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{{Short description|German singer (born 1962)}}
]
{{BLP sources|date=October 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
{{Infobox musical artist {{Infobox musical artist
| background = person
|Name = Sandra Cretu
| name = Sandra
|Backround = solo_singer
| image = Discoteca '80 (37600607702).jpg
|Birth_name = Sandra Ann Lauer
| alt = Sandra wearing a black skirt and multicoloured top, singing into a microphone onstage
|Born = {{birth date and age|1962|5|18}}
| caption = Sandra in 2017
|Died =
| birth_name = Sandra Ann Lauer
|Origin = ], ], ]
| alias = Sandra Cretu
|Genre = ]
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1962|5|18|df=y}}
|Occupation = ], ]
| birth_place = ], ]
|Years_active = 1970s-present
| spouse = {{marriage|end=div.|]|1988|2007}}
|Label = Virgin
| genre = {{Flat list|
|URL =
* ]<ref>{{cite magazine|first= Wolfgang |last= Spahr |title= The Force Behind the Hits: Germany's Top Tunesmiths |magazine= ] |date= 18 November 1995 |volume= 107 |issue= 46 |page= 78 |issn= 0006-2510 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=ZA0EAAAAMBAJ&q=%22Sandra%22&pg=PA78}}</ref>
* ]<ref>{{cite news|first= Andrew |last= Khan |title= Sounds of Germany – day one: a history of German pop in 10 songs |newspaper= ] |date= 25 June 2012 |access-date= 29 January 2017 |url= https://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/jun/25/sounds-europe-german-pop}}</ref>
* ]<ref>{{cite web|first= Yuri |last= German |title= Arabesque – Artist Biography |website= ] |access-date= 29 January 2017 |url= http://www.allmusic.com/artist/arabesque-mn0000502832/biography}}</ref>
*]
*]
}}
| discography = ]
| years_active = 1975–present
| label = ]
| past_member_of = ], ]
| website = {{URL|sandra-music.com}}
}} }}


'''Sandra Ann Lauer''' (born 18 May 1962), later '''Sandra Cretu''', commonly known ]ously as '''Sandra''' ({{IPA|de|ˈzandʁa}}), is a German ] 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, ], most notably "]" (1985), "]" (1985), "]" (1987), "]" (1988), "]" (1990), and "]" (1992). Her albums '']'' (1988) and '']'' (1992) have won Sandra high critical acclaim.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://rateyourmusic.com/artist/sandra#Album |title=Albums by Sandra |work=] |access-date=23 August 2010}}</ref>{{deprecated source|certain=y|date=November 2024}}
'''Sandra Cretu''' (born as '''Sandra Ann Lauer''' ], ], ], ]) is a popular German singer/songwriter, currently living in ] (]). She was lead singer of the disco trio ], but is most known for her work under her own name ], enjoying a massive following in Europe (especially during the 1980s); she can also be heard on her husband ]'s project ], as the mysterious female voice.


Prior to embarking on a solo career, Sandra was the lead singer of the all-female ] trio ], which had a following in ] and in ]. Also, between 1990 and 2001, she provided vocals on album releases of the very successful musical project ], which had top 10 hits in North America and the United Kingdom. A cult star with a devoted fan base, Sandra remains one of the most popular singers of the 1980s in Continental Europe. During the height of her popularity, she even managed to outsell ] in a number of countries around the world. With sales in excess of 33 million records worldwide, Sandra has established her position as the most successful German female vocalist.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://teledyski.onet.pl/pop-sandra-infinite-kiss,99357,w.html |title=Sandra – Infinite Kiss |publisher=onet.pl |language=pl |access-date=19 July 2013}}</ref><ref name=":0" />
==The Rise to Fame==
Sandra Ann Lauer was born on May 18th, 1962 in the German town of Saarbrücken, close to the French border. Sandra’s father, Robert Lauer, is French and her mother, Karin Lauer, is German. Sandra also had an older brother, Gaston (who died in 1995), who was paraplegic. Her father owned a wine shop in Saarbrücken and her mother worked in a shoe shop. Very early it was clear that Sandra was interested in music and dancing.


