“Willkommen Zurück” is a collaboration between German singer/songwriters Clueso and Andreas Bourani. Last week it was number 59 on the German radio hits chart.

Cultural References, Idioms and Explanations

‘sich um etw drehen’ – Literally translating as ‘to revolve itself around’, this phrase means ‘to concern something’ or ‘to be about something’.

‘ab jetzt’ – Literally translating as ‘from now’, this phrase means ‘from now on’.

‘es gibt’ – Literally translating as ‘it exists’, this phrase means ‘there is’ or ‘there are’. As ‘es’ is the subject, whatever follows will be in the accusative case.

‘Schritt für Schritt’ – This is a great example of the fact that one often cannot translate word for word. Literally, we would understand this as ‘step for step’, but it means ‘step by step’.

‘Vergangenes’ – This is an example of how, in German, an adjective can be turned into a noun. Here the adjective is ‘vergangen’, meaning ‘last’, ‘past’, ‘former’ or ‘bygone’. Nouns made in this manner are always neuter. If used with the definite article ‘das’ the letter ‘e’ will be added to the end of the adjective. However, if the noun does not have an article then the letters ‘es’ will be added to the end of the adjective. For example, the adjective ‘alt’ becomes ‘das Alte’ or ‘Altes’. ‘Vergangen’ becomes ‘das Vergangene’ or ‘Vergangenes’.

‘zu Hause’ – This phrase means ‘at home’, and the phrase ‘Willkommen zu Hause’ means ‘welcome home’. You might wonder though, why ‘Haus’ has an additional ‘e’ at the end. This is due to a now largely archaic rule where an ‘-e’ ending was added to certain masc and neuter nouns in the dative case. It survives today almost exclusively in set phrases such as here in ‘zu Hause’, ‘im Zuge’ meaning ‘in the course of’, and ‘am Tage’ meaning ‘during the day’. It will also be seen occasionally in formal prose, poetry, and song lyrics.

Compound Words

‘Maschinenstopp’ – This compound noun, meaning ‘hang-up’ or ‘drop dead halt’, is made up of the nouns ‘Maschinen’ meaning ‘machine’ or ‘engine’, and ‘Stopp’ meaning ‘stop’, ‘halt’ or ‘freeze’.

‘Traumfabrik’ – This is a compound noun made of the nouns ‘Traum’ meaning ‘dream’ and ‘Fabrik’ meaning ‘factory’.

‘Augenblick’ – This noun, meaning ‘moment’ or ‘second’, is made up of the nouns ‘Augen’, meaning ‘eyes’ and ‘Blick’ meaning ‘glance’.

‘mitbringen’ – This is a separable verb meaning ‘to bring’ or ‘to bring along’ that is made up of the preposition ‘mit’ meaning ‘with’ or ‘including’ and the verb ‘bringen’ meaning ‘to bring’.

‘wiedersehen’ – This is a separable verb meaning ‘to see again’ or ‘to meet again’ made up of the adverb ‘wieder’ meaning ‘again’ and the verb ‘sehen’ meaning ‘to see’ or ‘to look at’.

‘Zeitreisen’ – This is a compound noun meaning ‘time travel’ that is made up of the noun ‘Zeit’ meaning ‘time’ and the verb ‘reisen’ meaning ‘to travel’.

‘Landebahn’ – This compound noun means ‘runway’ or ‘landing strip’, and is a combination of the verb ‘landen’ meaning ‘to land’ and the noun ‘Bahn’ meaning ‘path’, ‘track’ or ‘course’,

Activities

We’ve created flashcards, games, and exercises to practice vocabulary and grammatical concepts found in this song. Check out our Activities Page to take your learning further!

Song Lyrics with Grammatical Breakdown

Mouse over a term for grammatical information. A chart of the terms and grammatical information can be found here.

