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.
Wozu sind Kriege da?
Udo Lindenberg Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Und am Schlagzeug, der kleenste Trommler weltweit, (?)
Sein Name ist Juri, piep-piep-piep, Juri am Schlagzeug, yeahh
Okay, ja, ready? Ready teddy?
„Wozu sind Kriege da“
Keiner will sterben, das ist doch klar
Wozu sind denn dann Kriege da?
Du musst das doch wissen
Kannst du mir das mal erklären?
Keine Mutter will ihre Kinder verlieren
Und keine Frau ihren Mann
Also, warum müssen Soldaten losmarschieren
Um Menschen zu ermorden, mach mir das mal klar
Wozu sind Kriege da?
Herr Präsident, der ist jetzt zehn Jahre alt
Der fürchte sich in diesem Atomraketenwald
Sag mir die Wahrheit, sag mir das jetzt
Wofür wird mein Leben auf's Spiel gesetzt?
Und das Leben all der andern, sag mir mal, warum
Sie laden die Gewehre und bringen sich gegenseitig um
Sie stehen sich gegenüber und könnten Freunde sein
Doch bevor sie sich kennenlernen, schießen sie sich tot
Ich find' das so beknackt, warum muss das so sein?
Habt ihr alle Milliarden Menschen überall auf der Welt
Gefragt, ob sie das so wollen
Oder geht's da auch um Geld?
Viel Geld für die wenigen Bonzen
Die Panzer und Raketen bauen
Und dann Gold und Brillanten kaufen
Für ihre eleganten Frauen
Oder geht's da außerdem auch um so religiösen Zwist
Dass man sich nicht einig wird
Welcher Gott nun der Wahre ist?
Oder was gibt's da noch für Gründe
Die ich genauso bescheuert find'
Na ja, vielleicht kann ich's noch nicht verstehen
Wozu Kriege nötig sind
Er ist wohl noch zu klein
Er ist ja noch ein Kind
The lyrics of Udo Lindenberg's song "Wozu sind Kriege da?" ("Why are wars there for?") are a plea for peace and an indictment of the senselessness of war. The song poses a series of questions to the President, highlighting the human toll and the devastation that wars cause while raising doubts as to the reasons behind the decisions to engage in armed conflict. The lyrics express a lament for the loss of innocent lives, questioning the rationality and morality of war.
The song's first and second stanzas convey powerful messages about the tragic cost of war. The young narrator asks why wars are fought if no one wants to die or lose their loved ones. He questions the motives behind the orders that lead soldiers to kill each other and seeks an explanation from the President, who should know why wars happen. The song's third stanza explores potential reasons for war, whether it is about profit, religion, or misguided nationalism. The young protagonist is still trying to make sense of the world, and it seems that he cannot find logical answers to his questions.
Line by Line Meaning
Keiner will sterben, das ist doch klar
Everyone values their life and does not want to die.
Wozu sind denn dann Kriege da?
If no one wants to die, then why do we have wars?
Herr Präsident, du bist doch einer von diesen Herren
Addressing the President as one of the leaders in charge of making decisions about war.
Du musst das doch wissen
Reminding the President that he should have knowledge about war.
Kannst du mir das mal erklären?
Asking the President to explain the reasons behind war.
Keine Mutter will ihre Kinder verlieren
No mother wants to lose their child to war.
Und keine Frau ihren Mann
No woman wants to lose their partner to war.
Also warum müssen Soldaten losmarschieren
Questioning why soldiers have to march into war and risk their lives.
Um Menschen zu ermorden, mach mir das mal klar
Asking for an explanation as to why soldiers are sent to kill people.
Wozu sind Kriege da?
Once again questioning the purpose of wars.
Herr Präsident, ich bin jetzt zehn Jahre alt
Addressing the President as a child who is concerned about the future of the world.
Und ich fürchte mich in diesem Atomraketenwald
Expressing fear about the danger of living in a world with nuclear weapons.