==Biography==
She started to learn classical ballet dancing at the age of five and continued doing so for 10 years. At the age of 10, she got her own guitar. A school teacher, who lived in the same street, used to give her lessons. In ] at the age of 13, Sandra was visiting a competition in Saarbrücken, called "''Young Star Festival''", where new talents for the music industry were scouted. She was not actually taking part in the competition, but only in the audience. When all the nominated young hopefuls had finished their parts and the jury was discussing the results, she told her mother that she had to go to the bathroom, stood up, walked onto the stage, talked to the DJ to put on the German cover version of a song from ], grabbed the microphone and started singing. Aided by newfound recognition, she released the single "Andy Mein Freund", a song about a pet dog. The single performed poorly on the charts and she went back to school after the summer holidays. Sandra withdrew from the music scene for a few years.
===1962–1984: Early life and Arabesque===
Sandra Ann Lauer was born on 18 May 1962 in the German town of ], close to the French border. Her French-born father, Robert Lauer (1937–2021), owned a wine store in Saarbrücken, and German-born mother, Karin (''née'' Eltern) (1939–2020), worked in a shoe store. Sandra had an older brother, Gaston, a ] who died in 1995. She showed an early interest in music and dancing, taking ] at the age of five and guitar lessons when she was 10. In 1975, at the age of 13, Sandra went with her mother to see ], a Saarbrücken talent competition. She was only a member of the audience, but when the participants had finished performing and the jury was discussing the results, Sandra walked onto the stage and persuaded the DJ to put on the German version of an ] song. The impromptu performance gained considerable recognition and led to the release of her first single, a song about a pet dog, "]". The single, however, performed poorly.


In 1979, now 17, Sandra joined ], a disco group consisting of Michaela Rose and Jasmine Vetter, and would become the band's lead singer. At that time, Sandra met keyboardist ]. They found that they shared the same birthday, albeit five years apart, and became good friends. Arabesque became successful with their cheerful music and flamboyant costumes, winning a massive following in Japan and scoring a top 10 hit in Germany in 1981 with "Marigot Bay".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.musicline.de/de/chartverfolgung_summary/artist/Arabesque/single |title=Arabesque Single-Chartverfolgung |publisher=www.musicline.de |language=de |access-date=22 July 2013}}</ref> After nine albums, emerging differences in musical interests of group members and decreasing popularity of disco/dance music signalled the group's break-up. Sandra and Michael Cretu, by then romantically involved, moved to Munich where Michael created his own studio, Data-Alpha, named after a song from his album ''Legionäre''. Their first single together was 1984's "Japan ist weit", a German cover of the ] song "]". However, the song failed to chart with only 125 copies sold.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-03-03 |title=Japan Ist Weit |url=http://www.sandra-cretu.narod.ru/Sandra/Discography/japan_e.htm |access-date=2024-03-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303185221/http://www.sandra-cretu.narod.ru/Sandra/Discography/japan_e.htm |archive-date=3 March 2016 }}</ref>
==Arabesque==
] was a disco group consisting of Michaela Rose and Jasmine Vetter, who'd already had a few line up changes before Sandra was signed up and their road to success was set. The trio recorded their second album with Sandra on lead vocals at "''Europasound Studios''" in Offenbach, near ]. It was owned by famous producer ], the creator of ], and later ]. One of the young, innovative and ambitious musicians there was a keyboarder called ]. Sandra and Michael found that they shared the same birthday, albeit five years apart, and became good friends.


===1985–1992: Peak of international career===
With ] a new period in Sandra’s life had begun. For the first time, she was away from her family, appearing on stage and TV in foreign countries, giving interviews, singing at concerts and performing promotion dates. ] became quite successful, and by Sandra's 16th birthday she was a star.
Sandra gained international success in 1985 with the song "]", which topped the charts in 21 countries<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.spiegel.de/kultur/musik/sandra-comeback-haeschen-mit-den-gruebchen-a-467173.html |title=Sandra-Comeback: Häschen mit den Grübchen |author=Thomas Winkler |publisher=www.spiegel.de |work=] |date=19 February 2007 |language=de |access-date=30 April 2009}}</ref> and reached the top 10 in another five. Her first album, '']'' (1985), reached number 12 in Germany and number 2 in Sweden.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://swedishcharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Sandra&titel=The+Long+Play&cat=a |title=Sandra – The Long Play |publisher=swedishcharts.com |access-date=22 July 2013}}</ref> The follow-up single, "]", reached number two in Germany<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://ki.informatik.uni-wuerzburg.de/~topsi/deu1986/deu_jan86.html |title=German Top 20 – The Chart Of January 1986 |publisher=ki.informatik.uni-wuerzburg.de |access-date=30 April 2009}}</ref> and the top 10 in many European countries.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://lescharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Sandra&titel=In+The+Heat+Of+The+Night&cat=s |title=Sandra – In The Heat Of The Night |publisher=lescharts.com |language=fr |access-date=15 September 2010}}</ref> The song also earned Sandra second place at the ] in 1986. "]", accompanied by a music video filmed in ], became the third single from the album in 1986, but was met with moderate success. Shortly after the release of ''The Long Play'', Sandra moved to London for six months to work with singing teacher ] and take drum lessons. She also enrolled at the ] to improve her English, returning to Germany at weekends to record new songs.{{Citation needed|date=April 2022}}


