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.
Mama
Udo Lindenberg Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
um deinen Jungen weinen
Mama, uns wird das Schicksal
wieder uns vereinen
Ich werd es nie vergessen,
was ich an dir hab besessen
daß es auf Erden nur eine gibt,
Mama, und bringt das Leben
mir auch Kummer und Schmerz
Dann denk ich nur an dich
es betet dafür mit, oh Mama,
dein Herz
Tage der Jugend vergehen
schnell wird der Jüngling ein Mann
Träume der Jugend verwehen
dann fängt das Leben erst an
Mama ich will keine Träne sehn
wenn ich von dir dann muß gehn
Mama, du sollst...
The lyrics of Udo Lindenberg's song "Mama" reflect gratitude, love, and a longing for a mother's reassuring presence during life's trials and tribulations. The opening lines, "Mama, du sollst doch nicht um deinen Jungen weinen" ("Mother, you shouldn't weep for your boy"), emphasize the singer's devotion to his mother and how much he values her love and support. The second verse reflects on the singer's memories of his mother and how much he cherishes them, and despite the challenges and pains that life may bring, he finds solace in thinking of his mother's love and being reassured by it.
The third verse mentions the passage of time and how quickly youth fades into adulthood, and that although he will leave his mother's side, he doesn't want to see her cry. The chorus repeats the opening lines and emphasizes the bond between mother and child, and how the singer will always carry his mother's love with him.
Overall, "Mama" is a touching tribute to the relationship between a mother and her child, underscoring the deep emotional connection that exists between them.
Line by Line Meaning
Mama, du sollst doch nicht um deinen Jungen weinen
Mother, you shouldn't cry about your boy leaving
Mama, uns wird das Schicksal wieder uns vereinen
Mother, fate will bring us back together again
Ich werd es nie vergessen, was ich an dir hab besessen
I'll never forget what I possessed in you
daß es auf Erden nur eine gibt, die mich so heiß hat geliebt
That there is only one on earth who loved me so intensely
Mama, und bringt das Leben mir auch Kummer und Schmerz
Mother, even if life brings me sorrow and pain
Dann denk ich nur an dich, es betet dafür mit, oh Mama, dein Herz
I'll only think of you, your heart prays for me, oh Mother
Tage der Jugend vergehen, schnell wird der Jüngling ein Mann
Days of youth pass, a young boy becomes a man quickly
Träume der Jugend verwehen, dann fängt das Leben erst an
Dreams of youth fade away, then life just begins
Mama ich will keine Träne sehn wenn ich von dir dann muß gehn
Mother, I don't want to see tears when I have to leave you
Contributed by Callie W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.