Song meaning of West Berlin by Die Ärzte

The song "West Berlin" by Die Ärzte conveys a strong anti-military and anti-establishment message. It speaks to the desire of the artists, who are portrayed as coming from the region of Schwabenland, to avoid mandatory military service ("Der Dienst an der Waffe") and pursue their own interests, specifically studying sociology in peace.

The lyrics express the artists' disdain for the military, with lines like "Ich will keine Uniform, ich lieg' nicht gern im Dreck" ("I don't want a uniform, I don't like lying in the dirt") and "Ich mag keine Panzer, Panzer müssen weg" ("I don't like tanks, tanks must go"). They emphasize their rejection of conformity and militaristic values, contrasting it with their preference for a life of freedom and individuality.

The artists also express their dislike for traditional German values by mentioning their distaste for "schwarze Stiefel" (black boots) and "Kartoffelschalen" (potato peels). This can be interpreted as a rejection of conservative and authoritarian ideologies associated with those symbols.

Overall, the song's message can be seen as a critique of the military system and the societal expectations placed on individuals in Germany. It promotes individual choice, freedom of expression, and an alternative lifestyle, represented by the countercultural scene in West Berlin.