after his wife died of cancer, Herbert retired from singing for years. he already had millions of fans, who thought he was gone forever. then he came back with this song about love and loss and carrying on. makes me cry every time. "I hold you safely in my soul. I carry you with me, until the curtain falls."
There were "only" 70.000 people there. It Was a football stadium. And yes, he is the most successful German singer. His children begged him to go back on stage after his wife passed in 1998 (the Same week as his brother)
As far as I remember, they died both within 4 days... I can't even imagine how that must have been for him and his children - everyone in his family...
This is the reason why he can react very angrily when he is ambushed by paparazzi in a private situation and keeps his family completely out of the public eye. He is now married again and has a third child. He once said in an interview that he himself was aware that the photographers were taking pictures of him while he was still grieving. But at his brother's funeral, the paparazzi were probably sitting in the trees and showed no consideration for any form of privacy, even with his parents. And his father was 82 years old at the time. The two of them would have been completely overwhelmed and would soon have felt hunted. When he is travelling "officially", he is very happy to give interviews, allow himself to be photographed and is generally very nice to reporters. But when it comes to his private life, he has put a stop to it.@@astridm2701
@@astridm2701 This may also be one of the reasons why he still reacts indignantly to "snapshots" of his private life taken by the paparazzi today (or precisely today, because he is remarried and has another child of nursery/primary school age). At his brother's funeral, the reporters sat in the trees and didn't leave his parents alone either. And his father had already passed the age of 80 at the time. When he is travelling on official business, interviewers describe him as very approachable and nice. But he keeps his private life under strict lock and key.
The song is dedicated to his wife Anna, who died of breast cancer on 5th of November 1998. Just 4 days before her 46th birthday. And only 4 days AFTER the death of his brother Wilhem, who died of blood cancer on 1st of November 1998. That was a rough week for Herbert ;(
Metal head from Germany here, but one that appreciates good music, regardless of the genre. Herbert is a german treasure and maybe the best german songwriter of the last 30 years. And this song makes me emotional like no other does!
There's tons of equally great or better songwriters. He's just a favourite of the working class, because his language is dead simple and direct. You don't need a degree to get it. That's not a bad thing of course...
@@miskatonic6210 Nice effort to call every simple worker stupid without actually saying it.... There may be better songwriters with more complex lyrics, but I know noone of those, that does a better job in attaching good lyrics to really good music. Maybe it`s because i find most of this music boring, except the lyrics, so I don`t listen to it often. Exception for me is Reinhard May, he is good in both, especially when with a full band, like in "Nein, meine Söhne geb ich nicht".
@@miskatonic6210 Wow, the arrogance dripping from every syllable is breathtaking. You have no idea how hard it is to write lyrics that spark emotions in people. Ah well, it must be hard being such an intellectually superior being 🙄
@@mariomelms7902 "Nein, meine Söhne geb ich nicht!" has to be one of the most egotistical, vulgar-pacifist songs out there. Mey has become quite disgusting in his political stance in his tweilight years.
His wife passed away of cancer. A few days before also his brother died. He retired from music, then his 9 years old daughter told him not to give up and he has to continue singing. Then he came back with this song, dedicated to his wife. Writing this song also was like a therapy for him. Please also listen to his song "Mensch". This one was dedicated to his passed away brother.
Herbert is one of the most famous singer in Germany. Since his fifth studio album "Bochum" from 1984 all of his albums were on place 1 in the german charts until 2018! He also played a role in the internationaly well known anti war movie "Das Boot" (the boat) from 1981. Greetings from Berlin 😎
Herbert Grönemeier is an absolute German Legend! He has been making Musik for us for 40 years happy, sad and everything in between and always smart. I don’t know which ones have lyrics as those are crucial, but Bochum, Männer and Kinder an die Macht are just some of his early jems
Hello D. I'm very happy that you looked at my suggestion. Herbert Grönemeyer has been one of the best and most famous German songwriters for many decades. He is very profound. I've been to his concerts several times. My husband gave me concert tickets for my birthday many years ago and we wanted to go there together. Unfortunately, he died suddenly shortly beforehand. When Herbert sang "My Way" I was in tears, it was so hard! Dankeschön! 🥰 Liebe Grüße aus Deutschland!
