Knef (album)

Knef is the self-titled debut studio album by German singer Hildegard Knef, released in 1955. It was released by Decca Records and is significant as one of the earliest examples of a female German artist releasing a full-length LP.

The album consists of a collection of chanson and cabaret-style songs, reflecting Knef's distinctive husky vocals and often cynical or melancholic lyrical content. Many of the songs are original compositions, while others are interpretations of existing material. It established Knef as a major force in German music and helped to solidify her image as an unconventional and provocative performer.

While not necessarily a commercial blockbuster at the time, Knef is now considered a landmark album in German popular music history. It has been re-released and re-evaluated over the years, cementing its place as a foundational work in the development of German-language chanson. Key themes explored within the album include love, loss, societal hypocrisy, and personal independence.