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 Reim – Verdammt Ich Lieb Dich
1991: Scorpions – Wind 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.
1993: Ace of Base – All That She Wants
1994: Mariah Carey – Without You
1995: Vangelis – Conquest of Paradise
This track rose to fame after German boxer Henry Maske used it as his theme song.
1996: Fugees – Killing Me Softly With His Song
1997: Andrea Bocelli & Sarah Brightman – Time
1998: Céline Dion – My Heart Will Go On
1999: Lou Bega – Mambo No. 5 (A Little Bit of…)
2000: Dj Otzi – Anton 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 Angels – Daylight In Your Eyes
2002: Herbert Grönemeyer – Mensch
“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 Catterfeld – Für Dich
2004: O-Zone – Dragostea Din Teu
2005: Schnappi – Schnappi, 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 Sinclar – Love Generation
2007: DJ Ötzi, Nik P – Ein Stern (…der deinen Namen trägt)
There he is again……..
2008: Timbaland, OneRepublic – Apologize
2009: Lady Gaga – Poker Face
2010: Unheilig – Große 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 Lopez – On The Floor ft. Pitbull
2012: Die Toten Hosen – Tage 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: Avicii – Wake Me Up
2014: Helene Fischer – Atemlos 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: OMI – Cheerleader (Felix Jaehn Remix)
2016: Alan Walker – Faded
2017: BAUSA – Was 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
