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.
Good Life City
Udo Lindenberg Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't think like me
It's so funny
They cannot see any good in me
The girls in my hometown
Won't go with me
'Cause they don't want my lovin' heart
I say hey, hey, hey
Good Life City, I'm on my way
Hey, hey, hey
Good Life City, I'm on my way
My family in my hometown
They hate to see
The good image turning to shame and their community
Hey people, listen to me
This is the day that I put on my traveling shoes
And go, go, go the other way
I say hey, hey, hey
Good Life City, I'm on my way
Hey, hey, hey
Good Life City, I'm on my way
I say hey, hey, hey
Good Life City, I'm on my way
Hey, hey, hey
Good Life City, I'm on my way
Hey, yeah
Good Life City, I'm on my way
Hey, hey, hey
Good Life City, I'm on my way
Say hey, hey, yeah
Good Life City
The song "Good Life City" by Udo Lindenberg talks about someone driving and listening to the radio when they recognize a familiar voice. The lyrics express curiosity towards the singer's identity, and they ask the person with them to turn up the volume. The singer then recognizes the voice as belonging to someone they know, and they comment on the quality of the singing. The chorus repeats the phrase "Good Life City, I'm on my way," suggesting that the singer is excited about heading towards an optimistic destination.
The second verse shifts away from the radio to talk about the singer's uncle, who is a magician. Despite his skills, the uncle cannot create a better world through magic, and the singer acknowledges that it is up to individuals to improve their circumstances. The chorus is repeated once more, signaling the singer's determination to reach their destination.
The lyrics of "Good Life City" encourage listeners to pursue their own vision of a better life. The chorus's repetition, "Good Life City, I'm on my way," suggests that the journey towards achieving that happiness is itself part of the good life. While the verses acknowledge the limitations of magic and external forces, they ultimately emphasize the importance of taking personal responsibility for one's own life.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, hey, hey Good Life City, I'm on my way
Excitedly looking forward to heading towards Good Life City
Den Typ da im Radio Ich glaub', den kenne ich Dreh mal lauter Mal hören, was der da singt Machst du das mal für mich?
Recognizing a voice on the radio and requesting to turn up the volume to listen to what he's singing
Du, diese Stimme Die hab ich doch schon mal gehört Das klingt ja ganz manierlich Wenn man den Gesang mal überhört
Realizing that the voice belongs to someone he's heard before but only noticing the quality of the singing when he gave it a proper listen
I say hey, hey, hey Good Life City, I'm on my way
Continuing to express excitement about heading to Good Life City
Mein Onkel ist Zauberer In Bonn am Rhein Kaninchen im Zylinder Und Tauben im Hosenbein Hokuspokusmann, hat 'ne Menge drauf Doch eines gibt's, was er nicht kann Eine bessere Welt kann auch er nicht zaubern Da muß man sich schon selbst drum kümmern Und ich fang' jetzt damit an
Describing his uncle as a magician but acknowledging that even he cannot magically create a better world and it's up to individuals to make a positive difference, which he plans to start doing
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Udo Lindenberg
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind