During World War II, Alexander was a member of the Luftwaffenhelfer and the Reichsarbeitsdienst before being drafted into the navy. In 1945, he was captured by the British and held as a prisoner-of-war.
After the war he attended Vienna's Max Reinhardt Seminary for actors until 1948 and started a career as actor. He starred in several musical comedies, including among others Liebe, Tanz und 1000 Schlager and Peter schießt den Vogel ab. Later he starred in the famous Count Bobby movies and the Luemmel-series. In the 1970s, Peter Alexander started a second career as a TV host and entertainer. He is a talented imitator of voices and people, including Queen Elizabeth II.
He married Hilde Haagen in 1952, and they had two children, Susanne Alexander Neumayer (born in 1958), an artist, and Michael (born in 1963). Since the death of his wife Hilde in 2003, he has lived in his house in Vienna in the 19th district, completely retired from the public.
Peter Alexander died on February 12th 2011 in Vienna.
Die Frau kommt direkt aus Spanien
Peter Alexander Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Die hab ich entdeckt in Spanien.
Abends am Guadilquivir
Trank ich Malaga mit ihr
Und aus Dankbarkeit dafür
Kam sie dann mit mir nach hier.
Nun schau ich ihr zu beim Tanzen
Denn sie ist der Clou beim Tanzen.
Glaub ich immer noch ich steh
In Sevilla am Alkazar.
Die Frau kommt direkt aus Spanien
Die hab ich entdeckt in Spanien.
Abends am Guadilquivir
Trank ich Malaga mit ihr
Und aus Dankbarkeit dafür
Kam sie dann mit mir nach hier.
Nun schau ich ihr zu beim Tanzen
Sie ist zwar der Clou beim Tanzen.
Doch ich frag mich jetzt bloß:
Wie schick ich sie wieder los
Nach Sevilla am Alkazar.
In Andalusien
In Andalusien
In Andalusien nahm das Schicksal seinen Lauf.
Und hier zu Hause
Und hier zu Hause
Und hier zu Hause fällt er mit dem Mädchen auf.
The lyrics of Peter Alexander's "Die Frau kommt direkt aus Spanien" tell a story of a man who discovered a woman in Spain and brought her with him back to his home country. The song is a reflection of the man's admiration and attraction to the woman, who embodies the spirit of Spain and its vibrant culture. The man fondly recalls drinking Malaga with her on the banks of the Guadalquivir river, and now watches her dance, feeling as though he is transported back to Sevilla at the Alcazar.
The first stanza sets the scene and establishes the woman's origins, while the second stanza starts with a repetition of the first, suggesting the man is still entranced by her. However, he then begins to question how to send her back to Spain, implying that maybe she has overstayed her welcome. The song ends with a nod to fate, that it was in Andalusia where the story began, and now the man and the woman have caught the attention of those around them in his home country.
Overall, the song portrays a flirtatious and romantic encounter with a foreign woman, and highlights the allure of Spanish culture through her. It also alludes to the challenges that come with crossing borders and clashing cultures, as the man struggles with what to do with her now that the initial excitement has worn off.
Line by Line Meaning
Die Frau kommt direkt aus Spanien
I discovered this woman in Spain and now she's here with me in Germany.
Die hab ich entdeckt in Spanien.
I found her while traveling through Spain.
Abends am Guadilquivir
One evening by the Guadilquivir River in Spain.
Trank ich Malaga mit ihr
We shared a drink of Malaga wine together.
Und aus Dankbarkeit dafür
As a gesture of gratitude for my company,
Kam sie dann mit mir nach hier.
She decided to come with me to Germany.
Nun schau ich ihr zu beim Tanzen
Now I watch her dance with admiration.
Denn sie ist der Clou beim Tanzen.
She is the star of the dance floor.
Wenn ich sie so vor mir seh
When I see her in front of me,
Glaub ich immer noch ich steh
I still feel like I'm in Sevilla at the Alkazar palace.
In Andalusien
In the region of Andalusia in Spain.
Nahm das Schicksal seinen Lauf.
Fate took its course there.
Und hier zu Hause
And now back home in Germany,
Fällt er mit dem Mädchen auf.
He stands out with the girl by his side.
Doch ich frag mich jetzt bloß:
But now I wonder:
Wie schick ich sie wieder los
How do I send her back to Sevilla?
Nach Sevilla am Alkazar.
Back to the Alkazar palace in Sevilla.
Contributed by Jordan F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.