Religion and Rock – Biblical themes in the work of a panic rocker

21 November 2025

“I’ve often wished I could believe in God,” Udo Lindenberg said in a 2025 interview. Faith and panic rock – at first glance, these don’t seem to go together. But the exploration of religious themes is unmistakable in Udo’s artistic oeuvre. However, these aren’t typical depictions of Mary, so common in art history; rather, Udo brings his own personal touch to biblical narratives and doesn’t mince words. We’ll take you on a brief excursion into the divine realm of Udo Lindenberg.

A simple line drawing of a person wearing a wide-brimmed hat, sitting at a table with a drink and a newspaper or document, appearing to read or point at the paper.

Highlige Schrift I, 1997 © Udo Lindenberg Archive

Udo's modern interpretation of Highligee font

In the catalogue for the current Udo exhibition, Dr. Sarah Hülsewig takes a closer look at two particular series of works by the musician. The first is a series based on Goethe's tragedy, created from 1995 onwards. FaustNo biblical narrative – but religious motifs can certainly be found. Udo also interpreted the Ten Commandments in the early 2000s; naturally, in his own unique way. Both series of images are characterized by contemporary aspects that Udo incorporates into his work.

A red devil stands at the center of a crowd on yellow ground, raising one finger. Most of the crowd, drawn in white, faces away from a blue-hued figure walking alone to the left. The background is a bold blue and purple. A colorful painting shows a man in green holding a cigarette and touching a nude woman, with a child wearing a red cap flying above them, all set against a dark blue background.

Faust and Sorrow, 1999 | Auerbach's Cellar II, 1999 | Euphorio, Son of Faust and Helena, 1999 © Udo Lindenberg Archive

Thus, the protagonist from the famous work of Weimar Classicism suddenly finds himself sitting in front of Udo's residence: the Hotel Atlantic in Hamburg. In Auerbach's Cellar he encounters celebrating people with colorful cocktail glasses – a familiar motif from the Lindenberg universe. Even the mythological Helen appears in a new guise: with eyeshadow, lipstick and platinum blonde hair, she resembles a rave girl from the 90s.

Thou shalt keep the Sabbath day holy II, 2005 | Thou shalt honor thy mother and father II, 2001 | Thou shalt not murder II, 2001 © Udo Lindenberg Archive

The pictures of the Commandments The images show cars stuck in traffic on the holy day of rest, mother and father in front of the television, and neo-Nazis literally trampling the commandment "Thou shalt not kill" underfoot.

Walpurgis Night I, 1999 | Moses Receives the Tablets of the Law I, 2005 © Udo Lindenberg Archive

Naturally, Udo himself appears in both series of works. In his interpretation of Walpurgis Night, he rides a broomstick surrounded by flying women. In the Commandments works, he slips into the pictorial world several times – for example, as Moses receiving the tablets of the law.

Not only the settings, but also the statements of the texts are transposed by Udo into the present day and put to the test against the backdrop of a modern society.

Joy of life instead fear of God

One commonality between the two texts, which Sarah Hülsewig highlights in the catalogue, is their shared moral concepts and expectations of humanity. And it is already hinted at in the Faust series that Udo's credo is: personal responsibility instead of authoritarian morality. By transferring the story to his own lived reality, he questions how realistic the clear separation between good and evil, God and the devil, can be – and whether Faust's desire for adventure and pleasure is not, in fact, inherent in every human being.

A cartoon figure in a white robe stands barefoot on a rock, holding up a golden tablet with the German words DU SOLLST inscribed, against a dark blue background.

Moses receives the tablets of the law, 2001 © Udo Lindenberg Archive

The restrictive and outdated black-and-white thinking becomes even clearer in Udo's portrayal of the Ten Commandments. In the role of Moses, he holds a tablet of law on which, in enormous letters, only one word is written: "You shall." Which prohibition or commandment is meant is irrelevant – the oversized "should" is oppressive and seems almost to overwhelm the biblical Udo.

You shall not make for yourself an image I, 2001 © Udo Lindenberg Archive

Udo interprets the commandment "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image" with a heavy dose of irony. In the corresponding image, Udo stands with a joint and a paintbrush in front of a canvas – and is already beginning to paint. The artist, who has created a kind of icon in his self-portrait, thus defiantly defies the commandment on two counts.

A cartoon-style drawing of many nude figures, mostly holding red apples, surrounding a man with a fig leaf. One person says, But hello, Adam! The scene is set outdoors, suggesting a humorous take on Adam and Eve.

But Hello Adam!, 2010 © Udo Lindenberg Archive

Humor is also found in works independent of the series: Adam's apple (1998) and Hey Adam! (2010) depict Adam being tempted not by one, but by several Eves and another Adam. Even the serpent seems surprised by this excess. The message: Temptations are everywhere – and the curiosity about them is deeply human.

Interview with God

War of Religions VI You shall not misuse the name of your God, 2001 © Udo Lindenberg Archive

In the aforementioned interview, Udo emphasizes that the First Commandment ("You shall have no other gods before me.") is, for him, the root of many conflicts. He explores this in works such as... War of Religions. Followers of different religions with weapons confront the viewer with Udo's appeal to practice religion peacefully and in harmony with those of other faiths.

This message of peace runs like a thread through his work – both musically and visually. It is no coincidence that he asks in his song Interview with God (2008): “If you are God, why do you allow wars?”
God's answer in the song: "Now take care of your own planet."

Here too, Udo's message is clear – and aligns with the attitude of his pictures: Take responsibility for yourselves – for yourselves and for each other!

Lena Elster

General