Killer songs that transcended mere language barriers..

Discussion in 'Music Corner' started by Kowalski, May 4, 2021.

  1. Jamsterdammer

    Jamsterdammer The Great CD in the Sky

    Location:
    Málaga, Spain
    In the Netherlands the single became a hit twice, in 1969 and 1974. As I was 11 years old in 1974, I sure remember it. Didn't understand the words, but it was clear to all of us what it was about. Never seen the film from 1976. I don't think my parents would have allowed me to see it LOL.
     
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  2. 7solqs4iago

    7solqs4iago Forum Resident

    Location:
    Toronto
    solid music years, the Dutch gave us phonetically sung songs in English to top the charts a few times... and your national football team....
     
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  3. Jamsterdammer

    Jamsterdammer The Great CD in the Sky

    Location:
    Málaga, Spain
    Shocking Blue's Venus was a smash hit all over the world. May well have made it to the top of the charts in Canada.
     
  4. jimmydean

    jimmydean Senior Member

    Location:
    Vienna, Austria
    francoise hardy - fleur de lune

     
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  5. nocturnal-transmissions

    nocturnal-transmissions logic and proportion

    Location:
    Portland, OR USA
    “Paralyzed” — The Legendary Stardust Cowboy (1968)

    Alright, this one is sung in English... allegedly, but still transcends languages because even English speakers can't decipher the lyrics. Yes, there supposedly are lyrics despite what the lyrics sites tell you.

    The Legendary Stardust Cowboy [Norman Carl Odam] was a pioneer of whatever genre you want to call this – psychobilly, outsider music... It's hard to believe this ever got recorded (Mercury pressed 500 copies), but in fact he made several other recordings.

    Some other fun facts about the singer and the song:
    There's plenty more in another SHMF thread.

     
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  6. YoGarrett

    YoGarrett Forum Resident

    Location:
    Shorewood, IL
  7. Rfreeman

    Rfreeman Senior Member

    Location:
    Lawrenceville, NJ
    Those Were The Days as sung by Mary Hopkin - she also released versions sung in French Italian Spanish and German

    And The Beatles of course did German versions of She Loves You and I Want To Hold Your Hand
     
  8. BSU

    BSU Forum Resident

    Location:
    Indianapolis
    The Macarena, it was annoying in 100 different countries.
     
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  9. 4-2-7

    4-2-7 Forum Resident

    Location:
    SF Peninsula
  10. Twodawgzz

    Twodawgzz But why do you ask such questions...

    Anything and everything by Jerry Lee Lewis.
     
  11. nocturnal-transmissions

    nocturnal-transmissions logic and proportion

    Location:
    Portland, OR USA
    “Oualahila Ar Tesninam” — Tinariwen (2004)

     
  12. Kowalski

    Kowalski Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Italy
    Thanks !


    Sophie Hunger is one the best Swiss musician !

    Sophie Hunger - Finde Mich (2020)

     
  13. Kowalski

    Kowalski Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Italy
    Thanks !

     
  14. Kowalski

    Kowalski Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Italy


    Thanks !
    I adore Nina Hagen .:righton:

     
  15. Kowalski

    Kowalski Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Italy
    Thanks !
    A brilliant song.:agree:
     
  16. Kowalski

    Kowalski Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Italy
    Thanks !
    Esplêndida Carmen ! :agree:

     
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  17. Stone Turntable

    Stone Turntable Independent Head

    Location:
    New Mexico USA
    I was going to suggest his incredibly beautiful “Terra” —
     
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  18. Michael

    Michael I LOVE WIDE S-T-E-R-E-O!

  19. Simoon

    Simoon Forum Resident

    Location:
    Los Angeles
    This is easy for me!

    Some of the best progressive music ever, was and is produced in non-English speaking countries.

    Italy in the 70's, and up through today, has a reputation of prog equal to that of the well known British bands (YES, Genesis, King Crimson, etc). Bands such as: Premiata Forneria Marcpni, Banco dle Mutuo Sorccorso, Le Orme, and dozens more, created music sung in Italian, as good as English speaking bands.



    Same with France and Spain. While not as prodigious as Italy, these countries produced some world class prog, sung in French and Spanish. Hell, there were actually a good number of bands from Spain that sung in the enigmatic language, Euskera, that is spoken by the Basque people.

    Then, there is the French band, Magma. Long before Sigur Ros invented their own language, Magma invented their own, Kobia, with a set of grammatical rules and dictionary, which they sing every one of their albums in.
     
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  20. Hookian

    Hookian Forever 80s

    Location:
    Texas
  21. Hookian

    Hookian Forever 80s

    Location:
    Texas
     
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  22. Crimson Witch

    Crimson Witch Roll across the floor thru the hole & out the door

    Location:
    Lower Michigan
    Karlı Dağlar⸻Erkin Koray
    ℗1974―Doğan–L.P1 Elektronik Türküler

     
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  23. Simoon

    Simoon Forum Resident

    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Let me add, that one of the great things about prog, is that so much of the emotional content, is conveyed in the music itself, that understanding the lyrics is not as important to the appreciation of the music. Hell, all one has to do is take a look at Jon Anderson's lyrics. Some think they are pretty indecipherable, and they are in English.

    When it comes to prog with lyrics in a language I don't understand, it becomes very easy to just think of the vocals as another instrument, adding another melodic line to the music. The music is enough to convey emotional and intellectual content.
     
  24. Dillydipper

    Dillydipper Space-Age luddite

    Location:
    Central PA
    Does this mean we can't bring up Snow's "Informer" either?
     
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