Aufreißt comes from the verb aufreißen, which literally means "to tear open" or "to rip open". It's a strong, evocative verb that suggests a forceful and often emotional opening.
In the context of the song, Sarah Connor sings about "alles, was mein Herz aufreißt" (everything that tears open my heart). This isn't about physical pain, but rather the intense emotions, both joyful and sorrowful, that deeply impact her. It's a powerful way to express vulnerability and the profound experiences that shape her life and art.
"Es war gut" is a goodbye song, and a grateful one. Sarah Connor stands at the end of a chapter, looks back over it, and decides that the right thing to say is thank you.
The first verse holds still for a moment. She notices how much love there was, how many hands, and admits that only now can she see how big it all really was. Then comes the question the whole song turns on: "Wohin jetzt?" Where to now? She has no answer, and she is fine with that.
The chorus is where the warmth is. It was really good, and nothing lasts forever, so she tips her hat and walks on. She thanks everyone in advance for all of it, three times over, because once is not enough. She knows she will miss these people when the old songs come on.
In the second verse she says what she needs: to travel, to keep writing, to look at whatever tears her heart open. No more worrying, nothing left to prove. The bridge names what she is actually thanking people for. They celebrated with her, they cried with her, and when she doubted herself they were the ones who healed her.
It is a song about closing a door gently. Nothing went wrong, nothing needs fixing, it was simply good, and now it is over.