Learn German with Rap Music with these 19 Song Recommendations (Full Translations Included!)

Rap
LF Content Team | Updated on 2 February 2023
Learning German with Rap is a great way to learn German! Learning with music is fun, engaging, and includes a cultural aspect that is often missing from other language learning methods. So music and song lyrics are a great way to supplement your learning and stay motivated to keep learning German!
Below are 19 Rap song recommendations to get you started learning German! We have full lyric translations and lessons for each of the songs recommended below, so check out all of our resources. We hope you enjoy learning German with Rap!
CONTENTS SUMMARY
1. Bye Bye
CRO
Es ist ein unglaublich schöner Tag
Und draußen ist es warm
Er ist auf dem Weg nach Hause mit der Bahn
Schaut aus dem Fenster, lässt Gedanken freien Lauf
It's an unbelievably beautiful day
And outside it's warm
He's on the way home by train
Looks out the window, lets his thoughts run free

CRO’s rap story in Bye Bye unfolds on a warm, lazy day when two complete strangers end up sharing the same train ride. From each person’s view we hear the inner fireworks: racing heartbeats, hopeful daydreams, and the desperate pep-talks we give ourselves before speaking to someone we find amazing. Both the guy and the girl are convinced that fate has served them a once-in-a-lifetime meeting, yet fear glues them to their seats. They rehearse lines in their heads, but when the doors slide open, all that escapes their lips is a faint “bye bye”—and the chance of romance rolls away with the carriage.

The song is a playful but bittersweet reminder to act before it is “too late.” CRO turns an everyday commute into a lesson about courage: we may cross paths with the right person twice, yet the second encounter could arrive after the magic has faded. With its catchy hook and relatable narrative, Bye Bye invites listeners to laugh at the awkwardness of missed connections while nudging them to seize the moment, speak up, and turn “what if” into “why not.”

2. Generation YouPorn
Faber
Generation YouPorn, doch du springst nicht nackt in See
Du würdest gerne Liebe machen, doch du weißt nicht wie es geht
Hast die Welt gesehen
Fliegst nach Lima in den Urlaub
Generation YouPorn, but you don't jump naked into the lake
You'd like to make love, but you don't know how
You've seen the world
You fly to Lima on vacation

Generation YouPorn is Faber’s cheeky yet cutting snapshot of a generation that knows everything and nothing at the same time. In rapid-fire images he shows us people who jet to climate conferences, drive to the gym only to ride a stationary bike, and shop for local produce from the comfort of an idling car. There is a constant tug-of-war between wanting real intimacy and settling for online porn, between chasing high salaries and feeling spiritually bankrupt, between preaching eco-awareness and living carbon-heavy lifestyles. Every line drips with irony, inviting us to laugh at the absurdity while wincing at how familiar it all feels.

Beneath the satire lies a raw confession: “Ich bin so dumm” — I’m so dumb. The narrator staggers through life drunk, overwhelmed, and desperate for someone to “explain the world” to him. This repeated plea exposes the insecurity that often hides behind curated social-media confidence. Faber ultimately points a mirror at us, asking whether our endless options and information have really made us wiser, or simply more confused. The song is both a party anthem and a wake-up call, reminding listeners that self-awareness is the first step toward breaking free from modern contradictions.

3. Wer Sagt Denn Das? (Who Says That?)
Deichkind
Wer sagt denn, dass
Man ohne Einladung nicht eingeladen ist?
Wer sagt denn, dass
Mark Forster nicht eigentlich Nina Hagen ist?
Who says that
You're not invited without an invitation?
Who says that
Mark Forster isn't actually Nina Hagen?

“Wer sagt denn das?” is Deichkind’s playful slap in the face of everything we accept as ‘common sense’. In a rapid-fire list of tongue-in-cheek examples – from celebrity look-alikes to political walls and click-bait truths – the group keeps asking the same question: Who actually told you that’s the way it is? The song turns everyday claims, media headlines and social clichés upside down, showing how quickly we repeat them without thinking.

Ultimately, the track celebrates healthy doubt and critical thinking. Deichkind remind us that rules, labels and ‘facts’ often come from shaky sources, so we should investigate before believing. With its bouncing beat and humor, the song turns skepticism into a party, inviting listeners to dance while sharpening their nonsense-radar.

