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.
Russen
Udo Lindenberg Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
in 15 Minuten sind die Russen auf dem Kurfürstendamm
sie lassen ihre Panzer im Parkhaus stehn
und wollen im Cafe Kranzler die Sahnetörtchen sehn
in 15 Minuten sind die Russen auf dem Kurfürstendamm
Sie kommen uns besuchen, einfach nur mal so
auf Kaffeechen und Kuchen und 'n Fläschchen Pikkolo
der Russe, der ist schlecht!
Ich frag: Welcher denn? Das sind doch mehrere -
Tja, da hätt ich ja nun auch wieder recht . . .
Sie bringen auch Geschenke mit
für die Mädels und die Freier
Kaviar und Wodka und russische Eier
das KaDeWe wird Partysitz vom KGB
und das Politbüro am Bahnhof Zoo
wird Separee mit ner feschen Lola auf dem Kanapee
In 15 Minuten sind die Russen auf dem Kurfürstendamm
sie lassen ihre Panzer im Parkhaus stehn
und wollen im Cafe Kranzler die Sahnetörtchen sehn
in 15 Minuten sind die Russen auf dem Kurfürstendamm
Ein junger Rotarmist ist von den Fraun hier sehr fasziniert
worauf er mal ganz locker eben easy desertiert
nun sitzt er mit nem Berliner Kindel im dicken Daimlerschlitten
und knabbert ganz verträumt an süßen Nougatschnitten
und überhaupt ist alles volle Sahne
weil man sich so prima versteht
und die Russen sind ja gar nicht so
wie immer in der Zeitung steht
und die Leute schleppen was zu Saufen ran
und sie ballern sich einen rein
und mit den leeren Flaschen schmeißen die Russen
unsere schöne Mauer ein . . .
In 15 Minuten sind die Russen auf dem Kurfürstendamm
The German song "Russen" by Udo Lindenberg addresses the potential arrival of Russians to the Kurfürstendamm, a famous boulevard in Berlin. The lyrics depict a lighthearted tone, mocking the fear and stereotypes regarding the Russian people during the Cold War era. The first verse speaks of the Russians' supposed desire for the traditional German dessert Sahnetörtchen from the Cafe Kranzler, as well as their willingness to leave their tanks behind in a nearby parking garage. Lindenberg's lyrics suggest that the Russians are coming to visit Berlin and enjoy the same things as the Germans: coffee, cake, and alcohol.
As the song progresses, Lindenberg continues to describe the fictional scenario of the Russians' visit, including their appreciation for German women and their flirtatiousness towards them. One soldier in particular falls in love with a Berlin woman and leaves his Army, showing the supposed human side of the Russian people. The song ends on a chaotic, comedic note, with the Russians drunkenly smashing into the Berlin Wall with empty bottles.
Overall, "Russen" is a satirical song that highlights the absurdity in the fear and prejudices that surrounded the relationship between Germany and Russia during the Cold War. It suggests that, despite political tensions, people are people and capable of bonding over common experiences and enjoyments.
Line by Line Meaning
In 15 Minuten sind die Russen auf dem Kurfürstendamm
The Russians are expected on Kurfürstendamm within 15 minutes
sie lassen ihre Panzer im Parkhaus stehn
They park their tanks in the garage
und wollen im Cafe Kranzler die Sahnetörtchen sehn
They plan to visit Cafe Kranzler to try their cream cakes
Sie kommen uns besuchen, einfach nur mal so
They come to visit us just for the sake of it
auf Kaffeechen und Kuchen und 'n Fläschchen Pikkolo
To have some coffee, cake and a small bottle of sparkling wine
ein Wessi spricht: Ey, vergessen Sie nicht
A West German says: Hey, don't forget
der Russe, der ist schlecht!
The Russian is bad!
Ich frag: Welcher denn? Das sind doch mehrere -
I ask: Which one? There are several -
Tja, da hätt ich ja nun auch wieder recht . . .
Well, in that case, I am right again
Sie bringen auch Geschenke mit
They also bring gifts
für die Mädels und die Freier
For the girls and the clients
Kaviar und Wodka und russische Eier
Caviar, vodka and Russian eggs
das KaDeWe wird Partysitz vom KGB
KaDeWe becomes the KGB's party headquarters
und das Politbüro am Bahnhof Zoo
And the Politburo at Bahnhof Zoo
wird Separee mit ner feschen Lola auf dem Kanapee
Becomes a separate room with a beautiful woman on the sofa
Ein junger Rotarmist ist von den Fraun hier sehr fasziniert
A young Red Army soldier is very fascinated by the local women
worauf er mal ganz locker eben easy desertiert
He casually and easily deserts from duty
nun sitzt er mit nem Berliner Kindel im dicken Daimlerschlitten
Now he sits in a luxury Mercedes with a girl from Berlin
und knabbert ganz verträumt an süßen Nougatschnitten
And dreamily nibbles on sweet nougat bites
und überhaupt ist alles volle Sahne
And everything is great
weil man sich so prima versteht
Because they understand each other so well
und die Russen sind ja gar nicht so
And the Russians are not like that
wie immer in der Zeitung steht
As always portrayed in newspapers
und die Leute schleppen was zu Saufen ran
And people carry drinks over
und sie ballern sich einen rein
And they drink themselves drunk
und mit den leeren Flaschen schmeißen die Russen
And the Russians throw the empty bottles
unsere schöne Mauer ein . . .
And destroy our beautiful wall.
Contributed by Michael V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.