Marlene was known in school for her "bedroom eyes" and her first affairs were at this stage in her life - a professor at the school was terminated.
Marlene enjoyed music and attended concerts. She was adept at playing the violin and piano. By the time she was in her mid-teens, Marlene had discovered the stage. Acting was to be her vocation. In 1921, Marlene applied for an acting school run by Max Reinhardt. She was accepted. She appeared in several stage productions, but never had more than a couple of spoken lines. In short, she wasn't setting the stage world on fire.
She attempted films for the first time in 1922 Her first film was So sind die Männer (The Little Napoleon) (1923) which was followed by Tragödie der Liebe (Love Tragedy) (1923). On this last project, she met Rudolf Sieber and married him in 1924. The union lasted until his death in 1976 although they didn't live together the whole time.
The remainder of her early film career was generally filled with bit roles. After being seen in the German production of Der blaue Engel (The Blue Angel) (1930) in 1930, Marlene was given a crack at Hollywood. Her first US film was Morocco (1930) with Gary Cooper, which was followed by Dishonored (1931). This latter movie had her cast as a street walker who is appointed a spy. The film was rather boring but was a success because of Marlene's presence. In 1932, Marlene filmed Shanghai Express (1932) which proved to be immensely popular, grossing $3 million. Once again, she was cast as a prostitute. The next film was Blonde Venus (1932) which turned out to be a horrible production. Her co-star was Cary Grant and once again she was cast as a prostitute.
During this period Dietrich had been typecast as a woman of low morals and she wanted different parts. Her chance came in 1939 in Destry Rides Again (1939) when she was cast as "Frenchy", a Western saloon hostess. This began a new direction for Marlene since it shed the previous typecasting. All through the 1940s, she appeared in well-produced, well-directed films such as Manpower (1942), The Spoilers (1942), The Lady Is Willing (1942) and Pittsburgh (1942).
Afterwards the roles came less frequently, perhaps one to two films every year. In 1945, Marlene didn't appear in any. She only made seven productions in the 1950's. Her last role of any substance was Judgment at Nuremberg (1961). Despite the lack of theatrical roles, Marlene still made appearances on the stage. However, by 1979, she was a shell of her former self. After breaking her leg in one performance, she never made a go of it in show business again.
Spending the last 12 years of her life bed-ridden, Marlene died on May 6, 1992 in Paris, France of kidney failure at the age of 90.
Ja so bin ich
Marlene Dietrich Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Heute nacht
Weil mir so ist hab'ich zu Dir “Bleib' da” gesagt
Heute nacht
Und nun ist Nacht und ich habe Dich ganz
Ist das nicht schön,
Zwei Menschen, die sich nie gesehn?
Ein Liebespaar für heute.
Morgen wieder fremde Leute.
Ja, so bin ich.
Und alles andere ist mir ganz egal
Ich bin eben
Wild aufs Leben.
Steck das Geld ein.
Bezahlen kannst Du auch ein anderes Mal
Ich frag Dich nicht, wer Du bist.
Ich nehm' Dich, weil mir so ist.
Ja, so bin ich.
Vor einem Jahr, da wollt' mich einer mal zur Frau -
Lach doch nicht.
Er hatte bar 3000 Dollar ganz genau.
Ich fand ihn nett und drum sagte ich ja.
Dann kam ein Mann, der konnte Geige spielen
So wie ein Gott
Ich sah nur seine Hände
Und mein Brautstand war zu Ende
Ja, so bin ich.
Und alles andere ist mir ganz egal
Ich bin eben
Wild aufs Leben.
Steck das Geld ein.
Bezahlen kannst Du doch ein anderes Mal
Ich frag Dich nicht, wer Du bist.
Ich nehm' Dich, weil mir so ist.
Ja, so bin ich.
So bin ich.
The lyrics to Marlene Dietrich's song Ja so bin ich ("That's how I am") depict the singer as a free-spirited woman who lives in the moment and follows her instincts, regardless of societal norms and conventions. She sings about how, because she was feeling a certain way, she drove away everyone else in her life and chose to be with her lover instead. She remarks on the beauty of two people coming together for a night, even if they don't know each other. The song is about the singer's zeal for life and her lack of concern for anything else other than enjoying and living in the present moment.
Dietrich's character in the song is depicted as being unapologetic about her desire for adventure and taking risks with her life. The verses describe her past relationships, where she has refused marriage proposals from wealthy men in favor of being with someone who can play the violin like a god. She doesn't care about money or social status and is perfectly content living on the edge.
The chorus of the song is a declaration of the singer's identity and her pride in living life on her own terms. She tells her partner to keep his money and not worry about paying for anything, because she just wants to be with him. She doesn't ask him who he is, she just takes him because she wants to. The song's message is clear: the singer is living life according to her own rules, and she is going to continue doing so, no matter what anyone else thinks.
Line by Line Meaning
Weil mir so ist, hab ich die andern fortgejagt Heute nacht
I got rid of the rest because I was feeling a certain way tonight
Weil mir so ist hab'ich zu Dir “Bleib' da” gesagt Heute nacht
And because of how I feel, I asked you to stay with me tonight
Und nun ist Nacht und ich habe Dich ganz
Now it's night, and I have you all to myself
Ist das nicht schön, Zwei Menschen, die sich nie gesehn? Ganz allein Ein Liebespaar für heute. Morgen wieder fremde Leute.
Isn't it nice? Two strangers alone, a couple for tonight. Tomorrow we'll be strangers again.
Ja, so bin ich. Und alles andere ist mir ganz egal Ich bin eben Wild aufs Leben.
Yes, that's how I am. I don't care about anything else. I just love life.
Steck das Geld ein. Bezahlen kannst Du auch ein anderes Mal Ich frag Dich nicht, wer Du bist. Ich nehm' Dich, weil mir so ist. Ja, so bin ich.
Keep your money. You can pay me back another time. I don't ask who you are. I take you because that's how I feel. Yes, that's how I am.
Vor einem Jahr, da wollt' mich einer mal zur Frau - Lach doch nicht. Er hatte bar 3000 Dollar ganz genau. Ich fand ihn nett und drum sagte ich ja. Dann kam ein Mann, der konnte Geige spielen So wie ein Gott Ich sah nur seine Hände Und mein Brautstand war zu Ende
A year ago, a man wanted to marry me - don't laugh. He had exactly 3000 dollars in cash. I thought he was nice, so I said yes. Then a man came along who could play the violin like a god. I only saw his hands, and my engagement was over.
So bin ich.
That's how I am.
Contributed by Isabelle F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Sperruzza90
It's an awesome job!!! 5** and favourite!! Love her!!!
bobinobaker
Sehr schön gemacht !Und mit so viel Mühe...Dankeschön..
bobinobaker
Es ist immer wieder eine Freude diese Video zu hören und zu sehen !!!!!!
Rudi Polt
Fine Song! Have You seen the sheet music to that one? Aloha From Hawaii!
Igel 8
Hallo e.-mueller,das Viedeo ist super!!!