4. Normal
Hava, Dardan
Heh
Let's go
Aha, aha
Okay
Heh
Let's go
Aha, aha
Okay

“Normal” is a swagger-filled duet where Hava and Dardan let us cruise through their world of luxury, confidence, and high standards. Hava opens the ride in a sleek car, offering the wheel but making it clear that fancy things are everyday life for her. She can walk the last meters on her own, because money can’t buy her heart. Dardan jumps in, calling her Mademoiselle in white and admitting that a woman like her needs someone who can keep up. Both artists playfully tease each other—one moment acting uninterested, the next claiming my bae—while reminding us that not just anyone earns a seat beside them.

The repeated line “das ist bei mir normal” (“that’s normal for me”) is the song’s motto: confidence, independence, and authenticity are their baseline, not a performance. Behind the flashy cars and cash lies a message for English learners: know your worth, set your standards, and remember that true connection can’t be bought. Hop in, turn up the beat, and practice those German-English switches—because for Hava and Dardan, being unapologetically yourself is simply… normal.

5. Dr. Pest
Die Apokalyptischen Reiter
Er ist stramm, er ist sinnlich
Das Gemüt
Schlicht und kindlich
Gut und böse sind ihm fremd
He's firm, he's sensual
The soul
Simple and childlike
Good and evil are foreign to him

Meet Dr. Pest, the night-marish ringmaster of Die Apokalyptischen Reiter’s dark carnival. Behind a polite daytime façade, he slips into his true skin after sunset: half devil, half child, wielding whips and blades with morbid grace. The lyrics paint him as a twisted “priest of fantasy,” obsessed with fear, agony, and absolute control. He toys with his “subjects,” flaying away their outer layer—both literally and metaphorically—until only raw vulnerability remains, because for him pain equals love.

Yet there’s more here than shock value. The song warns of how charisma and authority can hide monstrous urges, how cruelty can masquerade as art, and how hubris crumbles when confronted by real terror. By celebrating torment as a perverse form of devotion, Dr. Pest forces us to question why society is both repelled by and fascinated with violence. It’s a gothic morality tale set to pounding metal: unsettling, theatrical, and unforgettable.

6. An Irgendwas Glauben (Believe In Something)
Nino De Angelo
Manchmal musst Du einfach weitergehen
Kannst du das Ziel auch noch nicht sehen
Alles was jetzt zählt ist, bleib jetzt nicht stehn
Manchmal musst du sterben um zu leben
Sometimes you simply have to keep going
Even if you still can't see the goal
All that matters now is, don't stop now
Sometimes you have to die to live

Nino De Angelo’s “An Irgendwas Glauben” is a pep-talk wrapped in a pop anthem. The lyrics cheer us on when life feels like a dizzy merry-go-round: you may wake up confused, want to crawl back under the covers, or stumble so hard it feels like the end. Yet every verse insists that these rough moments are actually launchpads. Keep walking even when you cannot see the finish line, fall so you can take off, stand still so you can leap forward.

At the heart of the song is a simple but powerful call: believe in something. Whether it is a dream, a gut feeling, or just the notion that today could be your day, that spark of faith turns setbacks into high-stakes adventures. De Angelo sings about living “all in,” taking risks because “without risk there is no jackpot.” The message is clear: choose courage over caution, keep moving, and let belief be the engine that carries you toward the next big win.

7. Sommergewitter (Summer Thunderstorm)
Pashanim
Sommergewitter in meinem Block
Hör' den Regen ganze Nacht
Ich will Butterfly Doors und ein Panoramadach
Meine Gegend, meine Stadt
Summer thunderstorm in my block
Hear the rain all night
I want butterfly doors and a panoramic roof
My hood, my city

Sommergewitter ("summer thunderstorm") drops you right onto Pashanim’s rain-soaked block, where the steady patter of night-time showers becomes the soundtrack to big dreams and street realities. Over a laid-back beat he drifts between vivid snapshots: sleepless hours listening to rain, childhood memories of parents arriving with nothing but two suitcases, and the present-day hunger for "Butterfly Doors" and a panoramic roof on a luxury ride. The storm outside mirrors the tension inside – a restless mix of ambition, pride in his neighborhood, and the pressure that comes with sudden success.

Beneath the catchy hook lies a story of resilience and identity. Pashanim salutes friends, cousins, and the streets that shaped him, while side-stepping police checks and late-night messages from worried loved ones. The song celebrates how far he has come without forgetting where he started: a summer night filled with rain, hustle, and hope that the next sunrise will bring clearer skies and even bigger wins.

