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Pop and Poetry – Pleasure and Protest

Udo Lindenberg, Konstantin Wecker and the Tradition of German Cabaret

by Annette Blühdorn (Author)
©2003 Monographs 378 Pages

Summary

This book provides a detailed analysis of the lyrics of the German rock musician Udo Lindenberg and of the singer-songwriter Konstantin Wecker. The investigation starts from the assumption that lyrics which are not in English put more weight onto the textual side of popular songs; the lyrics are therefore analysed separately from music and performance. Furthermore, this study goes beyond the distinction between dominant and mass literature which, within literary studies, has so far prevented an unbiased approach towards song lyrics. Finally, it is suggested that Lindenberg’s and Wecker’s lyrics can be read as contemporary variations of «Gebrauchslyrik», a concept that was developed by major representatives of the German cabaret culture during the 1920s and 1930s. Hence, the book recapitulates the history of both the German cabaret and the development of German popular music, and places Lindenberg and Wecker within these cultural movements.

Details

Pages
378
Publication Year
2003
ISBN (Softcover)
9783039100637
Language
English
Keywords
Song Popular songs Lindenberg, Udo Rezeption Deutschland Kabarett German Rock Music Udo Lindenberg Konstantin Wecker Lyrics E-Music U-Music
Published
Oxford, Bern, Berlin, Bruxelles, Frankfurt/M., New York, Wien, 2003. 378 pp.

Biographical notes

Annette Blühdorn (Author)

The Author: Annette Blühdorn teaches in the Department of European Studies and Modern Languages at the University of Bath (UK). Prior to that she held teaching positions at De Montfort University, Leicester, and the University of the West of England, Bristol. She obtained her Ph.D. from the University of Wales Swansea. Her research focuses on German lyrics in the context of literary studies.

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Title: Pop and Poetry – Pleasure and Protest