Every sentence a hit: the singer Herbert Grönemeyer, back with a new album, about the evil in the world, the failure of Angela Merkel – and his joy in aging.
Mr Grönemeyer, the past few years have shaken the world to its foundations. Pandemic, war in Europe, inflation, energy crisis. What traces has this time left on your new album?
When I started working on new songs, it was like writing on an air mattress. There was no support, only swaying ground, no firm foundation. Music is usually what keeps my life balanced. But it took me a while to find out in my restlessness what I wanted to tell: My new album is an attempt to wring something like a doubting confidence from this time with all its fears, insecurities and cramps.