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!)