"Über sieben Brücken mußt du geh'n" (You Must Cross Seven Bridges), is the band's best-known song, and helped introduce Karat to audiences outside East Germany, thanks to West German singer Peter Maffay, who recorded a cover version of it that became a massive hit for him in 1980.
The 1982 album Der blaue Planet sold more than 1.3 million copies, propelled by its uptempo, radio-friendly title track about the dangers of nuclear and environmental cataclysm; the song is still frequently heard on German radio. Der blaue Planet became not only Karat's best-selling record, but the biggest-selling album of any East German artist, inside or outside the country. In 1984, the band were honored with the National Prize of East Germany.
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blues
Karat Lyrics
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Und ich verlier mein Gleichgewicht.
Dann hüll ich mich in tiefes Schweigen ein.
Und bin ich ganz oben, sing ich einen Blues.
Und bin ich ganz unten, sing ich einen Blues.
Und steht mir mal eine Träne im Gesicht,
So, oh, oh, oh, oh, ein Blues wieder froh.
Dann macht mich so, oh, oh, oh, oh ein Blues wieder froh!
The lyrics of Karat's song "Blues in 2-3" explore the emotional ups and downs of life and the power of music to both reflect and transform those feelings. The opening line "Manchmal geht's gut und manchmal nicht" (sometimes things go well and sometimes not) sets the tone for a song that acknowledges the inevitable fluctuations of life. The singer describes losing their balance and retreating into silence when things are difficult, but finding solace in music when they are either at their lowest or highest points. The repeated refrain "Und bin ich ganz oben, sing ich einen Blues. Und bin ich ganz unten, sing ich einen Blues" (when I'm at the top, I sing a blues. When I'm at the bottom, I sing a blues) emphasizes not only the universality of human emotions but also the fact that music can be a constant source of comfort and expression throughout them.
The song also touches on the idea that emotional release through music can be a powerful way of transmuting negative feelings into something more positive. The line "Und steht mir mal eine Träne im Gesicht, Dann macht mich so, oh, oh, oh, oh, ein Blues wieder froh" (and if a tear appears on my face, then a blues makes me happy again) suggests that the act of singing or listening to blues music can be a cathartic experience that helps turn sadness into joy. The music itself reflects this idea, with a slow and melancholic 2-3 meter giving way to a more upbeat and uplifting chorus.
Line by Line Meaning
Manchmal geht's gut und manchmal nicht.
Sometimes things are going well, other times they’re not.
Und ich verlier mein Gleichgewicht.
And I lose my balance.
Dann hüll ich mich in tiefes Schweigen ein.
Then I wrap myself in deep silence.
Und bin ich ganz oben, sing ich einen Blues.
And when I’m on top, I sing the blues.
Und bin ich ganz unten, sing ich einen Blues.
And when I’m at the bottom, I sing the blues.
Und steht mir mal eine Träne im Gesicht,
And if a tear ever falls from my face,
Dann macht mich so, oh, oh, oh, oh, ein Blues wieder froh.
A blues song makes me feel happy again.
So, oh, oh, oh, oh, ein Blues wieder froh.
So, a blues song makes me happy again.
Dann macht mich so, oh, oh, oh, oh ein Blues wieder froh!
Then a blues song makes me happy again.
Contributed by Noah W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.