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.

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.