Rammstein, “Bück dich” | Controversial Tunes

In the 14^th edition of Controversial Tunes (2022), we explore the controversy behind the song, “Bück dich” by Rammstein.   

B

ring on the controversy! Controversial Tunes is a column that provides background information and insight into songs that raised eyebrows and totally stirred the pot.  The records that grace Controversial Tunes are old and new alike, with all genres of music welcome.  In the 14^th edition of Controversial Tunes (2022), we explore the controversy behind the song, “Bück dich” by Rammstein.

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Theme & Lyrics

“Bück dich!, Befehl ich dir / Wende dein’ Antlitz ab von mir / Dein Gesicht ist mir egal / Bück dich!” Um, what the actual hell? Translated roughly from German to English, Till Lindemann of veteran German collective Rammstein asserts, “I command you to bend over / Turn your face away from me / I don’t care about your face / Bend over!” Oh shite! Yes, Lindemann is referencing sodomy in “Bück dich” (“Bend Over”), likely forced (aka the four-letter ‘R’ word).  Sodomy and controversy are synonymous, and Rammstein only elevates the controversy.

I’m not sure why Rammstein thought a record referencing sodomy was good idea but, it appears as the sixth track on their 1997 album, Sehnsucht.  I mean, “we don’t talk about sodomy,” right? “A biped on all fours / I take him on a stroll… / Now he approaches me backwards.” Backwards, huh? The song is highly energetic, and you can see why fans would enjoy it.  Still, Lindemann and keyboardist Christian Lorenz spent a night in jail in Massachusetts for simulating sodomy while performing “Bück dich” in 1998. Yikes! Revolver provides more details regarding the incident, including keywords like leash, BDSM, prosthetic phallus, and ejaculating. Again, I say, Oh shite!

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Final Thoughts

“Bück dich! / Bück dich! / Bück dich! / Bück dich!” Rammstein bring both heat and controversy on “Bück dich”.  Perhaps this 1997 joint is the record about sodomy you didn’t know you needed.  I’m not sure that we did need it, but it’s alluring.

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Rammstein • Sehnsucht • Vertigo / Capitol • 1997

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Rammstein, “Bück dich”: Controversial Tunes No. 14 (2022) [: Brent Faulkner, Capitol,  cottonbro, Darkmoon_Art,  TheDigitalArtist, inna mikitas, Isabela Catão, Jonathan Nenemann, The Musical Hype, Pexels, Pixabay, Tazz Vaughn, Vertigo, Victoria Borodinova, zzzvector]

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