Jürgen Drews suffers bitter setback: His latest album fails to chart after previously reaching top 5
Jürgen Drews, one of the biggest German Schlager stars, recently experienced a surprising turn of events with his latest album, “80 Jahre – König von Mallorca.” Despite high expectations for the album released in late October to celebrate his 80th birthday, it failed to make it into the official German album charts, as reported by Schlagerprofis. This outcome starkly contrasts with his previous album, “Geil war’s – danke JÜRGEN,” which not only secured a spot in the Top 5 but also remained on the charts for an impressive 15 weeks.
Intended as a musical thank you to his fans, the new album featured an impressive guest list in honor of Jürgen Drews’ 80th birthday in April. Collaborators on the album included Howard Carpendale, Joelina Drews, Ramona Drews, Julian Reim, and Oli.P. The duets with his daughter Joelina, particularly the modern rendition of “Ein Bett im Kornfeld” and the original song “Herzmelodie,” were emotionally charged highlights of the album. Despite not making it into the official charts, the album currently holds the second spot on the Schlager charts.
The album, hailed as a tribute to his career, offers a contemporary sound with renowned producers such as DJ Herzbeat, Silverjam, and Nur So! transforming Jürgen Drews’ classics into modern dance versions. The album’s lead single, “König von Mallorca,” featuring Social-Media-Star Knossi, set the tone for the album’s release. Universal Music, his record label, lauded Jürgen Drews as an artist who has profoundly shaped the musical sensibilities of multiple generations.
The absence of chart success is not necessarily a reflection of the project’s quality, according to Schlagerprofis. Rather, it is attributed to Jürgen Drews no longer being an active part of the Schlager scene following his retirement in 2022 due to his polyneuropathy diagnosis. His departure was marked by an emotional farewell show on Florian Silbereisen’s program, where he expressed his decision to step back from the limelight, saying, “Since I am at an age where others have long been retired, I told myself: Uncle Jürgen, enough is enough.”
Despite no longer being a prominent figure in the contemporary music scene, Jürgen Drews remains a cultural icon. His latest album blends classics spanning eight decades of music history with nine new tracks, showcasing the breadth of his illustrious career. From his beginnings with the Les Humphries Singers to his breakout hit “Ein Bett im Kornfeld” in 1976 and his iconic status as the “König von Mallorca,” Jürgen Drews continues to captivate audiences with his music.