He was born in Hamburg, Germany, and studied at the School of Music there. A multi-instrumentalist, he was hired by Hans Busch to play with his orchestra before serving as a bandsman in the German Navy during World War II. He later formed his own big band, toured with them, then worked as an arranger and producer, making hit records with Freddy Quinn and Ivo Robic. In 1961, he hired The Beatles to back Tony Sheridan on "My Bonnie (Lies Over the Ocean)," "When the Saints Go Marching In," "Ain't She Sweet" and "Cry for a Shadow," in a session for Polydor. These turned out to be the Beatles' first commercial recordings. When Beatles manager Brian Epstein asked Kaempfert about further promoting The Beatles, Kaempfert informed Epstein that the company was only interested in The Beatles as Tony Sheridan's backup group. (It also turned out British Decca executive Dick Rowe turned them down in favor of local beat combo Brian Poole and the Tremeloes.) He then released The Beatles from their contract with Polydor.
Danke Schoen
Bert Kaempfert Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Thank you for all the joy and pain.
Picture shows, second balcony was the place we'd meet,
Second seat, go Dutch treat, you were sweet.
Danke schoen, darling, danke schoen,
Thank you for funny cards from Spain.
I recall Central Park in fall how you tore you dress,What a mess, I confess that's not all.
Danke schoen, darling danke schoen,
Thank you for walks down Lover's Lane.
I can see hearts carved on a tree
Letters intertwined for all time.
Yours and mine, that was fine.
Danke schoen, darling danke schoen,
Thank you for seeing me again.
Tho' we go on our sep'rate ways
Still the mem'ry stays for always.
The lyrics of Bert Kaempfert's song Danke Schoen express gratitude towards a former lover for the happiness and pain they brought to the songwriter's life. "Danke Schoen" is a German phrase that translates to "thank you very much" in English, tying the song's grateful message together. The song recounts various memories with the lover, including meeting at the second balcony of a picture show theater and taking walks down "Lover's Lane." The mention of a "Dutch treat" implies that the couple was splitting the cost of their outings equally, with neither party responsible for the other's expenses. The songwriter refutes the negative memory of a torn dress in Central Park, confessing that it wasn't the only memory they shared. The last stanza thanks the former lover for the opportunity to meet again and the lasting memory of their time together, even as they go their separate ways.
Line by Line Meaning
Danke schoen, darling, Danke schoen,
Expressing gratitude and appreciation towards a loved one.
Thank you for all the joy and pain.
Acknowledging the ups and downs of the relationship and thanking the loved one for being there through it all.
Picture shows, second balcony was the place we'd meet,
Recalling the past and a specific place where the couple used to meet.
Second seat, go Dutch treat, you were sweet.
Remembering the details of their dates and the sweet moments shared.
Thank you for funny cards from Spain.
Grateful for thoughtful gestures and memories from trips taken together.
I recall Central Park in fall how you tore your dress,
Recalling a specific moment and being reminded of the imperfections that make up a relationship.
What a mess, I confess that's not all.
Admitting that there were difficult times and more to the story than what is being shared.
Thank you for walks down Lover's Lane.
Expressing appreciation for moments of romance and intimacy shared between the couple.
I can see hearts carved on a tree,
Recalling a moment and the symbol of love that was left behind.
Letters intertwined for all time.
Reflecting on how the relationship will always be a part of their past and memories.
Yours and mine, that was fine.
Acknowledging that the love shared was special and unique to them.
Thank you for seeing me again.
Grateful for the opportunity to reconnect and possibly continue the relationship.
Tho' we go on our sep'rate ways,
Acknowledging that the relationship may not continue and the couple may go their separate ways.
Still the mem'ry stays for always.
Even if the relationship does not continue, the memories shared will always be a part of their past.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bert Kaempfert, Kurt Schwabach, Milt Gabler
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@eisenherzification
1923-2023 Hundert Jahre Bert Kämpfert! "DANKE SCHÖN" für deinen unvergleichlich tollen Listening Sound!
@LumenAddict
Heard this on the movie 'Blood and Gold'
@Владимир-г8л7г
Музыка на века.
@themattster1991
This is my favorite version of Danke Schon. I remember hearing this version as a teenager growing up in the 1980's.
@MagicWhatsItCalled
I'm 15 and I really appreciate music that uses real instruments, like this. I grew up listening to music like Phantom of the Opera, and even though the majority of what I listen to is computer generated sounds strung together, I still like to listen to music like this every once in a while :)
@LimaHeSilvaLS
I'm at he age of 53 and very honoured to have grown up listening to the early 60's quality music until the 80's when electronic equipment started to substitute musical instruments. The world ruined! I'm sorry for those who never experienced and enjoyed the sensation of radio stations launching real music like that of Bert Kaempfert or Ray Connif, Shirley Bassey, Mirelle Mathieu, Maysa Matarazzo, Anita Kerr and many others. Congratulations to those like me who's had a good musical background.
@serrano245
This is the original version. <3
@SandraKurz
Toller Dirigent und Musiker gewesen.Ruhe in Frieden. Grüße aus Berlin Zehlendorf
@franciscosolerpanades9348
espectacular mister Bert Kaemperft y orquesta una de la mejores del mundo que melodías perfectamente interpretadas .
@milanmihajlovic8569
My Favo song. Best version.