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 Malocher
Udo Lindenberg Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Schon morgens saß sie vor der Glotze, mit Lockenwicklern im Haar.
Wenn er schlapp von der Maloche nach hause kam, saß sie immer noch da
und sagte: "Hier hast'n Korn, der bringt dich wieder nach vorn."
Und im Fernsehn läuft der Kommisar.
Er hatte die Schnauze von diesem Leben voll, er wär so gern ausgeflippt.
Und mit solchen Gedanken hat er dann nochmal an seinem Glas genippt.
und schrie: "Ihr glaubt wohl ich bin nicht ganz dicht!
Jeden Abend Fusel schlucken und dann in die Röhre kucken
und dann pennen und dann wieder zur Schicht."
Chachacha..., Hhu...
Der Malocher aus 'm Ruhrgebiet,
tat nun etwas, was sonst nur selten geschieht
schmiss seiner Frau das Mobiliar vor die Füße
und sagte: "Eh jetzt ist aber Schluß meine Süße.
Und mit dem Lottogewinn, das haut ja doch nicht mehr hin.
Komm Weib mach meinen Koffer klar!
Ich hau jetzt ab nach Paris, da ist das Leben so süß.
Da trink ich Sekt im Alkazar und tanze Chachacha!"
Er fuhr mit der Bahn, erster Klasse
nach Paris "Gare du Nord"
Er bestellte sich Champagner, den trank er aus der Flasche
und kam sich ganz schön super vor.
Und als er dann da war und schon nicht mehr ganz klar war,
da traf er ein charmantes Mädel.
Und am nächsten Morgen war er allein im Hotel,
ohne Kies und mit 'nem schweren Schädel.
ahh..., chachacha..., Hhu...
Der Malocher aus 'm Ruhrgebiet,
tat nun etwas, was sonst nur selten geschieht
schmiss seiner Frau das Mobiliar vor die Füße
und sagt: "Eh jetzt ist aber Schluß meine Süße.
Und mit dem Lottogewinn, das haut ja doch nicht mehr hin.
Komm Weib mach meinen Koffer klar.
Ich hau jetzt ab nach Paris, da ist das Leben so süß.
Da trink ich Sekt im Alkazar und tanze Chachacha, hhu!"
The song "Der Malocher" by Udo Lindenberg & Das Panikorchester tells the story of a working-class man from the Ruhrgebiet region of Germany who is tired of his monotonous life. The first verse describes his home life with his wife, who is depicted as complacent and content with just watching TV and offering him a drink after a long day at work. The man, however, is unsatisfied and dreams of a more exciting existence. He wants to break free from the mundanity of his routine and live a life of luxury in Paris.
As the song progresses, the man's frustration reaches a breaking point. He throws his furniture at his wife's feet, declaring that he's had enough and leaving for Paris. He proudly takes the first-class train, drinks champagne from the bottle, and meets a charming girl. Eventually, he wakes up alone in his hotel room with a heavy hangover and no money left.
The song captures the struggle of many working-class individuals who feel trapped in their everyday lives, dreaming of escape and a better life. However, it also shows the consequence of reckless decisions and unrealistic expectations.
Line by Line Meaning
Die Alte zuhaus war auch nicht mehr das, was sie früher einmal war.
The woman at home was no longer what she used to be.
Schon morgens saß sie vor der Glotze, mit Lockenwicklern im Haar.
She sat in front of the TV early in the morning with curlers in her hair.
Wenn er schlapp von der Maloche nach hause kam, saß sie immer noch da und sagte: "Hier hast'n Korn, der bringt dich wieder nach vorn."
When he came home tired from work, she would still be there and offer him a drink which she claimed would help him feel better.
Und im Fernsehn läuft der Kommisar.
And the Inspector is on TV.
Er hatte die Schnauze von diesem Leben voll, er wär so gern ausgeflippt.
He was fed up with this life and wanted to escape.
Und mit solchen Gedanken hat er dann nochmal an seinem Glas genippt.
And with those thoughts, he took another sip from his glass.
Und dann schmiss er's mit Karacho voll ins TV, und schrie: "Ihr glaubt wohl ich bin nicht ganz dicht! Jeden Abend Fusel schlucken und dann in die Röhre kucken und dann pennen und dann wieder zur Schicht."
Then he threw his glass at the TV and yelled, 'You think I'm crazy? Drinking every night and watching TV then going to sleep and back to work.'
Der Malocher aus 'm Ruhrgebiet, tat nun etwas, was sonst nur selten geschieht schmiss seiner Frau das Mobiliar vor die Füße und sagte: "Eh jetzt ist aber Schluß meine Süße.
The laborer from the Ruhr area did something that rarely happens, threw the furniture at his wife's feet and said 'That's it, my sweetie.'
Und mit dem Lottogewinn, das haut ja doch nicht mehr hin. Komm Weib mach meinen Koffer klar! Ich hau jetzt ab nach Paris, da ist das Leben so süß. Da trink ich Sekt im Alkazar und tanze Chachacha!"
And with the lottery win, it doesn't work anymore. Come on, woman, pack my suitcase! I'm leaving for Paris, where life is so sweet. I'll drink champagne at the Alkazar and dance the chachacha.'
Er fuhr mit der Bahn, erster Klasse nach Paris "Gare du Nord"
He took the train, first class to Paris' Gare du Nord station.
Er bestellte sich Champagner, den trank er aus der Flasche und kam sich ganz schön super vor.
He ordered champagne and drank it straight from the bottle, feeling pretty great.
Und als er dann da war und schon nicht mehr ganz klar war, da traf er ein charmantes Mädel.
And when he was there and no longer quite clear, he met a charming girl.
Und am nächsten Morgen war er allein im Hotel, ohne Kies und mit 'nem schweren Schädel.
And the next morning, he woke up alone in the hotel, broke and with a heavy head.
ahh..., chachacha..., Hhu...
Ahh... chachacha... Hhu...
Der Malocher aus 'm Ruhrgebiet, tat nun etwas, was sonst nur selten geschieht schmiss seiner Frau das Mobiliar vor die Füße und sagte: "Eh jetzt ist aber Schluß meine Süße.
The laborer from the Ruhr area did something that rarely happens, threw the furniture at his wife's feet and said 'That's it, my sweetie.'
Und mit dem Lottogewinn, das haut ja doch nicht mehr hin. Komm Weib mach meinen Koffer klar. Ich hau jetzt ab nach Paris, da ist das Leben so süß. Da trink ich Sekt im Alkazar und tanze Chachacha, hhu!"
And with the lottery win, it doesn't work anymore. Come on, woman, pack my suitcase! I'm leaving for Paris, where life is so sweet. I'll drink champagne at the Alkazar and dance the chachacha.'
Writer(s): Udo Lindenberg
Contributed by Jeremiah P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.