Was Ich Liebe

Rammstein's 'Was Ich Liebe' delves into the complex and often painful relationship between love and loss. The German industrial metal band is known for their provocative and deeply metaphorical lyrics, and this song is no exception. The lyrics express a paradoxical fear of happiness because it inherently contains the potential for future pain. The refrain 'Was ich liebe, das muss auch sterben' translates to 'What I love must also die,' encapsulating the song's theme of the impermanence of all things cherished.

The song's narrator seems to be grappling with the idea that to love something is to set oneself up for eventual heartbreak. This is evident in lines like 'Ich kann auf Glück verzichten, weil es Unglück in sich trägt' ('I can do without happiness because it carries misfortune within it'). The lyrics suggest a deliberate avoidance of attachment and joy as a means of self-preservation, highlighting a deep-seated fear of the inevitable loss that comes with love. The repeated negations 'Nein (nein, nein)' emphasize a refusal to allow oneself to experience joy.

Rammstein often explores dark and complex themes, and 'Was Ich Liebe' is a reflection on the human condition and the emotional defenses people build to protect themselves from pain. The song's somber tone and heavy instrumentation complement the lyrical content, creating a powerful and haunting meditation on the nature of love and the pain of loss. The message is clear: the beauty of love is inextricably linked to the tragedy of its potential end, and the struggle to accept this duality is a universal human experience.