Herbert Grönemeyer celebrates 20 years of "humans": "I remain optimistic"

Created: 08/30/2022, 19:35

By: Katja Kraft

Looks back on around 40 years of stage experience: Herbert Grönemeyer.

© Photo: Universal

20 years ago Herbert Grönemeyer released his super album “Mensch”.

The 20-year "Mensch" tour had to be canceled this year due to Corona.

A concert recording from back then is now being released as a Blu-Ray, which can also be seen in cinemas across Germany on August 31, 2022.

Our interview with the pop star.

He is one of the most successful German singers of all - but Herbert Grönemeyer has never lost his down-to-earth attitude.

In 2016, in view of the refugee catastrophe in Munich, he played on Munich's Königsplatz for Welcome Culture, in Dresden against Pegida.

At the time we spoke to Grönemeyer, who is celebrating the 20th anniversary of his super-album “Mensch” this year - with a new Blu-Ray and a cinema festival - about his social commitment, love and his everlasting tendency towards optimism.

In Munich you played for Willkommenshelfer, in Dresden against Pegida.

Quite a contrast.

Herbert Grönemeyer:

In Dresden, the attempt was to convey to people: think about what it is actually about for you.

If you don't like something, that's your right.

But think about who you channel this to!

Pegida has some insane types who blare around there.

But it is also clear: These are not all dumb cheeks.

You have to be careful not to lump everyone together.

People feel like they are not being heard.

Maybe that's true.

But we all have to understand: This is a situation that is extraordinary and complex, but can also be meaningful for a society, as strange as that sounds.

You have to look at this: How do you get a community together and not break it up.

That would be the most absurd thing if that happened now.

But isn't it happening slowly?

Herbert Grönemeyer:

I don't think so.

What do you think?

Herbert Grönemeyer:

Well, I understand that many people are unsure about many things.

But one should not underestimate that those who want to use the situation politically are now the loudest.

You have to be careful not to be impressed by this rabble.

Because there is also an incredibly large part of the community that has a positive attitude towards the topic.

I mean - we've been reunited for 25 years, we certainly have complicated relationships as a result of reunification.

But that such a society then stands up and says: We see the need!

The Germans would have been the last people to expect that.

You are an artist expressing yourself politically.

Are you afraid of concerts, especially after the attacks in Paris?

Herbert Grönemeyer:

You always have fears at concerts.

You walk onto the stage with respect.

Actually, my concerts are very happy, I don't give lectures from the stage.

But I've often been uncomfortable with some people.

For example, when I opened a youth home for right-wing young people in the nineties, many people said I was crazy.

For me, this is comparable to Pegida.

They are people who, after reunification, had the feeling of not being seen.

Pre-Christmas meeting: Herbert Grönemeyer and Katja Kraft.

© kjk

Would you have thought that the refugee songs you wrote over a year ago would become so topical?

Herbert Grönemeyer:

It was clear to me that this is the topic that will occupy us over the next few years.

I still believe that the world will move closer together in the next 100 years.

The 20th century was the century of I-AGs.

Everyone only thought of themselves.

Now man understands that he has forgotten how to listen.

But that comes back because it's a longing.

I think people will be more interested in others again.

They want to experience something human, closeness.

Yes, we will move closer together.

Where do you get this optimism from?

Herbert Grönemeyer:

First of all, I'm a philanthropist and I've seen in my own little world how people have helped me in difficult situations.

The world is not only a catastrophe, but also has other sides.

My father was an uncanny lover of life and people.

His arm was shot off in Stalingrad, he lost his father as a child, but he wasn't deterred.

He loved life.

I see it similarly.

That doesn't mean I wear rose-tinted glasses.

But this reaction in Germany also confirmed me.

We have to tackle this now.

We'll be on tour again soon.

Does it still bother you that your concerts are sold out so quickly?

Herbert Grönemeyer:

Yes, you're always amazed that people come.

It's really good for you and at the same time you're flabbergasted.

And says to himself: Enjoy this every evening, because it is a great blessing that you are being given.

10,000 people come and you think: All because of me?

Not bad, right?

Herbert Grönemeyer:

Yes, not bad, right?

Yes, that's nice.

They don't just do concerts.

But they have already set “Faust” to music, for example.

Could you imagine more such projects?

Herbert Grönemeyer:

Basically gladly.

I would also like to write a musical, but I don't have any material.

And I don't want to do a musical with my songs.

That's too much for me.

I've always walked into bookstores and asked the saleswomen: What's your favorite novel or romance novel?

You wrote a lot about love yourself.

What's your favorite line about this feeling?

Herbert Grönemeyer:

Oh crap....

She wasn't...

Herbert Grönemeyer:

(Laughs.)  

Oh God!

Wow, that's a really difficult question now.

Is love the theme of your life?

Herbert Grönemeyer:

Yes, I hope so!

You deal with your relationship quite a lot during the day, always intermittently;

with what you want, what you dream of.

That is very determining - also for your own mood during the day.

And that drives you.

Not that you say: I'm waiting for great love.

But to keep dealing with your own emotionality.

And how do we get love in this world?

Herbert Grönemeyer:

Do you have a pen?

Here's how we do it!

What can you do as an artist?

Herbert Groenemeyer:

I believe that music evokes strong emotions.

In this respect, we as musicians strengthen our ability to empathize.

That's the hope that, no matter how frustrated or how old you get, you won't stop being open when someone confronts you with an emotion.

That's exactly the point now.

Everyone isolates themselves, according to the motto: The main thing is that I get out of the situation in one piece.

But that's superfluous, because that won't work anyway.

You have to ask yourself the question: How do you manage to confront the IS people before you just start shooting at them.

Of course we can't say we go there and hug them from morning to night.

But you still have to listen to them.

It was similar to the anger of the young people in Leipzig.

But even then I had to realize: It doesn't go that fast.

We made it,

It's not very uplifting...

Herbert Grönemeyer:

No, that's constructive, because then you realize: At what time intervals do we think?

These are not things that you just deal with in western engineering terms.

These are lengthy processes.

Everyone is screaming, they want to get this done quickly.

No, that's not easy to do.

You have to adjust to that and then, I think, you perceive it in a completely different way.

I remain optimistic and won't let that take me away.