Balzverhalten is a compound noun that literally means "courtship behavior." It's a fascinating word because it's typically a scientific term used in biology to describe animal mating rituals.
In this song, Die Ärzte use it ironically to analyze human flirting as if observing animals in a nature documentary. The satirical, clinical tone makes the ordinary dating scene sound absurd and hilarious, giving you a perfect taste of the band's witty style.
“M&F” is Die Ärzte’s tongue-in-cheek safari through the Saturday-night jungle, where neatly styled men and freshly painted women hunt for romance under disco lights. With playful sarcasm, the song zooms in on the courtship rituals of adults: chest-hair toupees, Botox masks, stolen partners, and frustrated egos all parade past like exotic creatures. The band paints dating as a battlefield where anything goes, yet most warriors still trudge home alone at dawn.
Amid the chaos, Die Ärzte slip in a clear message of inclusivity—some men love men, some women love women, and that’s as normal as chewing gum. By mocking stereotypes and exaggerated gender roles, the song invites listeners to laugh at society’s mating games while questioning why genuine openness still feels risky for so many.