ZickZack Schallplatten is a German record label based in Hamburg. Founded by former "Sounds" magazine journalist Alfred Hilsberg in 1980, it mainly distinguished itself by releasing acts from the underground side of Neue Deutsche Welle, a term coined by Hilsberg in his Sounds article "Neue Deutsche Welle - Aus grauer Städte Mauern".
Since then, the label has become a platform for many German independent bands. For example, they promoted Blumfeld and other influential bands of the Hamburger Schule during the early 1990s.
Other notable bands on this label include Abwärts, Xmal Deutschland, Einstürzende Neubauten, Die Krupps, Palais Schaumburg, F.S.K and Die Tödliche Doris.
So you won't tell me, where you've been up to now
I don't know, they've seen you come and go (oh)
You're well on your way but never leaving the chair
Playing scenes on T.V. screens
Watching widely to glimpse the full view
While the hours have their hands all over you
You say that you see me, well I see you too
I look behind, what do you find, all but an empty room
Scratching the surface and you can't get away
You've travelled far and so far you have nothing to say
[Chorus]
Scratching the surface
You better come up for air
A new experience to get you there
Scratching the surface
You better come up for air
Strapped to the media, a machine to fear
You're onto something then it slips right away
It's in your hand, follow through right in front of you
You say that you hear me, well I hear you too
My secret is no secret, outside of the tube
So you won't tell me, what you've done up to now
You're watching me, I'm watching you decide (oh)
Scratching the surface, you can't get away
You tried so hard, and so far you have nothing to say