Rammstein’s “Engel” Lyrics Meaning

by Jessica Shelton· Published June 4, 2019· Updated June 4, 2019

There are two prevailing theories as to the meaning of Rammstein’s “Engel”, both of which are plausible – or perhaps better-stated interconnected. But first off it should be noted that the word “engel” translates from German into English as “angel”. Thus two factors that can be conclusively ascertained from this track is that it deals with these spiritual beings and also the afterlife.

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And in that regard, neither angels nor the afterlife, as in going to “heaven”, are presented as ideal in this song. “Angels” are referred to as lonely, fearful, confused, “fading souls” and “ashen white” despite being immortal. So that is one theory behind the track, that Rammstein is questioning not the existence but rather the validity of the afterlife, as in viewing “paradise” as a place inhabited by these tortured beings.

That brings us to the second theory, or perhaps what we should call the ultimate conclusion of this track. Being that the singer perceives angels in such a way, he has no intention of becoming one. Or put differently, he proclaims that ‘when he dies’ he will “not” do so as an angel. That is to say that, based on the beliefs delineated in the previous paragraph, becoming an angel – which is likely a metaphor for making a conscientious effort to live an upright life or something along those lines – has no appeal to him, and in a wider context neither does going to heaven.

Facts about “Engel”

The chorus of this track features a female voice. That is actually Christiane “Bobo” Hebold of the German pop band White Wooden Houses.
The music video to “Engel” was inspired by the 1996 Quentin Tarantino flick From Dusk till Dawn.
“Engel” makes somewhat of a cameo in a 2017 episode of “Twin Peaks”, as one of the characters (Gordon Cole) whistles the song.
The band also produced the track alongside their long-time collaborator, Jacob Hellner.
“Engel” was officially released by Motor Music on 1 April 1997. It is featured on Rammstein’s second studio album, “Sehnsucht”.