Die neue Marlene

Die neue Marlene is a studio album by Marlene Dietrich, released by Electrola in 1965. It was issued in the UK on His Master's Voice and released in the US by Capitol Records under the title Marlene — Songs in German by the Inimitable Dietrich. Recorded in London, the project marked a departure from her previous work, featuring a repertoire of German-language songs that included folk adaptations like "Sag mir, wo die Blumen sind" and new material such as her first Christmas song. Notably, the album was largely arranged without her frequent collaborator Burt Bacharach, signaling a new artistic direction that inspired its title, which translates to "The New Marlene".

The album's release was preceded by controversy, as the German label Electrola promoted it by publicly announcing Dietrich's 60th birthday, suggesting "life begins at 60." Dietrich herself was dissatisfied with the initial artwork and liner notes, which contained several errors regarding song credits and attributions. While she requested the album be withdrawn, her contractual terms did not grant her final approval over the sleeve design, though a modified version was later issued.

Critical reception for the album was generally positive. Reviews from publications like Billboard and Cashbox praised Dietrich's compelling vocal delivery and the versatile selection of material, noting her ability to convey emotion despite the language barrier for some listeners. The album was highlighted as a refreshing and captivating entry in her extensive recording career.

Commercially, the album achieved moderate success, peaking at number 34 on the German charts and remaining listed for two weeks. However, its associated singles performed strongly in Europe years prior; "Sag mir, wo die Blumen sind" became a major hit, reaching number 20 in Germany, number 2 in Denmark, and number 10 in the Netherlands.