Nena

[hobbitomm]

It's odd. I've just been watching VH1 (not a lot happening at work, as you might have gathered!), and the '1 hit wonders' section included Nena's 99 luftballoon. In German. For an american hit. That surprised me, for a couple of reasons, really. Firstly, someone singing in german had a hit in the States, and secondly, that they released the german version over there in the first place. Because I recall that over here it was released in English (as per usual, the group could sing quite competently in English, thank you very much ;). Perhaps the lyrics were too downbeat for the US? Dunno. Just a bit odd.

Comments

[gypsy0131.livejournal.com]

I noticed that about some French songs too. I think no one can be bothered to do the translating on the basis that it sounds fine as it is- or even better. Anyhow, you'd screw up the timing of the piece if you translated into English, I presume. Some translations of German can be quite awkward. Sorry you are bored flower.

[hobbitomm.livejournal.com]

Actually, the thing is that the translation _did_ work pretty well- it was a number 1 hit over here. So it's just _odd_ that they chose to release in German in the States (presumably the rather Pro-CND lyrics were reckoned to be more of a sales loser in the US than completely incomprehensible lyrics!)

[ggreig]

<Consults singles collection...> Yep, we didn't even get the German version on the B-side here, although I have heard it in German a number of times for some reason. The B-side was an OK German track called Ich Bleib' Im Bett (I'm Staying in Bed, for any non-German speakers.)

[nevok.livejournal.com]

Oh that piece of history can be easily explained

1983 was the year, when 99 Luftballons really hit Germany. It stayed on number one for 23 consecutive weeks, which's not a bad achievement. Either way, the success itself came as a bit of a surprise actually. The fact, that it was released in German first in the US was a bit of an unofficial coup thanks to then still occupation forces of the US Army. One single found its way to a DJ in the US, by a friend, relative or something along these lines, and pretty fast 'conquered' the new world.

In order to net more international success, they finally released the single in English as well. Note: The record was only translated and re-recorded *because* of the smashing success in the US. NDW, Neue Deutsche Welle, was a phenomenon in Germany, not-quite-punk, but certainly stemming from these roots. Lasted for quite a while, too, but that's not what this is about, now, is it?

So, that ought to answer the question. If you BFBS people would have picked up faster than those AFN people, the 'mericans would have gotten the English version instead.

the real reason...

[(Anonymous)]

We didn't care about Nena's singing. We just thought she looked really hot in the spandex pants and leather jacket.

Cheers,
Dayle/Rhieinwen

Re: the real reason...

[hobbitomm.livejournal.com]

Ahhhh, now I know what I should have worn for you ;)

Re: the real reason...

[(Anonymous)]

Well, darlin', if you had a body like hers... ;-P

Cheers, Dayle

[silme.livejournal.com]

Hmmm. I remember hearing a 'bilingual' version in the States way back when -- in both German and English.

What I remember the most, however, was the video, part of which featured a live concert appearance in which she raised her arms up above her head. Until that point, pretty much all of my students (ages 14-18) thought she was hot. But those American boys back in 1984 just could not handle unshaven armpits on a woman. I remember one kid in particular going on and on about how disgusting that was. Sad things. ;)

[hobbitomm.livejournal.com]

*laugh*

Really? God help them when they get to a certain point with a girl then! ;)

[silme.livejournal.com]

Nah, they just had the typical American teenage boy reaction to body hair on legs and underarms.

But on the other hand, since the porn magazines have that certain other part shaved, maybe they did expect that to be cleanshaven also! ;)