An unexpected, bilingual ballad that proves love’s fantasy transcends language.
In the early 2000s, while many of us were looking back fondly at the classic rock of the 70s and 80s, two distinct voices from different corners of the European music scene—the gravelly rock-pop legend Chris Norman and the German Schlager star Nino De Angelo—came together for a memorable duet. The result was “Ich Mach Meine Augen Zu (Duet With Nino De Angelo),” a captivating collaboration that bridged the gap between British soft rock and continental pop-balladry.
This song was released as a single, and featured on Chris Norman’s album, Breathe Me In, in 2001. A true cross-cultural venture, its chart performance was primarily focused in German-speaking Europe, where both artists commanded devoted followings. While not a global smash, it became a notable hit in Germany and surrounding regions, demonstrating the enduring appeal of Norman’s voice and the successful fusion of his classic style with De Angelo’s emotional, Germanic delivery. The original song is known as “Everytime I Close My Eyes,” and this unique duet version features a powerful blend of English and German lyrics, creating an almost theatrical sense of passion.
The story behind this duet is rooted in the collaborative spirit of the European music industry, where such pairings were a celebrated way to reach wider audiences. The combination of Norman’s recognizable, raspy tenor and De Angelo’s soaring, more dramatic vocal style created an undeniable synergy. The meaning of the song is pure romantic escapism. The German title, “Ich Mach Meine Augen Zu,” translates to “I Close My Eyes,” and the lyrics—sung partially in German by Nino De Angelo and partially in English by Chris Norman—describe the intensity of a love that is so profound it can only be truly realized in the mind’s eye.
The German verses speak of seeing the loved one even when they are not present, imagining her as an angel, a presence that “makes me float high above the clouds” (“dann lässt sie mich schweben hoch über den Wolken”). Norman’s English parts reinforce this idea, singing, “Every time I close my eyes, every time I fantasise,” making it clear that this connection transcends mere physical proximity. It’s a powerful ode to the kind of consuming, ideal love that requires one to shut out the world to fully appreciate its beauty.
For those of us who appreciate the grandeur and high emotion of a beautifully produced ballad, this song is a fascinating listen. It’s an auditory memory of an era when pop music embraced strong melodies and dramatic vocal performances, even crossing language barriers to do so. The alternating languages only heighten the emotional weight, suggesting that the feeling described is universal, too big for just one tongue. Listening to the two masters perform, one is reminded of the simple, potent truth that when real feeling is involved, the heart doesn’t require a translator. It simply knows.