Was du Liebe nennst

"Was du Liebe nennst" delves into the theme of a transactional and emotionally hollow relationship in the modern age. The song's protagonist is fully aware that the affection he is receiving is not genuine love, but rather a facade he willingly accepts as a form of escapism. The core message revolves around the conscious choice to embrace a superficial connection to numb past pain and find temporary comfort. The repeated line, "Baby, gib mir mehr von dem, was du Liebe nennst" (Baby, give me more of what you call love), is ironic; he doesn't want actual love, but the performance of it, because it serves as a powerful distraction. The lyrics explore a cynical view of relationships where intimacy and material comfort are exchanged, but deep emotional connection is absent. It speaks to a feeling of loneliness and the search for solace, even if that solace is fleeting and inauthentic.

The narrative unfolds from the perspective of a man who willingly engages in a relationship that he knows is not based on genuine love. He repeatedly asks his partner for more of "what you call love," acknowledging its artificiality but embracing it as a form of escapism. He finds a temporary solace in her company, a way to forget a painful past. This dynamic is a conscious transaction; he is fully aware that her affection might be feigned or materialistic, but he needs this illusion to get through the night. He describes their interactions as a mix of hedonistic activities—getting high, drinking gin and tonics—and moments of hollow intimacy. He even refers to her affection as "fake love," explicitly distinguishing it from the authentic emotion, yet he craves it. The relationship provides a distraction, a temporary parking spot for his heart, away from whatever has caused him pain.

He details the superficial nature of their connection, referencing luxury items and a fast-paced lifestyle. He parks his Benz outside and parks his heart in her bed, suggesting a parallel between material possessions and emotional vulnerability. Her love, he notes, isn't "real," but it is "good" in the sense that it serves its purpose. It's a convenient arrangement that helps him numb his feelings. The repetition of the central plea, "Baby, gib mir mehr von dem, was du Liebe nennst" (Baby, give me more of what you call love), underscores his desperation and dependence on this manufactured affection. He is not deluded into thinking it is real love; rather, he is addicted to the temporary relief it provides. The song closes with him questioning how long she will stay with him, highlighting the transient and uncertain nature of their arrangement, reinforcing the theme that this is a fleeting escape, not a lasting connection.

"Was du Liebe nennst" was written by Julian Otto (Bausa) himself. The production was a collaborative effort between Bausa, the German production duo The Cratez (David Kraft & Tim Wilke), and the production team Jugglerz (Jonas Lang, Joachim Piehl, Martin Willumeit). The song was released as a single on September 29, 2017, through Downbeat Records and Warner Music Germany, serving as the lead single from his mixtape Powerbausa. The recording took place at Red Bull Music Studios in Berlin in 2017. The accompanying music video, directed by Adal Giorgis, was released on October 3, 2017. The video famously had a budget of 40,000 euros and features Bausa in luxurious settings, visually reinforcing the song's themes of materialism and superficiality.

The rhythmic structure of "Was du Liebe nennst" is a key component of its success, creating an infectious, laid-back groove that contrasts with its somber lyrical themes. The song is set to a moderate, danceable tempo typical of modern pop and hip-hop. The underlying beat is built on a foundation of trap elements, including syncopated hi-hats and a prominent, yet not overpowering, bassline.

Bausa's lyrical rhythm is fluid and melodic. He often stretches syllables and uses a sing-song delivery that glides over the beat, blurring the line between rapping and singing. This relaxed vocal pacing contributes to the song's melancholic and almost lethargic mood, mirroring the protagonist's state of emotional numbness and escapism. The rhyme scheme is predominantly simple, often using couplets (AABB) within verses, which enhances the song's catchy and memorable quality. For example, in the lines "Ich komm' wieder, wenn sie ruft / Deine Liebe ist nicht echt, aber dafür ist sie gut," the end rhymes are straightforward, making the lyrics easy to follow and recall. This simplicity in rhyme and rhythm makes the complex emotional undertones more accessible to a broad audience.

"Was du Liebe nennst" successfully merges several musical and literary styles to create its unique appeal.

