Illusions (1968)

“Illusions”

In the deeply melancholic song “Illusions”, Alexandra sings that all the beauty a person dreams of can be destroyed by a single remark or event. But as long as a person keeps dreaming, there is a chance that this dream will one day become reality.

Udo Jürgens wrote the music for the song and later also sang it himself. Shirley Bassey, who had a good friendship with Udo Jürgens, recorded a jazzy English version: “If I never sing another song”.

Whenever I sing ILLUSIONS I must emphasise that it is originally a German song! “If I Never Sing Another Song” was covered by, among others, Shirley Bassey. ILLUSIONS from 1968 is the darkly melancholic showpiece with original lyrics by Alexandra (1942-1969). Set to the music of Udo Jürgens (1934-2014) who also sang the song himself. Video with images of Sylvia Schwedholm.

“My stepfather, Heinrich Völker (1903-1971), was a magician – my mother, with the stage name Sylvia Schwedholm (1913-1985), was his assistant. But she was not only that, but also a clairvoyant and oracle.

This magician couple was based in Hamburg, but they also performed on stages in Hanover, Stuttgart, Zurich, Vienna and many others.

The Nazi regime ended their career.”

Detlef Schwedhelm

. Detlef Schwedhelm is the neighbour of Pieter van Kerckhoven in Hamburg Bergedorf.