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.
Noch nicht reif für dich
Udo Lindenberg Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
man trifft sich unterm Tisch
du sagst ooooh
schade, daß dat nisch für immer isch...
Und bin ich auch steif — gelegentlich
so bin ich noch nicht
reif für dich
aber leider leider leider
bin ich noch nicht reif für dich
Ein junger androgyner androgeiler Mann
sprach mich von hinten
von der Seite und von vorne an
er sagte: alle finden dich häßlich
aber ich find dich so schön
ich möchte
bitte, bitte, hilf
ach so gerne mit dir gehn
Legt seine kleine Hand
auf meinen starken Unterarm
und mit heißem Atem
flüstert er ganz warm
ich bin verrücht
nach deiner alten Indianerhaut
ich sagte: Achatz, ich hatte leider leider
heut noch nicht mein Coming out
Und bin ich auch steif — gelegentlich
so bin ich noch nicht
reif für dich
dabei wärst da doch genau der Mann für mich
aber leider leider leider leider
bin ich noch nicht reif für dich
Schade
The song "Noch nicht reif für dich" is about two individuals who feel a strong attraction towards each other, but one of them is not yet ready for a committed relationship. The first verse talks about how they meet in secret and the person wishes that their relationship could be permanent. However, the second verse introduces a young androgynous man who approaches the singer and expresses his admiration for him, but the Singer explains that he is not yet ready to accept his own sexuality.
The chorus repeats the line "so bin ich noch nicht reif für dich" ("I'm not yet mature enough for you") which is the main message of the song. The singer recognizes that the other person is the right fit for them, but they cannot commit just yet. The song ends with a sense of regret, as they acknowledge that they might miss out on a great relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Und du bestellst 'n Fisch
You order fish as we meet under the table.
man trifft sich unterm Tisch
We secretly meet under the table.
du sagst ooooh
You express disappointment with an 'oooooh'.
schade, daß dat nisch für immer isch...
You lament that our time together is temporary with a tinge of sadness in your voice.
Und bin ich auch steif — gelegentlich
Although I can be rigid at times.
so bin ich noch nicht
I am still immature.
reif für dich
Not yet ready for you.
dabei wärst du doch genau die Frau für mich
Despite that, you are exactly the woman I need.
aber leider leider leider
Unfortunately,
bin ich noch nicht reif für dich
I am not yet mature enough for you.
Ein junger androgyner androgeiler Mann
A young androgynous and sexually aroused man
sprach mich von hinten
Approached me from behind
von der Seite und von vorne an
From the side and front.
er sagte: alle finden dich häßlich
He said, 'everyone thinks you're ugly'.
aber ich find dich so schön
But I find you so beautiful.
ich möchte
I want to
bitte, bitte, hilf
Please, please, help me.
ach so gerne mit dir gehn
I would love to go with you.
Legt seine kleine Hand
He places his small hand
auf meinen starken Unterarm
On my strong forearm.
und mit heißem Atem
And with a hot breath
flüstert er ganz warm
He whispers warmly.
ich bin verrücht
I am crazy
nach deiner alten Indianerhaut
For your old Indian skin.
ich sagte: Achatz, ich hatte leider leider
I said, 'Achatz, I am sorry but'
heut noch nicht mein Coming out
I have not yet come out as gay today.
So bin ich noch nicht reif für dich
So I am still not quite mature enough for you.
Dabei wärst da doch genau der Mann für mich
Even though you are exactly the man I need.
Aber leider leider leider leider
Sadly, though,
bin ich noch nicht reif für dich
I am just not ready for you yet.
Schade
What a shame.
Contributed by John L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.