Sonderzug nach Pankow

Special Train to Pankow is the title of a 1983 song released as a single of the German rock singer Udo Lindenberg, based on the melody of the 1941 published American classic Chattanooga Choo Choo.

Genesis

Udo Lindenberg had said in a radio interview of the CRC on 5 March 1979 his desire to hold a concert in East Berlin for his fans. The interview was recorded in the GDR in the original language and a day later as information of the State Committee for Broadcasting, Department of monitor, the chief ideologue and cultural leaders of the SED, Kurt Hager, submitted. This wrote on March 9, 1979 handwritten on the information: " appearance in the GDR is not in question ."

Lindenberg was angry at this rejection, but he managed for several years not to put his plan. Then he came in early 1983 with the idea in response to the refusal to write a German text on Glenn Miller's swing classic Chattanooga Choo Choo; the original was by Harry Warren (music) and Mack Gordon ( lyrics ) composed and recorded on May 7, 1941. The German text of the 3:14 minute long song is intended ironically directly to the then Council of State Erich Honecker. This is disrespectful referred to as ossified and hypocritical man who officially presenting the ideology of the government, but inside was a rocker and secretly listen to Western radio.

The reference to the Berlin district of Pankow in the title is based on the fact that the castle situated therein Schönhausen 1949-1960 seat of the President and subsequently was until 1964 the State Council of the GDR. Even after that had many members of the East German government and high-ranking employees of other public authorities domiciled in Pankow, among others at Majakowskiring. Pankow was in the time of the Cold War as a synonym for " the seat of government of the Soviet-occupied zone " is used ( See also Pankow rulers ).

Finally, the recording can be heard in a Russian station announcement. The original text reads: " Towarischtsch Erich! Meschdu protschim, werchownij soviet ne imejet nitchevo protiw gastrolej Gospodina Linde Berga w GDR ", translated in German :" Comrade Erich, moreover, the Supreme Soviet has nothing against a guest appearance by Mr. Lindenberg in the GDR " This passage should point out that! already substantial decisions of the GDR would be taken in the Soviet Union.

Publication and success

On 2 February 1983, the self-produced by Lindenberg Single Special Train to Pankow / Star Taler ( Polydor # 810076-7 ) was published in the Federal Republic of Germany and arrived on 7 February 1983 in the German charts, where it reached # 5 and there for four weeks remained. It was Lindenberg's best ever singles chart listing. She lingered for a total of 21 weeks in the charts, of which seven weeks in the top 10.

Let " but sometimes rock now a true German plaintext Rocker in the GDR: In a letter accompanying the song Lindenberg had written on February 16, 1983 to Honecker. Show yourself it out of your loose - human and flexible side, show us raise your humor and your sovereignty and let the nightingale by Billerbeck her magic voice. See that everything is not so tight and pinched, Comrade Honey, and give your Okey for my DDR - tour ".

Political consequences

His disrespectful text had applied the SED General Secretary Honecker. In a letter of Lindenberg consultant Michael Gaißmayer tried yet in August 1983, to smooth things over. FDJ chief Egon Krenz responded by inviting a Lindenberg to play as part of a FDJ peace concert with artists from all over the world in the Palace of the Republic in East Berlin four of his songs.

On October 25, 1983, came the first and only appearance of Udo Lindenberg in the GDR. This took place in the framework of the festival "Rock for peace " in front of 4200 audience at the Palace of the Republic held in which Lindenberg this item but did not sing at the request of the GDR leadership. The song reached cult status in the GDR, and is one of the most well-known title by Udo Lindenberg. To a provided by Lindenberg for the following year touring the GDR did not happen, the tour was finally canceled in February 1984.

Lindenberg's remark in the song that Honecker secretly also like to don a leather jacket, was implemented in 1987. He sent Honecker 1987, a leather jacket, which was answered by Honecker with a thank you letter in which he held the rock music compatible with the ideals of the GDR. Furthermore Honecker wrote that he would pass on the leather jacket to the Central Council of the FDJ, so this could mail them to a rock fan. In addition, the letter was a shawm in as a gift for Lindenberg. Honecker had played such an instrument during his youth. When Honecker stayed September 9, 1987 during a state visit to Wuppertal, Lindenberg gave him an electric guitar with the inscription " guitars instead of guns ."

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