WillkommenWillkommen (no pl)welcome | noun | neut sing Zurückzurückback, behind, backward | adv

[Verse 1]
Maschinenstopp,Maschinenstopphang-up, drop dead halt | noun | masc sing ininin, inside, into | prep | takes dat or acc meinermeinmy | adj, poss | gen and dat fem sing, gen pl TraumfabrikTraum + Fabrikdream + factory, plant | noun | fem sing
Drehtdrehento turn, rotate, revolve, twist, swivel, spin | verb, reg | third pers sing and sec pers pl pres | sich um etw drehen = to concern sth, to be about sth sichsichherself, himself, itself, oneself, themselves | pron | acc and dat third pers sing and pl | sich um etw drehen = to concern sth, to be about sth allesallesall, everything, anything; everyone | pron | indefinite umumaround, at, by, for, because | prep | triggers acc | sich um etw drehen = to concern sth, to be about sth denderthe | art, def | acc masc sing, dat pl AugenblickAugenblickmoment, second | noun | masc sing
IchichI | pron | first pers sing, nom hab’habento have; own; suffer from | verb, irreg | first pers sing pres (habe) | aux verb used with pp to form perf schonschonalready, yet | adv vergessen,vergessento forget; to leave behind | verb, irreg | pp wie’swie + eshow + it | adv + pron | third pers sing, impers warseinto be | verb, irreg | first and third pers sing pret dichdichyou, yourself | pron | acc of du (sec pers sing) zuzuto | part | used with verb infinitives treffentreffento hit, strike; hurt; affect; meet, find; reach; make | verb, irreg | infin
IchichI | pron | first pers sing, nom trauetrauento trust | verb, reg | first pers sing pres meinenmeinmy | adj, poss | acc masc sing, dat pl AugenAuge (pl Augen)eye | noun | neut pl nichtnichtnot | adv
Backpack –backpackbackpack | noun | EN term Wirwirwe | pron | first pers pl, nom beidebeideboth | pron imin + demin the | prep + def art | dat masc and neut sing SommerSommersummer | noun | masc sing
Soundtrack –soundtracksoundtrack | noun | EN term „Vogue“VogueVogue | noun, prop | song name vonvonfrom; off; of, by | prep MadonnaMadonnaMadonna | noun, prop | singer name
Diediethe | art, def | nom and acc fem sing and pl GefühleGefühl (pl Gefühle)feeling, sense | noun | neut pl verstaubtverstaubento get dusty, gather dust | verb, reg | pp
Flashback –flashbackflashback | noun | EN term Aufaufon; in, at; to | prep | triggers acc or dat alles,allesall, everything, anything; everyone | pron waswaswhat; that which; what, how much, why | pron | interr or rel warseinto be | verb, irreg | first and third pers sing pret
Nextnextnext | noun | EN term step –stepstep | noun | EN term Allesallesall, everything, anything; everyone | pron | indefinite nochnochstill, even, yet; eventually, one day; (only) just | adv dadathere; then; here, present; so | adv
Fastfastalmost, nearly | adv nichtnichtnot | adv mehrmehrmore, anymore | adv drandaranon it/that, against it/that, next to it/that, to it/that, at it/that | adv geglaubtglaubento believe, think, guess | verb, reg | pp

[Chorus]
WillkommenWillkommen (no pl)welcome | noun | neut sing zurückzurückback, behind, backward | adv
Zurückzurückback, behind, backward | adv aufaufon; in, at; to | prep | triggers acc or dat derderthe | art, def | nom masc sing, gen/dat fem sing, gen pl ErdeErde (pl Erden)earth, world; ground; soil | noun | fem sing
Waswaswhat; that which; what, how much, why | pron | interr or rel bringstmitbringento bring, bring along | verb, reg | sec pers sing pres duduyou | pron | sec pers sing inform, nom mit?mitbringento bring, bring along | verb, reg | prefix of sep verb
Waswaswhat; that which; what, how much, why | pron | interr or rel gibt’sgeben + esto give, to be (exist); hand, pass; present, bestow + it | verb,irreg + pron | third pers sing pres + impers third pers sing | es gibt = there is, there are zuzuto | part | used with verb infinitives erzählen?erzählento tell; narrate | verb, reg | infin
AutogrammeAutogramm (Autogramme)autograph | noun | neut pl vomvon + demfrom the, off the | prep + def art | dat masc or neut GlückGlück (no pl)(good) luck; happiness | noun | neut sing
Sososo; as; like this/that | adv istseinto be | verb, irreg | third pers sing pres dasdasthe | art, def | nom and acc neut sing LebenLeben (pl Leben)life | noun | neut sing
Wiewiehow | adv | interr, rel schönschönbeautiful, lovely; nice, fine, good; really, considerably | adj esesit, he, she, him, her | pron | third pers sing neut or impers, nom or acc istseinto be | verb, irreg | third pers sing pres dichdichyou, yourself | pron | acc of du (sec pers sing) wiederzusehenwiedersehento see again, meet again | verb, irreg | infin + part 'zu'
WillkommenWillkommen (no pl)welcome | noun | neut sing zurückzurückback, behind, backward | adv