8. Gesegnet Und Verflucht (Blessed And Cursed)
Nino De Angelo
Wie oft stand ich schon allein im Regen
Heute weiß ich nun so ist das Leben
Wenn du oben bist, ist alles einfach
Wenn's nach unten geht, bezahlst du dreifach
How often have I stood alone in the rain
Today I know, that's life
When you're on top, everything's easy
When it goes down, you pay triple

“Gesegnet Und Verflucht” is Nino De Angelo’s dramatic roller-coaster ride through the extremes of human experience. One moment you are standing alone in the rain, the next you are reborn from ashes and glow. The singer lists life’s sharp contrasts—blessed and cursed, found and sought, on fire and frozen—to show how every choice has a price. Lies come back triple, truth can be twisted, and guilt will bite until you face it. Yet beneath the warning pulses a hopeful heartbeat: real freedom starts with loving yourself, staying authentic, and daring to reach for the stars without losing your face.

Ultimately, the song is a pep-talk wrapped in confession. It urges you to live each day as if it were the last, give everything for the ones you love, and accept that tides, storms, and calm will keep swapping places. In that honest acceptance of both light and shadow, you are endlessly “gesegnet und verflucht”… and fully alive.

9. In Der Natur (In The Nature)
Deichkind
Leun-deh-hoh
Wabbe-diddl, leun-deh-yo
Huh-deh
Huh-deh
Leun-deh-hoh
Wabbe-diddl, leun-deh-yo
Huh-deh
Huh-deh

Tense electronic beats meet muddy hiking boots: In “In Der Natur”, Deichkind march into the wild only to discover that every romantic cliché about camping collapses the moment the phone signal dies. Each In der Natur refrain piles up new grievances: twisted ankles, useless survival guides, passive-aggressive forest animals, dripping tents, and the shocking absence of oat milk, cake, or Wi-Fi. The playful nonsense syllables at the start feel like a folk chant that has lost its way, perfectly mirroring urbanites who suddenly find themselves far from espresso bars and streaming subscriptions.

Comedy with a sting: Beneath the slapstick complaints lies a sharp satire on how detached city life has made us from the real outdoors. Survival reality shows look entertaining on a sofa, but the song reminds us that the wilderness does not care about comfort, brands, or social status. Nature is indifferent and quietly powerful, while the modern camper is pampered, impatient, and terrified of bugs. By exaggerating every discomfort, Deichkind invite us to laugh at our own dependence on convenience and perhaps rethink what “getting back to nature” really means.

10. Mischen (Mix)
Abenteuer Wildnis
Dein Lächeln im Badezimmerspiegel
Dein Körper formt in meiner Decke Hügel
Deine Talkshows in meinem Fernseher
Deine Kleider gebt ich nie mehr her
Your smile in the bathroom mirror
Your body shapes hills in my blanket
Your talk shows on my TV
I'll never give away your clothes

Ready to blend lives like a DJ mashes tracks? “Mischen” is a joyful anthem about two people taking the big step of moving in together. The singer lists all the little ways their partner has already seeped into everyday life: her smile in the bathroom mirror, her music tapes in his recorder, her scent swirling in his head. Every quirky image shows how their worlds are colliding in the most delightful way.

The repeated chorus, “Wir mischen unsere Sachen jetzt” – “We’re mixing our stuff now” – feels like both a celebration and a promise. When they are together, everything feels right, exactly as it should be, and that’s all the singer ever wanted. The track captures the giddy excitement of packing boxes, sharing closets, and realizing that the best part of co-habitation is simply being together.

11. Weihnachten Daheim (Christmas At Home)
Mia Julia
Weihnachten daheim, Weihnachten daheim
Ich will Weihnachten daheim, Weihnachten daheim
Die Schönste aller Zeiten
Das ist Weihnachten daheim
Christmas at home, Christmas at home
I want Christmas at home, Christmas at home
The most beautiful ever
That's Christmas at home

Mia Julia’s “Weihnachten Daheim” is a sparkling love letter to the simple joy of celebrating Christmas at home. The singer has been counting the days, yearning for that moment when the quiet hush of snow, the smell of cookies, and the glow of fairy lights return. As soon as the festive season arrives, she is swept back into a childlike wonder where every sight and scent feels magical.

At its heart, the song reminds us that the best present is not found under the tree but around it. Friends and family make Christmas “perfect,” and their togetherness outshines any expensive gift. In the middle of “a thousand lights” and “thousands of presents,” the brightest, most precious thing is sharing the holiday with loved ones. No stress, no rush—just gratitude for a cozy, timeless feeling called Weihnachten daheim.

