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.
Illusions
Udo Lindenberg Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
you better play according to the rules
and yet we always scheme to much
and dream to much, we fools
Want to buy some Illusions ?
slightly used second hand ?
they were lovely illusions
They had a touch of paradise
a spell you can't explain
for in this crazy paradise
you are in love with pain
Want to buy some Illusions ?
slightly used second hand ?
they were lovely illusions
reaching high, built on sand
Too bad they all fell apar
as dreams often do
they were lovely illusions
but they just wouldn't come true
The song "Illusions" by Udo Lindenberg is a commentary on the nature of love and relationships. The lyrics suggest that although we try to play according to the rules of love, we often fall victim to our own desires and fantasies. The singer acknowledges that he, and perhaps all of us, are fools for dreaming and scheming too much in the pursuit of love. He then asks, "Want to buy some illusions?" implying that these illusions are a commodity that people can purchase as second-hand items.
The illusions in question are described as reaching high but built on sand, meaning that they may seem substantial and fulfilling but ultimately lack a solid foundation. They are also described as having a touch of paradise, a spell that cannot be explained, which suggests that these illusions hold a seductive power over the person who possesses them. However, the singer also acknowledges that being in love with pain is a common theme in these illusions, suggesting a certain masochistic pleasure in unrealistic and unattainable dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
Love is a game
Love is something that is pursued or played like a game.
you better play according to the rules
It's better to follow the established protocol or etiquette when playing the game of love.
and yet we always scheme too much
Despite knowing the rules, we often try to manipulate or deceive our way to winning at love.
and dream too much, we fools
We are foolish for having unrealistic expectations or ideals of love.
Want to buy some Illusions ?
The singer is offering illusions to the listener.
slightly used second hand ?
The illusions have been previously enjoyed or pursued.
they were lovely illusions
The illusions were beautiful or enticing.
reaching high, built on sand
The illusions were lofty or ambitious, but unstable or fragile at their foundation.
They had a touch of paradise
The illusions had a quality of heaven or perfection.
a spell you can't explain
The illusions had an enchanting or captivating effect that defies rational explanation.
for in this crazy paradise
The illusions presented an idyllic or idealized world, but it was unstable or chaotic.
you are in love with pain
Despite the instability or chaos, the listener is enamored with the illusions and willing to endure pain for them.
Too bad they all fell apart
Unfortunately, the illusions could not be sustained or realized.
as dreams often do
The downfall of the illusions is a common occurrence for aspirations or ideals.
but they just wouldn't come true
Despite the allure or beauty, the illusions were simply unattainable.
Contributed by Skyler R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.