This ENTIRE 1986 Song is a MISHEARD LYRIC..It Hit #1 and SOLD 20 Million Copies! | Professor Of Rock

Coming up… the wild story behind Rock Me Amadeus by Falco, one of the most unexpected global hits of the ‘80s. It was written in German which happened to be Falco’s native tongue but when he tried to sing it in English, it didn’t work. So Falco sang it in German which was a massive risk for them in America. In fact, Rock Me Amadeus was released twice, and both times it was a total flop… each time they retooled it and finally they brought in another singer to bring some soulfulness to this new wave track. Rock Me Amadeus became an innovative blend of classical music and pop culture and it made Falco the biggest-selling artist ever in his homeland. But behind the catchy chorus and infectious beat lies a tale of artistic risk, personal demons, mysterious deaths, and a song that may have spelled the end of Falco… The drama unfolds NEXT on Professor of Rock.

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Hey music junkies, Professor of Rock, always here to celebrate the greatest artists and the greatest songs of all time. If you wondered what sweater Mr. Rogers would change into when he got to his house in Mr. Rogers' neighborhood you’ll dig this channel of DEEP musical nostalgia Make sure to subscribe below right now. Click the sub button and notification We also have a Patreon you'll want to check out. There you’ll find an additional catalog of exclusive content and you can even become an honorary producer to help us curate this music history.

More than 160 years before the Rock Era was born, there was a brash young composer from Vienna who rebelled against the patronage system that controlled the arts. He wrote the book on hedonism that was later described as rock n’ roll excess, while his music became timeless masterpieces, perhaps more appreciated by his future generations than his peers. In 1985, an Austrian singer recorded a song about Vienna’s favorite son, calling him a rock idol, and lauding him as the “first punk ever to set foot on this earth.” The legend was Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and the singer was a dapper, yet troubled man known as Falco:

Falco was born Johann "Hans" Hölzel in Vienna, Austria. When Falco's mother, Maria was pregnant, she was expecting triplets. However, the pregnancy was a rare case of dizygotic twins, where two of the babies were identical while the third, who turned out to be Falco, was conceived separately. Tragically, Maria lost the identical twins in the third month, but Falco survived. Reflecting on this, Falco once said, "Three souls in one chest might sound a bit dramatic, but I can feel them sometimes. In my moodiness. I'll be really up, and then, just as quickly, I'll be really down.” I remember Elvis Presley talking about how he felt the presence of his twin brother, Jesse Garon, who was stillborn, dying 35 minutes before he was born, while he, miraculously survived. It was like a shadow that haunted him, this sense of guilt that he made it, and his brother didn’t.

Falco was still a child, when his father left the family, and he was raised entirely by his mother. At seventeen, he entered military service in the Austrian army for eight months. In the late 70s, he immersed himself in the vibrant Viennese nightlife, a scene that mixed music with erotic dancing, performance art, and a wild blend of political satire and chaos. During this time, he played bass guitar in several bands, using various pseudonyms like "John Hudson" and "John DiFalco."

[ProfessorofRock]

Poll: What is your pick for the COOLEST One Hit Wonder of the 80s and 90s?

[No_one_in_particularr]

5:54 Here in Austria, we wouldn't say they were "kaputt". We would say they were "im Orsch".

[kellyrhoads]

I started crying when you mentioned Vienna knowing it was falco. I visited his grave this summer. I love falco, Vienna loves falco. Thank you

[deantoso]

Falco's music was so different from other music in the US. I really enjoyed that difference. It's always sad to see addiction hinder such talented people.

