Sandra

Biography

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×In the Heat of the Night1985 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracksAIn the Heat of the Night3:56BHeatwave (instrumental)3:26" (1985), "Everlasting Love×Everlasting Love1987 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracksAEverlasting Love3:49BChange Your Mind4:04" (1987), "Secret Land×Secret Land1988 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracksASecret Land4:05BInto Nobody’s Land4:05" (1988), "Hiroshima×Hiroshima1989 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Hiroshima (single version)4:162Hiroshima (extended version)6:463Hiroshima (dub mix)3:094Heaven Can Wait (US remix)7:11" (1990), and "Don't Be Aggressive×Don't Be Aggressive1992 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1Don't Be Aggressive (radio edit)4:252Don't Be Aggressive (The Midnight Hour mix)6:243Seal It Forever4:47" (1992). Her studio albums Into a Secret Land×Into a Secret Land16 December 1988 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 9 tracks1Secret Land4:412We'll Be Together4:093Heaven Can Wait4:044Just Like Diamonds5:345Around My Heart3:176Crazy Juliet4:107La vista de Luna3:438Celebrate Your Life3:289Children of England3:58 (1988) and Close to Seven×Close to Seven17 February 1992 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracks1Don't Be Aggressive4:482Mirrored in Your Eyes3:293I Need Love3:264No Taboo3:535When the Rain Doesn't Come4:466Steady Me3:597Shadows3:538Seal It Forever4:539Love Turns to Pain5:0110Your Way to India5:51 (1992) have won Sandra 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 the Soviet Union. Also, between 1990 and 2003, she provided vocals on album releases of the musical project Enigma, which had top 10 hits in North America and the United Kingdom. Sandra remains a popular singer in Continental Europe. During the height of her popularity, she outsold 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.

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×Andy mein Freund1976 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracksAAndy mein Freund3:57BIch bin noch ein Kind3:58". 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×Japan ist weitApril 1984 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracksAJapan ist weit3:44BSekunden3:21", 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×The Long Play1985 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 8 tracks1In the Heat of the Night5:212On the Tray (Seven Years)3:473Little Girl3:134You and I6:015(I'll Never Be) Maria Magdalena5:576Heartbeat (That's Emotion)4:567Sisters and Brothers3:258Change Your Mind4:02 (1985), reached number 12 in Germany and number 2 in Sweden. The follow-up single, "In the Heat of the Night×In the Heat of the Night1985 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracksAIn the Heat of the Night3:56BHeatwave (instrumental)3:26", 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×Little Girl1986 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracksALittle Girl3:11BSisters And Brothers3:23", 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 on weekends to record new songs.
Sandra's second studio album, Mirrors×Mirrors26 August 1986 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 9 tracksA1The Second Day0:36A2Don't Cry (The Breakup of the World)4:56A3Hi! Hi! Hi!4:12A4Midnight Man3:05A5You'll Be Mine4:33B1Innocent Love5:25B2Two Lovers Tonight3:47B3Mirror of Love4:15B4Loreen4:17, was released in October 1986 with "Innocent Love×Innocent Love1986 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracksAInnocent LoveBHi! Hi! Hi!" 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×LoreenNovember 1986 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracksALoreen4:17BDon't Cry (The Breakup of the World)4:49" and "Midnight Man×Midnight ManJanuary 1987 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracksAMidnight Man3:03BMirror of Love4:13", were only moderate successes. In 1987, Sandra released a cover version of "Everlasting Love×Everlasting Love1987 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracksAEverlasting Love3:49BChange Your Mind4:04", which she said had been 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)×Ten on One (The Singles)5 October 1987 · Album · CompilationSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracks1Everlasting Love3:452Hi! Hi! Hi!4:113Stop for a Minute4:064Innocent Love5:215Little Girl3:116(I’ll Never Be) Maria Magdalena3:587In the Heat of the Night5:188Midnight Man3:049Don’t Cry (The Breakup of the World)4:5210Loreen4:12.
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×Heaven Can Wait1988 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1Heaven Can Wait (extended version)7:382Heaven Can Wait (dub mix)4:013Heaven Can Wait (single version)4:05". The second single, "Secret Land×Secret Land1988 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracksASecret Land4:05BInto Nobody’s Land4:05", 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 US 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×Around My HeartApril 1989 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1Around My Heart (single version)3:122Around My Heart (extended version)6:013Around My Drums (instrumental)3:14", 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×Paintings In Yellow26 March 1990 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 8 tracksA1Hiroshima6:50A2(Life May Be) A Big Insanity4:29A3Johnny Wanna Live4:26A4Lovelight In Your Eyes5:27B1One More Night4:06B2The Skin I'm In3:40B3Paintings In Yellow5:50B4The Journey7:27, was released in March 1990 and became her highest-charting album in her home country. "Hiroshima×Hiroshima1989 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Hiroshima (single version)4:162Hiroshima (extended version)6:463Hiroshima (dub mix)3:094Heaven Can Wait (US remix)7:11" was released as the lead single and was a hit. Danceable "(Life May Be) A Big Insanity×(Life May Be) A Big Insanity1990 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 5 tracks1(Life May Be) A Big Insanity (radio edit)4:312(Life May Be) A Big Insanity (club mix)6:153(Life May Be) A Big Insanity (dance mix)6:464(Life May Be) A Big Insanity (dub mix)2:335The Skin I'm In (single version)3:40" and ballad "One More Night×One More NightSeptember 1990 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracksA1One More Night (extended version)5:08A2One More Night (single version)3:41BThe Journey7:27" 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×Close to Seven17 February 1992 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracks1Don't Be Aggressive4:482Mirrored in Your Eyes3:293I Need Love3:264No Taboo3:535When the Rain Doesn't Come4:466Steady Me3:597Shadows3:538Seal It Forever4:539Love Turns to Pain5:0110Your Way to India5:51, 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×Don't Be Aggressive1992 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1Don't Be Aggressive (radio edit)4:252Don't Be Aggressive (The Midnight Hour mix)6:243Seal It Forever4:47". However, the second single, "I Need Love×I Need Love1992 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1I Need Love (radio edit)3:212I Need Love (Trance-Techno mix)6:023Shadows3:48", was her first since 1984 to fail to chart. Later in 1992, a new compilation was released, 18 Greatest Hits×18 Greatest Hits1992 · Album · CompilationSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 20 tracks1Maria Magdalena4:012In the Heat of the Night5:023Little Girl3:104Innocent Love4:175Hi! Hi! Hi!4:106Loreen4:117Midnight Man3:048Everlasting Love3:419Stop for a Minute4:0410Heaven Can Wait4:0711Secret Land4:0312We'll Be Together3:4813Around My Heart3:0814Hiroshima4:1415(Life May Be) A Big Insanity4:2716One More Night3:4117Don't Be Aggressive4:2418Johnny Wanna Live3:5019Night In White Satin3:3720Steal It Forever4:51. It included most of her previous single songs and a re-recording of "Johnny Wanna Live×Johnny Wanna Live1992 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1Johnny Wanna Live3:502Johnny Wanna Live (extended version)5:183Mirrored in Your Eyes3:22", 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

