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.
Nonnen
Udo Lindenberg Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
und das nicht nur zu Ostern
mit dem Papst auf den Postern
und den Hostien in den Toastern
Nonnen - sie tragen schwarze Klamotten
und jetzt fangen sie an zu hotten
mit ihren kleinen weißen Häubchen
Die fröhliche Botschaft muß raus an die Leute
das wissen progressive Nonnen heute
...und was solln sie auch versauern
hinter grauen Klostermauern ?
Nonnen - immer fromm und heilig
auf die Dauer langweilig
den Rosenkranz immer rauf und runter
immer runter und rauf
da haben sie keinen Trieb mehr drauf
Nonnen - nein, sie wollen nicht mehr versauern
hinter dunklen Klostermauern
sie geben ihr weltliches Debut
in einer hochgepriesenen Rock ´n´ Roll Revue
Sie hieven die Röckchen, sie heben die Beine
sie wollen, daß uns der highlige Geist erscheine
sie lassen den Funky-Choral erklingen
und wir hören die süßen Nönnchen singen:
Hallelulja, hallelulja, hallelulja, yeahaaah!
The song "Nonnen" by Udo Lindenberg talks about nuns and their lives in the monastery. The lyrics describe nuns wearing black clothes, with little white caps, being holy and pious, praying and singing hymns all day long, translating biblical texts, and spreading the word of God. Lindenberg suggests that their lives might be boring and not exciting enough, and argues that it's time for them to break free from their convents and get in touch with the real world by showing the audience their hidden talents.
The song also hints at the idea that nuns, just like anyone else, have natural urges and desires that need to be fulfilled. They are allowed to explore their passions and inner selves and are not confined to the rules and structures of the church. The chorus of the song celebrates their newfound freedom and happiness, and invites everyone to join in the fun and dance to the beat of their funky choral music.
Overall, the song offers a humorous and cheeky perspective on nuns and their lifestyle, challenging the traditional views of the church and advocating for individuality, creativity, and self-expression.
Line by Line Meaning
Nonnen - sie wohnen in Klostern
Nuns - they live in monasteries
und das nicht nur zu Ostern
and not only at Easter
mit dem Papst auf den Postern
with the Pope on their posters
und den Hostien in den Toastern
and the hosts in their toasters
Nonnen - sie tragen schwarze Klamotten
Nuns - they wear black clothes
und jetzt fangen sie an zu hotten
and now they start to rock
mit ihren kleinen weißen Häubchen
with their small white hats
sind sie nicht süße, heiße Täubchen
aren't they sweet, hot doves
Die fröhliche Botschaft muß raus an die Leute
The joyful message must go out to the people
das wissen progressive Nonnen heute
progressive nuns know this today
...und was solln sie auch versauern
...and why should they waste away
hinter grauen Klostermauern ?
behind grey monastery walls?
Nonnen - immer fromm und heilig
Nuns - always pious and holy
auf die Dauer langweilig
boring in the long run
den Rosenkranz immer rauf und runter
always up and down with the rosary
immer runter und rauf
always down and then up
da haben sie keinen Trieb mehr drauf
and they have no more drive left
Nonnen - nein, sie wollen nicht mehr versauern
Nuns - no, they don't want to waste away anymore
hinter dunklen Klostermauern
behind dark monastery walls
sie geben ihr weltliches Debut
they make their worldly debut
in einer hochgepriesenen Rock ´n´ Roll Revue
in a highly-praised rock and roll revue
Sie hieven die Röckchen, sie heben die Beine
They lift their skirts, they raise their legs
sie wollen, daß uns der highlige Geist erscheine
they want the holy spirit to appear to us
sie lassen den Funky-Choral erklingen
they let the funky chorus ring out
und wir hören die süßen Nönnchen singen:
and we hear the sweet little nuns sing:
Hallelulja, hallelulja, hallelulja, yeahaaah!
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, yeahhh!
Contributed by Matthew A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.