Sandra Ann Lauer (born 18 May 1962), later Sandra Cretu, commonly known und… Read Full Bio ↴Sandra Ann Lauer (born 18 May 1962), later Sandra Cretu, commonly known under her mononymous stage name of Sandra, is a Franco-German pop singer who enjoyed mainstream popularity in the 1980s and early 1990s with a string of European hit singles, produced by her then-husband and musical partner, Michael Cretu, most notably "(I'll Never Be) Maria Magdalena" (1985), "In the Heat of the Night" (1985), "Everlasting Love" (1987), "Secret Land" (1988), "Hiroshima" (1990), and "Don't Be Aggressive" (1992). Her albums Into a Secret Land (1988) and Close to Seven (1992) have won Sandra high critical acclaim.

Prior to embarking on a solo career, Sandra was the lead singer of the all-female disco trio Arabesque, which had a massive following in Japan and the Soviet Union. Also, between 1990 and 2001, she provided vocals on album releases of the very successful musical project Enigma, which had top 10 hits in North America and the United Kingdom. A cult star with a devoted fan base, Sandra remains one of the most popular singers of the 1980s in Continental Europe. During the height of her popularity, she even managed to outsell Madonna in a number of countries around the world. With sales in excess of 33 million records worldwide, Sandra has established her position as the most successful German female vocalist.

Albums
The Long Play (1985)
Mirrors (1986)
Into a Secret Land (1988)
Paintings in Yellow (1990)
Close to Seven (1992)
Fading Shades (1995)
The Wheel of Time (2002)
The Art of Love (2007)
Back to Life (2009)
Stay in Touch (2012)

Maria Magdalena
Sandra Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

You take my love
You want my soul
I would be crazy to share your life
Why can't you see what I am?
Sharpen your senses and turn the knife
Hurt me and you'll understand

I'll never be Maria Magdalena

(You're a creature of the night)
Maria Magdalena
(You're a victim of the fight)
(You need love)
Promise me delight
(You need love)

I'll never be Maria Magdalena
(You're a creature of the night)
Maria Magdalena
(You're a victim of the fight)
(You need love)
Promise me delight
(You need love)

Why must I lie?
Find alibis
When will you wake up and realize
I can't surrender to you?
Play for affection and win the prize
I know those party games, too

I'll never be Maria Magdalena
(You're a creature of the night)
Maria Magdalena
(You're a victim of the fight)
(You need love)
Promise me delight
(You need love)

I'll never be Maria Magdalena
(You're a creature of the night)
Maria Magdalena
(You're a victim of the fight)
(You need love)
Promise me delight
(You need love)

Oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh

I'll never be Maria Magdalena
(You're a creature of the night)
Maria Magdalena
(You're a victim of the fight)
(You need love)
Promise me delight
(You need love)

I'll never be Maria Magdalena
(You're a creature of the night)
Maria Magdalena
(You're a victim of the fight

(You need love)
Promise me delight

Overall Meaning

In Sandra's song "Maria Magdalena," the singer expresses her reluctance to fully commit to a desired lover. She recognizes that the man wants her love and soul but wonders why he cannot see her for who she really is. Sandra cautions him to "sharpen your senses and turn the knife," suggesting that if he hurts her, he might understand her reluctance. The singer then repeats that she will never be Maria Magdalena, a Biblical figure known for her reputation as a prostitute before her redemption. Sandra seems to be rejecting the idea of becoming a victim of societal opinion and judgement.

The repetition of the lyrics "You're a creature of the night" and "You're a victim of the fight" emphasize the strong emotions and struggles that the man and the singer are experiencing. The man needs love and promises delight, and the singer recognizes this but still feels unable to give herself to him. Her expression of internal conflict is reflected in the melancholic melody and the emotional tone of the song. Sandra's use of Maria Magdalena's name is symbolic, as the singer is trying to find her own place and identity in a world that imposes labels and restrictions on people.

Line by Line Meaning

You take my love
You accept my love

You want my soul
You need all of me

I would be crazy to share your life
I would be foolish to live the way you want me to

Why can't you see what I am?
Why don't you understand who I really am?

Sharpen your senses and turn the knife
Be more aware and hurt me more

Hurt me and you'll understand
If you hurt me, you'll know how I feel

I'll never be Maria Magdalena
I'll never be your ideal woman

(You're a creature of the night)
(You're someone who lives in the darkness)

Maria Magdalena
Your dream woman

(You're a victim of the fight)
(You're someone who's been hurt before)

(You need love)
(You're in dire need of love)

Promise me delight
Promise me happiness

Why must I lie?
Why do I have to be dishonest?

Find alibis
Make up excuses

When will you wake up and realize
When will you realize what's really going on?

I can't surrender to you?
I can't give up everything for you?

Play for affection and win the prize
Pretend to like someone to get something in return

I know those party games, too
I'm familiar with those tricks

Oh, oh, oh
Sounds

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Hubert Kemmler, Michael Cretu, Markus Loehr, Richard Palmer-James

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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