Sandra's second studio album, '']'', was released in October 1986 with "]" chosen as the first single, followed by "]". Both of these up-tempo ] offerings achieved success in continental Europe. Two further singles from the album, the ballad "]" and "]", were only moderate successes. In 1987, Sandra released a cover version of "]", che può esserci her favourite song since childhood, to great international success. The single was a top 10 hit in German-speaking countries and charted within the top 20 internationally.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://hitparade.ch/showitem.asp?interpret=Sandra&titel=Everlasting+Love&cat=s |title=Sandra – Everlasting Love |publisher=hitparade.ch |language=de |access-date=22 July 2013}}</ref> The song was included on Sandra's first greatest hits compilation, '']''.
Arabesque were particularly popular in Japan, and their outrageous, sometimes daring costumes, dance routines and cheerful music can be compared to ] and ]. They enjoyed success in several other countries and scored the top 10 hit "''Marigot Bay''" ] in Germany. After nine studio albums, differences in musical interests and the end of ]'s popularity signalled the group's final breakup.


Sandra and ] married in January 1988 and moved to the Spanish island of ] to work on what would be Sandra's third studio album. '']'' moved from electro-pop to more sophisticated areas of pop, showcased by the first single, "]". The second single, "]", met with even greater success, is considered one of her biggest solo hits<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 February 2016 |title=Lost Albums: SANDRA Into A Secret Land |url=https://www.electricityclub.co.uk/lost-albums-sandra-into-a-secret-land/ |access-date=5 April 2022 |website=ELECTRICITYCLUB.CO.UK |language=en-GB}}</ref> while "]", released as the third single, was the first song she co-wrote. In order to promote her music in the ], another compilation was released at the end of 1988, '']''. The album failed to enter the charts in the USA or the UK but a ] remix of the title track included on the album charted at number 45 in the UK.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theofficialcharts.com/artist/_/sandra |title=SANDRA |publisher=www.theofficialcharts.com |work=] |access-date=10 July 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110809170332/http://www.theofficialcharts.com/artist/_/sandra/ |archive-date=9 August 2011 }}</ref> 1989 saw the release of the fin al single from ''Into a Secret Land'', "]", which became another chart hit. With ] and ] high on her personal agenda, Sandra took part in recording "Yes We Can" with 15 other performers for Artists United for Nature.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sandranet.com/sandra/discography/yeswecansite.htm |title=Yes we can |publisher=www.sandranet.com |access-date=22 July 2013}}</ref>
==The Influence of Michael Cretu==
Sandra was still only 19 years old. Not wishing to end her career at such a young age, Michael Cretu became an important figure in her career.


Sandra's fourth album, '']'', was released in March 1990 and became her highest-charting album in her home country.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.officialcharts.de/ersuche.asp?kategorie=chart&interpret_suche=sandra&titel_suche=&jahr=&cat=a |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140707113543/http://www.officialcharts.de/ersuche.asp?kategorie=chart&interpret_suche=sandra&titel_suche=&jahr=&cat=a |url-status=dead |archive-date=7 July 2014 |title=Erweiterte Suche |publisher=www.officialcharts.de |language=de |access-date=6 November 2012}}</ref> "]" was released as the lead single and was a hit. Danceable "]" and ballad "]" were released as the second and third singles off the album, respectively, but were only modest successes. Sandra accepted an award for the best-selling German artist at the 1990 ] in ]. Also in 1990, the singer contributed vocals to four songs for her husband's musical project ], including the worldwide number 1 hit "]".
He joined Arabesque on a tour through Japan as keyboarder. According to Sandra it was then that their friendship became a romance. Sandra and Michael moved to Munich, where Michael soon brought his own studio, called "''Data-Alpha''", after a song from his solo album "''Legionäre''".
Their first single together ] was a cover of the ] song "''Japan ist weit''" (Big in Japan), an appropriate way to describe Sandra's fame up to that point. Unfortunately the song failed to reach the charts.
However, with her team, now known simply as ], she persisted and finally found success.


