In 1963, Maffay and his parents emigrated from the Siebenbürgen region in Romania to Germany, like other Transylvanian Saxons. In the same year, he started his first band, The Dukes. After completing his education and spending some time working for Chemigraphics, an art manufacturer, Maffay worked in clubs, where he distributed his music.
Peter Maffay's career began in 1969 with the publication of his first single, "Du" (You in German). It was the biggest German hit in 1970 and brought Maffay instant fame. With the album Steppenwolf in 1979, Maffay became a major music star in Germany. The album sold 1.6 million copies, making it the best selling LP at that time. In 1980, the album Revanche (Revenge) broke his previous record, selling 2.1 million copies.
Maffay holds the German record for the most number one ranked singles in the single and album sales charts, including 12 albums. In addition, most of his studio albums reached the top ten. He also holds a German record for most albums to have sold over one million copies, with 14. His latest album ,Laut und Leise (Loud and Quiet), became the fourteenth.
Altogether, Maffay has sold over 35 million records. Since 1980, each of his 13 tours (roughly every 2 years) has ranked among the three most visited attractions each season in Germany, with nine of them ranked first in that category.
Maffay also created a string of fairy tales about a little green dragon named Tabaluga, which was spread out onto four albums. The piece was also turned into a musical. Maffay went on tour individually with Tabaluga & Lilli in Germany; he later released a live album, DVD and live TV broadcast. The tour included Peter Maffay, Alexis, Nino de Angelo, Rufus Beck, and Carl Carlton among others.
In 1998, Maffay collaborated to create an album with artists from all corners of the world, including Aboriginal singers and musicians from Israel.
He also starred in two films directed by Peter Patzak - The Joker in 1986, and Captured in Yemen in 1999. In addition, Maffay played a supporting role in the feature "The Polar Bear".
Happy Birthday
Peter Maffay Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Warum gehst du nicht ran?
Du hast Geburtstag, den Geburtstag vergess' ich nie!
Der 24 Januar, kommt einfach jedes Jahr
Ich würd' ihn gerne überschlagen wenn ich wüsste wie
Meistens bin ich so wie so in Gedanken völlig anders wo
Jedes Jahr wieder, die selben Lieder
Jedes Jahr wieder, tut es von neuem weh
Der Augenblick als du ins Taxi stiegst, auf nimmer wieder sehen
Hilflose Tränen auf einem blasen Gesicht
Das alles läuft heut wie im Spielfilm ab, Zeit-rück-dreh im Gehirn
Ich würd' ihn gerne rückwärts drehen doch ich kann es nicht
Jedes Jahr wieder, die selben Lieder
Jedes Jahr wieder, tut es von neuem weh
Jedes Jahr wieder, die alten Lieder
Jedes Jahr wieder, seit ich dich nicht mehr seh'
Ich geb' es auf mit diesem Telefon, schreib dir einen Brief
Alles Gute zum Geburtstag wünsch' ich dir
Alles Gute zum Geburtstag wünsch' ich dir
Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday,
Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday,
Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday,
Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday,
Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday to you
Ein mal jedes Jahr (Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday)
Ein mal jedes Jahr (Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday)
Ein mal jedes Jahr (Happy Birthday)
wünscht ich mir so du wärst hier (Happy Birthday to you)
Ein mal jeee (Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday)
Ein mal jedes Jahr (Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday)
Ein mal jedes Jahr (Happy Birthday)
Wünscht ich mir so sehr du wärst hier (Happy Birthday to you)
Oh yea
Ein mal jedes Jahr (Happy Birthday)
Ein mal jedes Jahr (Happy Birthday)
Oh ein mal jedes Jahr (Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday)
wünscht ich mir so
so sehr du wärst hier (Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday to you)
The song "Happy Birthday" by Peter Maffay is a melancholic reflection of a person remembering someone they were close to, who they have not been able to see for a long time. The lyrics start with the person trying to reach the other through the phone, but they do not answer. The singer knows that it is the other person's birthday and reflects on how they remember it every year, but they wish they could forget it. The singer reflects on how they are usually lost in thought, but the calendar reminds them of the memories shared with the other person. The repetition of "Jedes Jahr wieder" or "Every year again" emphasizes the cyclical nature of reminiscing about a past love, and the pain it brings. The singer remembers the specific moment when the other person left, and the helpless tears they shed. They try to reverse time by wishing they could go back and change things, but they cannot. The song ends with the singer realizing they cannot reach the person through the phone, so they decide to write them a letter instead and wish them a happy birthday.
Line by Line Meaning
Zum X-ten mal wähl ich jetzt diese Nummer hier
I've been dialing this number over and over again
Warum gehst du nicht ran?
Why don't you answer?
Du hast Geburtstag, den Geburtstag vergess' ich nie!
It's your birthday, and I never forget it!
Der 24 Januar, kommt einfach jedes Jahr
January 24th comes every year
Ich würd' ihn gerne überschlagen wenn ich wüsste wie
I wish I could skip it somehow
Meistens bin ich so wie so in Gedanken völlig anders wo
Most of the time my mind is somewhere else
Aber dieses Kalenderblatt, es wirkt wie ein Magnet
But this calendar page has a strong hold on me
Jedes Jahr wieder, die selben Lieder
Every year, the same songs
Jedes Jahr wieder, tut es von neuem weh
Every year, it hurts like new
Der Augenblick als du ins Taxi stiegst, auf nimmer wieder sehen
The moment you got into the taxi, goodbye forever
Hilflose Tränen auf einem blasen Gesicht
Helpless tears on a swollen face
Das alles läuft heut wie im Spielfilm ab, Zeit-rück-dreh im Gehirn
It all plays out like a movie today, with my brain rewinding time
Ich würd' ihn gerne rückwärts drehen doch ich kann es nicht
I wish I could rewind it backwards, but I can't
Ich geb' es auf mit diesem Telefon, schreib dir einen Brief
I give up on this phone, I'll write you a letter
Alles Gute zum Geburtstag wünsch' ich dir
I wish you all the best on your birthday
Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday,
Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday,
Ein mal jedes Jahr (Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday)
Once every year (Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday)
wünscht ich mir so du wärst hier (Happy Birthday to you)
I wish you were here (Happy Birthday to you)
Oh yea
Oh yeah
Ein mal jeee (Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday)
Once each (Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday)
Wünscht ich mir so sehr du wärst hier (Happy Birthday to you)
I wish so much you were here (Happy Birthday to you)
Ein mal jedes Jahr (Happy Birthday)
Once every year (Happy Birthday)
Oh ein mal jedes Jahr (Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday)
Oh once every year (Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday)
wünscht ich mir so
I wish so much
so sehr du wärst hier (Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday to you)
you were here (Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday to you)
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: EEF BARZELAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind