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.
Ich schwöre
Udo Lindenberg Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Das heißt nicht, aus den Augen aus dem Sinn
Unsre Freundschaft hat immer ein Comeback
Es zieht mich immer wieder zu Dir hin
Musst nicht denken, dass ich unsern Schwur je breche
Wenn ich die Welt durchcheck, was heißt das schon?
Was meinst Du, wie oft ich mit Dir spreche
Ich schwöre, ich schwöre
Wenn's drauf ankommt, bin ich da
Ich schwöre, ich schwöre
Die dollsten Dinger machen wir klar
Kommt es einmal hart auf hart
Dann bin ich sofort am Start
Ich schwöre, ich schwöre
Wenn's drauf ankommt, bin ich für Dich da
Spiel meine Rollen auf verschied'nen Bühnen
Mal bin ich Penner - mal der Edelmann
Ich verkehr mit Präsidenten und Ganoven
Doch wer kommt schon so richtig an mich ran?
Der echte Klartext läuft nur, wenn wir zusammen sind
Kein Larifari und kein lauer Spruch
Da weiß ich wieder, wo ich eigentlich hingehör'
Ich bin so froh, dass ich Dich hab
Idioten gibt's auf dieser Welt genug
Ich schwöre, ich schwöre
Wenn's drauf ankommt, bin ich da
Ich schwöre, ich schwöre
Die dollsten Dinger machen wir klar
Kommt es einmal hart auf hart
Dann bin ich sofort am Start
Ich schwöre, ich schwöre
Wenn's drauf ankommt, bin ich für Dich da
The song "Ich schwöre" by Udo Lindenberg is about the unwavering loyalty and devotion of two friends to each other. The singer has been away for a while, but their friendship has remained strong, and they will always come back to each other. The lyrics emphasize the importance of friendship, and the fact that the singer will always be there for their friend, even when things get tough.
The singer also mentions that they speak to their friend often, even without the use of a phone. The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "Ich schwöre" (I swear), emphasizing the singer's commitment to being there for their friend when they need them. The song also acknowledges that there are many people in the world who might not be trustworthy, but the singer and their friend have a special connection that will always be strong.
Overall, "Ich schwöre" is a heartfelt tribute to the power of true friendship and the unconditional support that can come from it.
Line by Line Meaning
Jetz' war ich wieder 'ne ganze Weile weg
I have been away for a while
Das heißt nicht, aus den Augen aus dem Sinn
That doesn't mean we're out of touch or indifferent to each other
Unsre Freundschaft hat immer ein Comeback
Our friendship always bounces back
Es zieht mich immer wieder zu Dir hin
I always feel drawn to you
Musst nicht denken, dass ich unsern Schwur je breche
Don't think that I would ever break our promise
Wenn ich die Welt durchcheck, was heißt das schon?
When I put the world to the test, what does it really mean?
Was meinst Du, wie oft ich mit Dir spreche
Do you know how often I talk to you?
Auch ohne Telefon
Even without a phone
Ich schwöre, ich schwöre
I swear, I swear
Wenn's drauf ankommt, bin ich da
When it counts, I'm there
Die dollsten Dinger machen wir klar
We'll achieve the wildest things
Kommt es einmal hart auf hart
When the going gets tough
Dann bin ich sofort am Start
Then I'm immediately in action
Spiel meine Rollen auf verschied'nen Bühnen
I play different roles on various stages
Mal bin ich Penner - mal der Edelmann
Sometimes I'm a bum - sometimes a nobleman
Ich verkehr mit Präsidenten und Ganoven
I associate with presidents and crooks
Doch wer kommt schon so richtig an mich ran?
But who really gets close to me?
Der echte Klartext läuft nur, wenn wir zusammen sind
The real clarity comes only when we're together
Kein Larifari und kein lauer Spruch
No nonsense or lukewarm talk
Da weiß ich wieder, wo ich eigentlich hingehör'
Then I know again where I really belong
Ich bin so froh, dass ich Dich hab
I'm so glad I have you
Idioten gibt's auf dieser Welt genug
There are enough idiots in this world
Wenn's drauf ankommt, bin ich für Dich da
When it counts, I'm there for you
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: KATJA KELLER, UDO LINDENBERG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind