DA DA DA by TRIO

GERMAN POP LYRICS: NDW HITS #6

ENGLISH.

The top ten on 9th August 1982 in Germany was:

01: OMD – Maid of Orleans
02: Markus – Ich will Spaß
03: Frank Zander – Da Da Da
04: Paul McCartney & Stevie Wonder – Ebony & Ivory
05: Adam Ant – Goody Two Shoes (his biggest German hit)
06: Steve Miller Band – Abracadabra
07: Asia – Heat of the Moment
08: Andy Borg – Adios Amor (sung in German despite the title)
09: Trio – Da Da Da
10: Frl. Menke – Hohe Berge

Trio were already falling down the chart with their mega-hit “Da Da Da”. It spent 8 weeks at #2 but never got to #1 (it was kept from the top by Eurovision winner Nicole’s “Ein bißchen Frieden” (“A Little Peace”)). They also peaked at #2 in the UK with an English version. However, Frank Zander was climbing the chart with a witless parody of the song – didn’t he realise the original was joke? This also peaked at #2.

Despite failing to make the top spot “Da Da Da” is probably second only to Nena’s “99 Luftballons” in terms of NDW hits. Trio released versions in at least 3 different languages and it was a hit around the world.

Trio’s deconstruction of rock was arguably far more radical than punk, and their use of a rhythm preset from the ultra-cheap Casio VL-1 keyboard on this track was a moment of genius. To appreciate their gift for comedy I suggest you check out their live performance on “Beat Club” from the same year.

DEUTSCH.

Trio wären älter als sie aussahen. Stephan Remmler (Gesang) und Kralle Krawinkel (Gitarre) spielten zusammen Ende der 1960er Jahre in einer Band namens Just Us, aber ohne großen Erfolg. 1979 haben Just Us einige „Reunion“ Konzerte gespielt. Danach haben die alten Freunde ihre Jobs als Lehrer aufgegeben, um Musik weiterzumachen. Bald haben sie Trio mit Peter Behrens (Schlagzeug) gegründet. Ihre minimalistischen Lieder hatten großen Erfolg, vor allem „Da Da Da“ (1982). Die Hintergrund-Gesangsstimme war Annette Humpe, die mit Ideal sang, und sie trägt mehr zur Maxi Single-Version bei. Trio sagte, dass sie nicht „Neue Deutsche Welle“ waren, sondern „Neue Deutsche Fröhlichkeit“.

DA DA DA Was ist los mit dir mein Schatz? (Aha) Geht es immer nur bergab? (Aha) Geht nur das was du verstehst? (Aha) This is what you got to know Loved you though it didn't show Ich lieb dich nicht, du liebst mich nicht… [Refrain:] Da, da, da… Ich lieb dich nicht, du liebst mich nicht Da, da, da… So so, du denkst es ist zu spät. (Aha) Und du meinst, dass nichts mehr geht. (Aha) Und die Sonne wandert schnell. (Aha) After all is said and done It was right for you to run [Refrain]

DA DA DA What's the matter darling? (Aha) Are things always going downhill? (Aha) Can you only deal with things you understand? (Aha) This is what you got to know Loved you though it didn't show I don't love you, you don't love me… [Chorus:] Da, da, da… I don't love you, you don't love me Da, da, da… So, you think it's too late. (Aha) And you think that nothing works anymore. (Aha) And the sun is moving fast. (Aha) After all is said and done It was right or you to run [Chorus]

THIS IS DEUTSCH by EISBRECHER

GERMAN POP LYRICS: Neue Deutsche Härte Part 2

Rammstein have only released one new studio album since 2004. You could argue that the somewhat similar sounding Eisbrecher have taken advantage of this gap in the market, though their sound is slightly more electronic than Rammstein. Whatever, they have become one of the biggest bands in the NDH scene.

This track is from their third album “Sünde” (Sin) from 2008. The opening Casio drumbeat is clearly a reference to Trio and their hit “Da Da Da”. Later there is an arpeggiated synth line that brings to mind “Home Computer” by Kraftwerk.