In early 1992, Sandra's fifth album was released, '']'', which continued a more mature, less dance-orientated musical style. The album was a remarkable international success as was its lead single, "]". However, the second single, "I Need Love", was her first since 1984 to fail to chart. Later in 1992, a new compilation was released, '']''. It included most of her previous single songs and a re-recording of "]", originally from ''Paintings in Yellow'', which was released as a single and became a minor hit in Germany and the Netherlands.
]


===1993–2006: Comeback attempts===
==Discography==
]
In 1993, Sandra released a new version of "]" with a ] arrangement and futuristic music video. The re-recording turned out to be a flop. Nonetheless, she sang on three songs on Enigma's next album, '']'', including the hit single "]".


While pregnant with twins, Sandra recorded and released '']'' in 1995. The album saw new writer-producer ] working alongside Michael Cretu and comprised mostly pop-orientated material. A cover version of "]" by ] was released as the first single, becoming one of Sandra's lowest-charting singles in Germany, although it was a hit in Israel.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sandranet.com/sandra/discography/nightsinwhitesatin.htm |title=Nights in white Satin |work=www.sandranet.com |access-date=15 September 2010}}</ref> The album met a lukewarm commercial and critical reception, and the second single, "Won't Run Away", failed to chart. After giving birth to sons Nikita and Sebastian in a Munich hospital through ] in July 1995, Sandra decided to put her career on hold. However, the following year she participated in recording two songs for Enigma's third album 1999 saw the release of '']'', a double disc album featuring remixes of Sandra's older songs and some of her favourite ballads. It was a success, charting within the top 20 in some European countries. A new version of "]" was released as a single, accompanied by a music video in which Sandra sported a shorter hairstyle. Her vocals again appeared in two songs on Enigma's 2000 album '']'' as well as the project's 2001 single "]". She released ballad "]" in 2001, which was a minor chart success in Germany. It foreshadowed her next studio album, '']'', eventually released in spring 2002, after several delays. The album was a chart success and met a positive critical response, producing two more singles, "]", originally performed by ], and another ballad "I Close My Eyes". In 2003, the DVD ''The Complete History'' was released, featuring all of her music videos. The same year, Sandra contributed vocals for Enigma's '']'' album, which would mark the last time she worked with the project.
:*Andy Mein Freund (1976)
:*Japan Ist Weit (1984)


After several years' break, in 2006 Sandra teamed up with Swiss singer ] for a duet "]" on his ''Greatest Hits'' album. The single was a big hit, reaching top 5 in Switzerland and top 20 in Germany. Sandra subsequently took up performing live again and began working on her next album. In late 2006, '']'' was released, an album consisting of remixes of Sandra's biggest hits. A new ballad version of "]" was released as a promotional single in Germany while the remix of "]" proved to be a big radio hit in Poland.
*The Long Play (Album, 1985)
:*Maria Magdalena (1985)
:*In the Heat of the Night (1985)
:*Little Girl (1986)


===2007–present: A new musical direction===
*Mirrors (Album, 1986)
]
:*Innocent Love (1986)
'']'', a studio album, was released in February 2007. It reached the top 20 in Germany and enjoyed minor success internationally. For the first time, ] did not participate in recording one of her albums as he was reportedly busy with Enigma; ] produced the entire work. Sandra participated in composing and writing the album, making it a reflection of the struggles in her personal life. (In November 2007, Sandra and Michael divorced and she spent the following year touring Europe.) "]" was the album's lead single, peaking at number 50 in Germany, while the second single, "What Is It About Me", failed to chart.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.musicline.de/de/chartverfolgung_summary/artist/Sandra/22617/single |title=Sandra Single-Chartverfolgung |publisher=www.musicline.de |language=de |access-date=23 July 2013 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304053617/http://www.musicline.de/de/chartverfolgung_summary/artist/Sandra/22617/single |url-status=dead }}</ref> However, her version of ]' "]" became a big radio hit in Poland.{{citation needed|date=March 2021}}
:*Hi! Hi! Hi! (1986)
:*Loreen (1986)
:*Midnight Man (1987)


Her next album, '']'', was released in March 2009, showcasing up-tempo material influenced by Latin pop, dance, and R&B. "]" and "]", the latter featuring ] of ], were released as singles and had modest success in Germany. Later in 2009, a three-disc compilation titled '']'' was released, featuring all of Sandra's hit singles as well as some album tracks and extended versions.
*Ten On One (The Singles) (Collection + VHS, 1987)
:*] (1987)
:*Stop For A Minute (1988)


