From 1972 to 1973, Hagen enrolled in the crash-course performance program at The Central Studio for Light Music in East Berlin. Upon graduation, she joined the band Automobil (picture), which released a well-received album in Germany, including her first hit "Du hast den Farbfilm vergessen" in 1974.
After a concert for a West German labour union in 1976 her stepfather, Wolf Biermann, was forbidden to return to the GDR. Because of their protests against it her mother, Eva-Maria Hagen and Nina were thrown out of GDR in 1977, and followed Biermann to his hometown Hamburg.
Nina subsequently met West-Berlin photographer Jim Rakete (who also produced some bands he shot the cover-photos for - like "Nena" some years later). He brought Nina together with the politically left-wing band "Lokomotive Kreuzberg" (later known as "Spliff"): thus the "Nina Hagen Band" was born.
In 1978 The Nina Hagen Band released their self-titled debut album, which included titles like "TV-Glotzer" (a cover of "White Punks on Dope" by The Tubes) and "Auf'm Bahnhof Zoo".
According to reviewer Fritz Rumler, she thrusts herself into the music, aggressively, directly, furiously, roars in the most beautiful operatic alto, then, through shrieks and squeals, precipitates herself into luminous soprano heights... she parodies, satirises, and howls on stage like a dervish.
Nina Hagen's eccentricity led to big disputes in the band and during a subsequent European tour Hagen decided to leave the band, though she was still under contract to produce a second album in 1979. This LP, Unbehagen (in addition to the obvious pun on her name, in German this also means 'discomfort' or 'unease'), was eventually produced with the band recording their tracks in Berlin and Hagen recording the vocals in Los Angeles, California. It included the single "African Reggae"/"Wir leben immer... noch" (a cover of Lene Lovich's "Lucky Number"). The headless Nina Hagen Band soon developed a successful independent musical career as Spliff.
Meanwhile, Hagen's public persona was steadily creating an increasing media uproar and she became infamous for an appearance on an Austrian talk show called Club 2, in which she performed an explicit simulation of masturbation. She also acted with Dutch sex-drugs-and-rock-'n'-roll legend Herman Brood in the movie Cha Cha, along with Lene Lovich and various Dutch bands.
An European tour with a new band in 1980 was cancelled, she had a love affair with a 16 year old punk from Amsterdam called Noddy (www.noddyriot.co.uk) and sang a RHCP rapduet with him at the OneWorldPoetry festival at the MilkyWay and lived with him in New York and in the Bahamas.
In 1982 her first solo album NunSexMonkRock, a dissonant mix of punk, funk and opera, was a minor hit, and led to a world tour with the No Problem Orchestra.
In 1983 came the album Angstlos and a minor European tour. By this time, Hagen's public appearances were becoming even stranger; over the years they frequently included discussions of God, UFOs, her social and political beliefs, animal rights / vivisection and claims of alien sightings. The English version of Angstlos, 'Fearless', generated two major club hits in America , "Zarah" and the disco/punk/opera classic, "New York New York".
1985's 'Nina Hagen In Ekstasy' fared less well, but it did generate club hits with "Universal Radio" and a cover of "Spirit In The Sky", and it also featured her hardcore punk take on Frank Sinatra's "My Way", which had been one of her signature live tunes in previous years. Her contract with CBS over, she released the Punk Wedding EP independently in 1987, a celebration of her marriage to an 18-year old punk. It followed an independent 1986 one-off single with Lene Lovich, the anthemic "Don't Kill The Animals".
In 1989 Hagen released the album Nina Hagen which was backed up by another German tour. Now living in Paris with her daughter Cosma Shiva, in 1991 she toured Europe in support of her new album Street.
In 1992 Hagen became the host of a TV show on RTLplus. The following year she released Revolution Ballroom and two years later the German-language album Freud Euch appeared, recorded in English as Beehappy in 1996. Also in 1996, Hagen collaborated with electronic music composer Christopher Franke on "Alchemy of Love", the theme song for the Tenchi Universe movie Tenchi Muyo! in Love.
In 1998, Hagen became the host of a weekly science fiction show on the British Sci-Fi-Channel, in addition to embarking on another tour of Germany. In 1999, she released the devotional album Om Namah Shivay, which was distributed exclusively online. She also sang "Witness" on KMFDM's Adios.
Nina has a strong interest in various religions, but that is mainly driven by her urge to build a better world and her own colorful freedom within it.
In 2000, her song Schön ist die Welt became the official song of Expo 2000. The album The Return of the Mother was released in February 2001, accompanied by another German tour.
Hagen dubbed the voice of Sally in the German release of Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas and she also did some voice work in Hot Dogs by Michael Schoemann.
Hagen has been featured on many songs by other bands, for instance Oomph!'s song Fieber, a cover of Rammstein's "Seemann" with Apocalyptica and in 2008 appeared readily on psy-trance act S.U.N. Project's X Black Album, most notably on the fully vocal track We're In Space. She also sang the song "Garota de Berlim" with Brazilian singer Supla in her early years.
