30 (music) years since the fall of the Berlin Wall

November 9th 1989 was a pivotal moment in German history. As the Berlin Wall fell, the ideological and physical barrier dividing East and West Germany ceased to exist. This historic moment permitted freedom of movement and lead to German Reunification.

To celebrate the 30 year anniversary of this special event, we have put together a playlist showcasing 30 years of Germany’s biggest hits since the fall of the Wall and German Reunification.

1989: David Hasselhoff Looking For Freedom

No song screams REUNIFICATION quite like David Hasselhoff‘s “Looking For Freedom“. For the 30th anniversary of Der Mauerfall, Tracks & Fields cleared the track’s publishing rights so that a convoy of GDR Trabbis could produce a “musical” cover by honking their horns!

1990: Matthias ReimVerdammt Ich Lieb Dich

1991: ScorpionsWind Of Change

The lyrics to this hit were written by lead singer Klaus Meine during the band’s trip to the USSR. It was then released after the USSR‘s failed coup d’état in 1991 which ultimately led to the fall of the Soviet Union.

1992: Snap!Rhythm is a Dancer

Snap! are one of Germany’s most famous Eurodance groups, and this track in particular still features on everybody’s party playlist.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkhGkRahU6g

1993: Ace of BaseAll That She Wants

1994: Mariah CareyWithout You

1995: VangelisConquest of Paradise

This track rose to fame after German boxer Henry Maske used it as his theme song.

1996: FugeesKilling Me Softly With His Song

1997: Andrea Bocelli & Sarah Brightman Time

1998: Céline DionMy Heart Will Go On

1999: Lou BegaMambo No. 5 (A Little Bit of…)

2000: Dj OtziAnton Aus Tirol

It pains me to put this on our playlist but it’s impossible to ignore DJ Otzi‘s storming popularity in Germany and Austria throughout the 90s.

2001: No AngelsDaylight In Your Eyes

2002: Herbert GrönemeyerMensch

Mensch” was pop/rock legend Grönemeyer‘s first number one single. It came off of his similarly titled album Mensch, which went on to sell nearly 4 million copies and was therefore the best-selling German language record of all time.

2003: Yvonne CatterfeldFür Dich

2004: O-ZoneDragostea Din Teu

2005: SchnappiSchnappi, Das Kleine Krokodil

Believe it or not this animated crocodile was a pop legend across continental Europe. “Schnappi, Das Kleine Krokodil” was not only 2005’s best performing single in Germany, it also hit the charts in Austria, Flemish Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland for several weeks.

2006: Bob SinclarLove Generation

2007: DJ Ötzi, Nik PEin Stern (…der deinen Namen trägt)

There he is again……..

2008: Timbaland, OneRepublicApologize

2009: Lady GagaPoker Face

2010: UnheiligGroße Freiheit

Große Freiheit is the second most downloaded album of all time in Germany after Adele’s 21! This German band belong to the Neue Deutsche Härte genre but have electronic and pop influences alongside their iconic nihilistic hard rock sound.

2011: Jennifer LopezOn The Floor ft. Pitbull

2012: Die Toten HosenTage wie diese

The German national football team heralded “Tage Wie diese” as the “most popular song to get you in the mood for the European championships in 2012“. Soaring to number one in the charts, this famous German rock band are one of the biggest names in punk music.

2013: AviciiWake Me Up

2014: Helene FischerAtemlos durch die Nacht

Despite not reaching number one, this track is Germany‘s second most successful song. A Schlager hit that has since been covered in Dutch, Flemish, British and even Afrikaans.

2015: OMICheerleader (Felix Jaehn Remix)

2016: Alan WalkerFaded

2017: BAUSAWas du Liebe nennst

Was du Liebe Nernst” was the first German rap track to become platinum certified by the Bundesverband Musikindustrie, signalling the rise of Deutsch rap which dominates the German charts today.

2018: Dynoro & Gigi D’Agostino In My Mind


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