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.
Nicht Einfach Nur Mon Amour
Udo Lindenberg Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
so daß es dir die Schuhe auszieht.
So hab ich mir das vorgestellt,doch es ist schwer.
Es sollte keine Schnulze sein,
bloß keine süßen Geigen rein.
Nein,richtig klar und auch mit Stil,
und ohne Kitsch,nur was ich echt für dich fühl.
Der schönste Lovesong,den es weltweit gibt.
Seit Stunden häng ich am Klavier
und texte ru mund komponier.
Schieb die Akkorde hin und her,wie kann ich`s dir am Schönsten singen?
Nicht einfach nur mit mon Amour,
ti amo oder I love you,nein,ganz besonders soll es sein,
denn ganz besonders bist auch du.
Die nächste Strophe sollte dann rührend und romantisch sein.
Da sollte kinomäßig das große Schicksal rein.
Dann hätt ich noch erwähnt,daß du die Frau des Jahrhunderts bist,
und jegliche Beschreibung völlig
untertrieben ist.
Ja,so wars geplant,denn ich hab dich doch so lieb.
Der größte Lovesong,den es im Universum gibt.
Seit Stunden häng ich am Klavier...
Komm,Baby,bitte lach jetzt nicht,
komm,Baby,besser,küsse mich.
Es tut mir wirklich sehr,sehr leid,
ich hoffe,du verzeihst...
The lyrics of Udo Lindenberg's song "Nicht Einfach Nur Mon Amour" tell the story of a songwriter who is trying to write the perfect love song for his beloved. He wants it to be a genuine expression of his feelings for her, without any of the cliches or kitsch that so often accompany love songs. He struggles to find the right words and melody, pouring his heart and soul into the process. He even tries to inject some drama into the song, referencing the idea of a "big fate" and calling his lover "the woman of the century." In the end, though, he realizes that the best thing he can do is to simply ask her to be with him and hope that she forgives his imperfect efforts.
The overall message of the song is one of heartfelt sincerity and the desire to express one's love in an authentic way. It eschews the typical trappings of love songs, which often rely on cliche and overblown gestures, in favor of a more honest and personal approach. The songwriter's struggles to find the right words and melody reflect the difficulty of expressing love in a way that truly captures its depth and complexity.
Line by Line Meaning
Ich singe dir ein Liebeslied, so daß es dir die Schuhe auszieht.
I'm singing you a love song that will sweep you off your feet.
So hab ich mir das vorgestellt,doch es ist schwer.
I had hoped it would be easier to write this song, but it's proving to be a challenge.
Es sollte keine Schnulze sein, bloß keine süßen Geigen rein.
I don't want this to be a cheesy love song with sappy violin music.
Nein,richtig klar und auch mit Stil, und ohne Kitsch,nur was ich echt für dich fühl.
I want it to be genuine and tasteful, reflecting only what I truly feel for you.
Ganz speziell für dich,weil ich dich doch so lieb.
This song is specifically for you because I love you so much.
Der schönste Lovesong,den es weltweit gibt.
It's the most beautiful love song in the world.
Seit Stunden häng ich am Klavier und texte rum und komponier.
I've been spending hours writing and composing at the piano.
Schieb die Akkorde hin und her,wie kann ich`s dir am Schönsten singen?
I keep rearranging the chords and wondering how I can sing it to you in the most beautiful way possible.
Nicht einfach nur mit mon Amour, ti amo oder I love you,nein,ganz besonders soll es sein, denn ganz besonders bist auch du.
I don't want to just use generic phrases like mon amour, ti amo, or I love you. I want it to be special because you are special.
Die nächste Strophe sollte dann rührend und romantisch sein. Da sollte kinomäßig das große Schicksal rein.
The next verse should be sentimental and romantic, like a scene from a movie where destiny plays a big role.
Dann hätt ich noch erwähnt,daß du die Frau des Jahrhunderts bist,und jegliche Beschreibung völlig untertrieben ist.
I would mention that you are the woman of the century and no description of you could do you justice.
Ja,so wars geplant,denn ich hab dich doch so lieb.
That was the plan, because I love you so much.
Der größte Lovesong,den es im Universum gibt.
It's the greatest love song in the universe.
Komm,Baby,bitte lach jetzt nicht, komm,Baby,besser,küsse mich. Es tut mir wirklich sehr, sehr leid, ich hoffe, du verzeihst...
Come on, baby, don't laugh. In fact, better yet, kiss me. I'm sorry if I'm embarrassing, but I hope you can forgive me...
Contributed by Juliana W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.