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.
Weißt Du
Udo Lindenberg Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
an dem blauen Himmelszelt? ...
keine Sterne mehr zu sehen,
schwarzer Himmel - finst're Welt.
Nur der Schwefelmond hängt so fahl
über Wäldern, tot und kahl.
Weißt Du, wieviel Wolken ziehen
an dem düst'ren Himmelszelt?
Weißt Du, wieviel Ströme fließen
in das Meer am weißen Strand? ...
wo die Killer-Algen sprießen,
treiben Tiere to ans Land.
Wo die Sonne uns verbrennt
durch ein Loch im Firmament.
Weißt du, wieviel letzte Chancen
wir noch haben bis zum Schluß?
Nun schlaf doch endlich ein, mein Kind.
Ich hoffe, heute nacht
wirst Du nicht wieder schrei'n, mein Kind,
von schlimmen Träumen aufgewacht.
Weißt Du, wieviel Kinder speilen
überall auf dieser Welt? ...
die nicht wissen, wohin rennen,
wenn die Bombe von Himmel fällt.
Und sie werden irgendwo heute nacht
in so 'm Wahnsinnskrieg eiskalt umgebracht.
Und ein and'res Kind, so alt wie Du,
kriegt vor Hunger die Augen nicht zu.
Nun schlaf doch endlich ein, mein Kind.
Und wenn Du heute nacht
wieder weinen wirst und schrei'n mein Kind
von schlimmen Träumen aufgewacht.
Dann laß uns nicht mehr zählen,
wieviel Sterne da so stehen.
Dann laß mal lieber machen,
daß wir hier nicht untergeh'n...
Udo Lindenberg's song "Weißt Du Wieviel Sternlein Stehen" is a poignant and reflective tune that seeks to explore the current state of the world. The title translates to "Do You Know How Many Little Stars There Are?", and the song begins with this question before delving into dark and existential themes. The lyrics speak to the horrors of war, environmental destruction, and the overall fragility of the world.
The first stanza compares the beauty of a starry sky to a desolate and dark world, with the sulfuric moon providing the only light. The second stanza talks about the destruction of nature and the planet, with killer algae, and animals washed up on the shore. The third stanza speaks of the final opportunities to correct the course of humanity before it's too late.
The final stanza reminds the listener of the innocence of children, who are unaware of the dangers that threaten them. The song ends with the hope that we can work together to prevent the destruction of the world and ensure a better future for our children.
Overall, the song is a plea for caution and change, reminding the listener of the dangers that face humanity today. The haunting melody and thoughtful lyrics make it a powerful piece of music that continues to resonate with audiences worldwide.
Line by Line Meaning
Weißt Du, wieviel Sternlein stehen
Do you know how many stars are in the blue sky?
an dem blauen Himmelszelt?
on the blue sky's canvas?
keine Sterne mehr zu sehen,
no stars can be seen anymore,
schwarzer Himmel - finst're Welt.
black sky - dark world.
Nur der Schwefelmond hängt so fahl
Only the sulfur moon hangs pale
über Wäldern, tot und kahl.
over forests, dead and bare.
Weißt Du, wieviel Wolken ziehen
Do you know how many clouds drift
an dem düst'ren Himmelszelt?
in the gloomy sky's canvas?
Weißt Du, wieviel Ströme fließen
Do you know how many rivers flow
in das Meer am weißen Strand?
into the sea at the white shore?
wo die Killer-Algen sprießen,
where killer algae sprout,
treiben Tiere to ans Land.
driving animals to the dead end.
Wo die Sonne uns verbrennt
Where the sun burns us
durch ein Loch im Firmament.
through a hole in the firmament.
Weißt du, wieviel letzte Chancen
Do you know how many last chances
wir noch haben bis zum Schluß?
we have until the end?
Nun schlaf doch endlich ein, mein Kind.
Now finally go to sleep, my child.
Ich hoffe, heute nacht
I hope that tonight
wirst Du nicht wieder schrei'n, mein Kind,
you won't scream again, my child,
von schlimmen Träumen aufgewacht.
awakened by bad dreams.
Weißt Du, wieviel Kinder speilen
Do you know how many children play
überall auf dieser Welt?
everywhere in this world?
die nicht wissen, wohin rennen,
who don't know where to run,
wenn die Bombe von Himmel fällt.
when the bomb falls from the sky.
Und sie werden irgendwo heute nacht
And somewhere tonight
in so 'm Wahnsinnskrieg eiskalt umgebracht.
cold-bloodedly killed in some insane war.
Und ein and'res Kind, so alt wie Du,
And another child, as old as you,
kriegt vor Hunger die Augen nicht zu.
can't close its eyes due to hunger.
Dann laß uns nicht mehr zählen,
Then let's not count anymore,
wieviel Sterne da so stehen.
how many stars are up there.
Dann laß mal lieber machen,
Then let's better do something,
daß wir hier nicht untergeh'n...
so that we don't go down here...
Contributed by Kaelyn K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.