The LP Lindenberg (also 1971, and sung in English, already with Steffi Stephan on bass) was likewise unsuccessful. In the following year, the fist LP in German was released: Daumen im Wind (produced by Lindenberg and Thomas Kukuck, who also produced the next five albums together), from which the single "Hoch im Norden" became a radio hit in northern Germany. The year 1973 brought a breakthrough with the album Andrea Doria and its catchy "Alles klar auf der Andrea Doria" and "Cello". Over 100,000 copies sold, and Lindenberg quickly received the largest record deal of any German-language musician up to that time. Lindenberg was earning a special place in the new German-language music of the 70s: Between internationally-oriented Krautrock and pop music, he found his niche. German-language rock had previously been confined to predominantly political message bands whose music was directed at a narrow audience.
Lindenbergs brash style, everyday subject matter ("Bei Onkel Pö…") and his feel for language were an unprecedented combination in German-language music. His pioneering work helped other artists such as Stefan Waggershausen and Marius Müller-Westernhagen get record deals of their own. In 1973 Lindenberg first went on tour with his Panikorchester (Panic Orchestra).
1976 was one of Udo Lindenberg's most productive years. Besides the LP Galaxo Gang he also published under the name Das Waldemar Wunderbar Syndicat I make you feel good, a first Best of Panik Udo and the first in a series of foreign-language publications No Panic, on which Lindenberg translated his songs to English. In the same year (and on another LP: Sister King Kong) with the song "Rock ’n’ Roll Arena in Jena", Lindenberg first mentioned a Panic Orchestra tour in the GDR. In 1976, Lindenberg discovered Ulla Meinecke and produced her first two albums. She was a guest artist and co-author of the 1977 LP Panische Nächte (Panic Nights) and the 1978 Dröhnland Symphonie. On Lindenbergs Rock Revue (1978) Lindenberg and Horst Königstein "Germanized" rock classics from Little Richard to The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, and went on a big tour. The Nr.-1-Hit "We Gotta Get out of This Place" was also published with German lyrics.
The subsequent Dröhnland-Symphonie-Tour was staged by Peter Zadek as a big multimedia stage show with a plethora of costumed extras. The result was Lindenbergs first live album Livehaftig. In 1979, Der Detektiv was the second Rock Revue, in which more international hits such as "Candle in the Wind" by Elton John, "Born to Be Wild" by Steppenwolf, "My Little Town" and "As Time Goes By" (from the film Casablanca) were "Germanized". Also 1997 was published "Belcanto - Udo Lindenberg & das Deutsche Filmorchester Babelsberg" which included hits like "Horizont", "Bis ans Ende der Welt" along with a song by Bertold Brecht and Udo's own interpretation of The Windmills of Your Mind - "Under the drunkard moon" ("Unterm Säufermond").
One of his most famous songs is Sonderzug nach Pankow (Special train service to Pankow), an adaptation of Chattanooga Choo Choo, released as a single on 2 February 1983. It originated from the refusal of eastern German authorities to allow Lindenberg a concert in the German Democratic Republic (GDR).
On June 3, 2011, Lindenberg performed at Kampnagel unplugged. The recording was later released as an album within the MTV unplugged series. Lindenberg was the 8th German artist in that series. The album became the second No.1 album for Lindenberg declared Platin status for 200,000 sold units after two weeks. The second single from the album "Cello" (feat. Clueso) went No.4 giving Lindenberg the highest chart position in German singles charts ever reached.
Lindenberg has worked collaboratively with various local and international recording artists (Eric Burdon, Helen Schneider, David Bowie, Tom Robinson, Keith Forsey, Gianna Nannini, and Nena) on a number of projects. He currently lives in Hamburg in the Hotel Atlantic (for several years now). His somewhat hoarse voice is the result of too much liquor and cigarettes. In 1989, he survived a heart attack. In 2010, he designed two stamps, themed on his songs "Andrea Doria" and "Sonderzug nach Pankow", for the Deutsche Post.
Berlin Light My Fire
Udo Lindenberg Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
mit leichtem Fuß durch die Nebelwand
wo vor dir noch keiner war
und was vor dir noch keiner sah
schreib die Gesetze neu
und bleibe nur dir selber treu
der Crazyman geht mit lockerem Gang
unter grünen Linden lang
Und erst mal einen Korn bestellt
Seid willkommen in Berlin
ihr Verrückten gehört da hin
komm wir brauchen den Wahnsinn
die neue Bühne ist gebaut
laß die Toleranzen tanzen
Berliner Bär - kennst keine Grenzen mehr
Die Spinner von heute sind
die Erfinder von morgen
das weiß doch jedes Kind
wenn's überall heißt "Gute Nacht"
wird an der Spree das Licht erst angemacht
Seid willkommen in Berlin
ihr Verrückten gehört da hin
komm wir brauchen den Wahnsinn
ihr Phantasten überall
mit eurem charmanten Großenknall
und dann kriegen wir das gut hin
The lyrics to Udo Lindenberg's song Berlin Light My Fire speak about exploring new territory, stepping into the unknown, and creating your own rules. The imagery of walking with light feet through a foggy landscape emphasizes the idea of carving out a path for yourself where no one else has gone before. The Crazyman with his easy stride strolls through the green linden trees, exemplifying the attitude of being true to oneself and not conforming to societal expectations. The chorus invites the listener to join in on the madness that is Berlin, a city where the "spinners of today" are the "inventors of tomorrow."
Lindenberg's lyrics also celebrate the idea of being unconventional and going against the norm. In a world where everything seems to be uniform and conformist, Berlin stands out as a place where the rules are rewritten, and the absurd is celebrated. Lindenberg sees the city as a place for anyone who is a little bit weird, a little bit mad - he believes that those are the people who belong there. The song highlights the importance of creativity and individuality in a world where monotony abounds.
Overall, Lindenberg's Berlin Light My Fire is a rallying call for people to embrace their uniqueness and march to their own beat. It's about exploring new territory and being a little bit crazy - because that's where the magic happens. The song celebrates the countercultural attitude of Berlin and invites the listener to be a part of it.
Line by Line Meaning
Schritte in Niemandsland
Walking through no man's land
mit leichtem Fuß durch die Nebelwand
With light footsteps through the fog
wo vor dir noch keiner war
Where no one has been before you
und was vor dir noch keiner sah
And what no one has seen before
schreib die Gesetze neu
Rewrite the laws
und bleibe nur dir selber treu
And only remain true to yourself
der Crazyman geht mit lockerem Gang
The crazy man walks with a loose gait
unter grünen Linden lang
Along green linden trees
Und hast den Kaffee wieder weggestellt
And you put away your coffee
Und erst mal einen Korn bestellt
And ordered a shot of schnapps
Seid willkommen in Berlin
Welcome to Berlin
ihr Verrückten gehört da hin
You crazies belong here
komm wir brauchen den Wahnsinn
Come, we need the madness
die neue Bühne ist gebaut
The new stage is built
laß die Toleranzen tanzen
Let tolerance dance
Berliner Bär - kennst keine Grenzen mehr
Berlin Bear - knows no boundaries anymore
Die Spinner von heute sind
Today's crazies are
die Erfinder von morgen
Tomorrow's inventors
das weiß doch jedes Kind
Every child knows that
wenn's überall heißt 'Gute Nacht'
When everywhere it's said 'Goodnight'
wird an der Spree das Licht erst angemacht
The light is only turned on at the Spree
ihr Phantasten überall
You dreamers everywhere
mit eurem charmanten Großenknall
With your charming big bang
und dann kriegen wir das gut hin
And then we'll get it done well
Contributed by Kaylee G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.