In 1993, Sandra released a new version of "Maria Magdalena×Maria Magdalena1993 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1Maria Magdalena (radio edit)3:582Maria Magdalena (clubmix)6:013Maria Magdalena (original version)3:58" 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×Nights in White Satin1995 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 5 tracks1Nights in White Satin (radio edit)3:382Nights in White Satin (club mix)6:093Nights in White Satin (Techno mix)5:324Nights in White Satin (Jungle mix)6:115Nights in White Satin (dub version)4:03" 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×Won't Run Away1995 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Won't Run Away (radio edit)4:142Won't Run Away (The Sunshine mix)7:263Won't Run Away (Happy Dancer mix)5:004Won't Run Away (extended Guitar mix)6:27", 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×Secret Land1988 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracksASecret Land4:05BInto Nobody’s Land4:05" 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×Forever2001 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Forever (radio edit)3:462Forever (Straight 4 U radio edit)3:333Forever (Beatnik club mix)8:594Forever (Straight 4 U mix)5:43" in 2001, which was a minor chart success in Germany. It foreshadowed her next studio album, The Wheel of Time×The Wheel of Time29 April 2002 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1Forgive Me4:262Footprints3:453Motivation4:044I Close My Eyes4:075Perfect Touch3:466Silent Running4:197Such a Shame4:218Now!4:039Free Love4:1610Forever3:4711The Wheel of Time4:09, 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×Such a Shame25 March 2002 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Such a Shame (radio edit)4:222Such a Shame (Straight dance mix)8:003Such a Shame (Cool club mix)5:264Such a Shame (karaoke version)4:17", originally performed by Talk Talk, and another ballad "I Close My Eyes×I Close My Eyes11 November 2002 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1I Close My Eyes4:052Forgive Me (Chill Out radio edit)4:203The Wheel of Time4:09". 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×Secrets of Love2006 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 5 tracks1Secrets of Love (radio version)3:172Secrets of Love (club mix radio edit)3:593Secrets of Love (club mix)6:424Secrets of Love (instrumental)3:195Secrets of Love3:19" 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×Everlasting Love1987 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracksAEverlasting Love3:49BChange Your Mind4:04" was released as a promotional single in Germany while the remix of "Around My Heart×Around My HeartApril 1989 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1Around My Heart (single version)3:122Around My Heart (extended version)6:013Around My Drums (instrumental)3:14" proved to be a big radio hit in Poland.

