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.
Zeitmaschine
Udo Lindenberg Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
mit dem speziellem Absatz dran
auf dem man sich nicht umdrehen kann
wer stehen bleibt geht zurück
ja, ich hab die Schuhe an
mit dem speziellem Absatz dran
auf dem man sich nicht umdrehen kann
Dreh dich nicht um
dreh dich nicht um
Ich dreh die tollsten Dinger
wie den Globus auf meinem Finger
ich halt an, wo auch immer und sag
ich bin da - wo auch immet
trink Teein St.Tropez
in China hab ich ein Dinner
ich flieg schnell Fidel
und check dort das Klima
wir jatten nach Manhatten
und guck rein ins Guggeheim
ich trucker Jahraus Jahrein
ihr meint, ich muss meschugge sein
wir booken Tickets wie wild
mit Charles wird Kriket gespielt
der Dalai Lama prüft mein Karma
ich dreh Videos in Ghana,in Accrah
sitz an der Bar,trink Starbier
in Neapel mit Messner
wir maschieren ab Kaschmir
an Ostern wird im Kloster
bei den Schwester gastriert
Du fährst'nen großen Daimler
ich im Ocean-liner
nach Bassetere
past dir der Knast hier nicht
mach's wie wir
du hast's gern kalt
Junge,man kann in Alaska frieren
ich tausche meinen Iglogegen nen großen Haizinda
denn der 7-Meilen-Amigo hat seinen eigenden Kalender
Ja,ich hab die Schuhe an
mit dem speziellem Absatz dran
auf dem man sich nicht umdren kann
wer stehen bleibt geht zurück
Ja,ich hab die Schuhe an
mit dem speziellem Absatz dran
auf dem man sich nicht umdren kann
wer stehen bleibt geht zurück
dreh dich nicht um
dreh dich nicht um
Ich nehm die Zeitmaschine
und flieg nach Karthago
als blinder Passagier
schmuggel ich mich ins Cargo
oder Kiffer-Clipper
oder fliegender Teppich
wir halten Bibelstunde ab
mit Parten Leppich
Und auch in Troja,oh ja
oder Leningrad
ist die Verordnung der Sitten
ja so wunderbar hart
Konstantiennopel, Atlantis und Theben
ja,was kostet die Welt
und wer bezahlt hier mit dem Leben...
Ja,ich hab die Schuhe an
mit dem speziellem Absatz dran
auf dem man sich nicht umdren kann
wer stehen bleibt geht zurück
dreh dich nicht um
dreh dich nicht um
The lyrics of Udo Lindenberg's song Zeitmaschine tell the story of a traveler who has special shoes that won't allow him to turn back. He describes traveling to various places around the world, including St. Tropez, China, Manhattan, Ghana, and Naples. He also references playing cricket with Charles and having his karma checked by the Dalai Lama. The chorus reminds the listener to not turn back, indicating that once we start on a journey, we must keep moving forward.
This song can be interpreted in a few different ways. On the surface, it could simply be a fun travel song with a catchy melody. However, it can also be viewed as a commentary on the human experience. We are all travelers through time and space, and once we start down a particular path, we cannot turn back or undo what has been done. The traveler's special shoes could be seen as a metaphor for the journey of life, with its many twists and turns and the inevitability of change.
Overall, Zeitmaschine is a lively and thought-provoking song that encourages us to embrace the journey of life and not get bogged down by regrets or the desire to turn back the clock.
Line by Line Meaning
Ja, ich hab die Schuhe an
I am ready and equipped for an adventure
mit dem speziellem Absatz dran
Wearing shoes with a special feature that makes it impossible to turn back
auf dem man sich nicht umdrehen kann
The shoes are designed to only make forward progress
wer stehen bleibt geht zurück
Those who hesitate or stop moving will lose their chance to explore further
Dreh dich nicht um
Don't look back
Ich dreh die tollsten Dinger
I am experiencing amazing adventures
wie den Globus auf meinem Finger
Traveling all over the world with impressive ease
ich halt an, wo auch immer und sag ich bin da - wo auch immet
Stopping at every exciting location and claiming it as my own experience
trink Teein St.Tropez
Enjoying high-class experiences in popular tourist destinations
in China hab ich ein Dinner
Dining in exotic and fascinating locales
ich flieg schnell Fidel
Traveling via a fast and efficient mode of transportation
und check dort das Klima
Surveying the conditions of different parts of the world
wir jatten nach Manhatten
We take private jets to New York City and play high-stakes poker games
und guck rein ins Guggeheim
We take time to explore and admire the works of art at the Guggenheim Museum
ich trucker Jahraus Jahrein
Traveling around the world nonstop and never settling in one place for too long
ihr meint, ich muss meschugge sein
Others may think I am crazy for my unconventional lifestyle
wir booken Tickets wie wild
Booking flights to different destinations on a whim
mit Charles wird Kriket gespielt
Playing cricket with notable figures, such as Prince Charles
der Dalai Lama prüft mein Karma
Meeting and being spiritually assessed by the Dalai Lama
ich dreh Videos in Ghana, in Accrah
Capturing my experiences in different parts of Africa through video recordings
sitz an der Bar, trink Starbier
Taking breaks at local bars and trying out different beverages
in Neapel mit Messner
Exploring the city of Naples with mountaineer Reinhold Messner
wir maschieren ab Kaschmir
Traveling by foot through the region of Kashmir
an Ostern wird im Kloster bei den Schwester gastriert
Spending Easter in a monastery as a guest
Du fährst'nen großen Daimler
Others may have fancy cars
ich im Ocean-liner
As for me, I prefer to travel by boat
nach Bassetere
Traveling to exotic locations, such as the Caribbean island of Basse-Terre
past dir der Knast hier nicht
Avoiding imprisonment by constantly moving and staying ahead of the law
mach's wie wir
Follow my lead and explore the world with a carefree mindset
du hast's gern kalt
Some people may prefer cold weather climates
Junge, man kann in Alaska frieren
I suggest traveling to Alaska if you want to really experience cold weather
ich tausche meinen Iglogegen nen großen Haizinda
Even though I have lived in an igloo before, I would willingly trade it in for a grander type of accommodation
denn der 7-Meilen-Amigo hat seinen eigenden Kalender
I live life at my own pace and on my own time
Ich nehm die Zeitmaschine
I am always ready for a new adventure
und flieg nach Karthago
Traveling back in time to explore ancient cities
als blinder Passagier
Traveling incognito as a stowaway
schmuggel ich mich ins Cargo
Sneaking my way onto a cargo plane or ship in order to travel to new destinations
oder Kiffer-Clipper
Boarding a plane with other like-minded individuals who share my love for adventure and new experiences
oder fliegender Teppich
Exploring the world in unconventional ways, such as a magic carpet
wir halten Bibelstunde ab mit Parten Leppich
Having philosophical and religious discussions with interesting figures, such as Austrian actor Peter Lupus
Und auch in Troja, oh ja, oder Leningrad
Traveling to cities that have a rich history and culture, such as the ancient city of Troy and the Russian city of Leningrad (now St. Petersburg)
ist die Verordnung der Sitten ja so wunderbar hart
Experiencing local customs and rules that may be strictly enforced
Konstantiennopel, Atlantis und Theben
Visiting ancient cities that may no longer exist, such as Constantinople and Atlantis
ja, was kostet die Welt
Traveling is expensive, but the experiences and memories are priceless
und wer bezahlt hier mit dem Leben...
Venturing into unknown and dangerous regions that may come at a high cost
dreh dich nicht um
Don't look back
Contributed by Zoe J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.