THIS IS DEUTSCH This is Deutsch. That is right! Eins - zwei, Sonne - Licht. Fleiß ist Tugend, Wahrheit Pflicht. Zu Befehl. Jawohl, mein Herr! Wir sind deutsche Roboter. Drei - vier, Sternennacht. Arbeit fertig. Gut gemacht! Harte Ziele, hoch gesteckt, Die Maschine läuft perfekt. Korrekt - perfekt! Wir müssen uns vermehren, Die Welt zum Heil bekehren, Geboren, um zu dienen, Auferstanden aus Ruinen. This is Deutsch. Repeat! This is Deutsch. Links - rechts, im Quadrat. Kindergarten - Zinnsoldat. Immer pünktlich - stets korrekt, Weil in uns was Deutsches steckt. Korrekt - perfekt! Fünf - sechs, überwacht! Stillgestanden - Gut gemacht! Links, zwo - weitergehen! Deutscher Bürger - Dankeschön! Im Takt - exakt! Wir müssen uns vermehren, Den lieben Gott verehren. Gezüchtet um zu siegen, Auserwählt und nie zufrieden. This is Deutsch. Repeat! This is Deutsch. Eins - zwei, auf und nieder! Drei - vier, immer wieder! Fünf - sechs - sieben - acht, Wir sind Deutschland. Gut gemacht! Eins, zwei, auf und nieder! Drei, vier, immer wieder! Stechschritt, Hofbräuhaus Und die Sendung mit der Maus. This is, this is, this is Deutsch!

THIS IS GERMAN This is German. That is right! One - two, sun - light Diligence is a virtue, truth is a duty At your command. Yes, Sir! We are German robots Three - four, starry night Work done. Well done! Tough goals, aiming high The machine is running perfectly Correct - perfect! We have to multiply To convert the world to salvation Born to serve Risen from the ruins (1) This is German. Repeat! This is German. Left - right, in a square Kindergarden - tin soldier Always on time - always correct Because there is something German in us Correct - perfect! Five – six, under surveillance. Stand still - well done Left, two - go on German citizen - thank you very much On the beat - exact! We have to multiply To worship God Bred for victory Chosen and never content This is German. Repeat! This is German. One - two, up and down Three - four, again and again. Five - six - seven - eight We are Germany. Well done! One - two. Up and down. Three - four, again and again. Goose step, court brewery (2) And the program with the mouse (3) This is, this is, this is German!

(1) “Auferstanden aus Ruinen” is the title and first line of the song which was the national anthem of the GDR (East Germany) during its existence.
(2) Hofbräuhaus is a famous brewery and beer hall in Munich.
(3) This is the title of a long running German cartoon series aimed at children.

TURALURALURALU by TRIO

GERMAN POP LYRICS: FROHE WEIHNACHTEN!

Trio were a bunch of jokers from Germany who scored a worldwide hit with “Da Da Da” in 1982 (it reached #2 in the UK). Though they are considered one hit wonders by most people, in Germany they had six big hits, the last of which was their Xmas single “Turaluraluralu” in December 1983. An appearance on “Thommys Pop Show” singing the English version (see below) features an all star cast of backing singers, including Chris de Burgh, Musical Youth, Shakin’ Stevens and Nena. The world of music was never the same again…

NB I think BuBu is just a made up nonsense word, in context it might mean nothing i.e. I do nothing.

TURALURALURALU So weit weg und lange her Ich erinner mich nicht mehr Waren da Lichter an dem Baum Oder war das nur ein Traum? Oh, wir haben viel gelacht So viel Sterne in der Nacht Turaluraluralu Ich mach BuBu Was machst du? Turaluraluralu Turaluraluralu Turaluraluralu Ich mach BuBu Was machst du? So weit weg, vor langer Zeit Gedanken wandern weit Es lag schnee dort Oder nicht? Und da war auch dieses Licht Schöne warme leichte Frau Ich erinner mich genau Turaluraluralu Ich mach BuBu Was machst du? Turaluraluralu...

TURALURALURALU So far away and long ago I can't remember anymore Were there lights on the tree Or was it just a dream? Oh, we laughed a lot So many stars in the night Turaluraluralu I’m doing BuBu What are you doing? Turaluraluralu Turaluraluralu Turaluraluralu I’m doing BuBu What are you doing? So far away, a long time ago Thoughts wander far Was there snow there Or not? And there was this light Beautiful, warm and gentle woman I remember exactly Turaluraluralu I’m doing BuBu What are you doing? Turaluraluralu...