2012 saw the release of '']'', Sandra's tenth studio album.<ref>{{Cite web|title=SANDRA STAY IN TOUCH NEW ALBUM 2012|url=https://www.vincesteven.com/SANDRA-STAY-IN-TOUCH-NEW-ALBUM|access-date=24 December 2020|website=VINCESTEVEN|language=fr}}</ref> Produced by German DJ duo ], the album incorporated 1980s sounds reminiscent of her early albums. "]" was released as the first single and peaked at 77 in Germany while the second single, "]" failed to chart. However, the album was a modest success internationally and received warm response.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Popsängerin Sandra meldet sich mit neuem Album zurück|url=https://www.vip.de/cms/popsaengerin-sandra-meldet-sich-mit-neuem-album-zurueck-1301754.html|access-date=20 March 2021|website=vip.de|date=23 October 2012 |language=de}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Sandra: "Stay In Touch" stürmt die Album-Charts|url=https://www.magistrix.de/news/musik/11128-sandra-stay-in-touch-stuermt-die-album-charts|access-date=20 March 2021|website=Magistrix}}</ref>
*Into a Secret Land (Album, 1988)
:*Heaven Can Wait (1988)
:*Secret Land (1988)
:*We'll Be Together (1989)
:*Around My Heart (1989)


In August 2014, her management was transitioned to ].{{Citation needed|date=October 2023}}
*Everlasting Love (Collection, UK-Release, 1988)
:*Everlasting Love (PWL-Remix, UK, 1988)


==Personal life==
*Paintings In Yellow (1990)
Sandra and Michael Cretu, who share the same birthday, were married and became parents of twin sons. They later separated.
:*Hiroshima (1989) (#4 Germany)(#16 france)
:* (Life May Be) A Big Insanity (1990)
:*One More Night (1990)


While Cretu has been living in Germany since May 2009, Sandra remained in Ibiza and married music producer ] in 2010,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.bunte.de/newsline/sandra-sie-hat-heimlich-geheiratet_aid_15482.html |title=Sandra: Sie hat heimlich geheiratet |date=4 March 2010 |publisher=www.bunte.de |language=de |access-date=23 July 2013}}</ref> but they separated in 2014.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.bild.de/unterhaltung/leute/saengerin/trennung-von-olaf-menges-37504126.bild.html |title=Sängerin Sandra: Trennung von Ehemann Nr. 2! |date=2 September 2014 |publisher=www.bild.de |language=de |access-date=2 September 2014}}</ref>
*] (1992)
:*Don't Be Aggressive (1992)
:*I Need Love (1992)
:*Steady Me (1992)


==Discography==
*18 Greatest Hits (collection + VHS, 1992)
{{Main|Sandra discography}}
:*Johnny Wanna Live (1992)
{{div col}}
* '']'' (1985)
* '']'' (1986)
* '']'' (1988)
* '']'' (1990)
* '']'' (1992)
* '']'' (1995)
* '']'' (2002)
* '']'' (2007)
* '']'' (2009)
* '']'' (2012)
{{div col end}}


==References==
:* (I'll Never Be) Maria Magdalena ('93 Remix) (1993)
{{Reflist}}

*Sandra Box Collection (1994)

*Fading Shades (1995)
:*Nights In White Satin (1995)
:*Won't Run Away (1995)

*My Favourites (Favourites & Remixes, 1999)
:*Secret Land ('99 Remix) (1999)

*The Wheel Of Time (2002)
:*Forever (2001)
:*Such A Shame (2002)
:*I Close My Eyes (2002)
:*Forgive Me (2002, Promo)

*The Complete History (DVD, 2003)

*Essential Sandra (2003, same as 18 Greatest Hits)

*Secrets Of Love (duet single with DJ Bobo, 2006)

*Reflections (the reproduced hits, 2006)

*The Art Of Love (2007/02/23)
:*The Way I Am (2007/01/26)

See also ], ], ]
ngocta

==Audio sample==
{{Listen|filename=Sandra - (I'll Never Be) Maria Magdalena excerpt.ogg|title=Sandra - (I'll Never Be) Maria Magdalena excerpt|description=An excerpt from ''(I'll Never Be) Maria Magdalena ''}}


==External links== ==External links==
{{cc}}
* - Fan site registered and hosted in the Netherlands.
* {{Official website|sandra-music.com}}
* http://www.enigma-fanclub.com/sandra - Sandra Promo Page from enigma-fanclub.com
* {{AllMusic|class=artist|id=mn0000287741}}
* http://www.enigma-fanclub.com/discography - International Discography (illustrated)
* {{Discogs artist|42488-Sandra}}
* http://www.enigmamusic.com - For the Ultimate Enigma Fan Experience!
* {{IMDb name|1117030}}
* http://www.enigmamusic.com/forum - The Enigma Message Moard ('''EMB''') for Sandra and Enigma related discussions.
* http://www.enigmacretu.com
* - Fan site hosted in Germany.
* http://mike13sk.skyblog.com Collections CD & DVD
* http://cretuland.skyblog.com Complet History
* - Fan site hosted in Russia.
* - Fan site hosted in Russia.
* http://www.the-wheel.de/
* http://www.sandrainfo.com - Very interesting site about Sandra
* http://sandra.spb.su - Russian Fan Club (St.-Petersburg)
* http://www.sandravision.de
* http://www.sandracretu.fr - french site dedicated to Sandra
{{Enigma}}
* http://mike13sk.skyblog.com Collections CD & DVD
* http://cretuland.skyblog.com Complet History