12. Ich Und Deine Freunde (Me And Your Friends)
Bruckner
Ich und deine Freunde werden
Nie gute Freunde werden
Wir gehen zusammen auf 'ne Party, das is' schön
Kommen zusammen auf die Party, das wird schön
Me and your friends will
Never become good friends
We go together to a party, that's nice
Coming together to the party, that will be nice

Ever felt like the odd one out at your partner’s get-togethers? “Ich Und Deine Freunde” playfully captures that awkward vibe. The singer tags along to parties and double dates but keeps crashing into invisible walls – a strict dress code here, a stingy split bill there. Surrounded by showy cars and all-black outfits, they stand out in a yellow shirt and pink cap, instantly labeled the misfit. Every attempt to bond with the friends turns into a mini social disaster, yet the chorus keeps insisting: “I’d have left ages ago… if it weren’t for you.”

At its heart, the song is a humorous love-versus-clique showdown. The narrator can’t stand the superficial rules or bragging conversations, but their affection for their partner only grows stronger with each cringe moment. It’s a catchy reminder that true connection isn’t measured by fancy dress codes or who grabs the check – sometimes love means surviving awkward dinners and coming out laughing on the other side.

13. Was Du Liebe Nennst (What You Call Love)
Bausa
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Baby, gib mir mehr von dem, was du Liebe nennst
Auch wenn es keine Liebe ist, ich liebe es
Hilf mir zu vergessen, was war
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Baby, give me more of what you call love
Even if it's not love, I love it
Help me forget what was

"Was Du Liebe Nennst" turns late-night longing into a catchy confession. Bausa sings from the viewpoint of someone who knows the romance in front of him is only Fakelove—yet he still craves it. Surrounded by club lights, Jäger-Energy, and hazy smoke, the narrator begs for “mehr von dem, was du Liebe nennst” (more of what you call love). Why? Because even a counterfeit affection helps him numb old heartaches and park his heart for just one night.

The song balances upbeat melodies with bittersweet honesty. Lines about rolling joints, mixing tonic with gin, and streaming A$AP Rocky paint a picture of modern escapism, while references to Dragon Ball’s magic dragon hint at impossible wishes for something real. In short, Bausa captures that familiar, contradictory feeling: we know it isn’t true love, but for a few stolen hours it feels good enough. Listeners are left dancing to a track that celebrates both the thrill and the emptiness of a one-night emotional getaway.

14. Bel Ami!
Willi Forst
Ein kleines Liedchen geht von Mund zu Mund
Es ist beliebt, und das hat seinen Grund
Denn es besingt den Liebling vieler Damen
Die ihm zuliebe fielen aus dem Rahmen
A little song goes from mouth to mouth
It is popular, and that has its reason
Because it sings about the favorite of many ladies
Who for his sake fell out of line

Picture the buzzing cafés of old-world Paris: a catchy tune darts from table to table, telling the story of Bel Ami, the man every woman seems to adore. Cupid himself, we’re told, wrote this playful hymn, dedicating it to all the city’s beautiful ladies. The song brims with Parisian charm, hinting that gossip, flirtation and a touch of scandal travel just as quickly as the melody.

What makes Bel Ami so irresistible? According to the lyrics, it is not good looks or genius. He is "not handsome, not clever," yet his effortless grace, sweet words and gallant manners win hearts wherever he goes. Each day he falls in love anew, scattering kisses like confetti, never staying faithful but somehow leaving every admirer blissfully happy. The message is lighthearted and clear: charisma can outshine beauty or brains, and in the game of romance, a warm smile and sparkling confidence may be the greatest gifts of all.

15. Alles Gute (All The Best)
Faber
Weil du dir meistens nicht gefällst
Und du tanzt wie ein Pferd
Und du nur daneben stehst
Und dir oft überlegst
Because you usually don't like yourself
And you dance like a horse
And you just stand off to the side
And you often think about

Faber’s "Alles Gute" is a cheeky love letter to the awkward outsider. Over a swaggering groove, the singer narrates the thoughts of someone who never quite likes what they see in the mirror, dances "like a horse," and feels invisible when they cry for help. It sounds bleak at first, yet the song’s wry humor keeps things playful and relatable.

The chorus flips despair into defiance: hitting rock bottom simply shows you where you belong, and being alone lets you remember who you really are. With a sarcastic but caring wish of Alles Gute ("all the best"), Faber invites listeners to celebrate their quirks and build a life on self-reliance rather than outside approval. What might look tragic from the outside becomes a punk-spirited anthem of self-acceptance, independence, and the secret joy of dancing off-beat in your own company.

