Known to her fans as Der Stille Star (i.e., the Silent Star), Monika Martin… Read Full Bio ↴Known to her fans as Der Stille Star (i.e., the Silent Star), Monika Martin is an Austrian schlager singer with a long track record of hitmaking, going all the way back to her 1996 debut single, "La Luna Blu." Though generally classified as schlager, she can also be considered one of the leading Austrian practioners of volkstьmliche musik, a variant of volksmusik which incorporates contemporary themes and styles rather than the Alpine motifs generally associated with volksmusik. At least three times Martin has competed for the Austrian Grand Prix der Volksmusik ("La Luna Blu," 1996; "Goodbye Farewell," 1998; and "Heute Fьhl Ich Mich Wie Zwanzig," 2006).

Born on May 7, 1962, in Graz, Martin studied solo singing at Kunstuniversitдt Graz (i.e., University of Music and Dramatic Arts) in 1982 and, as a means of financing her studies, sung lead vocals in the tanzband the Heart Breakers from 1986 until 1992. Her band released one album, Dafьr Dank' Ich Dir (1990), billing itself as the Heart Breakers mit Dr. Ilse Bauer. During this period, Martin also studied art history and ethnology, earning her Ph.D. in 1990; from 1990 until 2000 she worked as an art teacher, starting her own ceramics business in Graz in 1994.

In 1995 Martin embarked on her solo singing career, signing to Koch Records and proceeding to release her solo debut, La Luna Blu (1996). The album spawned one of her all-time hits in the title track, which competed for the Grand Prix der Volksmusik, ultimately winning second place among Austrian participants. Martin's second album, Immer Nur Sehnsucht (1997), also put her in the running for the Austrian Grand Prix der Volksmusik, spawning the major hit "Goodbye Farewell." Martin's third album, Klinge Mein Lied (1999), became her most successful to date -- her first to reach gold sales status -- despite not spawning a hit on the level of "La Luna Blu" or "Goodbye Farewell."

Well established as a hitmaker with commercial appeal, Martin retired from teaching in 2000 and began focusing on her singing career full-time. A long string of popular albums resulted, including Mein Liebeslied (2000), Napoli Adieu (2001), Drei Stimmen d'Amour (2001; co-featuring Mara Kayer and Francine Jordi), Mein Gefьhl (2002), Das Beste von Monika Martin (2002), Himmel aus Glas (2003), Eine Liebe Reicht fьr Zwei (2004), Ave Maria: Lieder zur Stillen Zeit (2004), Ein Kleines Glьck (2005), Schmetterling d'Amour (2005), Heute Fьhl' Ich Mich Wie Zwanzig (2006), and Aloha Blue (2007) -- most of which were Top 20, if not Top Ten, hits in Austria and anywhere from Top 50 to Top 100 hits in Germany. Her most popular singles during this period include "Gib Einem Kind Deine Hand" (2000), "Schweige Mein Herz" (2000), "My Love" (2000), "Napoli Adieu" (2001), "Hast Du Heute Schon Gelдchelt" (2002), "Eine Liebe Reicht fьr Zwei" (2004), "Ich Trдum Mich Heute Nacht in Deine Arme" (2005), and "Heute Fьhl Ich Mich Wie Zwanzig" (2006). ~ Jason Birchmeier

Das Lächeln
Monika Martin Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Am Rande der Zeit,
war ich die Geisel der Dunkelheit,
keine Sterne, kein Land,
keine helfende Hand.
Aber dann, dann kamst Du
und Dein Lächeln hat mich befreit,
liege in's Licht
hast du mir gezeigt.

Ich vermisse Dein Lächeln von gestern,
frage jeden: Hast Du es geseh'n?
Doch die Mensche geh'n schweigend an mir nur vorbei,
weil sie alle mein Herz nicht versteh'n.

Die Träne der Welt
war'n damals alle von mir geweint,
dort im dunklen Verlies,
wo der Mut mich verließ.
Denn ein Lächeln von Dir
und es brach alle Mauern auf,
ich flog vor Glück
zur Sonne hinauf.

Ich vermisse Dein Lächeln von gestern,
frage jeden: Hast Du es geseh'n?

Doch die Mensche geh'n schweigend an mir nur vorbei,
weil sie alle mein Herz nicht versteh'n.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Monika Martin's song "Das Lächeln" portray a powerful message of resilience and the transformative power of a single smile. The singer describes a time in her life when she felt trapped by the darkness and despair of her own thoughts, and unable to see a way out. She expresses her feelings of loneliness and isolation, searching for someone who could understand her pain.

However, the song takes a positive turn when she meets someone who is able to break down her walls and bring light into her life with just a smile. This person is able to help her see the beauty in the world and to find joy in her own existence once again. Despite feeling lost and alone, the singer ultimately finds hope and happiness through the transformative power of a single, meaningful connection.

Overall, the lyrics to "Das Lächeln" encourage listeners to remain hopeful and to seek out meaningful connections with others, even in the darkest of times. By emphasizing the power of a positive attitude and the ability to find beauty in even the bleakest of circumstances, the song ultimately leaves the listener with a sense of hope and optimism.

Line by Line Meaning

Am Rande der Zeit,
At the edge of time,

war ich die Geisel der Dunkelheit,
I was the hostage of darkness,

keine Sterne, kein Land,
No stars, no land,

keine helfende Hand.
No helping hand.

Aber dann, dann kamst Du
But then, then you came

und Dein Lächeln hat mich befreit,
And your smile freed me,

liege in's Licht
Lying in the light

hast du mir gezeigt.
You've shown me.

Ich vermisse Dein Lächeln von gestern,
I miss your smile from yesterday,

frage jeden: Hast Du es geseh'n?
Asking everyone: Did you see it?

Doch die Mensche geh'n schweigend an mir nur vorbei,
But people just pass me by silently,