{{DEFAULTSORT:Cretu, Sandra}} {{Sandra}}
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Latest revision as of 16:16, 12 January 2025

German singer (born 1962)
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Sandra
Sandra wearing a black skirt and multicoloured top, singing into a microphone onstageSandra in 2017
Background information
Birth nameSandra Ann Lauer
Also known asSandra Cretu
Born (1962-05-18) 18 May 1962 (age 62)
Saarbrücken, West Germany
Genres
DiscographySandra discography
Years active1975–present
LabelsVirgin
Formerly ofArabesque, Enigma
Spouse Michael Cretu ​ ​(m. 1988; div. 2007)​
Websitesandra-music.com
Musical artist

Sandra Ann Lauer (born 18 May 1962), later Sandra Cretu, commonly known mononymously as Sandra (German pronunciation: [ˈzandʁa]), 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 in Soviet Union. Also, between 1990 and 2001, 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 the most popular singers of the 1980s in Continental Europe. During the height of her popularity, she even managed to outsell Madonna in a number of countries around the world. With sales in excess of 33 million records worldwide, Sandra has established her position as the most successful German female vocalist.

Biography

1962–1984: Early life and Arabesque

Sandra Ann Lauer was born on 18 May 1962 in the German town of Saarbrücken, close to the French border. Her French-born father, Robert Lauer (1937–2021), owned a wine store in Saarbrücken, and German-born mother, Karin (née Eltern) (1939–2020), worked in a shoe store. Sandra had an older brother, Gaston, a paraplegic who died in 1995. She showed an early interest in music and dancing, taking classical ballet at the age of five and guitar lessons when she was 10. In 1975, at the age of 13, Sandra went with her mother to see Young Star Festival, a Saarbrücken talent competition. She was only a member of the audience, but when the participants had finished performing and the jury was discussing the results, Sandra walked onto the stage and persuaded the DJ to put on the German version of an Olivia Newton-John song. The impromptu performance gained considerable recognition and led to the release of her first single, a song about a pet dog, "Andy mein Freund". The single, however, performed poorly.

In 1979, now 17, Sandra joined Arabesque, a disco group consisting of Michaela Rose and Jasmine Vetter, and would become the band's lead singer. At that time, Sandra met keyboardist Michael Cretu. They found that they shared the same birthday, albeit five years apart, and became good friends. Arabesque became successful with their cheerful music and flamboyant costumes, winning a massive following in Japan and scoring a top 10 hit in Germany in 1981 with "Marigot Bay". After nine albums, emerging differences in musical interests of group members and decreasing popularity of disco/dance music signalled the group's break-up. Sandra and Michael Cretu, by then romantically involved, moved to Munich where Michael created his own studio, Data-Alpha, named after a song from his album Legionäre. Their first single together was 1984's "Japan ist weit", a German cover of the Alphaville song "Big in Japan". However, the song failed to chart with only 125 copies sold.

1985–1992: Peak of international career

Sandra gained international success in 1985 with the song "(I'll Never Be) Maria Magdalena", which topped the charts in 21 countries and reached the top 10 in another five. Her first album, The Long Play (1985), reached number 12 in Germany and number 2 in Sweden. The follow-up single, "In the Heat of the Night", reached number two in Germany and the top 10 in many European countries. The song also earned Sandra second place at the Tokyo Music Festival in 1986. "Little Girl", accompanied by a music video filmed in Venice, became the third single from the album in 1986, but was met with moderate success. Shortly after the release of The Long Play, Sandra moved to London for six months to work with singing teacher Helena Shelen and take drum lessons. She also enrolled at the London Berlitz School of Languages to improve her English, returning to Germany at weekends to record new songs.

