Weihnachtslieder & Christmas Carols

It is probably fair to say that most Americans are not very familiar with popular music from Germany — aside from Kraftwerk, Nena, Scorpions, Rammstein, Nina Hagen and maybe some Krautrock bands. Once a year, however, that changes.

No matter where you go during the month of December, you will likely hear Christmas tunes blasting from the speakers. Many of these festive tunes that have become ingrained into our musical DNA since childhood are actually German, or at least come from a German-speaking background. Let’s take a look at some of the season’s favorites which really make for cross-cultural holiday entertainment.

Read the rest of this article at my blog on Chattarati.

But before you keep reading over there listen to some great interpretations of holiday hits by two of my favorites: Ray Charles and Götz Alsmann.

Germany – breading ground for popcultural tastelessness?

Is Germany a breading ground for popcultural tastelessness?

Remember what I wrote about Germany being a country with a huge guilt complex? That’s still true. For historic reasons, mostly. However, I do think that especially the post-WWII generations should feel a sense of guilt for more contemporary reasons.

If you don’t know what I am referring to you need to watch these videos.

Is “The Hoff” the reason the Wall came down? (Before you think this confirms the common stereotype that it was Germany’s fault Hasselhoff had a career, let me remind you: You too watched Knight Rider and Baywatch!)

I know, it can’t possibly get worse than that. But brace yourselves for this assault on your ear canals:

Why, I ask you, do we Germans always have to be associated with poor taste in music? And why is it that of those German pop artists who became successful outside the German-speaking world so many had to be from the camp of musical cruelties? Just think Modern Talking, Scooter or Tokio Hotel.

It could be so much different, though. German artists have been creating some timeless gems throughout the last 50 years. The good stuff just never reached a big audience.
I’ll try to do some crate digging here in the future and will post the pleasant side of Music made in Germany.

Stay tuned.