Thanks for reacting to this. For me, this is the most beautiful love song ever, while the sadest at the same time... I ve been to the Freiburg concert of that tour in summer of 2003 and this song was really very special: 55000 people sharing his grief, tearing up while he was performing.... A moment I will never forget. Well done reaction! Thx. Greetings from Germany
Herbert is a national treasure in Germany. Songwriter, singer and actor. But mostly Husband and Father. He lost in short time very beloved ones and decided not to sing anymore. Thanks to his children he was back after years. Der Weg is dedicated to his late wife. I would recommend Mensch as the next song. It is from the same Concert Tour "Mensch". Thank you for listening to Herbert. My favorite German...
For myself, I can't hear this song without crying my eyes out. So much going on there, so much memorys of loved ones who lost their way or passed away. Herbert is a mastermind of songwriting and german language.
@@tosa2522… He was part of the crew, but wasn't actually part of it because he was a journalist who wanted to write an article about a trip on the submarine. But this trip turned into a nightmare because the submarine was often attacked. I hope I remember it correctly.
This song is his way to deal with the death of his first wife in 1998. For me this song always brings back memories of my little sister who suddenly passed away in 2017 way too young at 45. Yes, I'm always crying when I listen to it.
There is no other song who can show your love so exactly to someone who passed away - the lyrics are so indiscribably beautiful. When i hear this song, there comes always tears and i think to those people i missed. I´ve seen him in 2002 live in concert with other 50.000 fans - it was great; and i have all albums on CD, but the best album is "4630 Bochum". Herbert Grönemeyer is one of the three greatest german songwriter (my opinion); H.Grönemeyer, M.M.Westernhagen, W.Niedecken. I hope he writes any more songs in the future . . . .
And perhaps followed by Udo Lindenberg and Peter Maffay. But yes he is the greatest singer/songwriter in the German language ever. And I'm not a huge ballad fan, but his ballads are amongst the best written ballads in the world. He is a master!
It was recorded in a football (soccer) stadium and the crowd was around 70.000 people - I guess a little more, because it looked really complete filled and his stage was not as big as some other artist with similar crowds put up there. At that moment in time he was the most popular musician in Germany not only by sale numbers (there maybe other artist with even more sales) but with his airtime on radio and music-tv (which really existed back then).
Not having read the comments before: The song is about Herbert's wife who died of cancer. IMHO it is one of the best declarations of never ending love!
One of the few songs in the last 100 years where the emotions will ever stay for the next 1000 years... A Few songs on this planet are the best.. Beatles, MJ, Evlis etc. i put this song in the same line, and Hertbert Grönemeyer, on the same level as the Beatles, his writing skills, emotion, and hes writing so many songs for so many singer and bands. - He's the one German Artist, who is the best, and will living forever. -
Noch 2 Tage 🙏🙏🙏. Dann bin ich beim Live-Konzert von Herbert Grönemeyer im Dynamostadion in Dresden☺️👏👏👏. Ich freue mich schon wahnsinnig drauf. Bin seit über 40 Jahren Fan 🥰🤩
Anyone who has ever been loved unconditionally will never forget the unbridled power that lies dormant in love, which shapes it forever. Its infinity will always accompany the soul, wherever it may be.
If ever there ever has been a love song, that‘s it. I remember still the Moment I heardt it first, some morning in 2003, on my way to work, can‘t stop crying… it‘s about his wife, died 1998 because of cancer,
It is the total sadness and the beauty, like pain and joy, dark and blue, right now and endless, the unfairness of love, its the birth and the death, the realness of a persons life. Herbert Grönemeyer is one of the goods
There's an older song of his, of which he made an english version: Männer (Men). You can find it on RU-vid. It's not a deep song but probably one of his best known songs. But there are several great songs of Herbert Grönemeyer. And even though it is not the music I usually listen to, I really like almost all of them.