Sag mir die Wahrheit, sag mir das jetzt
Asking the President to tell the truth about the reasons behind wars.
Wofür wird mein Leben auf's Spiel gesetzt?
Questioning the justification for putting his life in danger due to war.
Und das Leben all der andern, sag mir mal warum
Asking why the lives of others are also put at risk due to war.
Sie laden die Gewehre und bringen sich gegenseitig um
Referring to the senselessness of soldiers killing each other with their weapons.
Sie stehn sich gegenüber und könnten Freunde sein
Noting the potential for opposing sides to connect and be friends if given the chance.
Doch bevor sie sich kennenlernen, schießen sie sich tot
Commenting on the tragedy that occurs when soldiers are sent to kill without understanding each other's humanity.
Ich find' das so bekloppt, warum muss das so sein?
Expressing frustration at the irrationality of war and questioning its necessity.
Habt ihr alle Milliarden Menschen überall auf der Welt
Questioning whether all the people in the world have been consulted about the decision to go to war.
Gefragt, ob sie das so wollen
Asking if people have been given the opportunity to voice their opinions about war.
Oder geht's da auch um Geld?
Suggesting that financial interests may contribute to the decision to wage war.
Viel Geld für die wenigen Bonzen
Referencing the powerful and wealthy few who profit from war and the arms industry.
Die Panzer und Raketen bauen
Calling attention to the people who manufacture weapons of war.
Und dann Gold und Brillanten kaufen
Suggesting that the wealthy elites spend their profits on luxury items like gold and diamonds.
Für ihre eleganten Frauen
Suggesting that the wives of the wealthy elites benefit from the spoils of war.
Oder geht's da nebenbei auch um so religiösen Zwist
Highlighting the role that religious differences can play in fomenting conflict and war.
Dass man sich nicht einig wird
Pointing out the divisive nature of religious differences that can lead to conflict.
Welcher Gott nun der wahre ist?
Questioning the idea that there can only be one true God and that disagreement over this leads to war.
Oder was gibt's da noch für Gründe
Asking if there are other reasons for waging war.
Die ich genauso bescheuert find'
Dismissing other possible reasons for war as equally nonsensical.
Na ja, vielleicht kann ich's noch nicht verstehen
Admitting that as a child, he may not fully comprehend the reasons behind war.
Wozu Kriege nötig sind
Reiterating the central question of the song, questioning the necessity of war.
Ich bin wohl noch zu klein
Acknowledging that as a child, he may not have all the knowledge and understanding necessary to comprehend war fully.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Udo Lindenberg
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jensa.3719
Udo, dieser Song passt immer wieder. Und es schmerzt, daß er auch in diesen Stunden wieder aussagt, was wir alle nicht verstehen können.
@walterwhite9935
Du sagst es,ohne Worte mal wieder.....😥
@juergendorian9854
L
@renatecornely1200
Tja, Kriege sind nun mal ein gutes Geschàft. Die Menschen haben nichts aus der Geschichte gelernt....
@hertaborner6455
Ja
@hertaborner6455
@@juergendorian9854 l
@ilonastopp4308
Ich bin seit den 70 ern Udo Fan,bin noch nie so enttäuscht worden Schade Udo Lindeenberg
@alexandervetter7371
Das ist kein Lied sondern eine Hymne! Danke Udo
@ElkeWeihusen
Leider wieder aktuell... :-( Auch wenn es unvorstellbar erscheint, dass dieses Lied nicht alle Menschen berühren kann. Ich würde mir wünschen, dass es jeder Radiosender auf der Welt spielt!
@martinasmussen2002
Es wird viel zu wenig gespielt.. Zudem gilt mein Appell nicht nur an Puttin, auch an die Ukraine, Biden und Europa. Dieses Hochschaukeln ist unerträglich. Jeder Mensch ist wertvoller als die Krim oder sonst son Scheiß... Die hab ich gewählt um den Frieden zu bewahren, koste es was wolle.
Ganz sicher kein Heldentod.. Was nur krank ist