Singen Sie Deutsch?

Today I conducted a short semi-retro journey through German music. So I started with some English-language works of Peter Heppner who started his career in the 80s and in the time of the Neue Deutsche Welle (New German Wave). Beginning of the 2000s he performed two songs with Schiller, a great electronic music band from Germany:


80s and modern electronic music combined, two of my favorite music styles. I truly love both songs until today.

Then youtube led me to Die Ärzte, also a band that became very popular in the 80s. I can remember listening to songs of them as a kid. I went to concerts when I was older. They are still very popular today, a bit more pop and less punk, but they have not changed much. Without doubt they are in my top 5 of favorite acts of all time.

Funny story: During one of their concerts, my first, a girl asked me if she could sit on my lap shoulders. Well, she was not tall and of course I can't say no to such request ;) She went up, well knowing what was happening next - something I was not aware of: After the next song or so I think Bela B., the drummer held a short speech and asked all girls to show him their tits. Ha, and guess what, dozens did. Including the girl on my shoulders... Damn it, I desperately tried to look up, which must have appeared very awkward because all the people I came with were laughing at me. Naturally, from this point of view I could not see any part of her anatomy. That day I swore to myself, if any girl would ever ask me to sit on my shoulders it will have a price. You know what that price is, don't you? After that she wanted to come down. I said to her that I missed quite a show, but unfortunately she would not 'thank' me by repeating her performance she did one level up on my shoulders :/

So here a song from 1998, 1/2 Lovesong. Just one of the many awesome tracks:

I found a translation of the lyrics here:

1/2 Lovesong

I know that you'll miss me,
Even though you have to go now
No more violins when we kiss
I simply didn't know it.
I hope my words don't make it even worse
Just once, forget your pride.
I know you still love me

Should it have been like this? (Like in a Lovesong)
Can we not find a solution? (Like in a Lovesong)
The possibility is far too small (For a Lovesong)
But I only love you alone

Much has fallen into ordinariness
But that is always the danger
Routine has taken up her place
Until it was no longer endurable
I hope my words don't make it even worse
Just once, forget your pride.
I know you still love me

Should it have been like this? (Like in a Lovesong)
Can we not find a solution? (Like in a Lovesong)
The possibility is far too small (For a Lovesong)
But I only love you alone

Love, Love, Love, Love...

I know that you will miss me
I miss you already.
I also miss the violins, miss kissing you
Nothing in this world could replace you
I hope my words don't make it even worse
Just once, forget your pride.
I know you still love me

Should it have been like this? (Like in a Lovesong)
Can we not find a solution? (Like in a Lovesong)
The possibility is far too small (For a Lovesong)
But I only love you alone

Should it have been like this? (Like in a Lovesong)
Can we not find a solution? (Like in a Lovesong)
The possibility is far too small (For a Lovesong)
But I only love you alone

(Like in a Lovesong, like in a Lovesong)
But I only love you alone

Also an epic lovesong from the 80s was their Teenagerliebe.

The list of songs I really like and listen to is almost endless. So this is more or less only a very tiny and more ballad like excerpt of Ärzte songs I adore.

Finally I need to mention Herbert Grönemeyer. He is probably the role model of successful German music. His career started in the 70s but he became famous in the 80s with unforgettable songs like Bochum or Männer. Interesting to know he also has a short career as an actor in Das Boot! I think his style also changed a bit, he reinvented himself a bit every album. I also like his newer works. Mensch was one of the best sold albums in Germany. It tells a sad story, because Herbert lost both his wife and brother to cancer within a few days. Also it is a new start. The music touched millions. I have been to many of his concerts. It was very touching to hear him sing Der Weg, knowing it is about his dead wife. Here with English subtitles:



:'(

I was surprised to read today, that he will have a tour in the United States in September 2013. He lived in London for many years, his English is perfect and he already sang a few of his songs in English. But certainly not all will be in English. I wonder how he will be perceived there, an extremely successful institution in the German music business, but a no-one in the USA.