16. Friede Sei Mit Dir (Peace Be With You)
Die Apokalyptischen Reiter
Friede sei mit dir Mein Freund in Ewigkeit
Doch es gilt zu streiten, stehe bereit
Ziehe mit uns, du schenkst den Sieg
Kämpf für eine Welt die das Leben verdient
Peace be with you, my friend, forever
Yet it's time to fight, stand ready
March with us, you bring victory
Fight for a world that deserves life

“Friede Sei Mit Dir” is a rousing call to arms that begins with a blessing of peace but quickly reminds us that true peace often demands action. The singer addresses a close companion, urging them to “stand ready” and march alongside the band in a struggle for a world that “deserves to live.” Although the lyrics speak of battle, the real enemy is hopelessness. Listeners are invited to fight with courage and compassion, turning pain into purpose and darkness into light.

At its heart, the song celebrates unbreakable bonds: friends who become shelter in the night, brothers who walk “side by side” through hardship, and a shared faith that souls will reunite beyond this earthly life. Hope, unity, and freedom shine like guiding beacons. By the closing refrain, the message is clear—lasting peace is earned when we defend one another and refuse to let the fire of solidarity die.

17. Illegale Fans (Illegal Fans)
Deichkind
Acht Millionen
Schieß doch, Bulle, schieß doch
Wir tanzen um den Feuerberg
Aus lodernden CDs
Eight million
Shoot, cop, shoot
We dance around the fire mountain
From blazing CDs

Illegale Fans is Deichkind’s tongue-in-cheek battle cry from the digital trenches. The song hypes up a gigantic, bass-driven rave where millions of tech-savvy music lovers refuse to play by the old industry rules. Instead of paying 99 cents a track, these self-proclaimed „radikale, digitale Fans“ rip CDs, flood the web with terabytes of data, and dance around flaming stacks of obsolete media. They mock the police, big-box retailers like MediaMarkt and Saturn, and the record labels they call the Empire, positioning themselves as rebellious hackers who live for free access to culture.

Behind the wild imagery lies a sharp social commentary. Deichkind spotlight the clash between strict copyright laws and a generation raised on instant digital sharing. The chorus repeats like a protest chant, insisting that fans are not criminals but a powerful collective that cannot be contained. By name-checking icons like Tupac, Kurt Cobain, and Bob Marley, the group argues that music belongs to everyone. In short, “Illegale Fans” celebrates online anarchy and collective defiance while questioning who really controls culture in the internet age.

18. Dreigroschoper Mackie Messer (Dreigroschoper Mackie Knife)
Kurt Weil
Und der Haifisch, der hat Zähne
Und die trägt er im Gesicht
Und MacHeath, der hat ein Messer
Doch das Messer sieht man nicht
And the shark has teeth
And it wears them in its face
And MacHeath has a knife
But nobody sees the knife

**Think of a jazzy carnival where everyone is humming a catchy tune, yet every verse reveals a fresh crime scene—that is the wicked charm of “Dreigroschenoper Mackie Messer.” The song introduces Mackie as a shark in human form: a dashing gentleman whose knife stays hidden while his smile dazzles. Each stanza catalogs another grisly misdeed—a body on a beach, a vanished banker, a young widow defiled—yet society keeps tip-toeing past him, either too frightened or too fascinated to call him out. The contrast between the jaunty melody and the dark storyline reminds us how easily charisma can mask cruelty.

At its core, the song is a satirical spotlight on social hypocrisy. Brecht and Weill invite us to cheer along to Mackie’s exploits so we can feel how entertainment can dull our moral compass. By the final question—“Mackie, what was your price?”—the listener is left wondering who is truly guilty: the smooth criminal, or the crowd that claps while he slips away. The result is a playful yet unsettling lesson on the thin line between respectability and crime, wrapped in a tune you will keep humming long after the last victim is named.

19. Fuchs Du Hast Die Gans Gestohlen (Fox You Stole The Goose)
Kinderlieder TV.de
Fuchs, du hast die Gans gestohlen
Gib sie wieder her!
Gib sie wieder her!
Fuchs, du hast die Gans gestohlen
Fox, you've stolen the goose
Give it back!
Give it back!
Fox, you've stolen the goose

“Fuchs du hast die Gans gestohlen” is a classic German children’s tune that feels like a mini fairy tale set to music. The story is simple: a sly fox has snatched a goose, and the singer urgently demands it back before the hunter arrives with his long rifle. The playful repetition makes the warning stick in your head, yet behind the catchy melody lurks a clear moral lesson – every action has consequences.

By the final verse, the song softens into advice rather than threat. The fox is lovingly reminded that he does not need roast goose to survive; a humble mouse will do. In other words, choose honest, harmless options over risky mischief. Kids get a fun sing-along, vivid imagery of forest antics, and a gentle reminder about right and wrong all in one neat musical package.