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.
Es sind die finsteren Zeiten
Udo Lindenberg Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
in der anderen Stadt
Doch es bleibt beim leichten Schreiten
und die Stirn ist glatt
Harte Menschheit, unbewegt
Lang erfrornem Fischvolk gleich
Doch das Herz bleibt schnell gereget
Und das Lächeln weich
In Udo Lindenberg's song "Es sind die finsteren Zeiten," the lyrics reflect on the difficult times faced by people in other cities. The singer talks about how people seem to be walking with ease and their foreheads are smooth, even though they are living in dark times. The people around the singer are hard like a frozen fish, but their hearts still beat quickly and their smiles remain soft.
The song suggests that even during dark times, people are still able to find hope and happiness. It also illustrates the idea that outward appearances can be misleading, as people may seem calm on the surface while feeling a range of emotions inside. Lindenberg may be pointing out that people are resilient and can push through difficult circumstances with a little bit of hope and a positive mindset.
Overall, "Es sind die finsteren Zeiten" is a song that offers a deep reflection on the human condition when facing challenging situations. Lindenberg's lyrics provide insight into the qualities that make us uniquely human, including the ability to remain optimistic even in difficult circumstances.
Line by Line Meaning
Und es sind die finstern Zeiten
These are dark times full of uncertainty and fear
in der anderen Stadt
In a distant place, unknown to us
Doch es bleibt beim leichten Schreiten
Despite the darkness, we continue to move forward lightly
und die Stirn ist glatt
We remain calm and composed, not showing any signs of worry
Harte Menschheit, unbewegt
Humanity appears to be unfeeling and unresponsive
Lang erfrornem Fischvolk gleich
Frozen like a school of fish
Doch das Herz bleibt schnell gereget
But underneath the surface, our hearts beat with passion and emotion
Und das Lächeln weich
And our smiles remain soft and genuine
Contributed by Jordyn N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.