Hannes Wader


Hannes Wader is a German singer-songwriter. He has been an important figure in German leftist circles since the 1970s, with his songs covering such themes as socialist, communist resistance to oppression in Europe and other places like Latin America, as well as peace songs. He both wrote new songs and played versions of older historical works.

Life and work

Wader was born in Bethel, near Bielefeld, Westphalia, Germany. His works are mostly based on German Folk songs. Aside from his own lyrics, he also performs works of famous poets like Eichendorff. He now rarely sings the workers' songs and socialist hymns that used to be a large part of his repertoire. In 1997 he published an album exclusively with songs by Franz Schubert. He also performed translated works from Carl Michael Bellman on the album Liebe, Schnaps & Tod.
In the 1970s, Hannes Wader became one of the stars of the political left through his provocative songs. He was a member of the German Communist Party from 1977 to 1991. Wader even came under suspicions of terrorism because of his song Der Tankerkönig, a spoken song about kidnapping a tycoon.
In 1973, he moved to Struckum, in Nordfriesland, where he published some of his later albums. In 1998, he and his family moved to the Steinburg district of Schleswig-Holstein. He now lives in Kassel.
He has published numerous albums and appeared in open-air concerts and clubs until 2017. His last concert was on 30 November 2017, in Berlin.

Awards

Performed songs (selected)

  • "Die Internationale"
  • "Die Moorsoldaten"
  • "Traum vom Frieden"
  • "Es ist an der Zeit"
  • "Heute hier, morgen dort"
  • "Kokain"
  • "Sag mir, wo die Blumen sind"

    Discography

Studio albums

  • 1969: Hannes Wader singt
  • 1971: Ich hatte mir noch so viel vorgenommen
  • 1972: 7 Lieder
  • 1973: Der Rattenfänger
  • 1974: Plattdeutsche Lieder
  • 1975: Volkssänger
  • 1976: Kleines Testament
  • 1977: Hannes Wader singt Arbeiterlieder
  • 1978: Hannes Wader singt Shanties
  • 1979: Wieder unterwegs
  • 1980: Es ist an der Zeit
  • 1982: Dass nichts bleibt wie es war
  • 1983: Nicht nur ich allein
  • 1985: Glut am Horizont
  • 1986: Liebeslieder
  • 1987: Bis jetzt
  • 1989: Nach Hamburg
  • 1990: Hannes Wader singt Volkslieder
  • 1991: Nie mehr zurück
  • 1992: Schon so lang ‘62 – ‘92
  • 1992: Blick zurück – Das Beste aus den 80er Jahren
  • 1995: Zehn Lieder
  • 1996: Liebe, Schnaps & Tod – Wader singt Bellman
  • 1996: Professor Jecks Tierlieder-ABC
  • 1997: An dich hab ich gedacht – Wader singt Schubert
  • 1998: Auftritt
  • 2001: Was für eine Nacht
  • 2001: Wünsche
  • 2003: Das Konzert
  • 2004: ...und es wechseln die Zeiten
  • 2005: Jahr für Jahr
  • 2006: Mal angenommen
  • 2007: Neue Bekannte
  • 2012: Nah Dran
  • 2013: Old Friends in Concert
  • 2013: Trotz alledem – Lieder aus 50 Jahren 1962–2012
  • 2015: Sing
  • 2015: Live
  • 2018: Macht's gut
  • 2021: Poetenweg
  • 2022. ''Noch hier - was ich noch singen wollte''

    Compilations

  • 1999: Der Poet
  • 1999: Der Rebell
  • 1999: Der Volkssänger