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.
Der Dirigent
Udo Lindenberg Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
ein großer Dirigent
so berühmt wie Herbert von Karajan
wenn er den Tecktstock in seine Hände nahm
dann hielt das Publikum den Atem an
das Orchester war getrimmt
und bestens eingestimmt
ein letzter Blick auf die Partitur
und nun begann der Dirigent
mit seiner Chaos-Symphonie in Atom-Dur
The lyrics to Udo Lindenberg's song Der Dirigent describe a renowned conductor who is compared to the legendary Herbert von Karajan. The conductor is described as exceptional, having the ability to capture the attention of the audience as soon as he takes the baton. The orchestra is also described as being expertly prepared and tuned, with the conductor checking the music notes for one last time before commencing the performance. The conductor is dressed in an excellent tuxedo, indicating his seriousness and professionalism. However, despite all this preparation and meticulous attention to detail, the performance is described as chaotic, with the conductor leading the orchestra in Atom-Dur.
The song Der Dirigent seems to playfully criticize the conductor and the symphonies they perform. The conductor is portrayed as a figurehead of performance and preparation, but the actual resulting performance is described as chaotic and discordant. The use of the term "Atom-Dur" reinforces the sense of chaos, as the term refers to the atomic bombs dropped at the end of World War II that resulted in devastation, chaos, and destruction.
Line by Line Meaning
Er war ein Dirigent
This man was a conductor, someone who leads and directs an orchestra or other musical ensemble.
ein großer Dirigent
He was a significant and accomplished conductor, considered one of the greats.
so berühmt wie Herbert von Karajan
His fame and renown were on par with that of Herbert von Karajan, a legendary conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic.
wenn er den Tecktstock in seine Hände nahm
When he took the conductor's baton in his hands, it was a signal that the performance was about to begin.
dann hielt das Publikum den Atem an
At this moment, the audience would hold their breath, eagerly anticipating the musical experience that was to come.
das Orchester war getrimmt
The orchestra was tuned and ready, having practiced tirelessly to deliver the best possible performance.
und bestens eingestimmt
They were not only in tune, but also of one mind and spirit, all working towards the same musical goal under the conductor's guidance.
ein letzter Blick auf die Partitur
Before beginning, the conductor would take a final glimpse at the musical score, ensuring that everything was in order and ready to go.
der Frack saß exzellent
The conductor's formal attire, especially his tailcoat or 'frack', was impeccably fitted and presented a dignified appearance.
und nun begann der Dirigent
With everything in place, it was finally time for the conductor to unleash his musical vision and bring the performance to life.
mit seiner Chaos-Symphonie in Atom-Dur
The piece of music being played was a complex and intense composition, described as a 'chaos-symphony', performed in a unique key known as 'Atom-Dur'.
Contributed by Kaylee A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Lydia Herdt
Hammer Lied, Hammer Video!!! Danke an meinen lieben Dr. Treznok, der mir dich, lieber Udo, mit diesem Lied von einer neuen Seite beleuchtet hat!!!
🙏👑🌟
Miriam Ulber
Das ist pures Gold 🤩🌟🌟🌟
Thorsten Hartmann
Eine Champions League Leistung nicht mehr zu toppen. Da war schon Udo Lindenberg Als Künstler auf der spitze.
Dorian Grey
Ich liebe diesen alten Scheiß! Ganz großer Lichtpunkt der Udo in den 70ern. ohne MTV sehe vieles erst jetzt was früher nür über die LP rüberkam.
Hans-Joachim Brausewitz
Mit dem silberblonden Fiffi auch als Mann nicht übel... von der Show und der Musik ganz zu schweigen. Das war für die damalige Zeit konkurrenzlos und wegweisend in Deutschland. Ab 4:18 gibt es noch einmal Applaus von mir! Für den getanzten Pflaumensturz, versteht sich.
Jan nein
Besten Dank für die Musik in allen Jahren ,,, best off ,,, UDO .
Michael Borchardt
Jetzt bin ich ja als ziemlich alter weißer Mann in der hübschen Situation, die Veröffentlichung der LP Votan Wahnwitz vor knapp 50 Jahren livehaftig erlebt zu haben - in der Kleinstadt Bad Soden am Taunus gab es damals das legendäre RO-WI-Studio - ein toller Platten- und Musikalienladen, wo immer die heißesten Deals zu bekommen waren - so auch Udos Album. Ein großes Werk aus meiner Sicht - nicht nur der Opener "Der Dirigent" - tolle Version hier.
Steph Klink
Einfach der Oberhammer, Udo - Wahnsinn und Genie!
Bitter sweet
Der Hammer 🛠
Io1564Jupitermoon
Zu geil!