Cologne’s “Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger” newspaper has released a newly arranged version of a song by celebrated local poet and songwriter Willi Ostermann, timed to coincide with the 150th anniversary of both the publication and Ostermann’s birth. The song, “Et Stadt-Anzeiger-Leed” (The City Advertiser Song), originally composed in 1934, has been re-imagined by musician Björn Heuser.
Heuser, known as the “Mitsingkönig” (sing-along king) of Cologne and having previously written songs for prominent bands like Bläck Fööss, Paveier, and Klüngelköpp, was approached by “Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger” editor-in-chief Gerald Selch to undertake the project. Selch reportedly stated, “Wenn man einem den Ostermann zutraut, dann dem Heuser” (“If anyone can do justice to Ostermann, it’s Heuser”), according to the publication.
The original song, first printed in the January 27, 1934, edition of the “Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger,” was first recorded in 1949 by Willy Breuer and later re-recorded by the Eilemann-Trio in 1976 as “Dat Stadt-Anzeiger-Lied.” Heuser’s recent version incorporates both a modern sound and a nod to the song’s historical roots.
Heuser detailed the process, beginning with a quick acceptance of the commission on January 15th. He immediately began developing ideas, noting the challenge of updating a song and a newspaper both steeped in history for a modern audience. He shared initial concepts with the newspaper’s local editorial team the following morning, even recording a demo overnight.
On January 16th, Heuser enlisted Jan Wördenweber, a colleague and keyboardist, to contribute piano to the recording. He also invited fellow editors Christiane Vielhaber and Barbara Grofe to participate in the background vocals, aiming for a collaborative effort involving the newspaper’s staff.
Recording commenced on January 20th at “Strings’n’Sounds” studio, produced by Ralf Hahn. The arrangement initially featured a sound reminiscent of old vinyl records, including crackling effects on Heuser’s vocals to evoke the feel of early shellac recordings. The instrumentation was kept simple, featuring guitar, accordion, and piano, adhering closely to the original composition.
Heuser subsequently updated the lyrics, maintaining the core message whereas bringing the song into the present day. The revised refrain now reads, “Ich ben der Stadt-Anzeiger zick 150 Johr / och wenn hück alles anders es, ben ich immer för üch do” (“I am the City Advertiser for 150 years / even if today everything is different, I am always there for you”). He also composed a new bridge section, paying homage to Ostermann with the lines, “Selvs der ahle Ostermann fing jeden Daach met der Zeidung ahn / jo, do kannste drop zälle – ohne mich däät jet fähle in Kölle!” (“Even old Ostermann started every day with the newspaper / yes, you can count on that – without me, something would be missing in Cologne!”)
Further recording sessions on January 22nd involved refining the vocals and incorporating the contributions of Vielhaber and Grofe. Hahn encouraged the singers to embrace a joyful delivery, referencing the style of Henning Krautmacher, another popular Cologne-based artist. The final mix was completed on January 27th, marking the completion of the project.
The song’s lyrics, as originally penned by Ostermann, include the lines: “Vür vill Johrzehnte kohm ich als klitzekleine Held / He en der Breitstroß plötzlich des morjens op de Welt” (“For many decades I came as a tiny hero / There on the Breitstroß suddenly one morning into the world”).
