Marie Magdelene Dietrich von Losch (aka Marlene) was born in Schöneberg bei… Read Full Bio ↴Marie Magdelene Dietrich von Losch (aka Marlene) was born in Schöneberg bei Berlin, Germany on December 27, 1901. Her father was an army officer who had served in the Franco-Prussian War. Because of his constant absences due to his army duties, Marlene and the family had to rely on themselves. After he died, while she was 11, Marlene's mother married Eduard von Losch and he adopted the Dietrich children.

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.

Mein blondes Baby
Marlene Dietrich Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Blonde Haare, dunkelblaue Augen
Sehe ich wo ich nur geh' und steh'
Und ein kleines dummes Kinderlächeln
Das ich doch in Träumen immer nur seh‘:

Mein blondes Baby
Vergiss mich nicht!
Mein kleines Baby

Tu' so was nicht!

Du ahnst noch gar nicht
Was du mir bist
Weil deine Seele
Ein Baby ist!

Mein kleines Baby
O hör' mir zu:
In meinen Träumen
Bist du nur du!

Hör' meine Sehnsucht
Die zu dir spricht:
Mein kleines Baby
Vergiss mich nicht!

Und das Leben, das geht immer weiter
Und doch du wirst mal alleine gehen
Doch mein Herz bleibt ewig dein Begleiter
Und es weint mit dir, es kann dich verstehen

Mein blondes Baby
Vergiss mich nicht!
Mein kleines Baby
Tu’ so was nicht!

Du ahnst ja gar nicht
Was du mir bist
Weil deine Seele
Ein Baby ist!

Mein blondes Baby
O hör’ mir zu:
In meinen Träumen
Bist du nur du!

Hör’ meine Sehnsucht
Die zu dir spricht:

Mein kleines Baby
Vergiss mich nicht!

Overall Meaning

The song "Mein blondes Baby" by Marlene Dietrich expresses a deep affection and longing for somebody dear who has the innocence of a baby. The first verse describes the physical attributes of this person, with blonde hair and dark blue eyes, and a simple childlike smile that the singer only sees in her dreams. She implores this person not to forget her, as her heart will always be with them, even though life goes on and they may eventually go their separate ways.

The chorus reinforces this message, begging the person not to forget the singer and reaffirming the purity and innocence of their soul like a baby's. The second verse acknowledges that life will carry on, but the singer's heart will remain with them, offering understanding and sympathy in their struggles. The song ends with a final plea to not forget, and a declaration that this person is the only one in the singer's dreams.

Line by Line Meaning

Blonde Haare, dunkelblaue Augen
I see blonde hair and dark blue eyes wherever I go and stand

Sehe ich wo ich nur geh' und steh'
These features catch my attention no matter where I am

Und ein kleines dummes Kinderlächeln
And a small, silly and innocent smile

Das ich doch in Träumen immer nur seh‘:
That I only see in my dreams

Mein blondes Baby
My beloved with blonde hair

Vergiss mich nicht!
Please don't forget me!

Mein kleines Baby
My little one

Tu' so was nicht!
Don't do that please!

Du ahnst noch gar nicht
You have no idea yet

Was du mir bist
How much you mean to me

Weil deine Seele
Because your soul