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".
Wahrheit
Peter Maffay Lyrics
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Dagegen kann ich mich nicht wehren
Mir ist es viel lieber
Du sagst mir ganz klar was du denkst
Ich bilde mir wirklich nicht ein
Heut Abend der Größte zu sein
Der Erfolg ist wie Fieber
Ich mach' Musik
So gut ich kann
Sie klingt so wie ich fühl'
Hast du Kritik
Ich nehm' sie an
Doch bitte nicht als Partyspiel
Klarheit ich lieb' Wahrheit
Komm ich will
Klarheit und die Wahrheit
Leeres Geschwätz macht mich stumm
Einfältig ist das und dumm
Und es ist doch viel besser
Du schleichst nicht so rum um den Brei
Ich trage dir sicher nichts nach
Und mach' hier bestimmt keinen Krach
Lass sie uns noch mal durchgehen
Die Show von vorhin Punkt für Punkt
Es war Musik
Wie ich sie mag
Ich spiel' so wie ich fühl'
Hast du Kritik
Dann meld sie an
Doch bitte nicht als Patyspiel
Klarheit ich lieb' Wahrheit
Komm ich will
Klarheit und die Wahrheit
Vielleicht sehen wir uns morgen am Tag
Und hast du dann Fragen so frag
Wir können uns dann wiedersehen
Doch ehrlich das musst du verstehen
Klarheit ich lieb' Wahrheit
Komm ich will
Klarheit und die Wahrheit
The lyrics to Peter Maffay's song Wahrheit express a desire for honesty and directness in communication. The first verse reflects a distaste for cliché phrases that offer no real substance, and a preference for clear and genuine expression of thoughts and feelings. The second verse acknowledges the singer's humility and recognition that success in music (or any creative endeavor) is not a guarantee, but rather a fluctuating and often unpredictable process. Despite this, the singer is committed to making music that reflects their inner world and emotional state, and welcomes constructive criticism as long as it is given with sincerity and not just for the sake of putting on a show.
The chorus repeatedly emphasizes the importance of truth and clarity in communication, asserting that the singer loves "Klarheit und die Wahrheit" (clarity and truth) and inviting others to join in this quest for authenticity. The final verse offers the possibility of further discussion and interaction, but also makes it clear that any further encounters should be based on genuine curiosity and openness rather than superficial politeness.
Overall, the lyrics express a desire for meaningful human connection and a rejection of empty or inauthentic communication. The singer values honesty and sincerity, and believes that true connection and understanding can only come from a willingness to be clear and direct with one another.
Line by Line Meaning
Phrasen die will ich nicht hören
I don't want to hear empty phrases
Dagegen kann ich mich nicht wehren
But I can't resist them
Mir ist es viel lieber
I prefer it much more
Du sagst mir ganz klar was du denkst
When you clearly tell me what you're thinking
Ich bilde mir wirklich nicht ein
I don't really believe
Heut Abend der Größte zu sein
That tonight I'm the greatest
Der Erfolg ist wie Fieber
Success is like a fever
Das fällt über Nacht wie du weißt
That comes overnight, as you know
Ich mach' Musik
I create music
So gut ich kann
As well as I can
Sie klingt so wie ich fühl'
It sounds like what I feel
Hast du Kritik
If you have criticism
Ich nehm' sie an
I'll take it
Doch bitte nicht als Partyspiel
But not like a party game
Klarheit ich lieb' Wahrheit
Clarity, I love the truth
Komm ich will
Come, I want it
Leeres Geschwätz macht mich stumm
Empty talk makes me silent
Einfältig ist das und dumm
It's simple and foolish
Und es ist doch viel besser
And it's better
Du schleichst nicht so rum um den Brei
When you don't beat around the bush
Ich trage dir sicher nichts nach
I won't hold anything against you
Und mach' hier bestimmt keinen Krach
And I won't cause a commotion here
Lass sie uns noch mal durchgehen
Let's go through it again
Die Show von vorhin Punkt für Punkt
Point by point, the show from earlier
Es war Musik
It was music
Wie ich sie mag
As I like it
Ich spiel' so wie ich fühl'
I play how I feel
Hast du Kritik
If you have criticism
Dann meld sie an
Then bring it up
Doch bitte nicht als Patyspiel
But not like a party game
Vielleicht sehen wir uns morgen am Tag
Maybe we'll see each other again tomorrow
Und hast du dann Fragen so frag
And if you have any questions, ask
Wir können uns dann wiedersehen
We can see each other again
Doch ehrlich das musst du verstehen
But honestly, you must understand
Klarheit ich lieb' Wahrheit
Clarity, I love the truth
Komm ich will
Come, I want it
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Peter (de 1) Maffay, Volker Lechtenbrink
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind