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Sandra Cretu
Sandra Ann Lauer (born 18 May 1962), later Sandra Cretu, commonly known mononymously as Sandra (), is a German pop singer who enjoyed mainstream popularity in the 1980s and early 1990s with a string of European hit singles, produced by her then-husband and musical partner, Michael Cretu, most notably " (I'll Never Be) Maria Magdalena" (1985), " In the Heat of the Night" (1985), " Everlasting Love" (1987), " Secret Land" (1988), "Hiroshima" (1990), and " Don't Be Aggressive" (1992). Her albums '' Into a Secret Land'' (1988) and '' Close to Seven'' (1992) have won Sandra high critical acclaim. Prior to embarking on a solo career, Sandra was the lead singer of the all-female disco trio Arabesque, which had a following in Japan and the Soviet Union. Also, between 1990 and 2003, she provided vocals on album releases of the very successful musical project Enigma, which had top 10 hits in North America and the United Kingdom. A cult star with a devoted fan base, Sandra remains one of ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Saarbrücken
Saarbrücken (; Rhenish Franconian: ''Sabrigge'' ; ; ; ; ) is the capital and largest List of cities and towns in Germany, city of the state of Saarland, Germany. Saarbrücken has 181,959 inhabitants and is Saarland's administrative, commercial and cultural centre. It is located on the Saar River (a tributary of the Moselle), directly borders the French department of Moselle (department), Moselle, and is Germany's second-westernmost state capital after Düsseldorf. The modern city of Saarbrücken was created in 1909 by the merger of the three cities of Saarbrücken (now called ''Alt-Saarbrücken''), Sankt Johann (Saarbrücken), St. Johann a. d. Saar, and Malstatt-Burbach. It was the industrial and transport centre of the Saar coal basin. Products included iron and steel, sugar, beer, pottery, optical instruments, machinery, and construction materials. Historic landmarks in the city include the stone bridge across the Saar (river), Saar (1546), the Gothic church of St. Ar ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
(I'll Never Be) Maria Magdalena
"(I'll Never Be) Maria Magdalena", also known simply as "Maria Magdalena", is a song recorded by German singer Sandra for her debut studio album '' The Long Play'' (1985). The song, written by Hubert Kemmler, Markus Löhr, Michael Cretu and Richard Palmer-James, was released as the lead single from ''The Long Play'' on 15 July 1985 by Virgin Records, and was a major chart hit in Europe, reaching number one in multiple countries. It remains Sandra's signature song. Background and release The song was composed by Hubert Kemmler, Markus Löhr and Michael Cretu. Cretu also arranged and produced the song. The lyrics were written by Richard Palmer-James. The allusion to the biblical figure Mary Magdalene was a Kemmler's idea and came up when a name with seven syllables was needed for the chorus. But only the German version of the name would be fit, because in English "Mary Magdalene" has six syllables. Kemmler also provided co-lead vocals on this recording and on a number of Sandra's ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Classical Ballet
Classical ballet is any of the traditional, formal styles of ballet that exclusively employ classical ballet technique. It is known for its aesthetics and rigorous technique (such as en pointe, pointe work, turnout (ballet), turnout of the legs, and high extensions), its flowing, precise movements, and its ethereal qualities. There are stylistic variations related to an area or origin, which are denoted by classifications such as Russian ballet, French ballet, British ballet and Italian ballet. For example, Russian ballet features high extensions and dynamic turns, whereas Italian ballet tends to be more grounded, with a focus on fast, intricate footwork. Many of the stylistic variations are associated with specific training methods that have been named after their originators. Despite these variations, the performance and vocabulary of classical ballet are largely consistent throughout the world. History Ballet originated in the Italian Renaissance courts and was brought to ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Paraplegia
Paraplegia, or paraparesis, is an impairment in motor or sensory function of the lower extremities. The word comes from Ionic Greek () "half-stricken". It is usually caused by spinal cord injury or a congenital condition that affects the neural (brain) elements of the spinal canal. The area of the spinal canal that is affected in paraplegia is either the thoracic, lumbar, or sacral regions. If four limbs are affected by paralysis, tetraplegia or quadriplegia is the correct term. If only one limb is affected, the correct term is monoplegia. Spastic paraplegia is a form of paraplegia defined by spasticity of the affected muscles, rather than flaccid paralysis. The American Spinal Injury Association classifies spinal cord injury severity in the following manner. ASIA A is the complete loss of sensory function and motor skills below the injury. ASIA B is having some sensory function below the injury, but no motor function. In ASIA C, there is some motor function below the le ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Madonna (entertainer)
Madonna Louise Ciccone ( ; born August 16, 1958) is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress. Referred to as the "Queen of Pop", she has been recognized for her continual reinvention and versatility in music production, songwriting and visual presentation. Madonna's works, which incorporate social, political, sexual, and religious themes, have generated both controversy and critical acclaim. A cultural icon spanning both the 20th and 21st centuries, Madonna has become the subject of various scholarly, literary and artistic works, as well as a mini academic sub-discipline called Madonna studies. Madonna moved to New York City in 1978 to pursue a career in dance. After performing as a drummer, guitarist, and vocalist in the rock bands Breakfast Club and Emmy & the Emmys, she rose to solo stardom with her 1983 eponymous debut album. Madonna has earned a total of 18 multi-platinum albums, including '' Like a Virgin'' (1984), '' True Blue'' (1986), ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Soviet Union
The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. (USSR), commonly known as the Soviet Union, was a List of former transcontinental countries#Since 1700, transcontinental country that spanned much of Eurasia from 1922 until Dissolution of the Soviet Union, it dissolved in 1991. During its existence, it was the list of countries and dependencies by area, largest country by area, extending across Time in Russia, eleven time zones and sharing Geography of the Soviet Union#Borders and neighbors, borders with twelve countries, and the List of countries and dependencies by population, third-most populous country. An overall successor to the Russian Empire, it was nominally organized as a federal union of Republics of the Soviet Union, national republics, the largest and most populous of which was the Russian SFSR. In practice, Government of the Soviet Union, its government and Economy of the Soviet Union, economy were Soviet-type economic planning, highly centralized. As a one-party state go ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Japan
Japan is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean off the northeast coast of the Asia, Asian mainland, it is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan and extends from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea in the south. The Japanese archipelago consists of four major islands—Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu—and List of islands of Japan, thousands of smaller islands, covering . Japan has a population of over 123 million as of 2025, making it the List of countries and dependencies by population, eleventh-most populous country. The capital of Japan and List of cities in Japan, its largest city is Tokyo; the Greater Tokyo Area is the List of largest cities, largest metropolitan area in the world, with more than 37 million inhabitants as of 2024. Japan is divided into 47 Prefectures of Japan, administrative prefectures and List of regions of Japan, eight traditional regions. About three-quarters of Geography of Japan, the countr ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Rate Your Music
Rate Your Music (often abbreviated to RYM) is an online encyclopedia of music releases and films. Users can catalog items from their personal collection, review them, and assign ratings in a five-star rating system. The site also features community-based charts that track highest-rated releases. History The first version of the site, nicknamed "RYM 1.0," allowed users to rate and catalog releases, as well as to write reviews, create lists and add artists and releases to the database. In May 2009, Rate Your Music started to add films to its database. Features The main idea of the website is to allow the users to add music releases of many types including but not limited to albums, EPs, singles, music videos, mixtapes, DJ mixes, and bootlegs to the database and to rate them. The rating system uses a scale of minimum of a half-star (or 0.5 points) to a maximum of five stars (or 5 points). Users can likewise leave reviews for RYM entries as well as create user profiles. Rat ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Close To Seven
''Close to Seven'' is the fifth studio album by German singer Sandra, released on 17 February 1992 by Virgin Records. Background The album's title symbolised the upcoming seventh anniversary of Sandra's career. It was recorded in Sandra and Michael Cretu's home studio in Ibiza, Spain, and continued a development towards a more meditative, less dance-oriented musical style, echoing material that Sandra and Michael recorded together for the Enigma project. The male vocals were performed by Andy Jonas, also known as Andy "Angel" Hart. " Don't Be Aggressive" was released as the first single from the album in January 1992, reaching the top 10 in Finland and Norway, and the top 20 in Sandra's native Germany. "I Need Love" followed as the second and final commercial single in April 1992, but was a commercial failure, becoming Sandra's first single since 1984 to fail to enter the charts. "Steady Me" was issued in June 1992 as a promotional single only in Germany. Although ''Close to ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Into A Secret Land
''Into a Secret Land'' is the third studio album by German singer Sandra (singer), Sandra, released on 24 October 1988 by Virgin Records. The album was commercially successful and spawned the singles "Heaven Can Wait (Sandra song), Heaven Can Wait", "Secret Land", "We'll Be Together (Sandra song), We'll Be Together" and "Around My Heart". Background and release The album was recorded at Sandra and Michael Cretu's home studio in Ibiza, Spain, where the couple had recently relocated and married in January 1988. It was the only Sandra album with every song co-written by Hubert Kah, Hubert Kemmler, and her last to feature his trademark backing vocals, until ''Stay in Touch'' (2012). ''Into a Secret Land'' reached the top 10 in Switzerland and Finland, and the top 20 in Germany, Austria and Norway. It has been List of music recording certifications, certified platinum in both France and Switzerland, and remains one of Sandra's best-selling albums. The album was supported by four sing ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Don't Be Aggressive
"Don't Be Aggressive" is a 1992 pop song by German singer Sandra. It was written by Michael Cretu and Klaus Hirschburger, and produced by Cretu. The song uses a sample of the 1990 track "Daydreaming" by Massive Attack, which in turn samples "Mambo" (1984) by Wally Badarou. It was released in January 1992 as the lead single from Sandra's fifth studio album ''Close to Seven'', reaching the top 10 in Norway and Finland, and the top 20 in Germany. The music video for the song was directed by Howard Greenhalgh. The clip was released on Sandra's VHS video compilation ''18 Greatest Hits'' in 1992 and the 2003 DVD ''The Complete History''. Formats and track listings *CD maxi single #"Don't Be Aggressive" (Radio Edit) – 4:22 #"Don't Be Aggressive" (The Midnight Hour Mix) – 6:23 #"Seal It Forever" – 4:51 *7" single :A. "Don't Be Aggressive" (Radio Edit) – 4:22 :B. "Seal It Forever" – 4:51 *12" single :A. "Don't Be Aggressive" (The Midnight Hour Mix) – 6:21 :B1. "Seal It Fore ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Hiroshima (song)
"Hiroshima" is an anti-war song performed by British band Wishful Thinking, written by David Morgan and produced by Lou Reizner, which tells about the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. The track was recorded at the Chappell Recording Studios in London in 1970. It was first released in 1971 as a single from their album of the same name, but achieved commercial success only upon its re-release in 1978, when it peaked at 8 in West Germany, staying on the chart for 44 weeks. It was one of the best-selling singles of 1978 in West Germany. Track listing * 7-inch single :A. "Hiroshima" – 4:42 :B. "She Belongs to the Night" – 2:47 Charts Weekly charts Year-end charts Sandra version German singer Sandra covered "Hiroshima" and released her version as a single in January 1990, with production by Michael Cretu. Sandra decided to cover the anti-war "Hiroshima" out of her concern about the political unrest happening in countries like Lebanon, China and Romania in the late 1980s. ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