[Post-Chorus]
Vermissen,vermissento miss | verb, reg | infin vergеben,vergebento award, allocate, give out, give away, assign; to forgive, pardon | verb, irreg | infin verlieben,verliebento fall in love | verb, reg | infin verstehenverstehenunderstand; hear | verb, irreg | infin
WillkommenWillkommen (no pl)welcome | noun | neut sing zurückzurückback, behind, backward | adv

[Verse 2]
Neueneunew; fresh, clean; recent | adj Motoren,Motor (pl Motoren)motor, engine; drive, passion | noun | masc pl neuneunew; fresh, clean; recent | adj wiewieas, like | conj geborengeborenborn | adj
SchrittSchritt (pl Schritte)step; walk, gait; pace; crotch | noun | masc sing | Schritt für Schritt = step by step fürfürfor | prep | triggers acc | Schritt für Schritt = step by step SchrittSchritt (pl Schritte)step; walk, gait; pace; crotch | noun | masc sing | Schritt für Schritt = step by step imin + demin the | prep + def art | dat masc and neut sing ZeitreisenZeitreise (pl Zeitreisen)time travel | noun | fem pl nachnachafter, past; behind; to, towards; according to; by the authority of, following; like; for | prep | triggers dat vornvornat the front, ahead | adv
Keinkeinno, no one, not | adj schieferschiefcrooked, lopsided, tilted; worn-down; inappropriate; distorted | adj Ton,Ton (pl Tone)sound, tone, note; stress, intonation; atmosphere | noun | masc sing bestebestebest | adj VersionVersion (pl Versionen)version | noun | fem sing
Lassloslassento let go; launch, send off | verb, irreg | sec pers sing impera losloslassento let go; launch, send off | verb, irreg | prefix of sep verb undundand | conj stoßstoßento push, shove; poke; punch; kick; nudge; f*uck, shag | verb, irreg | sec pers sing impera (stoße) Vergangenesvergangenlast; past, former, bygone | adj | adj used as noun (neut sing) vomvon demfrom the, by the, of the | prep + def art | dat masc or neut ThronThron (pl Throne)throne | noun | masc sing
Esesit, he, she, him, her | pron | third pers sing neut or impers, nom or acc istseinto be | verb, irreg | third pers sing pres wiewieas, like | conj
Hashtag –hashtaghashtag | noun | EN term Wiewieas, like | conj diediethe | art, def | nom fem sing and pl FaustFaust (pl Fäuste)fist | noun | fem sing aufsauf + dason the, onto the | prep + def art | acc neut sing AugeAuge (pl Augen)eye | noun | neut sing
Comeback –comebackcomeback | noun | EN term WillkommenWillkommen (no pl)welcome | noun | neut sing zuzuto, towards; at, on, by, in | prep | triggers dat | zu Hause = at home HauseHaus (pl Häuser)house; home | noun | neut sing with dative -e | zu Hause = at home
LandebahnLandebahn (pl Landebahnen)runway, landing strip | noun | fem sing ababfrom | prep | triggers dat | ab jetzt = from now on jetztjetztnow | adv | | ab jetzt = from now on aufaufon; in, at; to | prep | triggers acc or dat festemfestfirm; solid, sturdy, strong; tight; rigid; permanent, steady; lasting, durable | adj BodenBoden (pl Böden)ground, floor, soil, land | noun | masc sing

