# Lena Valaitis > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Lena_Valaitis > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Lena_Valaitis.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lena_Valaitis > Source revision: 1353162019 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Lithuanian–German schlager singer (born 1943) Lena Valaitis Valaitis at ZDF Fernsehgarten in 2018 Born (1943-09-07) 7 September 1943 (age 82) Memel, Memel Territory, Germany (now Klaipėda, Lithuania) Occupation Singer **Lena Valaitis** (born 7 September 1943) is a [Lithuanian](/source/Lithuania)–[German](/source/Germany) [schlager](/source/Schlager_music) singer who had her greatest success during the 1970s and 1980s. She finished second at the [Eurovision Song Contest 1981](/source/Eurovision_Song_Contest_1981). ## Early life and education Valaitis was born on 7 September 1943 in [Memel](/source/Klaip%C4%97da), which was in the reclaimed [Memel Territory](/source/Klaip%C4%97da_Region) of [East Prussia](/source/East_Prussia) by [Germany](/source/Nazi_Germany). Her father, a soldier of the [Wehrmacht](/source/Wehrmacht), was killed during [World War II](/source/World_War_II). At the end of the war, Valaitis, her mother, and her brother arrived as refugees in [West Germany](/source/West_Germany). She first attended [Volksschule](/source/Volksschule) in [Memmingen](/source/Memmingen) and then the "Lithuanian [Gymnasium](/source/Gymnasium_(school)) Hüttenfeld" in [Hüttenfeld](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=H%C3%BCttenfeld&action=edit&redlink=1) [[de](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C3%BCttenfeld)], [Hesse](/source/Hesse). Valaitis left for training with the [Deutsche Bundespost](/source/Deutsche_Bundespost) in [Frankfurt](/source/Frankfurt), where she received private singing lessons. ## Personal life Valaitis has two sons. Her first son, Marco, was born in 1973 during her first marriage. In 1979, she married actor [Horst Jüssen](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Horst_J%C3%BCssen&action=edit&redlink=1) [[de](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horst_J%C3%BCssen)], with whom she had her second son, Don David, born in 1983. Valaitis currently lives in [Munich](/source/Munich), [Bavaria](/source/Bavaria). ## Career Valaitis began her musical career by joining the band Frederik Brothers.[1] She signed a record contract with [Philips](/source/Philips) in 1970 and released her first single, "Halt das Glück für uns fest", on 13 June 1970. She made her first television appearance in the same year, appearing on *ZDF-Drehscheibe*, a musical program on [ZDF](/source/ZDF). Valaitis achieved her first hit with 1971's "Ob es so oder so, oder anders kommt". Under the production of [Jack White](/source/Jack_White_(producer)), she hits in the following years with "So wie ein Regenbogen", "Bonjour mon amour", and "Wer gibt mir den Himmel zurück". In 1976, Valaitis reached the Top 20 of the German singles chart for the first time with "Da kommt José der Straßenmusikant" and "Ein schöner Tag", a German version of "[Amazing Grace](/source/Amazing_Grace)". She sang "Du machst Karriere" in the German finals of the [Eurovision Song Contest 1976](/source/Eurovision_Song_Contest_1976), achieving seventh place. She also sang the [chanson](/source/Chanson) in the 1977 feature film *[Maiden's War](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Maiden%27s_War&action=edit&redlink=1) [[de](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Der_M%C3%A4dchenkrieg_(Film))]*. Valaitis is perhaps best known for her performance in the [Eurovision Song Contest 1981](/source/Eurovision_Song_Contest_1981). She represented Germany with the song "[Johnny Blue](/source/Johnny_Blue_(song))", which finished second[1] to the [British](/source/United_Kingdom) entry, "[Making Your Mind