Wie es sein soll

Song Meaning

The lyrics present a stark contrast between a repeated, almost mantra-like assertion that "everything is as it should be" and the grim reality painted by the narrator. This core tension is immediately established in the pre-hook and hook, where the phrase "Alles ist so wie es sein soll" (Everything is as it should be) is repeatedly questioned with "Glaubst du daran?" (Do you believe it?). This isn't a simple affirmation but a challenge, hinting at a deeper skepticism. The first verse shatters any pretense of idyllic order. The narrator points out that the "sea is half full / With trash, not half empty," a direct subversion of a common optimistic idiom. They then observe that "the forest is burning, but hasn't it always burned?" This rhetorical question suggests a weary resignation to ongoing destruction, framing it as a perpetual state rather than an anomaly. The implication is that the supposed order is merely a facade over persistent problems. Part 2 introduces a more personal, albeit still conditional, perspective. The narrator states, "Everything is good as it is, as long as calf baby milk / Flows into calf baby mouths again." This imagery, while seemingly benign, carries an unsettling undertone about natural cycles being disrupted or commodified. However, it pivots to a more hopeful, self-empowering note: "as long as you or I / Recognize we make the difference." The act of climbing a weeping willow, respecting its growth, and breathing its oxygen is presented as a moment of profound connection and gratitude, a small act of acknowledging life's resilience. The effectiveness of these lyrics lies in their juxtaposition of seemingly positive affirmations with bleak observations and challenging questions. The repetitive, almost hypnotic "Na na na" intro and the insistent "Alles ist so wie es sein soll" create a surface of calm that is constantly undermined by the specific, unsettling details. This creates a powerful emotional effect, forcing the listener to confront the dissonance between what is said and what is shown, and to question their own beliefs about the state of things.