[Chorus]
WillkommenWillkommen (no pl)welcome | noun | neut sing zurückzurückback, behind, backward | adv
Zurückzurückback, behind, backward | adv aufaufon; in, at; to | prep | triggers acc or dat derderthe | art, def | nom masc sing, gen/dat fem sing, gen pl ErdeErde (pl Erden)earth, world; ground; soil | noun | fem sing
Waswaswhat; that which; what, how much, why | pron | interr or rel bringstmitbringento bring, bring along | verb, reg | sec pers sing pres duduyou | pron | sec pers sing inform, nom mit?mitbringento bring, bring along | verb, reg | prefix of sep verb
Waswaswhat; that which; what, how much, why | pron | interr or rel gibt’sgeben + esto give, to be (exist); hand, pass; present, bestow + it | verb,irreg + pron | third pers sing pres + impers third pers sing | es gibt = there is, there are zuzuto | part | used with verb infinitives erzählen?erzählento tell; narrate | verb, reg | infin
AutogrammeAutogramm (Autogramme)autograph | noun | neut pl vomvon + demfrom the, off the | prep + def art | dat masc or neut GlückGlück (no pl)(good) luck; happiness | noun | neut sing
Sososo; as; like this/that | adv istseinto be | verb, irreg | third pers sing pres dasdasthe | art, def | nom and acc neut sing LebenLeben (pl Leben)life | noun | neut sing
Wiewiehow | adv | interr, rel schönschönbeautiful, lovely; nice, fine, good; really, considerably | adj esesit, he, she, him, her | pron | third pers sing neut or impers, nom or acc istseinto be | verb, irreg | third pers sing pres dichdichyou, yourself | pron | acc of du (sec pers sing) wiederzusehenwiedersehento see again, meet again | verb, irreg | infin + part 'zu'
WillkommenWillkommen (no pl)welcome | noun | neut sing zurückzurückback, behind, backward | adv

[Post-Chorus]
Vermissen,vermissento miss | verb, reg | infin vergеben,vergebento award, allocate, give out, give away, assign; to forgive, pardon | verb, irreg | infin verlieben,verliebento fall in love | verb, reg | infin verstehenverstehenunderstand; hear | verb, irreg | infin
WillkommenWillkommen (no pl)welcome | noun | neut sing zurück,zurückback, backwards | adv WillkommenWillkommen (no pl)welcome | noun | neut sing zurückzurückback, behind, backward | adv
Vergessen,vergessento forget; to leave behind | verb, irreg | infin verlaufen,verlaufento go, pass, proceed; run | verb, irreg | infin riskieren,riskierento risk, jeopardize; dare, venture | verb, reg | infin vertrauenvertrauento trust in, rely on | verb, reg | infin
WillkommenWillkommen (no pl)welcome | noun | neut sing zurückzurückback, behind, backward | adv

[Outro]
WillkommenWillkommen (no pl)welcome | noun | neut sing zurückzurückback, behind, backward | adv
Zurückzurückback, behind, backward | adv aufaufon; in, at; to | prep | triggers acc or dat derderthat, which, who | pron | rel, nom masc sing, gen/dat fem sing, gen pl ErdeErde (pl Erden)earth, world; ground; soil | noun | fem sing
Wiewiehow | adv | interr, rel schönschönbeautiful, lovely; nice, fine, good; really, considerably | adj esesit, he, she, him, her | pron | third pers sing neut or impers, nom or acc istseinto be | verb, irreg | third pers sing pres dichdichyou, yourself | pron | acc of du (sec pers sing) wiederzusehenwiedersehento see again, meet again | verb, irreg | infin + part 'zu'

Lyrics with Translation

Songs in any language often leave room for multiple interpretations. Following is my interpretation of the song lyrics.

