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.
Gesetz
Udo Lindenberg Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ich bin unschuldig!
Ihr habt mich nicht gefragt, ob ich geboren werden will
jetzt will ich auch nicht, daß ihr mir sagt, wie ich leben soll!
Ich bin die Saat, die endlich aufgeht
ich bin der Aufstand, der jetzt aufsteht und der jetzt losgeht!
Ich leb' nach eigenen Gesetzen
zu eurem Schrecken und Entsetzen, ich bin ich!
ihr überzeugt mich nicht, merkt euch eins:
Das Gesetz bin ich!
Nackter Wahnsinn, totaler Schizo
Atomraketen - und die Dritte Welt krepiert
und keiner, der nichts dagegen tut
soll mir noch irgendwas erzählen
Ich bin die Saat, die endlich aufgeht
ich bin der Aufstand, der jetzt aufsteht und der jetzt losgeht!
Wir sind die Saat, die endlich aufgeht
wir sind der Aufstand, der jetzt aufsteht und der jetzt losgeht!
Abgepackt und abgefuckt, vorgekaut und zugebaut total
wir wollen kein Leben wie'n Paket aus dem Supermarktregal!
Das Gesetz, das sind wir
das Gesetz sind wir!
Wir sind die Saat, die endlich aufgeht
wir sind der Aufstand, der jetzt aufsteht und der jetzt losgeht!
wir sind die Antwort auf die Fragen
die ihr euch nie gestellt habt
Da kann man nur noch sagen:
Das Gesetz, das sind wir, das Gesetz sind wir
noch sind wir ein Fluß, doch bald sind wir ein reißender Strom
das Gesetz sind wir!
The lyrics to Udo Lindenberg's song Gesetz are a powerful statement against societal norms and expectations. The opening lines of the song express a desire for freedom, reflecting the singer's belief in their own innocence and their rejection of the constraints imposed upon them by others. The singer asserts their own agency and autonomy, declaring that they will live according to their own rules, disrupting the status quo to the shock and horror of those around them.
As the song progresses, the lyrics become more militant and political in nature. The singer highlights the madness of the world around them, from nuclear weapons to the suffering of the Third World, and demands action from those who would ignore these problems. The focus shifts from the individual to the collective, as the singer declares that they are not alone in their desire for change. They call for a revolution, one that is already underway and gathering momentum, as others join them in the struggle against oppression and conformity.
Overall, Gesetz is a powerful call to arms, advocating for radical change and resistance against the systems that hold us back. It celebrates individuality and autonomy, while also recognizing the power of community and collective action in the pursuit of social justice.
Line by Line Meaning
Keine Ketten! Kein Gefängnis! Keine Handschellen!
I refuse to be restrained, incarcerated or punished by anyone.
Ich bin unschuldig!
I have done nothing wrong to deserve any punishment.
Ihr habt mich nicht gefragt, ob ich geboren werden will
I was not asked if I wanted to be born, hence I will not allow anyone to dictate how I should live my life.
jetzt will ich auch nicht, daß ihr mir sagt, wie ich leben soll!
I will not let anyone control or dictate how I should live.
Ich bin die Saat, die endlich aufgeht
I am the seed of change that has finally sprouted.
ich bin der Aufstand, der jetzt aufsteht und der jetzt losgeht!
I am the rebellion that has now started and is ready to take action!
Ich leb' nach eigenen Gesetzen
I live by my own set of rules.
zu eurem Schrecken und Entsetzen, ich bin ich!
I am myself, to your shock and horror.
Der Tag ist gekommen, ich schrei' euch ins Gesicht
The time has come, and I will confront you boldly.
ihr überzeugt mich nicht, merkt euch eins:
You do not convince me, hear this.
Das Gesetz bin ich!
I am the law!
Nackter Wahnsinn, totaler Schizo
Absolute madness, complete madness.
Atomraketen - und die Dritte Welt krepiert
Nuclear weapons cause the third world to suffer.
und keiner, der nichts dagegen tut
No one is doing anything to stop it.
soll mir noch irgendwas erzählen
No one can tell me anything anymore.
Wir sind die Saat, die endlich aufgeht
We are the seeds of change that have finally sprouted.
Wir sind der Aufstand, der jetzt aufsteht und der jetzt losgeht!
We are the rebellion that has now started and is ready to take action!
Abgepackt und abgefuckt, vorgekaut und zugebaut total
Packaged and fucked, pre-chewed and totally built up
wir wollen kein Leben wie'n Paket aus dem Supermarktregal!
We don't want a life like a package on the supermarket shelf!
Das Gesetz, das sind wir
We are the law!
das Gesetz sind wir!
We are the law!
wir sind die Antwort auf die Fragen
We are the answer to the questions
die ihr euch nie gestellt habt
That you have never asked yourself.
Da kann man nur noch sagen:
All one can say is:
noch sind wir ein Fluß, doch bald sind wir ein reißender Strom
We are still a river, but soon we will be raging waves.
das Gesetz sind wir!
We are the law!
Contributed by Bella T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.