Learn German with Music of Tim Bendzko

When your debut single is a big hit, it can be difficult to live up to expectations. There is a lot of pressure on your shoulders. But for Tim Bendzko, that simply has not been a problem. Since grabbing the attention of music fans in 2011 with the track “Nur noch kurz die Welt retten,” he has kept music fans eagerly listening. The German singer-songwriter has stayed true to himself while continually winning over fans with his memorable and likable pop-tinged tracks.

So this month, let’s get to know Tim Bendzko better and learn German with music!

Get to Know Tim Bendzko

Tim Bendzko was born on April 9, 1985, in East Berlin. He spent his childhood in the Berlin neighborhood of Köpenick.

Bendzko’s background and interests are varied. He did not become a pop singer overnight. In addition to taking up guitar as a child, he also pursued soccer. He attended a special school with an emphasis on the sport and played for FC Union Berlin.

After that, he studied religion — specifically Protestant Theology and non-Christian religions — at the Free University of Berlin, although he ultimately never graduated. And as though all of that was not enough, Bendzko has also worked as an auctioneer in the automobile industry.

The Music of Tim Bendzko

After writing his first song as a teenager, Bendzko eventually found his way to music.

In 2009, he entered and won a talent contest. As the winner, he got a chance to perform at the Berlin Waldbühne in front of 20,000 people. That served as the turning point for Bendzko to focus on his music. Shortly thereafter, he signed a record contract with Sony Music.

Bendkzo’s professional breakthrough came in 2011 with the release of “Nur noch kurz die Welt retten,” the first single off of Wenn Worte meine Sprache wären, his debut full-length release. The instantly catchy and memorable track peaked at number two on the charts in Germany. Along with the second single, the album’s title track, the album helped make Bendzko famous.

The year also saw him win the Bundesvision Song Contest for Berlin with “Wenn Worte meine Sprache wären.” The critics also looked favorably on the musician. He won a number of awards including Newcomer of the Year at both the Bambi’s and ECHO awards as well as Best Single from 1LIVE Krone. Bendzko also served as the opening act for major artists like Elton John and the late Joe Cocker.

2013’s Am seidenen Faden and 2016’s Immer noch Mensch followed.The albums continue where his first album left off. Bendzko remains true to himself. Smooth, fluid melodies float in the background as Bendzko’s vocals seem to just mingle on top.

Ballads like “Durch die Nacht” and “Beste Version” let him shine. There are no sharp edges, herky-jerky rhythms, or loud bursts of energy. Bendzko remains in character throughout his albums. And the consistency pays off.

Bendzko’s most recent album is 2019’s Filter. While it would be disingenuous to say it goes in a different direction than its predecessors, it is not just a copy of them either. Bendzko infuses more rhythms into the album and engages the listener more. “Nicht genug” is an invitation to dance” while the staccato of “Für Immer” creates a texture that pulls your ear in.

If you prefer the raw energy of live music, in 2020 he released his first live album. Appropriately titled Live 2019, the album includes a number of acoustic tracks. Perhaps it is a hint of where his heart lies when it comes to music.

Looking for another Ohrwurm to help you learn German? Check out previously featured musicians and bands!

Photo by Andre Josselin, courtesy of BeckToMusic. This post contains affiliate links.