Musical Techniques:

• Genre Blending: The song combines elements of German Hip-Hop, Cloud Rap, Pop, and R&B. This fusion results in a track that is both melancholic in theme and incredibly catchy and danceable in its execution.
• Vocal Delivery: Bausa employs a melodic, sing-song rap style, heavily utilizing Auto-Tune. This vocal processing creates a smooth, atmospheric, and slightly detached sound that complements the lyrical themes of emotional distance and artificiality.
• Instrumentation: The production features a laid-back, trap-influenced beat with a prominent, memorable synthesizer melody. The rhythm is hypnotic and simple, making the song accessible and radio-friendly, which contrasts with the cynical nature of the lyrics.

Literary Techniques:

• Repetition (Anaphora): The chorus is the song's anchor, with the repeated phrase "Baby, gib mir mehr von dem, was du Liebe nennst" drilling the central theme into the listener's mind. This repetition emphasizes the protagonist's craving for this specific brand of fake love.
• Irony: A strong sense of irony pervades the song. The protagonist says "auch wenn es keine Liebe ist, ich liebe es" ("even if it's not love, I love it"), highlighting the paradox of knowingly embracing something inauthentic because of the comfort it provides.
• Direct Address: The use of "Baby" and direct address to his partner makes the narrative feel personal and intimate, drawing the listener into the flawed relationship he's describing.

"Was du Liebe nennst" had a monumental cultural impact in Germany and beyond, becoming one of the most successful German rap songs in history. Upon its release, it quickly climbed the charts, reaching the number-one position in both Germany and Austria. It held the top spot on the German singles chart for nine consecutive weeks, setting a record at the time for the longest-running number-one German-language hip-hop single, a record previously held for 20 years.

The song's commercial success was unprecedented. It became the first German rap track to be certified Diamond by the Bundesverband Musikindustrie (BVMI), signifying over one million units sold. As of recent data, it has sold over 1.7 million copies in Germany alone, making it one of the best-selling singles in the country's history. The music video has garnered over 180 million views on YouTube (as of May 2025), testament to its massive popularity. The song's fusion of melodic rap, pop, and R&B was highly influential, paving the way for other German artists to achieve mainstream success with a similar sound. In 2021, its influence was further demonstrated when Spanish producer HVME and American rappers 24kGoldn and Quavo released an English-language remake titled "Alright," introducing the song's melody to a global audience.

The song is built around the central metaphor of a transactional relationship standing in for real love. The very title, "Was du Liebe nennst" ("What you call love"), is the primary symbolic phrase, suggesting a counterfeit or subjective version of love that fulfills a need without being authentic.

• Parking the Heart: The lyric "Ich park' mein Herz bei dir heute Nacht" ("I park my heart at you tonight") is a powerful metaphor. It equates his emotional vulnerability to temporarily parking a car. This implies a lack of permanence and deep connection; his heart is not given, but merely left for a short, convenient period, to be retrieved later. It symbolizes a deliberate emotional detachment and the transient nature of the comfort he seeks.
• Materialism as a Substitute for Emotion: The music video and lyrics are filled with images of wealth and luxury, such as buying expensive watches and parking a Benz. These elements symbolize the superficiality of the relationship. The focus on material goods serves as a stand-in for genuine emotional depth, suggesting that the connection is based on what can be provided and displayed, rather than felt.
• Cold Love: The line "Deine Liebe ist kalt wie Eis" ("Your love is cold as ice") is a direct simile that highlights the lack of genuine warmth and passion in the relationship. However, he follows it by saying he will make it melt, indicating his active participation in creating a temporary illusion of warmth and affection, even if he knows its true nature.

The most significant recurring motif in the song is the chorus itself, centered on the phrase: "Baby, gib mir mehr von dem, was du Liebe nennst" ("Baby, give me more of what you call love"). This line is the song's thesis. Its repetition serves to hammer home the central theme of consciously seeking an artificial form of affection. It's not a plea for genuine love, but a request for the continuation of a comforting illusion.

The follow-up line, "Auch wenn es keine Liebe ist, ich liebe es" ("Even if it's not love, I love it"), is crucial as it clarifies the protagonist's mindset. He is not deceived; he is a willing participant in the charade. This recurring confession highlights the song's exploration of emotional escapism and self-aware loneliness.

Another recurring phrase is "Ich park' mein Herz bei dir heute Nacht" ("I park my heart at you tonight"). This metaphor for temporary emotional placement appears in the chorus, reinforcing the idea that the connection is transient and lacks long-term commitment. Its repetition underscores the temporary, nightly nature of the solace he seeks.