“Sonderzug nach Pankow” from 1983 is one of Udo Lindenberg‘s greatest hits. The song is now being performed differently in Berlin. That’s what lies behind it.
Udo Lindenberg has been on stage for more than 50 years. He is one of the most successful musicians in Germany and has written countless hits. It has just been announced that the UN children’s fund Unicef ”What are wars for?” in a new international version. The 1981 song is released with the English language title “What is War for”.
The song is sung by Halle, Henri and Katharina alias “Voices for Unicef”. Udo Lindenberg donates the income generated from his rights to the new admission to the aid organization. On November 9th, “What is War for” will be performed on television for the first time: on the “Giovanni Zarrella Show” on ZDF.
However, the panic rocker probably won’t like the fact that another of his cult hits will soon be performed in a modified form. In mid-November, eight choirs will sing songs from “Hanns Eisler to Udo Lindenberg” in Berlin’s “Humboldt Forum” under the motto “Very Voices 2024”. Including “Special Train to Pankow” – albeit in a modified version.
The Humboldt Forum Foundation confirmed to “Bild” that the word “Oberindianer” will be removed from the lyrics for the concert. The decision was made after an open discussion with the choirs and the artistic direction. “Even though the word in the song had a metaphorical connotation when it was written in 1983 – and at the time it referred to Erich Honecker in a satirical and critical way – we are also aware that the word’s history of violence in the colonization of indigenous population groups resonates,” it says further.
The word is perceived by many indigenous people and visitors “as discriminatory and racist. “We take this perspective seriously and we respect it,” says the foundation. They therefore want to “handle language and images very sensitively and respectfully.” Udo Lindenberg himself has not yet commented on the topic.
Do you think it’s right that the word “Upper Indian” be deleted from the song? Write an email to Lesermeinung@stroeer.de. Please use the subject “Lindenberg” and explain why.