German here. I must admit, that I did not like Herbert Grönemeyer too much, as he is contantly mumbling and without subtitles, it wouldn't be clear to me what he's singing. I have watched a few reaction videos on exactly this concert and song yesterday and today and though I did not know the song before but from the very first tone in the very first video I watched, I had tears in my eyes and I can't stop watching this. You are actually one of two "reactors" on this video who got what it's about and I only learned it yesterday, too by reading the comments. The song is about his wife who died off cancer and he also lost his brother in the same week his wife died. Even without knowing the lyrics or knowing what it's about (and I think the english subtitles are not fully catching the mood) I can see that this song is transporting the emotion straight to everybody's heard. I have just corrected my opinion about Herbert and now see him as a great treasure of German music and definitely a poet. Thank you for your reaction on this and keep the good stuff coming. I am subscribing to your channel.
This has perfect (!) English subtitles. Whoever did this, didi great. The only german song quite as emotional might be "Euch zum Geleit" by the band Schandmaul. This one is pretty much the other way round a farewell from the dead one. I did not know what was coming and it hit me in my car facing a closed railway crossing waiting for the train to pass. I cried like almost never before... Check this one out as well. Should also be available with English subtitles
Danke, dass mal jemand die Qualität der Übersetzung anerkennt. Zig Mal habe ich "Gemecker" gelesen, dass es ja nicht wörtlich übersetzt ist. Dabei ergibt das bei Lyrics gar keinen Sinn 🙄 Sorry für meinen Rant, ich möchte dir eigentlich nur zustimmen: Die Übersetzung ist top 😊
When the song came out, I didn't like it, I found it boring and too sad. Today, over 20 years later, after many setbacks, I love it. Because I now understand the pain he's singing about. 😊
A long, long time ago, I made a word-by-word translation of these lyrics, for anyone sorta interested in the german language. This is as good an opportunity as ever to post it: Ich kann nicht mehr seh'n I can no more see Trau nicht mehr meinen Augen Trust no more my eyes Kann kaum noch glauben can barely still believe Gefühle haben sich gedreht feelings have themselves turned (feelings have turned around) Ich bin viel zu träge i am much too languid Um aufzugeben to give up Es wär' auch zu früh it would be also too early Weil immer was geht for always something goes (there's always a way) Wir waren verschwor'n we were conspired Wär'n füreinander gestorben would've for each other died Haben den Regen gebogen have the rain bended (bowed) Uns Vertrauen gelieh'n us (each other) trust lended Wir haben versucht we have attempted Auf der Schussfahrt zu wenden on the schuss to turn Nichts war zu spät nothing was too late Aber vieles zu früh but many things too early Wir haben uns geschoben we have us pushed Durch alle Gezeiten through all tides Haben uns verzettelt have us frittered Uns verzweifelt geliebt us desperately loved Wir haben die Wahrheit we have the truth So gut es ging verlogen as well it went denied (denied as well as we could) Es war ein Stück vom Himmel it was a piece of heaven Dass es dich gibt that it you gives (that you exist) - Du hast jeden Raum you have every room Mit Sonne geflutet with sun flooded Hast jeden Verdruss have every chagrin Ins Gegenteil verkehrt to its opposite inverted Nordisch nobel nordic noble Deine sanftmütige Güte your gentle minded kindness Dein unbändiger Stolz your untamable pride Das Leben ist nicht fair (The) life is not fair - Den Film getanzt the movie danced (we danced the movie) In einem silbernen Raum in a silver room Vom goldenen Balkon from the golden balcony Die Unendlichkeit bestaunt (at) the infinity marveled Heillos versunken, trunken hopelessly sunken, drunken Und alles war erlaubt and everything was allowed Zusammen im Zeitraffer together in (a) time-lapse Mittsommernachtstraum mid summer night's dream - Du hast jeden Raum you have every room Mit Sonne geflutet with sun flooded Hast jeden Verdruss have every chagrin Ins Gegenteil verkehrt to its opposite