of songs!

[@marionalif8923]

I quite agree with you about the main character being a boy or a man with what I would say is Asperger Syndrome, which would explain why it is his little sister that has to work (prostitution) in order to keep the both of them alive and gives him a doll to play with, why he has to take medicine and why he reach his breakdown really fast

[@thedisabledviking]

@@marionalif8923 I dont think the lyrcel eye is male, becuse in the live version Till ueses a stroler and thats not Something you associate with male Toys, but otherwhise I reaily like This theory

[@marionalif8923]

@@thedisabledviking True, but I think that Till has never done things the usual way, plus, the stroller is dark and the doll scary af, and that is not what the cliché about girls want. Also, women are usually less likely to be diagnosed with autism (though they can be autists as much as men)

[@Mizzlenum]

I love 💕 to hear a German person react to a Rammstein song. This song and "mutter" are my darkest and most beautiful songs ever. NOT react but educate me as a non German speaker.

[@willrogers3793]

I took 4, maybe 5 years of German classes in high school and later community college, unfortunately not very much of what I learned stuck with me. (I blame not having the patience to learn the gender of every noun in the German language.) Even though I will probably never be able to speak German fluently, I can still make a fairly good guess as to the meaning with enough time and repetition. In this regard, Rammstein have definitely been helpful; having very memorable music set alongside some truly poetic (If frequently bizarre or honestly unsettling) lyrics makes the words stick in my mind very well. I still remember feeling both proud of myself for getting the meaning of “Stein um Stein” correct without having to look up a translation, but also deeply unsettled once the meaning actually sank in. And as someone whose first language is English, I can say that Rammstein are still pretty good at wordplay even when not singing in their native tongue. I still have to smile at how they followed “Coca-Cola, Wonderbra” with “Coca-Cola, sometimes war” in the song “Amerika”.

[@sanniebannie]

Stein um Stein is deeply disturbing, when I started to listen to the lyrics it really felt creepy as hell…

[@TomssP642]

Hey Dave, great video as always! Although I came up with an idea that the lyrical I hates her(his) "liitle sister" for locking them up, drugging them with "medicin" so they would not interfere - ans the doll is actually the representation of the sister herself - tearing and biting its head off does not help the lyrical I feel better, until the sister literally gets beaten to death, so then beating up and tearing the doll finally feels satisfying.

[@DefinitelyGerman]

Hey Tomasz, makes sense as well. Haven't really thought about that, but that's totally possible, too.

[@shaymcquaid]

I see Till as the boy and his little sister is just that, younger. The older brother is perhaps "challenged" thus plays with dolls (as i did as a very young boy) but sees the attack and goes straight savage mode on the attacker...hurry with the video!!! =P

[@SamuraiTacos1]

love this learning german

[@adinaj7888]

Thank you man for the video👍

[@DaoQui]

I think the person that killed the sister was the narrator himself. She left him the doll (she left him alone); he hurt the doll (he hurt himself) because he couldn't deal with what was happening; finally he managed to look through the keyhole and went madman and killed the doll (probably killed the sister then killed himself). My interpretation so far, but it's Rammstein, you never know!

[@BaumiLPt]

Holy shit :O i dont interprate it the Same way but your idea is crazy! Very interesting

[@davidevans1978]

Thank you, please do more.

[@lunashadow9942]

Dude, I remember hearing this song like years ago, but apparently it was only released in May of 2019. Like, my brain is....honestly, idk. This just tripped me out so bad. I felt like I remember hearing it back in 2015.

[@christianh.1868]

Hi, great work again. For the last passage I have an another idea: So the little sister sees, how her older "little sister" got killed. And now she feals anger but also relief, that her sister dont have to go to work ever again and has to feal never pain again. Its just an idea, but in some horror movies this kind of storys get real, so why not in an Rammstein song. Greatings

[@user-ls1bw2uw1j]

I think, that the sister gives the doll for the lyrical I, so they would get distracted and not spy on their sister. When the customer murders the sister, the lyrical I breaks the puppet either because it reminds them of the sister, or because they are mad at themselves for not protecting the sister. The puppet was a distraction that prevented the lyrical I for seeing what's happening in the sister's room and saving her. It represents things being hidden from the lyrical I. The puppet may also represent the sister and how she didn't have her own will as a prostiute, but pleased others instead. The lyrical I wants to end the pattern of young girls being manipulated to please others

[@aunnaqvi20]