Sandra's second studio album, Mirrors, was released in October 1986 with "Innocent Love" chosen as the first single, followed by "Hi! Hi! Hi!". Both of these up-tempo synth-pop offerings achieved success in continental Europe. Two further singles from the album, the ballad "Loreen" and "Midnight Man", were only moderate successes. In 1987, Sandra released a cover version of "Everlasting Love", che può esserci her favourite song since childhood, to great international success. The single was a top 10 hit in German-speaking countries and charted within the top 20 internationally. The song was included on Sandra's first greatest hits compilation, Ten on One (The Singles).

Sandra and Michael Cretu married in January 1988 and moved to the Spanish island of Ibiza to work on what would be Sandra's third studio album. Into a Secret Land moved from electro-pop to more sophisticated areas of pop, showcased by the first single, "Heaven Can Wait". The second single, "Secret Land", met with even greater success, is considered one of her biggest solo hits while "We'll Be Together", released as the third single, was the first song she co-wrote. In order to promote her music in the English-speaking world, another compilation was released at the end of 1988, Everlasting Love. The album failed to enter the charts in the USA or the UK but a PWL remix of the title track included on the album charted at number 45 in the UK. 1989 saw the release of the fin al single from Into a Secret Land, "Around My Heart", which became another chart hit. With animal rights and nature conservation high on her personal agenda, Sandra took part in recording "Yes We Can" with 15 other performers for Artists United for Nature.

Sandra's fourth album, Paintings in Yellow, was released in March 1990 and became her highest-charting album in her home country. "Hiroshima" was released as the lead single and was a hit. Danceable "(Life May Be) A Big Insanity" and ballad "One More Night" were released as the second and third singles off the album, respectively, but were only modest successes. Sandra accepted an award for the best-selling German artist at the 1990 World Music Awards in Monte Carlo. Also in 1990, the singer contributed vocals to four songs for her husband's musical project Enigma, including the worldwide number 1 hit "Sadeness (Part I)".

In early 1992, Sandra's fifth album was released, Close to Seven, which continued a more mature, less dance-orientated musical style. The album was a remarkable international success as was its lead single, "Don't Be Aggressive". However, the second single, "I Need Love", was her first since 1984 to fail to chart. Later in 1992, a new compilation was released, 18 Greatest Hits. It included most of her previous single songs and a re-recording of "Johnny Wanna Live", originally from Paintings in Yellow, which was released as a single and became a minor hit in Germany and the Netherlands.

1993–2006: Comeback attempts

Sandra in 2007
Sandra in 2007

In 1993, Sandra released a new version of "Maria Magdalena" with a techno arrangement and futuristic music video. The re-recording turned out to be a flop. Nonetheless, she sang on three songs on Enigma's next album, The Cross of Changes, including the hit single "Return to Innocence".

While pregnant with twins, Sandra recorded and released Fading Shades in 1995. The album saw new writer-producer Jens Gad working alongside Michael Cretu and comprised mostly pop-orientated material. A cover version of "Nights in White Satin" by The Moody Blues was released as the first single, becoming one of Sandra's lowest-charting singles in Germany, although it was a hit in Israel. The album met a lukewarm commercial and critical reception, and the second single, "Won't Run Away", failed to chart. After giving birth to sons Nikita and Sebastian in a Munich hospital through Caesarean section in July 1995, Sandra decided to put her career on hold. However, the following year she participated in recording two songs for Enigma's third album 1999 saw the release of My Favourites, a double disc album featuring remixes of Sandra's older songs and some of her favourite ballads. It was a success, charting within the top 20 in some European countries. A new version of "Secret Land" was released as a single, accompanied by a music video in which Sandra sported a shorter hairstyle. Her vocals again appeared in two songs on Enigma's 2000 album The Screen Behind the Mirror as well as the project's 2001 single "Turn Around". She released ballad "Forever" in 2001, which was a minor chart success in Germany. It foreshadowed her next studio album, The Wheel of Time, eventually released in spring 2002, after several delays. The album was a chart success and met a positive critical response, producing two more singles, "Such a Shame", originally performed by Talk Talk, and another ballad "I Close My Eyes". In 2003, the DVD The Complete History was released, featuring all of her music videos. The same year, Sandra contributed vocals for Enigma's Voyageur album, which would mark the last time she worked with the project.

After several years' break, in 2006 Sandra teamed up with Swiss singer DJ BoBo for a duet "Secrets of Love" on his Greatest Hits album. The single was a big hit, reaching top 5 in Switzerland and top 20 in Germany. Sandra subsequently took up performing live again and began working on her next album. In late 2006, Reflections was released, an album consisting of remixes of Sandra's biggest hits. A new ballad version of "Everlasting Love" was released as a promotional single in Germany while the remix of "Around My Heart" proved to be a big radio hit in Poland.

