Hey Staat

REVIEW BY Roxanne Sancto Music EXPERT

Review posted: 06/11/2013

Hans Söllner is a German singer-songwriter who sings in Bavarian-German and is famous for openly criticising the German government and its policies. He tells stories in his songs, be they about his experiences in Jamaica in “Charlie,” his fascination for his marijuana farmer friend in “Edeltraut,” and the hardcore routines of a typical Bavarian farmer in “Da Sepp.” Hans’ albums and live performances not only guarantee violent bouts of laughter, but also promise new perspectives and ideas, leaving the audience in a thoughtful and contemplative mood. One song in particular reflects on the tiresome days spent working for a government which offers nothing in return for hard work. In “Hey Staat” (Hey State), released in 1989, Hans makes an open statement regarding his frustration, his fatigue, and his unmotivated state of being. Although you can clearly pick up on his anger, the song is calm and sad rather than raging.

"With 'Hey Staat,' Hans Söllner proved that he is not quite ready to give up fighting the good fight and will never keep silent."

Hans isn’t aggressively calling out the government, so much as he is calling out for their attention: “Hey Staat, hey Staat, hey Staat.” His voice sounds defeated, almost broken, just a small man seeking answers in a large crowd. Instead of attacking without further justification, he proposes a mature discussion: “Heit sog’ da I amoi, wos I ois moch für di. Hey Staat, hey Staat, hey Staat und dann sog’ du mir moi, was du ois machst für mi” (Today I’ll tell you about all the things I do for you. Hey State, hey State, hey State, and then you tell me about all the things you do for me). The terms “amoi” and “moi” are taken from “ein mal” (once) and “mal” (sometime), respectively. Whilst “moi” is used rather loosely, as in “Geh’ma moi zum essn” (Let’s go have dinner sometime), “amoi” is often used to emphasise the need for something “at once,” often announcing a confrontation, as in: “Jetzt schaust amoi g’fälligst dass’d di schleichst” (Get out of here, at once).

Söllner goes on to tell the government about his upbringing and the steps he’s had to follow even when he was not interested in doing so, though the government couldn’t have cared less: “Des is dir total Wuarscht” (You don’t care about that at all). He doesn’t understand why he should be working eight hours a day, when the government immediately takes a third of it anyways. “I bugg’l acht stund’n lang,” says Söllner, using the word “bugg’l” from “buggln,” which literally translates as “backing.” The word basically describes the motions of a manual labourer, his back bending and slouched. Hans’ Bavarian accent often crosses with Austrian, which is unsurprising seeing as his home town of Bad Reichenhall is only a twenty minute drive from Salzburg. “Geld” (money) in Bavarian turns to “Gäid,” whereas in Austria the "e" often turns to "ö," thus making “Göid.”

"Although you can clearly pick up on Hans Söllner's anger, the song is calm and sad rather than raging."

In the second verse, Hans says he feels robbed of the right to his own identity. The government dictates his clothes, his hair, his career, his job, and even his religion. He feels like a real “depp” (idiot), because on top of everything he’s the one who “feeds their God.” The word “depp” is a frequently used term in Bavaria and doesn’t necessarily have to be insulting. Even kids are addressed with it: “Mai, du depp” (Oh, you muppet). With “Hey Staat,” Hans Söllner proved that he is not quite ready to give up fighting the good fight and will never keep silent. He will continue to encourage all of Bavaria and Austria to stand up with him and sing songs of freedom.