[belerik]

Just tell me about Falco, i am an austrian, here he was no one hit wonder, he was one of the most respected and revered musicans her with many many hits

[MarcoZehe]

Rock me Amadeus was a phenomenon in Germany in the summer of 1985. His biggest hit in Germany, however, was the third single from Falco 3, Jeanny, released in December of 1985. Its video was banned from German public TV stations for the largest part of 1986. Even some radio stations refused to play it. But the single sales made it the biggest song of 1986, staying at number one for eight weeks. His last number one in Germany was from the follow-up album Emotional, released in the fall of 1986, and was called Coming Home, Jeanny Part 2. It stayed at number one for three weeks in November of that year. He certainly was a cultural phenomenon for those two years in the 80s. Unfortunately, during his live tour of that year, his alcohol and drug abuse showed even on stage. His lyrics were often unintelligible when sung live. But his concerts were all sold out. And everybody still knows him even today. Especially Der Kommissar, Rock Me Amadeus and Jeanny are instantly recognized by most people in the German speaking countries. Oh and by the way: Did you know that Bolland and Bollands song In The Army Now, that you mentioned, was a huge hit for Status Quo in 1986 as well? I believe they went back to back at number one in Germany with Falco‘s Coming Home in November. OK, enough trivia from the German music scene for now! ☺️ Keep up the great work, Professor! Enjoy your videos immensely! Greetings from one music nerd to another!

[michaelmcparland]

I love Falco. He's my favorite artist. Definitely undervalued and under appreciated here in America. A great artist with so many great songs.

[GoToChurchNow]

My brother Joel and I were huge fans of this album. The whole album is great.

Joel passed away last August at age 54. I sure miss him.

This video sure brought me to tears. Thanks, POR!!!

[TerrickTerran]

One of my favorite throwaway jokes on the Simpsons was Taco doing a musical tribute of Falco. Loved both Rock Me Amadeus and Der Kommisar. RIP Falco, your legacy continues.

[mysticwolf]

I had a friend online from Austria, and it amazed me to learn that Falco is considered a rock legend over there! I pretty much just remember Rock Me Amadeus, Vienna Calling, and Der Kommiser.

[josephcooter]

I remember watching this track on MTV almost daily when I was a kid.

[Zarkovision]

In german speaking countries the song "Jeanny" is by far more famous than Rock me Amadeus.

[scottymoondogjakubin]

Miss the days MTV actually showed music videos ! Falco was definitly a staple of the era !

[christineml]

I liked Falco's "Der Kommissar" over After the Fire's version. The great thing about the 80s is there was room for different takes on songs, which made for some memorable music.

[RoRiodd]

This song took over Argentina as well. It was a must in every high school party I went to! Unforgettable.

[mournblade]

Fred Rogers is a local hero from my neck of the woods. A friend of mine from high school worked with him for a number of years. He said that Fred was EXACTLY the same in real life as he was on Mr. Roger's Neighborhood. I truly believe that there should be a national holiday named in his honor.

[nordicexile]

I remember hearing Falco on the radio back in '86. After the song the DJ came on the air and said "That was Vienna Calling by Falco... let's hope they aren't calling collect!" Gave me a chuckle and endeared me to the song even more. 🥰

[surlechapeau]

For some reason I like the German version of his "Der Kommissar" better than the English version(After The Fire), and I don't speak German!

[annerobertz]

Documentaries about his life are simply heartbreaking... He truly had a beautiful soul, beautiful and tortured...

[babygerald]

Hurray! I'm not embarrassed to admit a massive love for Falco. Falco3 was one of my first cassettes as a young 12-year old building my music collection from scratch. I remember becoming a special friend of our high school German teacher [hello Frau Schwartz, wherever you are] when I asked her to translate 'Vienna Calling'. She loved that a student who wasn't even taking German was interested in the language.

Falco was as handsome as the day is long and his vocal range was equally impressive. His work is utterly unique-- rap, pop, classical, all driven with excellent studio production from the Bolland brothers. Exploring his discography is a trip into an era. the timing for 'Rock Me Amadeus' was perfect with the oscar-winning film and later a musical. As far as being a national icon in his homeland of Austria, the country even commissioned a postage stamp in his honor about a decade ago. As a lifelong fan I just had to get one.