Verbogen is the past participle of the verb verbiegen, which means "to bend" or "to distort." It's an interesting word because it implies a deviation from one's true form or nature.
In the song, the lyric "Hätt ich mich an dir verbogen" translates to "If I had bent myself for you." It powerfully conveys the idea of compromising one's identity or changing oneself to please another person, highlighting a theme of self-acceptance and authenticity.
“Ich Bin Ich” is Rosenstolz’s spirited anthem of self-discovery. Picture someone who has only just learned to walk: they wobble, stumble, lose their balance, yet proudly insist, “I’m standing upright!” That image runs through the whole song. The singer wonders if they still belong or have already been left behind, feels time racing away like a departing plane, and admits to sleepless nights filled with anger. But instead of collapsing under doubt, they keep repeating a simple mantra — Ich bin jetzt, ich bin hier, ich bin ich — I am now, I am here, I am me. Every line says, “Yes, I’m flawed, I’ve made mistakes, but owning those flaws is my power.”
By the final chorus the “I” turns into wir — we. The song widens from a personal confession to a collective call: let’s all stand up, shaky legs and all, and take responsibility for who we are together. It’s a catchy pop reminder that identity is not something you hunt for and find; it’s something you declare, live, and continuously shape, even when you feel you were “born yesterday.” With its mix of vulnerability and defiance, “Ich Bin Ich” invites listeners to sing along, claim their space, and celebrate the beautiful mess of becoming themselves.