»Sonderzug nach Pankow«

(Udo Lindenberg)

- background information -

[East German fans of Udo Lindenberg outside the 'Palast der Republik']

East German fans of Udo Lindenberg outside the Palast der Republik.

'Sonderzug nach Pankow' was a successful single released in 1983 by Udo Lindenberg, one of West Germany's most popular rock singers, on his "Odyssee" album. The song was a humorous request directed at the East German authorities for permission to perform in the DDR. Lindenberg set his own lyrics to the tune of the classic 1941 swing-era song 'Chattanooga Choo Choo' by Harry Warren. 'Sonderzug nach Pankow' was in the (West) German singles charts for seven weeks and achieved a certain cult status in East Germany (where it was not legally available).

In the song the word Oberindianer ('Chief Indian') refers to Erich Honecker, the leader of the DDR government. In the song Lindenberg sings that he wishes to perform in the Palast der Republik (the national parliament building of the DDR). Although some other West German performers had been allowed to perform in the DDR, Udo Lindenberg had never been given permission. Lindeberg refers to these other performers as "Schlageraffen" - 'fools singing corny, schmaltzy old-time hits'. In asking for permission to perform, Lindenberg pointed out his involvement in concerts such as "Künstler für den Frieden" (artists for peace).

Despite the provocation of this song, Udo Lindenberg had his first public performance in the DDR on the 25th October 1983. In the course of a peace event called "Rock für den Frieden" he made a short appearance. Up to the fall of the Wall in 1989 he had made no further public appearances in the DDR. A planned tour through the DDR was cancelled by the authorities.

The words in Russian at the end of the song are intended to be a Soviet leader, saying: "Comrade Erich, it is alright for Mr Lindenberg to perform in the DDR".

Pankow is a leafy green district of (eastern) Berlin at the northern end of the city. The ruling elite of the DDR government lived in Pankow, and until 1973 the suburb was off-limits to the rest of the DDR population. It was the "Kremlin" of the DDR.

See also: Wikipedia article on 'Sonderzug nach Pankow' in English | Wikipedia-Artikel über »Sonderzug nach Pankow« auf Deutsch

Notes by D Nutting

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