Amerika (song)

"Amerika"
Song

"Amerika" is a song performed by German band Rammstein, released as the second single from their album Reise, Reise. It deals with the worldwide dominance 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. It has received mixed reviews: some perceive it as anti-American, others as being opposed to globalization, relative few are thought to take the song at it's patriotic face-value. The band views it as a satirical commentary on Cocacolonization. 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 speak my mother tongue
This is not a love song.

Video

The video shows the band in Apollo-era space suits on the moon, and playing a pinball machine with shots of other cultures acting like stereotypical Americans and some using American-owned products, such as cigarettes, with the implication that American culture is negative. The high tech Apollo scenes are intercut with African tribal clips 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.

Performance Live

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, Flake 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 and Latin America to be cancelled.

Track listing

German CDS

1. Amerika - 3:41
2. Amerika (English Version) - 3:40
3. Amerika (Digital Hardcore - Remix by Alec Empire) - 3:49
4. Amerika (Western Remix - Remix by Olson Involtini) - 3:14
5. Amerika (Andy Panthen & Mat Diaz's Clubmix) - 4:05
6. Amerika (Electro Ghetto Remix - Remix by Bushido & Ilan)(featuring Bushido) - 4:32
7. Amerika (Jam & Spoon So Kann's Gehen Mix) - 7:31
8. Mein Herz brennt (Orchesterlied V) (Album Version) - 5:37

UK Maxi-Single

1. Amerika - 3:41
2. Amerika (Digital Hardcore Mix - Remix by Alec Empire) - 3:49
3. Mein Herz brennt - 4:40
4. Ich will (Orchesterlied VII)

UK Vinyl-Single

1. Amerika - 3:41
2. Wilder Wein - 5:43

UK DVD-Single

1. Amerika - Video - 4:16
2. Amerika, The making of - Video
3. Amerika (Single Version) - Audio Track

Charts

In Australia, the song was ranked #46 on Triple J's Hottest 100 of 2004.

Chart (2004)	Peak position
U.S. Billboard Modern Rock Tracks	40
German Singles Chart	2
UK Singles Chart	38

External links

• Web's Boulevard - Rammstein and pop culture (Brazil)