☝️ Key Points
- The song is a commentary on personal and global difficulties and the refusal to acknowledge them.
- The chorus 'Everything under control, on the sinking ship!' is a metaphor for people pretending to have control even though the situation is hopeless.
- The song specifically refers to the political 'guys in Moscow and Bonn' who pretend to have everything under control despite conflicts and wars.
- The last verse emphasizes the universality of problems and that they persist regardless of who is in power or how the oil price stands.
- Overall, the song offers a critical view of society where problems are often ignored or downplayed.
Interpretation
The song 'Alles im Griff (Auf dem sinkenden Schiff)' by
Udo Jürgens uses metaphors and sarcasm to draw attention to the problems and injustices in society.
In the first verse, the singer talks about personal setbacks, such as losing his girlfriend, his car, and his job to a computer. Despite this, he claims that everything is fine ('Ich hab alles im Griff'), highlighting the song's ironic tone.
The chorus 'Alles im Griff, auf dem sinkenden Schiff!' is a metaphor for how people often claim to have control even when the situation seems hopeless, like a captain standing on a sinking ship.
In the second verse, the singer describes the global problems he sees on television, including conflicts and wars. However, the 'guys in Moscow and Bonn' (as representatives of politics) claim to have the situation under control.
In the last verse, the singer raises a glass to the world where everyone faces difficulties ('Wo ich pausenlos auf die Nase fall' Und es keinem anders ergeht'). He states that it doesn't matter who governs or what happens to the oil price, the problems persist.
Overall, the song is a critical reflection on society where both individual and global problems are ignored or downplayed, and people pretend to have control even when the situation seems hopeless.