Matthias Reim builds on earlier successes with a new album and becomes a father again. In the interview he looks ahead and back.
“Damn, I love you” catapulted Matthias Reim (64) to the top of the charts in 1990. As steep as the ascent, so deep later the fall. The singer, songwriter and composer never gave up, but fought back successfully. He is currently celebrating one hit after the other with titles such as “4 Uhr 30”, “Blaulicht” or “Next Summer” from the album “Matthias”, which was released on January 14th. Things are also going well privately in the truest sense of the word: His wife Christin Stark (32) is about to give birth to their first child together. For Reim it is already the seventh child. In an interview, he reveals how the singer is preparing for the father role and why his biggest hit almost ended up in the wastepaper basket.
One of the songs on your new album is called “Travel Through Time”. Do you think of doing that every now and then?
Matthias Reim: I would love to! And during the recent lockdowns, I finally had enough free time to do so again. For example, I thought back to my first vacation in the USA with my then girlfriend in the early 1980s and then processed these wonderful memories in the song.
Do you also enjoy the gentle, melancholic feeling of such “time travel”?
Matthias Reim: No! When I look back, it’s always with a smile on my face. I’m not a melancholic at all and I deliberately don’t allow this feeling.
And why?
Matthias Reim: Because my life has been quite a rollercoaster ride at times. I had to put up with severe setbacks both privately and professionally, where today I only think: “Oh, my God! It’s amazing that you came out of it so well.” Feelings like melancholy or a wistful look back at the past only weaken me.
Her super hit “Verdammt, ich lieb’ dich” sold 2.5 million copies and was number one in the German singles chart for 16 weeks. Had anyone actually believed in such a success beforehand?
Matthias Reim: I still remember exactly how the head of the record company at the time listened to the song and then said: “Well, I don’t believe in it! But I don’t care if the thing just hits the wall and we’ll see if it sticks. ” Then he walked out of the office grinning. By the way, we’re still friends today. (laughs)
Why didn’t anyone see the song’s potential in 1990?
Matthias Reim: Because he broke almost all the rules of the chart laws of the time and nothing in the number matched the hit sound that was popular at the time: not the tempo, the guitar solo or the intro without any beat. But sometimes breaking all the rules is just the way to go.
After the breakthrough, things ran like clockwork. Then it went downhill more and more. How much did the career crash at the end of the nineties pull the rug out from under your feet?
Matthias Reim: That wasn’t so bad for me back then, because I’ve always had incredible composure and have always accepted my fate quickly. Even when I only played a concert in Dresden in front of 13 fans, I still had fun. However, when I drank another beer later that evening, I thought to myself: “Stupid! What are you going to do now that no one wants to hear you anymore?”
Did you have a plan B back then?
Matthias Reim: I was able to cope with the crash quite well because I was never a pure performer, but was already successful as a songwriter and producer for stars like Bernhard Brink and Roy Black before my breakthrough in the charts. And I knew that my time in the spotlight was limited. I was a Bravo pop star who only saw screaming teens on the first two tours. And teenagers drop their idols particularly quickly.
Very soon you will be a father again. How do you feel about the new challenge?
Matthias Reim: I’m totally relaxed because I know myself very well today. It’s not the first time for me – and that’s why I know exactly what to expect and how it’s like: when the baby is bawling, when mommy can’t take it anymore and therefore wants to involve me even more, even if I’m there at all don’t feel like it. (laughs)
But in the end, dad Matthias is usually there after all?
Matthias Reim: Of course, the youngsters can get on your nerves, but I’m always happy to help when and where I can. This basic feeling is always there: this deep connection to your child; unconditional love makes everything possible. I can hardly wait to finally see and get to know the little creature with my own eyes.
How is your wife in the ninth month?
Matthias Reim: So shortly before the birth, Christin can hardly tie her own shoes, let alone sit on the couch if we watch TV together in the evening, for example. But she’s super excited and makes the most of the fact that she’s having a hard time pushing herself around. I keep looking at her stomach in fascination and I think to myself: “Oh my God, I would be far too cowardly to be able to bring a baby into the world. I’m already afraid of the dentist. If we men had to give birth to children , we would probably have a big problem (laughs).
Can you also imagine being a homemaker?
Matthias Reim: My idea of a family and my male role model are too traditional for that. Throw a household and a family completely? I definitely couldn’t! I would much rather go into the forest and shoot the game to be able to feed everyone. Or I’ll get new wood for the fire. I’m really good at that, although I’ve also developed over the years. In the meantime, of course, I can also change diapers or set up the stroller.
New dads need to be resilient: how do you keep fit?
Matthias Reim: Some time ago I set up my own small fitness center in the lower part of our house: with professional weight machines, treadmill and cross trainer. And in a corner of the room is a huge box…
Let me guess: a speaker box?
Matthias Reim: Exactly! When I train three or four times a week, our whole house shakes. Then there is rock music at its finest and heaviest: Ozzy Osbourne, Steve Walsh and Saxxon so loud that I can’t help but physically accelerate. Sometimes alone and sometimes with a personal trainer. And in the breaks between the movements, I pose with an air guitar in front of the large mirrors. It’s a good thing that nobody sees me there… (laughs)