Lindemann is a German metal band founded in 2015. It is named after the surname of one of the members – Till Lindemann. The singer has long been known not only in his native country, but also around the world, since he is the frontman of the legendary band Rammstein. He has earned public recognition and won many awards, becoming one of the most famous performers of his country.
Despite the fact that Till was already a member of the band, he and his second singer Peter Tägtgren had long dreamed of their own project, but they had problems because of their own fame – the duo simply did not have time for side projects. However, a good chance came in 2013, when Rammstein took a break. That’s when they decided to turn their longtime dream into reality.
However, it took them another two years to record their first album “Skills in Pills”. Despite this, the time was obviously not wasted – the album soon topped the German charts.
During this time the project has released many new tracks and a second album, but today we will talk about their latest song – “Zunge” (Language). The music video was released recently, on September 8, 2023, but already in such a short period of time it has gained popularity due to its unexpectedly shocking video sequence.
The idea of the song is incredibly simple – the author is trying to express the power of language, to tell about the difficulties people face when trying to communicate with others, and to tell about the consequences of our own words.
In the first verse, the author talks about language itself as an organ that can express our thoughts. He doesn’t use any elaborate metaphors, essentially saying directly, “There’s one hole in the face, and that’s the mouth that speaks.” Language is the means by which we can express our ideas and feelings and communicate them to others. With the lines “I need to say everything, right now” and “I have a tongue without bones, and so I say whatever I want” the author demonstrates the spontaneity of speech itself and how people need to constantly be in communication, saying whatever is on their mind.
The chorus only continues to delve further into this idea, emphasizing our freedom of speech and the ability for people to speak without any restrictions. However, these lines contrast strongly with the lyrics about his broken heart that continues to beat despite everything. This shows inner strength as the author still continues to speak and express himself, ignoring the inner pain.
In the second verse, the author moves on to discuss the conflicts that can arise from this very freedom of expression. After all, words can easily lead to confusion, especially between the mind and the heart. Even so, language remains the most essential in communication. These words give away the true thoughts and feelings of the author, demonstrating the power to influence others. The lines “Wings are carried by the storm, the words tear themselves out” show that he himself is not fully in control of this, as if the words themselves represent some natural force that you cannot contain.
Bridge shows us the singer’s inner conflict with words. “The beautiful word is my enemy” he says, recognizing that because of the power that language holds, it often becomes a weapon that can create conflict and cause pain. With the lines “How many have shed rivers of tears!” he expresses his rage and the emotions that mere words can evoke.
In the last verse, the author speaks of the fact that with all of this, the “tongue” itself is held captive. In this way he hints that his own words are also imprisoned and can never comprehend full freedom, nor can he himself escape their consequences. “Thy teeth, white tongs” – this metaphor implies man’s own eternal restraint in fully expressing his feelings and thoughts as he shuts himself up. The author laments his inability to sing or at least to shout, being under the eternal oppression of the weight of his own words and other people’s speculations and misinterpretations, which will be impossible to avoid.
The song “Zunge” tries to show all the complexities of language as a means of communication, pointing to the need for honesty and sincerity in communication in order to avoid unfortunate consequences, while at the same time not denying the barriers and difficulties that this very language creates. The song calls for reflection and analysis, emphasizing the role that words play in our lives, relationships and experiences.
