singer-songwriter
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singer-songwriter
An artist who writes the lyrics and music for their own songs and usually sings them while accompanying themselves on guitar or piano. In the German-speaking world, the lyrics are often personal, socially critical, or political.
Konstantin Wecker ist ein bekannter deutscher Liedermacher, der für seine kritischen Texte bekannt ist.
Konstantin Wecker is a well-known German singer-songwriter who is known for his critical lyrics.
The word is a compound of 'Lieder' (songs, plural of 'das Lied') and 'Macher' (maker). So a 'Liedermacher' (singer-songwriter) is literally someone who makes songs.
Schon als Jugendlicher wollte er Liedermacher werden.
Even as a teenager, he wanted to become a singer-songwriter.
In German, the term has a special cultural meaning. It often refers to artists who not only entertain, but also deal with personal, political, or socially critical topics in their lyrics.
Der Liedermacher sang über soziale Ungerechtigkeit in der Gesellschaft.
The singer-songwriter sang about social injustice in society.
A 'Liedermacher' (singer-songwriter) is often described more precisely with adjectives that refer to the content of their songs. Typical examples are 'ein politischer Liedermacher' (a political singer-songwriter) or 'ein kritischer Liedermacher' (a critical singer-songwriter).
Reinhard Mey ist einer der bekanntesten deutschen Liedermacher.
Reinhard Mey is one of the best-known German singer-songwriters.
singer
'der Sänger' and 'der Liedermacher' can both mean artists who sing songs. The difference is in the focus. A singer does not have to write the songs themselves; they can also perform songs by other people. A 'Liedermacher' usually writes or composes their own songs and often sings them with guitar or piano. That is why 'Liedermacher' is more precise when the artist's own lyrics and the personal or political message are important. The words can be confused because many 'Liedermacher' are also singers. But not every singer is a 'Liedermacher'.
Der Liedermacher erzählte vor jedem Lied kurz, warum er den Text geschrieben hat.
Before each song, the singer-songwriter briefly explained why he had written the lyrics.
Beim Stadtfest trat ein bekannter Sänger mit seiner Band auf.
A well-known singer performed with his band at the town festival.