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.
Raketen-Rocker
Udo Lindenberg Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
die kalt war, kalt wie Eis
sich bedröhnen oder erfrieren
es ist schwer, wenn man jung ist und wild und heiß
abgetörnte Durchhängerei
zwischen Plastik-Fabriken und Horror-Beton
wo Computer regieren, alles durchprogrammieren
vom ersten Schrei bis zum letzten Gong
Doch dann kamen Astronauten
mit'nem neuen Fliegeplan
Das geht ab wie 'ne Rakete
komm, wir schalten die Triebwerke an
und der Cowndown läuft: 3-2-1 Feuer!
1984 - brauchst nicht mehr lange zu warten
dann sind wir alle nur noch Löcher
in ihren lächerlichen Lochkarten
dann sind wir alle numerierte Affen
mit denen können sie alles machen
doch das werden wir jetzt verhindern
sie kriegen die Kante, bis sie lachen
Wir sind alle Astronauten
wir heben ab, wir sind jetzt dran
das geht ab wie 'ne Rakete
komm, wir schalten die Triebwerke an
und der Countdown läuft...
Wir sind alle Astronauten
wie damals auf Cap Kennedy
Raketen-Rocker, volle Power
wir haben keine Zeit mehr für Utopie
wir heben ab in eine Zukunft, wie wir sie wollen
okay, ihr Big Brothers und Controllettis...
The lyrics of Udo Lindenberg's "Raketen-Rocker" describe the life of Larry in a world that is cold and harsh. It is a place where people either get high or freeze to death, and being young and passionate can be difficult. The surroundings are depicted as a mix of plastic factories and concrete jungles where computers rule every aspect of society from birth to death. Life is presented as nothing more than a programmed routine of existence from beginning to end.
However, the song then switches the focus towards something brighter: astronauts with a new flying plan have arrived, and they have brought with them a light of hope. The countdown begins, and the engines are turned on, leading to the lift-off. The lyrics describe the feeling of a new era of exploration and possibility, where everyone can be an astronaut and take part in shaping their own future. The song ends with a powerful statement, suggesting that the people of this world have the power to change their fate and take control of their own destinies.
Line by Line Meaning
Larry wuchs auf in einer Welt
The artist begins by introducing a character named Larry who grew up in a cold world.
die kalt war, kalt wie Eis
The world of Larry was a cold and emotionless one.
sich bedröhnen oder erfrieren
In such a world, Larry could either get high or die of cold.
es ist schwer, wenn man jung ist und wild und heiß
It was difficult for Larry to survive in such a world, especially when he was young and had energy and passion.
abgetörnte Durchhängerei
Living in such a world made Larry feel disconnected and lifeless.
zwischen Plastik-Fabriken und Horror-Beton
Larry's environment was full of artificial and bleak structures, which made him feel trapped.
wo Computer regieren, alles durchprogrammieren
The world of Larry was controlled by machines and algorithms.
vom ersten Schrei bis zum letzten Gong
Every aspect of life in this world was predetermined and soulless.
Doch dann kamen Astronauten
However, everything changed when a group of astronauts arrived.
mit'nem neuen Fliegeplan
These astronauts brought with them a new way of flying, a new way of living.
Das geht ab wie 'ne Rakete
Their vision for the future was exciting and full of energy.
komm, wir schalten die Triebwerke an
They urged Larry to join them and power up his own engines for change.
und der Cowndown läuft: 3-2-1 Feuer!
Together, they were ready to ignite the countdown for revolution.
1984 - brauchst nicht mehr lange zu warten
The artist references George Orwell's book and suggests that the dystopian future is closer than we think.
dann sind wir alle nur noch Löcher
The future looks grim, as if we will all lose our individuality and become just pieces in a larger system.
in ihren lächerlichen Lochkarten
Our identities will be contained in computer programs or machines, which will determine who we are and what we do.
dann sind wir alle numerierte Affen
We will become mindless and powerless creatures, unable to change our fate or improve our lives.
mit denen können sie alles machen
Those in power will be able to control us completely and use us as they wish.
doch das werden wir jetzt verhindern
However, the artist and his gang of rocketeers are determined to prevent this future from happening.
sie kriegen die Kante, bis sie lachen
They will fight back with force and determination until their oppressors are forced to laugh at their resilience.
Wir sind alle Astronauten
The artist now identifies himself and his movement as a group of astronauts, ready to soar towards a better future.
wir heben ab, wir sind jetzt dran
They are taking charge now and are determined to make a change.
wie damals auf Cap Kennedy
The artist references the Kennedy Space Center, a place where ambitious dreams and projects came to life.
Raketen-Rocker, volle Power
They are the new generation of rocketeers, full of energy and power to drive change.
wir haben keine Zeit mehr für Utopie
They no longer have time for dreaming about a perfect world, they are ready to make it happen now.
wir heben ab in eine Zukunft, wie wir sie wollen
They are ready to bravely venture into a future that they have created and shaped themselves.
okay, ihr Big Brothers und Controllettis...
The artist addresses those in power, warning them that he and his team are not afraid to challenge the status quo.
Contributed by Savannah D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Bitter sweet
Kult