☝️ Key Points
- The song lyrics begin with a reflection on life that was given to us without our consent
- It addresses the feeling of isolation and insecurity often felt in big cities, and symbolizes the longing for belonging and acceptance
- It addresses the expectation and anticipation of the unknown, which remains indefinite
- It highlights the irony that too much happiness can lead to a longing for sadness, indicating the human tendency for contrast and change
- In the last verse, it addresses the theme of self-pity and the exaggeration of our own suffering. It also reveals the illusion of desires, emphasizing that they are only beautiful when they remain unfulfilled
Interpretation
The song lyrics "Wenn ich mir was wünschen dürfte" by
Marlene Dietrich is a melancholic reflection on life, happiness, sadness, and the transience of wishes. In the first four lines, the lyrics express the fact that life was given to us without our consent, an entrance door through which we enter without our consent.
The next verse illustrates the feeling of isolation and insecurity often experienced in big cities. The question of whether the city loves the singer symbolizes the longing for belonging and acceptance.
The following verse shows hope and waiting for something unknown, symbolized by looking through windows and listening. It is a feeling of expectation that, however, remains indefinite ('but what').
In the chorus, the dilemma of choosing between happiness and sadness is emphasized. It highlights the irony that too much happiness can lead to a homesickness for sadness, indicating the human tendency to seek and appreciate contrasts and changes in life.
The last verse directly addresses the 'human child' and criticizes self-pity and exaggeration of one's own suffering. It also exposes the illusion of wishes by emphasizing that they are only beautiful when they remain unfulfilled. This points to the human tendency to always strive for what is difficult to achieve or unattainable.