inverted Nordisch nobel nordic noble Deine sanftmütige Güte your gentle minded kindness Dein unbändiger Stolz your untamable pride Das Leben ist nicht fair the life is not fair - Dein sicherer Gang your steady stride Deine wahren Gedichte your true poems Deine heitere Würde your cheerful dignity Dein unerschütterliches Geschick your unshakable grace Du hast der Fügung you have to fate Deine Stirn geboten your forehead offered (you made head against fate) Hast ihn nie verraten have it never betrayed Deinen Plan vom Glück your plan of happiness Deinen Plan vom Glück your plan of happiness - Ich geh' hier nicht weg i go here not away (I'm not leaving here) Hab' meine Frist verlängert have my term extended Neue Zeitreise new time travel Offene Welt open world Habe dich sicher (i) have you safe In meiner Seele in my soul Ich trage dich bei mir i carry you with me Bis der Vorhang fällt til the curtain falls Ich trage dich bei mir i carry you with me Bis der Vorhang fällt til the curtain falls
Very good reaction to a beatifull song! May i sugest "Reinhard Mey & Freunde - Nein, meine Söhne geb ich nicht [Offizielles Video]". Very deep song! The video has subs too
If the question is how much can one person suffer, Herbert Grönemeyer is the answer. Lost his wife on cancer 4 days after his brother, also on cancer. I nearly lost my wife off cancer, and it was the most horrific time in my life, i can't imagine what he has been thruth. He is for sure a great artist, i don't like him very much because of his political statements during the concerts.
@@Goddybag4Lee He once suspected that his brother's death was one of the triggers for his father's dementia. As long as he was alive, his father would have been a fervour of joie de vivre, after which things would have become "tight".
Yeah, this guy formerly kown as Grölemeier (Bawlmeier, u couldnt understand him the first 15 years of his career) is just a liiiittle bit popular, especially with 40+ year olds!
Herbert Grönemeyer is great but for me the song "Musik nur, wenn sie laut ist" ("Music only when it's loud") its my favorite. Its something with clever lyrics.
And based on a true story. There was a deaf ballet dancer at Bochum Schauspielhaus, the theatre he startet his professional career. And he was impressed by her.
@@TheRealBlackNet Why would that be a spoiler? That is a fact and has often been a question to him. Many people ask whether it is really the case that deaf people can also like music and insinuate that the theme of the song is unrealistic.
I love that song. Musik nur, wenn Sie Laut ist. But I have a hard time listening to it with just joy in my heart. My dad was deaf amongst other senses-disabilities. And the lyrics "ihre Hände wissen nicht mit wem sie reden sollen, es ist niemand da der mit ihr spricht" has brought me to tears alot. My father had very few people there to talk to just like in the lyrics. It was heartbreaking to watch a social and happy soul turn into a shadow of himself just because too few people was there to talk to.
But that is a sign that you understood the text as it was meant. The song is about loneliness. The verse "Sie sitzt den ganzen Tag auf ihrer Fensterbank, lässt ihre Beine baumeln zur Musik" doesn't exactly speak of a socially integrated person. I think the time when the song was written was still the time when Herbert Grönemeyer was reaching for anything he could write a song about. He once said in an interview that it was a complete surprise to him, for example, that "Bochum" became so successful, because the lyrics "Bochum, I'm from you, Bochum I'm stuck on you" didn't really have hit potential. And for the song "Männer" he was once asked whether he could write lyrics about women to the melody. He didn't, because he thinks the lyrics to "Männer" are silly nowadays and doesn't want to take the piss out of women in the same way. That's why his new album has the title "Turmhoch", where he actually wrote a serious lyric about strong women.@@Goddybag4Lee
Can't believe this ballade is now more than 20 years old! One of the greatest love songs for me! ... And if you ever watched the original movie "Das Boot" by Roland Emmerich, than you do know him. 😉 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Das_Boot?wprov=sfla1