*****Please Please Do an analysis of Eifersucht...... ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@TradleTrash]

I'm german and i thought about this Theorie: (Sorry if my english is bad :D hope u understand it) I think that the little sister, is in fakt the older sister too. Shes a normal Girl at Day but then, because somehow she get into that scene, has to have sex with other poeple to get money. That little sister is a trick of being the black sheep of the famaly, that sister that difted away from the "normal" famaly. (Thats maybe why she calls herself "sister" at all) So in that moment where she has to do her job, the older sister(the rational one) locks the little sister (the innocent emotional self) in a room like shes surpressing her emotions and flee from that situation, and giving her a puppet (more like a doll, which represents her body) so the little sis is not alone (she supresses her physikal feelings too because she does not like it to be fucked like that). The whole point is that the inner child of her somehow sees what the older self sees because they are one. That causes her to get selfdestructional behavior and "biting off the Head" of the "Puppet/Doll" , thats a synonym of hurting herself to kompensate whats happening, she knows and says that shes not feeling well (because shes the innocent emotional one) but the older sis has to do that. At one point Til sings that the older sis was murdered, i think he meant like the older rational inner sister was killed by that situation(like by hate) so she gets irrational and doesnt know how to handle everything anymore. Thats also the point where the little sister says that she feels well again, but thats just because they losed the connection to each other and now the inner child just feels good when shes kompensating the feelings by selfharm, surpressing the fact that shes not feeling well, because it doesnt matter, she has to do that to survive. Also i ve read @Roar Kvakland's interpretation to the Doll and i think hes right by saying that the Doll represents her also like a Toy to play with, just to underline the selfdestructional Behavior and hate against herself. She has no respect for her body and hates everything of it.

[@ricardofortes]

Thank you very much for this....

[@ivanhagstrom5601]

Could you do a video about Leichtzeit? I've always wondered what that one's about.

[@bronaghwilson2461]

Thank you for this. When I read the lyrics on a website they made little sense, but your analysis was great! The only query I have is what is dam-dam?

[@sidswitch9040]

A Part Of Me Wants This To Be My Favorite Song On The Album, But I Don't Know Yet.

[@roarkvakland]

Thank you for the translation. I understand German better than I can speak write it but since it's 20 years since I first heard them this year it's about time I got better. Regarding the meaning of this song for me it sounds like it could be only one person/woman and the sister who is not going to work is symbolic for a part of her that longs for childhood innocence instead of what she does to get money. When she is "working" she feel like a doll (a plaything) but her mind is next door instead ... a way for her to cope handle it. The last harder part can be the "death" of her innocenct inner self and brutal acceptance of adulthood and her choises wether from misguided choise of work or not much choise but it pays the rent food so on. Possibility could be she snaps and kills the doll (herself) or a " customer" but the fact she feels well could hint at death "freeing " her. I also see a general growing up ... childhood loss growing up and that society rules making you a doll (play by it's rules ... loss of individual) meaning. Or it's just me reading more into it than there is... the way so many of their lyricks are written they tend to make my brain working overtime finding so much in them. Oh well can't wait for the album. Long live Rammstein🎹🎸🎶🎼🎙🎧

[@miisto5768]

I don't think that the lyrical I and the sister are one person because I cannot find any evidence for that in the lyrics. It is also rather unlikely as in Till Lindemanns poem "Wenn Mutti spät zur Arbeit geht", which has quite some similarities to "Puppe", the lyrical I's mother takes on the role of the sister. The mother, as portrayed in said poem, just doesn't fit the lyrical I's picture as she is soft and calm. www.reddit.com/r/Rammstein/comments/bpjyw2/the_second_part_from_puppe_is_similar_to_one_of/ Also the fact that the sister is killed doesn't seem to touch the lyrical I in the slightest as it is only mentioned in a subclause. After mentioning her slaying in a short moment of relative calmness the lyrical I just continues its rage tearing "the doll" apart. The difference this time being that it is satisfied by the result. My thoughts on that were that while previously the lyrical I directed its anger towards the doll (which couldn't satisfy it's desire to kill), this time it directed it towards a human being (either the sister or, more likely to me, the sister's murderer [as the sister is already dead .. although - necrophilia?? would also be quite fitting .. but then there's still that client that hasn't left yet and would have bumped into the lyrical I watching through the keyhole]).

[@Eric578]

It's Rammstein. It's art. I don't know if you are reading more into it, but I like your interpretation of it. It could mean this, it could mean something else. That's what good art is supposed to do. It is supposed to make us think. Rammstein is good with that.

[@snoox27]

@@Eric578 agreed

[@kjt6552]

Schwesterlein could also be the nurse tbh

[@JackSwine]

I took the late birds sing as the squeaking of a bed like the chirping of birds.

[@johnnyelkid]

Makes more sense to me if the first 2 lines are read as 1. The must is actually for the second line. When the sister goes to work must she in the room lock me up. Sure this way doesn't sound as correct in English but the meaning changes a bit.

[@jimcarter7742]

I just commented on another reaction video that I saw the murderer as being the doll in the second chorus. I added the disclaimer that it was my interpretation and was probably wrong. I’m glad I’m not the only one that sees it that way.

[@NaughtyHyena68]

When I first heard this song I felt pain and anguish I had to stop listening to it to see if you had post about it or if there was a video of it to find out what it's about since I don't speak german well enough myself yet to decipher it. But it actually bothered me worse then any song I've heard yet by Rammstein. There was a lot of emotion in this song. Damn till is good!!