American reacts to Most Popular German Songs from 1980's

Thank you for watching me, a humble American, react to Most Popular German Songs from 1980 to 1989

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Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. ALL RIGHTS BELONG TO THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS

[marioberndt]

The 80s are indeed 20 years ago and nobody can ever tell me any different!

[Funkho]

During the 80s German music basically had a renaissance called "neue deutsche Welle" (new German wave). Musisicans were experiemnting a lot, singing in German and utilising new ways to make music (aka synthesiser and such). You heard some titles in this playlist, but maybe you would enjoy a deep dive into more? It has definitely been an interesting musical era and many songs are atill floating around today :)

[Astuga]

Falco's "Der Kommissar" is actually a song about the 80's drug scene in Vienna.
That's why in the beginning they didn't played it on the radio, until it became too popular to ignore it.
The song was also his break through as a solo artist.

[dawhoelse]

Falco is an austrian artist. He was one of the first ones to introduce the english language in the german speaking culture, and he was the first german speaking rapper.

[MaexxDesign]

7:18
"Rock me Amadeus" is so far the only german-language song that reached #1 in the US Billboard Charts.
This is one of the reasons why Falco is so famous in europe.
He had a god-given talent !

[MrOpacor]

Nena's "99 Luftballons" is indeed iconic not only for the music, but also for the strong anti cold war lyrics.

[johanneshalberstadt]

Be careful! "Geil" means "cool, awesome, exiting, amazing" but also "horny" depending on how you use it or the context. It it's the literal translation for "horny" and that is it's original meaning. But for some reason, through youth culture in the 80s, "horny" in Germany has come to mean "cool, hot, amazing, awesome, supreme" aswell. Just a way to enthusiastically praise something or someone.

[SkyCircle]

It took Ryan a year and a half to realize the existence of Dieter Bohlen for the first time. Well, welcome to the dark side of "German culture".

[bigboomer]

I am a sixty-year-old German and I lived through the eighties and the music of the “New German Wave”, too.
It was just a great time.

[leuttv]

Falco, Opus, EAV, Reinhard Fendrich and DÖF are from Austria, not Germany

[MCtheAustrianBrickfan]

Yeah, Falco is an Austrian ICON! 🤩 (with his perfect stereotypical Viennese pronounciation)
*EDIT*: English version was done by the British Band "After The Fire". (Thanks @arnehenkler8391!)

As far as I know it was his first song on the US billboard charts in 1981 or 1982.

On March 29th 1986 he hit #1 on the US billboard charts with "Rock Me Amadeus".

Nena did the English Version of "99 Luftballons" (99 Red Balloons) too.
*EDIT*: I'm pretty sure she did it herself.


Erste Allgemeine Verunsicherung (EAV) [First General "Un"insurance] is the next Austrian music powerhouse with lots of fun songs (many with deeper meaning).
As is Rainhard Fendrich and the band Edelweiss.

FANTASTIC reaction video! 👍
Brings up lots of great memories and made me listen to several songs again.
Thanks! 😊

[tomtorres]

To this day 'Rock me Amadeus' by Falco (austrian) is the only german sung song that reached #1 on the US Billboard Top 100....and yes, there was a (horrible) english version of the 'Der Kommissar' back then.

[DarrenArrowNo]

Falco was a Legend, for many a Genius, since dead far too early and dramatic. His song Jeanny caused a huge scandal in Germany and Europe at the time, It tells the story from the perspective of a rapist and murderer. Jeanny is a Quadrilogy Part:1-4 (Coming Home, Where are you now, The Spirit Never Dies). To date, 'Amadeus' is the only German-language song to have made it to the top of the American Billboard charts !
Falco was one of the first rappers in the world and way ahead of his time. Looking back, his song 'Out of the Dark' was a dark Prophecy of his death.

Modern Talking was one of the most successful Pop Duos in Europe, they produced hit after hit. They fell out, celebrated a comeback and fell out again. They still have an enormously large fan base today, especially in Russia. 
They sold worldwide 120 million records. Were their biggest hits 'You're My Heart, You're my Soul', 'Cheri Cheri Lady', 'Brother Louie', Atlantis is Calling-S.O.S. for Love', 'Geronimo's Cadillac', 'Win the Race', 'Ready for the Victory' and 'TV Makes the Superstar'. I thought 'Last Exit to Brooklyn' was nice. In Germany Five Nr. 1 Singles and Six Nr. 1 Albums.
'Dieter Bohlen' is in Germany what 'Simon Cowell' in the UK and America.

'Boney M.' were the most successful band in Germany in the 70s alongside 'Abba'. Eight Nr. 1 Singles and Three Nr. 1 Albums in Germany. When they Performed, it was Party Time. 'Sunny', 'Daddy Cool', 'Rasputin', 'Ma Baker', 'Belfast', 'El Lute', Hooray ! Hooray ! it's a Holi-Holiday', Brown Girl in the Ring', 'Gotta go Home', 'Painter Man', Mary Boy's Child-Oh my Lord' were their biggest Hits. But her biggest hit was 'Rivers of Babylon'....17 Weeks Nr. 1 in Germany !
Producer is 'Frank Farian', same Producer of 'Milli Vanilli'. Both groups had a scandal, but only the one from milli vanilli was exposed. Both Bobby Ferrell and Milli Vanilli sang Playback. Milli Vanilli At that time he was stripped of his Grammy Award. The Greatest Scandal in the Music History in America and Europe. Milli Vanilli has Three Nr. 1 Single Hits in the Billboard Charts in the USA.

Singer 'Nicole' Won with 'Ein bißchen Frieden' (A Bit of Peace) the Eurovision Song Contest for Germany. A Timeless Song, just today.

'Nena' is International a One Hit Wonder. '99 Luftballons' Nr.2 in the U.S. Charts.

'Herbert Grönemeyer' is an institution in Germany. Three Nr. 1 Singles and Thirteen Nr. 1 Albums Since 1979.

'Roland Kaiser' is still touring today. Huge Fanbase in Germany.

The Song '1000 und 1 Nacht' (1000 and One Night') ..and nothing Happened, is in Germany Cult.

Then there was the 'New German Wave' a Genre Mix Punk/New Wave. From 1976. Many bands and Singers were part of it.

[davidk.]

Falco on the thumbnail with a German flag besides him hurt my Austrian heart deeply

[UllichSteybe]

What a fun to watch as a German! Born in 1970 I know most of the songs - and can sing some of them by heart ;-)

[Finsternis..]

7:19 Rock Me, Amadeus was the first, and according to Wikipedia is, the only German language song to ever score top 1 in US billboard top 100.

[Dirk-Ulowetz]

The clips are way too short.
Best thing to do: make a playlist with all titles and hear them completely.
In my opinion the 80s and 90s were the BEST years in term of music. At least here in Germany.

[fischflossn]

Yes Falco translated a few of his songs, but the biggest one, that reached Top 1 of the US Billboard Charts was Rock Me Amadeu and it was the german version. Till this day its the only german song that achieved that. He's the biggest Popstar Austria had.

[AB-bmrs]

Falco was Austrian, but maybe the most iconic artist ever who sang German. Check out his songs, you will be so thrilled. Greetings from Germany.

[vessto]

I wonder why Forever Young by Alphaville is not in 1984 list. This in an international anthem of the youth.