2007–present: a new musical direction

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×The Way I Am26 January 2007 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 5 tracks1The Way I Am (radio edit)3:302The Way I Am (extended club edit)6:593The Way I Am (lounge edit)5:064Logical Love3:335Sleep (alternative version “Casino Royale”)3:21" was the album's lead single, peaking at number 50 in Germany, while the second single, "What Is It About Me×What Is It About Me18 May 2007 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 5 tracks1What Is It About Me (Radio Edit)3:092What Is It About Me (Lounge Edit)5:093What D'Ya Think Of Me4:324Les Qu'est-Ce Que C'est4:135Silencio A Mi Lado3:38", 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×Back to Life27 March 2009 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 15 tracks1R U Feeling Me3:432Once in a Lifetime3:523In a Heartbeat3:384The Night Is Still Young3:205Just Like Breathing3:156Never Before3:477Always on My Mind3:188Behind Those Words3:059What If2:5010Say Love3:2911Put Some 80ies in It3:2412These Moments3:3113I Want You3:5214Tête à tête3:4515Who I Am4:06, was released in March 2009, showcasing up-tempo material influenced by Latin pop, dance, and R&B. "In a Heartbeat×In A Heartbeat6 March 2009 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1In A Heartbeat (Album Version)3:362In A Heartbeat (NYC 38th Street Mix)5:214These Moments (Album Version)3:294Kiss My... (Exclusive Track)3:07" and "The Night Is Still Young×The Night Is Still Young8 May 2009 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1The Night Is Still Young3:222The Night Is Still Young (Casa Sylt Mix)4:453The Night Is Still Young (Solo Version)3:224Redis Moi3:45", 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×The Platinum Collection6 November 2009 · Album · CompilationSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 51 tracks · 3 discsDisc 11Maria Magdalena (single version)3:572In the Heat of the Night (single version)4:013Little Girl3:094Sisters and Brothers3:225Innocent Love (single version)3:496Hi! Hi! Hi! (single version)3:317Loreen4:128Midnight Man [single version]3:039Everlasting Love3:4210Stop for a Minute (single version)3:4911Heaven Can Wait (single version)4:0612Secret Land (single version)4:0313Celebrate Your Life3:2614We'll Be Together (single remix)3:4715Around My Heart (single version)3:0916Hiroshima (single version)4:1517(Life May Be) A Big Insanity4:2918One More Night (single version)3:4219Lovelight in Your Eyes5:2620Johnny Wanna Live (single remix)3:48Disc 21Don't Be Aggressive (radio edit)4:232I Need Love (radio edit)3:203Steady Me3:564Mirrored in Your Eyes3:245Maria Magdalena '934:036Nights in White Satin (radio edit)3:337Won't Run Away4:128Secret Land '99 (Ultra Violet radio edit)3:429Forever3:4510Such a Shame4:1811Forgive Me (radio edit)3:5912I Close My Eyes4:0213Secrets of Love (With DJ Bobo)3:2014The Way I Am3:3015What Is It About Me (radio edit)3:1116All You Zombies5:0017In a Heartbeat3:3818The Night Is Still Young (feat.Thomas Anders)3:2019What If2:5020Tete a Tete3:44Disc 31Maria Magdalena (extended version)7:082In the Heat of the Night (extended version)7:213Little Girl (extended version)5:184Innocent Love (extended version)6:435Hi! Hi! Hi! (extended version)6:106Midnight Man (extended version)5:267Everlasting Love (extended version)7:178Stop for a Minute (extended version)6:179Heaven Can Wait (extended version)7:3710Secret Land (Reverse mix)6:3111Everlasting Love (PWL 12" remix)7:41 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×Infinite Kiss2 November 2012 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 7 tracks1Infinite Kiss2:512Infinite Kiss (Hubert Kah mix)3:283Infinite Kiss (80s retro mix)4:554Infinite Kiss (Ibiza club mix edit)3:555Infinite Kiss (extended version)5:156Infinite Kiss (Ibiza club mix)6:447Russian Eyes3:44" failed to chart. However, the album was a modest success internationally and received a 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.