Hannes Wader is a German singer-songwriter and one of the key figures of the German Liedermacher and political folk tradition. He was born in 1942 in Bethel near Bielefeld and began writing songs in the 1960s after discovering artists such as Georges Brassens. His first album, Hannes Wader singt, appeared in 1969, followed by important works such as 7 Lieder, Der Rattenfänger, Hannes Wader singt Arbeiterlieder, Es ist an der Zeit, Nach Hamburg, Nah dran, Sing, and Noch hier – was ich noch singen wollte.
He is especially known for songs such as “Heute hier, morgen dort,” “Es ist an der Zeit,” “Die Moorsoldaten,” “Der Rattenfänger,” and “Min Jehann.” His music combines German folk, protest song, workers’ songs, literary settings, and personal ballads. Wader is known for his socially engaged lyrics, his role in the German folk revival, and his long influence on later German singer-songwriters. Apple Music describes him as a German political folk singer whose repertoire includes traditional German folk songs, social commentary, blue-collar ballads, and songs based on poets and classical composers.