2007–present: A new musical direction

Sandra performing in 2017

The Art of Love, a studio album, was released in February 2007. It reached the top 20 in Germany and enjoyed minor success internationally. For the first time, Michael Cretu did not participate in recording one of her albums as he was reportedly busy with Enigma; Jens Gad produced the entire work. Sandra participated in composing and writing the album, making it a reflection of the struggles in her personal life. (In November 2007, Sandra and Michael divorced and she spent the following year touring Europe.) "The Way I Am" was the album's lead single, peaking at number 50 in Germany, while the second single, "What Is It About Me", failed to chart. However, her version of The Hooters' "All You Zombies" became a big radio hit in Poland.

Her next album, Back to Life, was released in March 2009, showcasing up-tempo material influenced by Latin pop, dance, and R&B. "In a Heartbeat" and "The Night Is Still Young", the latter featuring Thomas Anders of Modern Talking, were released as singles and had modest success in Germany. Later in 2009, a three-disc compilation titled The Platinum Collection was released, featuring all of Sandra's hit singles as well as some album tracks and extended versions.

2012 saw the release of Stay in Touch, Sandra's tenth studio album. Produced by German DJ duo Blank & Jones, the album incorporated 1980s sounds reminiscent of her early albums. "Maybe Tonight" was released as the first single and peaked at 77 in Germany while the second single, "Infinite Kiss" failed to chart. However, the album was a modest success internationally and received warm response.

In August 2014, her management was transitioned to Alexei Perschukewitsch.

Personal life

Sandra and Michael Cretu, who share the same birthday, were married and became parents of twin sons. They later separated.

While Cretu has been living in Germany since May 2009, Sandra remained in Ibiza and married music producer Olaf Menges in 2010, but they separated in 2014.

Discography

Main article: Sandra discography

References

  1. Spahr, Wolfgang (18 November 1995). "The Force Behind the Hits: Germany's Top Tunesmiths". Billboard. Vol. 107, no. 46. p. 78. ISSN 0006-2510.
  2. Khan, Andrew (25 June 2012). "Sounds of Germany – day one: a history of German pop in 10 songs". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
  3. German, Yuri. "Arabesque – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
  4. "Albums by Sandra". Rate Your Music. Retrieved 23 August 2010.
  5. "Sandra – Infinite Kiss" (in Polish). onet.pl. Retrieved 19 July 2013.
  6. ^ "Popsängerin Sandra meldet sich mit neuem Album zurück". vip.de (in German). 23 October 2012. Retrieved 20 March 2021.
  7. "Arabesque Single-Chartverfolgung" (in German). www.musicline.de. Retrieved 22 July 2013.
  8. "Japan Ist Weit". 3 March 2016. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
  9. Thomas Winkler (19 February 2007). "Sandra-Comeback: Häschen mit den Grübchen". Der Spiegel (in German). www.spiegel.de. Retrieved 30 April 2009.
  10. "Sandra – The Long Play". swedishcharts.com. Retrieved 22 July 2013.
  11. "German Top 20 – The Chart Of January 1986". ki.informatik.uni-wuerzburg.de. Retrieved 30 April 2009.
  12. "Sandra – In The Heat Of The Night" (in French). lescharts.com. Retrieved 15 September 2010.
  13. "Sandra – Everlasting Love" (in German). hitparade.ch. Retrieved 22 July 2013.
  14. "Lost Albums: SANDRA Into A Secret Land". ELECTRICITYCLUB.CO.UK. 27 February 2016. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
  15. "SANDRA". Official Charts Company. www.theofficialcharts.com. Archived from the original on 9 August 2011. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
  16. "Yes we can". www.sandranet.com. Retrieved 22 July 2013.
  17. "Erweiterte Suche" (in German). www.officialcharts.de. Archived from the original on 7 July 2014. Retrieved 6 November 2012.
  18. "Nights in white Satin". www.sandranet.com. Retrieved 15 September 2010.
  19. "Sandra Single-Chartverfolgung" (in German). www.musicline.de. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
  20. "SANDRA STAY IN TOUCH NEW ALBUM 2012". VINCESTEVEN (in French). Retrieved 24 December 2020.
  21. "Sandra: "Stay In Touch" stürmt die Album-Charts". Magistrix. Retrieved 20 March 2021.
  22. "Sandra: Sie hat heimlich geheiratet" (in German). www.bunte.de. 4 March 2010. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
  23. "Sängerin Sandra: Trennung von Ehemann Nr. 2!" (in German). www.bild.de. 2 September 2014. Retrieved 2 September 2014.

External links

Sandra
Studio albums
Compilation albums
Singles
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