Up](/source/Making_Your_Mind_Up)" by [Bucks Fizz](/source/Bucks_Fizz_(band)). In the following years she made additional recordings, including a duet with the Greek-born German singer [Costa Cordalis](/source/Costa_Cordalis) in 1984. Her last Eurovision attempt was in 1992 with "Wir sehen uns wieder", which came third in the German selection show, *[Ein Lied Für Malmö](/source/Germany_in_the_Eurovision_Song_Contest_1992)*. Valaitis left show business in the end of 1993, but began releasing new material in the 2000s. She released "Ich lebe für den Augenblick" in 2001 and "Was kann ich denn dafür", a duet with the Austrian singer [Hansi Hinterseer](/source/Hansi_Hinterseer), in 2002. Valaitis recorded another duet with Hinterseer, "*["Muss i' denn zum Städtele hinaus"](/source/Muss_i_denn)*" (the folk song on which [Wooden Heart](/source/Wooden_Heart) was based), in summer 2006. ## Singles - 1970 "Halt das Glück für uns fest" - 1970 "Und das Leben wird weitergehen" - 1971 "Ob es so oder so oder anders kommt" - 1971 "Alles was dein Herz begehrt" - 1971 "Die kleinen Sünden und die kleinen Freuden" - 1972 "Und da steht es geschrieben" - 1972 "Lächeln ist der Weisheit letzter Schluß" - 1973 "So wie ein Regenbogen" - 1973 "Die Welt wird nicht untergeh´n" - 1973 "Ich freu' mich so auf morgen" - 1974 "Bonjour mon amour" - 1974 "Wer gibt mir den Himmel zurück" - 1974 "Ich möchte die Gitarre sein" - 1975 "Was der Wind erzählt" - 1975 "Immer die schönen Träume" - 1975 "Im Regen kann man keine Tränen sehen" - 1976 "Da kommt José, der Straßenmusikant" - 1976 "Ein schöner Tag" ([Amazing Grace](/source/Amazing_Grace)) - 1976 "Komm wieder, wenn du frei bist" - 1977 "Heinz, lass doch die Pauke stehn" - 1977 "...denn so ist Jo" - 1977 "Cheri je t´aime" - 1978 "Ich spreche alle Sprachen dieser Welt" - 1978 "Oh Cavallo" - 1978 "Ich bin verliebt" - 1979 "Auf der Strasse ohne Ziel" - 1979 "Nimm es so wie es kommt" - 1980 "Jamaika Reggae Man" - 1981 "[Johnny Blue](/source/Johnny_Blue_(song))" - 1981 "Johnny Blue (English Version)" - 1981 "Rio Bravo" - 1982 "Highland oh Highland" (with the [Germany national football team](/source/Germany_national_football_team)) - 1982 "Gemeinsam mit Dir" - 1982 "Gloria" - 1983 "Worte wie Sterne" - 1984 "So sind meine Träume" - 1984 "Wenn der Regen auf uns fällt" duet with [Costa Cordalis](/source/Costa_Cordalis)) - 1985 "Mein Schweigen war nur Spiel" - 1986 "Männer sind ´ne verückte Erfindung" - 1987 "Ich liebe dich" - 1988 "Nastrowje Mr. Gorbatschow" - 1992 "Wir sehn uns wieder" - 1993 "Menschen mit Herz" - 2001 "Ich lebe für den Augenblick" (German version of "[There You'll Be](/source/There_You'll_Be)" by [Faith Hill](/source/Faith_Hill) from the movie "[Pearl Harbor](/source/Pearl_Harbor)") - 2002 "Was kann ich denn dafür" (duet with [Hansi Hinterseer](/source/Hansi_Hinterseer)) - 2002 "Und wenn ich meine Augen schließ" - 2003 "Still rinnt die Zeit" - 2004 "Morgen soll die Hochzeit sein" - 2005 "Komm lass uns tanzen (Arabische Nächte)" - 2006 "Muss i denn zum Städtele hinaus" (duet with Hansi Hinterseer) - 2010 "Und ich rufe Deinen Namen" - 2011 "Ich muss immer an Dich denken" - 2012 "Ein schöner Frühlingstag" ## Discography - 1972 *Die Welt der Stars und Hits* - 1974 *Wer gibt mir den Himmel zurück* - 1975 *Star für Millionen* - 1975 *Da kommt Lena* - 1976 *Meinen Freunden* - 1976 *Komm wieder, wenn du frei bist* - 1977 *...denn so ist Lena* - 1978 *Ich bin verliebt* - 1978 *Stardiscothek* - 1979 *Nimm es so, wie es kommt* - 1981 *Johnny Blue - Meine schönsten Lieder* - 1982 *Lena* - 1989 *Weihnachten mit Lena Valaitis* - 2010 *Liebe ist* - 2012 *Ich will alles* ## References 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_1-1) ["Lena Valaitis"](https://eurovisionuniverse.online/encyclopedia/lena-valaitis/). *Eurovision Universe*. Retrieved 2021-12-12. Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Lena Valaitis](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Lena_Valaitis). Preceded by Katja Ebstein with Theater Germany in the Eurovision Song Contest 1981 Succeeded by Nicole with Ein bißchen Frieden v t e Germany in the Eurovision Song Contest Participation 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 Artists Abor & Tynna Lale Andersen Nino de Angelo Ann Sophie Atlantis 2000 Inge Brück Heidi Brühl Cascada Alex Christensen Roger Cicero Cindy and Bert Ben Dolic Dschinghis Khan Katja Ebstein Elaiza Sarah Engels Margot Eskens Joy Fleming Conny Froboess Maxi and Chris Garden Gitte Gracia Malik Harris Margot Hielscher Hoffmann and Hoffmann Wyn Hoop Guildo Horn Les Humphries Singers Isaak Jamie-Lee Jendrik Chris Kempers Alice and Ellen Kessler Daniel Kovac Lena Leon Levina Roman Lob Lord of the Lost Lou Oscar Loya Siw Malmkvist Max Corinna May Mekado Michelle Münchener Freiheit Wencke Myhre Nicole No Angels Nora Nova Ingrid Peters Freddy Quinn Stefan Raab Mary Roos Michael Schulte Walter Andreas Schwarz Ireen Sheer Bianca Shomburg Silver Convention Sisters Stone & Stone Sürpriz Texas Lightning Lena Valaitis Ulla Wiesner Wind Songs "Always on the Run" "Anouschka" "Aufrecht geh'n" "Baller" "Black Smoke" "Blood & Glitter" "Bonne nuit ma chérie" "Can't Wait Until Tonight" "Diese Welt" "Dieser Traum darf niemals sterben" "Disappear" "Dschinghis Khan" "Ein bißchen Frieden" "Ein Hoch der Liebe" "Ein Lied kann eine Brücke sein" "Einmal sehen wir uns wieder" "Feuer" "Fire" "Flieger" "Frauen regier'n die Welt" "Frei zu leben" "Für alle" "Für zwei Groschen Musik" "Ghost" "Glorious" "Guildo hat euch lieb!" "Heute Abend wollen wir tanzen geh'n" "I Can't Live Without Music" "I Don't Feel Hate" "Im Wartesaal zum großen Glück" "Is It Right" "Johnny Blue" "Junger Tag" "Lass die Sonne in dein Herz" "Let's Get Happy" "Lied für einen Freund" "Man gewöhnt sich so schnell an das Schöne" "Marcel" "Miss Kiss Kiss Bang" "No No Never" "Nur die Liebe läßt uns leben" "Paradies, wo bist du?" "Perfect Life" "Planet of Blue" "Primaballerina" "Reise nach Jerusalem – Kudüs'e Seyahat" "Rockstars" "Rücksicht" "Run & Hide" "Satellite" "Sing Sang Song" "Sister" "So geht das jede Nacht" "Die Sommermelodie" "Standing Still" "Taken by a Stranger" "Telefon, Telefon" "Telegram" "Theater" "Träume sind für alle da" "Über die Brücke geh'n" "Verliebt in Dich" "Viel zu weit" "Violent Thing" "Wadde hadde dudde da?" "Wer Liebe lebt" "Wir geben 'ne Party" "Wunder gibt es immer wieder" "You Let Me Walk Alone" "Die Zeiger der Uhr" "Zeit" "Zwei kleine Italiener" Note: Entries scored out signify where Germany did not compete. Italics indicate an entry in a future contest. v t e Eurovision Song Contest 1981 Countries Austria Belgium Cyprus Denmark Finland France Germany Greece Ireland Israel Luxembourg Netherlands Norway Portugal Spain Sweden Switzerland Turkey United Kingdom Yugoslavia Artists Bacchelli Marty Brem Bucks Fizz Debbie Cameron and Tommy Seebach Yiannis Dimitras Jean Gabilou Habibi Island Finn Kalvik Seid Memić Vajta Modern Folk Trio and Ayşegül Carlos Paião Jean-Claude Pascal Peter, Sue and Marc Sheeba Björn Skifs Riki Sorsa Emly Starr Lena Valaitis Linda Williams Songs "Aldri i livet" "C'est peut-être pas l'Amérique" "Dönme Dolap" "Fångad i en dröm" "Feggari kalokerino" "Halayla" "Het is een wonder" "Horoscopes" "Humanahum" "Io senza te" "Johnny Blue" "Krøller eller ej" "Lejla" "Making Your Mind Up" "Monika" "Playback" "Reggae OK" "Samson" "Wenn du da bist" "Y sólo tú" Authority control databases International ISNI VIAF GND WorldCat National United States Artists MusicBrainz People Deutsche Biographie DDB --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Lena Valaitis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lena_Valaitis) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lena_Valaitis?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.