Her two children are Cosma Shiva and Otis.
URLs:
BEST archive for Nina Hagen pictures and stuff (regrettably just in German), incl. very old GDR pics like a beautiful one at the age of 18 and one shot by the "Stasi" (together with her stepfather Wolf Biermann - wiki)
Just A Little Talk With Jesus
Nina Hagen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But Jesus took me in
And then a little light from heaven
Filled my soul
He filled my heart with love
He wrote my name above
Just a little talk with my Jesus
Have a little talk with Jesus
And tell Him all about your troubles
He'll hear our famous cry
And He will answer by and by
When you feel a little down
You have a little fire burning
Well, have a little talk with my Jesus
Gonna make it right
You may have doubts and fears
Your eyes may fill with tears
Now Jesus is a friend
Who watches day and night
Well, He wrote my name above
And He filled my soul with love
Well, just a little talk with my Jesus
Gonna make it right
Let's have little talk with Jesus
And tell Him all about our troubles
He'll hear our famous cry
He will answer by and by
Feel a little prayer wheel a-turning
You know, a little fire is a-burning
Let's have a little talk with my Jesus
Gonna make it right
Talk to Him
Talk to Him
You better talk to Him
Well, you may have doubts and fears
Your eyes may fill with tears
My Jesus is a friend
Who watches day and night
Well, He's gonna keep you safe
He's the answer to my every prayer
Just a little talk with my Jesus
Gonna make it right
Have a little talk with my Jesus
Tell Him all about our troubles
He'll hear our famous cry
And He will answer by and by
Feel a little prayer wheel a-turning
You know, a little fire is a-burning
Have a little talk with my Jesus
Gonna make it right
The song "Just A Little Talk With Jesus" by Nina Hagen is a gospel song that speaks of the transformative power of faith and prayer in one's life. The song is filled with religious imagery and metaphors that highlight the positive changes that come with a relationship with God. The first verse describes the singer's previous state of being lost in sin and darkness, but how Jesus took her in and brought a light from heaven that filled her soul. The chorus emphasizes the importance of having a conversation with Jesus and telling him about one's troubles. The singer assures that Jesus will answer and make things right. The second verse addresses doubts and fears that may arise, but the singer reminds the listener that Jesus is a friend who watches over them day and night. The song ends with a repetition of the chorus and a call to talk to Jesus and trust in his power.
The song can be seen as a message of hope and encouragement to those who may be going through difficult times or struggling with their faith. It suggests that simply talking to God and sharing one's struggles can provide immense comfort and guidance. Additionally, the song speaks to the transformative power of faith, highlighting how it can bring light into darkness, love into sorrow, and safety into danger.
Line by Line Meaning
I once was lost in sin
At one point in time, I was directionless and misguided, living in a state of wrongdoing.
But Jesus took me in
However, Jesus took me under his wing and provided guidance and care.
And then a little light from heaven
Subsequently, a glimmer of hope and understanding emerged thanks to divine intervention.
Filled my soul
It imbued me with a sense of purpose and comfort.
He filled my heart with love
He filled my heart with positive emotions and feelings of care and compassion.
He wrote my name above
He elevated me to a higher plane and bestowed me with a sense of importance and belonging.
Just a little talk with my Jesus
Solely communicating with Jesus can have a profound effect.
Gonna make it right
It has the potential to rectify whatever issues or struggles one may be experiencing.
Have a little talk with Jesus
Engage in conversation with Jesus in order to alleviate one's worries.
And tell Him all about your troubles
Let Him know about all of the difficulties and challenges causing you strife.
He'll hear our famous cry
Jesus will listen intently and pay attention to our plea for help.
And He will answer by and by
His response will come in due time and when we most need it.
When you feel a little down
During periods of sadness, despair, or low spirits.
You have a little fire burning
Even then, a small flame of hope still exists within oneself.
Well, have a little talk with my Jesus
Take a moment to reach out to Jesus during these difficult times.
You may have doubts and fears
It's possible to feel uncertain or afraid.
Your eyes may fill with tears
Emotions may become overwhelming and tears form.
Now Jesus is a friend
Jesus is a compassionate friend that you can confide in during these struggles.
Who watches day and night
He will always be watching over you, never resting or abandoning you.
Let's have little talk with Jesus
Let's come together and communicate with Jesus.
He's gonna keep you safe
Jesus will protect and ensure your security.
He's the answer to my every prayer
He's the solution to every request or need I may have.
Talk to Him
Have a conversation with Jesus.
You better talk to Him
It's important to speak with Jesus for support and guidance.
Well, He's gonna keep you safe
He will ensure and secure your protection.
Tell Him all about our troubles
Share and express your difficulties and worries with Jesus.
Feel a little prayer wheel a-turning
Sensing the act of prayer and spiritual connection taking place.
You know, a little fire is a-burning
Feeling a spark of hope or light within oneself.
Contributed by Joseph N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.