Willkommen Zurück
Welcome back

[Verse 1]
Maschinenstopp, in meiner Traumfabrik
Hang-up in my dream factory
Dreht sich alles um den Augenblick
It’s all about the moment
Ich hab’ schon vergessen, wie’s war dich zu treffen
I already forgot how it was to meet you
Ich traue meinen Augen nicht
I don’t trust my eyes
Backpack – Wir beide im Sommer
Backpack – both of us in the summer
Soundtrack – „Vogue“ von Madonna
Soundtrack – “Vogue ” by Madonna
Die Gefühle verstaubt
The feelings gathered dust
Flashback – Auf alles, was war
Flashback – to all that was
Next step – Alles noch da
Next step – everything still there
Fast nicht mehr dran geglaubt
Almost no longer believed in it

[Chorus]
Willkommen zurück
Welcome back
Zurück auf der Erde
Back to earth
Was bringst du mit?
What are you bringing?
Was gibt’s zu erzählen?
What is there to tell?
Autogramme vom Glück
Autographs of happiness
So ist das Leben
Life is like that
Wie schön es ist dich wiederzusehen
How nice it is to see you again
Willkommеn zurück
Welcome back

[Post-Chorus]
Vermissen, vergеben, verlieben, verstehen
Missing, forgiving, falling in love, understanding
Willkommen zurück
Welcome back

[Verse 2]
Neue Motoren, neu wie geboren
New passions, as new as just born
Schritt für Schritt im Zeitreisen nach vorn
Step by step, travelling forward in time
Kein schiefer Ton, beste Version
No distorted tone, best version
Lass los und stoß Vergangenes vom Thron
Let go and push the past from the throne
Es ist wie
It’s like
Hashtag – Wie die Faust aufs Auge
Hashtag – Like a fist to the eye
Comeback – Willkommen zu Hause
Comeback – Welcome home
Landebahn ab jetzt auf festem Boden
Runway on solid ground from now on

[Chorus]
Willkommen zurück
Welcome back
Zurück auf der Erde
Back to earth
Was bringst du mit?
What are you bringing?
Was gibt’s zu erzählen?
What is there to tell?
Autogramme vom Glück
Autographs of happiness
So ist das Leben
Life is like that
Wie schön es ist dich wiederzusehen
How nice it is to see you again
Willkommеn zurück
Welcome back

[Post-Chorus]
Vermissen, vergeben, verlieben, verstehen
Missing, forgiving, falling in love, understanding
Willkommen zurück, Willkommen zurück
Welcome back, Welcome back
Vergessen, verlaufen, riskieren, vertrauen
Forgetting, running, risking, trusting
Willkommen zurück
Welcome back

[Outro]
Willkommen zurück
Welcome back
Zurück auf der Erde
Back to earth
Wie schön es ist dich wiederzusehen
How nice it is to see you again

Grammatical Concepts Used in this Song

• Possessive Adjectives: meiner, meinen
  • Maschinenstopp, in meiner Traumfabrik
  • Ich traue meinen Augen nicht

• Accusative:
  • Dreht sich alles um den Augenblick
  • Ich hab’ schon vergessen, wie’s war dich zu treffen
  • Wie schön es ist dich wiederzusehen
  • Hashtag – Wie die Faust aufs Auge

• Dative:
  • Maschinenstopp, in meiner Traumfabrik
  • Ich traue meinen Augen nicht
  • Backpack – Wir beide im Sommer
  • Zurück auf der Erde
  • Autogramme vom Glück
  • Schritt für Schritt im Zeitreisen nach vorn
  • Lass los und stoß Vergangenes vom Thron
  • Landebahn ab jetzt auf festem Boden

• Irregular:
  • haben:
    • Ich hab’ (habe) schon vergessen, wie’s war dich zu treffen
  • sein
    • So ist das Leben
    • Wie schön es ist dich wiederzusehen
    • Es ist wiewar

• Separable verbs: mitbringen
  • Wie schön es ist dich wiederzusehen
  • Lass los und stoß Vergangenes vom Thron
  • Was bringst du mit?

• Reflexive: Dreht sich
  • Dreht sich alles um den Augenblick

• Imperative:
  • Lass los und stoß Vergangenes vom Thron

• Perfekt:
  • Ich hab’ (habe) schon vergessen, wie’s war dich zu treffen

• Pret:
  • Ich hab’ schon vergessen, wie’s war dich zu treffen
  • Flashback – Auf alles, was war