Der Teufel ist los

Song Meaning

The lyrics open with a man, Udo, expressing passionate love for his girlfriend, Romi, describing their connection as a "Love-Story wie im Kino." However, this romantic ideal quickly shatters with the revelation that "Der Satan ist in ihren Body eingefahren." Romi experiences episodes of "wilder Hysterie" as demons take control, setting up a jarring contrast between deep affection and supernatural horror. This central conflict drives Udo's fierce protectiveness. When an exorcist arrives, ready with religious rites, Udo dismisses him, fearing that the ritual would leave his "Baby dann über 'n Jordan ist" – a colloquial way of saying she'd die. His refusal to accept traditional spiritual intervention, despite the severity of Romi's condition, underscores a desperate love that prioritizes her life above all else, even against demonic possession. The narrative then takes a darkly ironic turn, recounting a "Privataudienz" with a figure described as "seiner Hochmerkwürdigen Totaldekadenz." This powerful, perhaps infernal, entity is asked for help, and Romi shows him her "geschundenen Leib." The "Totaldekadenz" proposes a "Spezialtherapie," which involves him grabbing her "Corpus," but is stopped by his "Meßdiener" who declares, "Paulchen, du weißt doch, daß ich das nicht vertrag'." This unsettling scene, implying a sexual assault averted by an assistant's squeamishness rather than concern for Romi, adds a layer of disturbing, almost absurd humor to the supernatural struggle. Ultimately, these lyrics are effective because they blend intense romantic devotion with a chaotic, darkly comedic portrayal of supernatural affliction. The rapid shifts in tone – from heartfelt love to desperate fear, and then to unsettling, almost farcical encounters with spiritual figures – create a uniquely unsettling yet compelling narrative. Udo's unwavering commitment to Romi, navigating a world where both divine and infernal solutions prove problematic, anchors the emotional core of this bizarre, captivating story.