Loslassen literally means "to let go" or "to release". It's a compound verb that perfectly encapsulates a central theme of the song.
Nena sings, "Ich weiß, Loslassen schmerzt" (I know, letting go hurts), directly addressing the pain of moving on from something or someone. This word is particularly poignant and relatable, as it speaks to a universal human experience of change and acceptance, making it both memorable and emotionally resonant.
Nena's song "Alles Neu," which translates to "Everything New," is a powerful look at change, goodbyes, and the promise of new beginnings. The lyrics describe a cycle where things eventually come to an end—everything is "vorbei" (over) and "getan" (done). But this ending isn't final. Instead, it leads to a fresh start where everything becomes "ganz anders" (completely different) and, ultimately, "wieder neu" (new again).
This transformation involves a personal journey. The singer is about to leave, and someone whispers "Bon voyage" to them. She acknowledges that letting go is painful ("Loslassen schmerzt"), but she reassures the person she's leaving behind. Despite the departure, she makes a heartfelt promise: as long as she can stand and breathe ("solange wir hier noch atmen"), she will always be there for them and be strong for them. It's a song about embracing the future, even when it means a difficult separation, with the hope that understanding will come someday ("Irgendwann").
Nena is the stage name of Gabriele Susanne Kerner, a German singer born on 24 March 1960 in Hagen, West Germany. She rose to fame in the early 1980s as the front woman of the band Nena, one of the defining acts of the Neue Deutsche Welle (German New Wave) movement.
The band's 1983 single "99 Luftballons" became a number one hit in West Germany and a worldwide success, topping the UK charts and reaching number two in the United States. To this day it remains the most successful German language song in international pop history. After the band split, Nena went on to a long and popular solo career, and she is still one of Germany's best loved pop artists.