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.
Russisch Roulette
Udo Lindenberg Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Besser nich', der Fall ist klar, was muß'n weg, was is'n da ?
Hier mal'n Schuß, da mal'n Sniff, das ist'n interessantes Spiel
Ich hab das alles voll im Griff, ich kann aufhörn wann ich will
Daran krepiern tut doch nur 'n Idiot, sagt er noch und schon war er tot
Aber ich doch nicht
Ich nicht - Wie'n Tanz auf dem Seil
Ich nicht - ich bin schwindelfrei
Ich nicht - ich weiß wo die Kugel steckt
LA oder Paris, Dolce Vita, das Leben ist süß, wohl dem, der was zu knallen hat
Am besten zehn in jeder Stadt, schöne Sünde, die schnelle Tat
wie Formel 1, riskant und hart - Safer Sex ist mir zu blöde, immer dieselbe ist
mir zu öde
Ich bin ein Kamikaze Lover, immer cool und Undercover
The one wrong fuck passiert MIR nicht, ICH erkenn das am Gesicht
Mir passiert da nichts, aber ich doch nicht
The lyrics of Udo Lindenberg's song Russisch Roulette are a commentary on the lure of drugs and their destructive power. The singer acknowledges the world's sickness, but claims to be "clean" from drugs. He observes others indulging in drugs as if it were an "interesting game" and insists that he has it "all under control" and can quit whenever he wants. He rejects the notion that it is only idiotic people who die from drug use and instead compares his drug use to a tightrope act, seemingly confident in his ability to avoid harm. He describes the thrill of traveling to different cities and indulging in drugs as a form of luxury, and mocks the idea of practicing safer sex as "too boring." The singer believes he is a "Kamikaze Lover," willing to take dangerous risks without consequences, but ultimately realizes that he too is not immune to the dangers of drug use.
The song is an emotional and intense reflection on the dangers of drug addiction, and its lyrics are particularly relevant today. It highlights the impulsiveness and allure of drug use and the false sense of control that users often have. At the same time, it emphasizes the long-term physical, mental, and emotional harm that drugs can cause. With references to major cities such as New York, Berlin, LA, and Paris, and themes of luxury and excess, the song speaks to a global audience and is relatable across cultures.
Line by Line Meaning
Ob New York oder Berlin, die Welt ist krank und ich bin clean
Whether it's New York or Berlin, the world is sick and I'm sober
Besser nich', der Fall ist klar, was muß'n weg, was is'n da ?
Better not, the case is clear. What needs to go, what's the problem?
Hier mal'n Schuß, da mal'n Sniff, das ist'n interessantes Spiel
A shot here, a sniff there, it's an interesting game
Ich hab das alles voll im Griff, ich kann aufhörn wann ich will
I have it all under control, I can stop anytime I want
Daran krepiern tut doch nur 'n Idiot, sagt er noch und schon war er tot Aber ich doch nicht
Only an idiot dies from it, he said, and then he was dead. But not me
Ich nicht - Wie'n Tanz auf dem Seil
Not me - like walking on a tightrope
Ich nicht - ich bin schwindelfrei
Not me - I have no fear of heights
Ich nicht - wie Russisch Roulette
Not me - like playing Russian Roulette
Ich nicht - ich weiß wo die Kugel steckt
Not me - I know where the bullet is
LA oder Paris, Dolce Vita, das Leben ist süß, wohl dem, der was zu knallen hat
LA or Paris, Dolce Vita, life is sweet for those who have something to hit
Am besten zehn in jeder Stadt, schöne Sünde, die schnelle Tat wie Formel 1, riskant und hart - Safer Sex ist mir zu blöde, immer dieselbe ist mir zu öde
Ten in every city is best, beautiful sin, the quick act like Formula 1, risky and hard. Safe sex is boring to me, always the same
Ich bin ein Kamikaze Lover, immer cool und Undercover
I'm a Kamikaze Lover, always cool and undercover
The one wrong fuck passiert MIR nicht, ICH erkenn das am Gesicht
The one wrong fuck won't happen to ME, I can tell by their face
Mir passiert da nichts, aber ich doch nicht
Nothing happens to me, but not me
Contributed by Kaylee G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.