Music Inspired by the Berlin Wall

With the recent 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall in mind, we've been taking a look back at some of the more memorable songs that were either inspired by or later dedicated to the infamous Cold War creation. Here's what we've found:

"99 Luftballons" by Nena: This song was conceived when Carlo Karges, Nena's guitarist, saw a bunch of balloons released at a Rolling Stones concert in Berlin and wondered what would happen if they crossed over the Wall into East Germany. The German-language song, later recorded in English, is one of the highest-charting foreign-language songs ever on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at #2.

"Nikita" by Elton John: The video for this 1985 ballad about star-crossed lovers depicts Sir Elton repeatedly crossing an East Berlin checkpoint to romance a beautiful Soviet border guard named "Nikita."  Interestingly, it was Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev who originally gave the order to build the Berlin Wall.

"Heresy" by Rush: The lyrics are unequivocally about the fall of the Iron Curtain and the Berlin Wall: ""All across that dull gray world from Moscow to Berlin...walls go tumbling in..."

"Holidays in the Sun" by The Sex Pistols: One of the last singles recorded by the band before their breakup (and eventual reunion). Interesting quote from Johnny Rotten: "I loved Berlin. I loved the wall and the insanity of the place. The communists looked in on the circus atmosphere of West Berlin, which never went to sleep, and that would be their impression of the West."

"Looking for Freedom" by David Hasselhoff: It's well known that the 'Hoff is bigger in Germany than he ever was in the U.S. (which is actually saying a lot). But few may remember at this point that "Looking for Freedom" was #1 in Germany for eight weeks in 1989 and became an unofficial soundtrack to the fall of the Wall. In fact, Hasselhoff performed the song at a huge New Year's celebration at the Brandenburg Gate only a few weeks later.

"Wind of Change" by Scorpions: This is one of the most recognizable songs celebrating the destruction of the Berlin Wall and more generally the fall of communist regimes throughout Central and Eastern Europe. Not surprisingly, the song was and still is massively popular in Germany, home of the Scorpions.

The Wall by Pink Floyd: The album wasn't actually inspired by the Berlin Wall—it's a reference to Roger Waters' desire to create a metaphorical "wall" between him and his fans. However, Waters famously organized a mega-concert performance of this iconic rock opera in Berlin several months after the Wall came down and released The Wall—Live in Berlin in September 1990.

Big Kenny, The Quiet Times of a Rock and Roll Farm Boy

Kenny Alphin (better known as Big Kenny) has long had an artistic flair for taking his music in unexpected directions. The Big half of Big & Rich (John Rich being the Rich half, of course) actively defies genre labeling, and his new album, The Quiet Times of a Rock and Roll Farm Boy, finds his rogue tendencies intact, if not growing. This is an odd record. Like his 2005 solo album, Live a Little (which was actually recorded in 1999, long before Big & Rich became famous), Big Kenny veers wildly from influence to influence. Quiet Times features modern pseudo-country mixed with arena-rock anthems and Kenny's quavery crooning. And quirks. Plenty of those. Describing the album with such words may not sound very appealing, but Kenny makes it all hang together somehow. Perhaps it's not his best work, but the more adventurous of his fans will still enjoy the ride.

Electronica Staff Picks

Experience trance at its finest under the command of the world’s biggest mix DJ, Tiesto. In Search of Sunrise 4—Latin America is the 2005 album inspired by Tiesto’s tour through South America. Check out the last two tracks for nonstop mixes (each over an hour) of the included tunes.
 

Nu Skool breaks innovators and stars of the Finger Lickin’ label, the Plump DJs were featured in 2009’s Coachella music festival. Their newest joint is the single “My Hi Tops,” released this week. As fresh as ever, it features break-beat snippets with a focused bass line. House remixes of the track follow courtesy of the UK’s Riva Starr.

Mark Tailor creates drum and bass tracks of a somewhat sinister nature. With this week’s release of the Hater EP, Tailor delivers a series of singles that experiment with different rhythms and atmospheric textures. The track “Battlestar” may ring a bell for fans of the popular Battlestar Galactica series appearing on the SyFy (formerly SciFi) network.

Leeds DJ and producer Filthy Rich teams up with the Brighton duo (Ben) Prok & (James) Fitch on this latest house single. This partnership rings in an electro wave that ebbs and flows, but rises at its highest peaks to exceed the highest dance floor standards.

Ghana Special: Modern Highlife, Afro-Sounds, & Ghanaian Blues

As on his previous anthologies, Ghana Soundz and Nigeria Special, anthologist and Soundways label chief Miles Claret has assembled a complete picture of a short-lived era in West African music with Ghana Special. The set covers the years 1968-1981, which, despite the political unrest in Ghana, were a fertile time for pop music there; many influences, including highlife, Nigerian afrobeat, jazz, soul, funk, and other forms of American and European rock can all be heard throughout. Claret spent years tracking down musicians in and around the cities of Takoradi, Accra, Cape Coast, Tema, and Kumasi in an effort to present previously uncollected material, and it's clear that Ghana Special, as with the previous volumes documenting the West African musical heritage, is a labor of love. 

Them Crooked Vultures Live at The Wiltern

Them Crooked Vultures may be a new group with a debut album of the same name, but experience is certainly not lacking with these guys. Consisting of Josh Homme and Alain Johannes of Queens of the Stone Age fame; Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters and Nirvana; and the one and only John Paul Jones of the legendary Led Zeppelin, saying that these guys "rock" would be a gross understatement. TCV most definitely know how to rock; but more than that, they are rock. Ushering in their debut album in fine style, they performed to a sold-out audience on Tuesday night at The Wiltern in Los Angeles. With Homme taking on lead vocal duties, one by one he introduced each member of the group starting with Johannes. Cheers got louder for Grohl, but none were louder and longer than the cheering for Jones. For many in the audience, including myself, it was exciting to see a legend of his caliber jamming on stage with more recent rock icons. TCV played for an hour and a half, performing most of the tracks from the album, including singles "New Fang" and "Mind Eraser, No Chaser."  And after the dizzying onslaught of winding riffs and crashing drums, Jones tied it up at the end with a keyboard solo, leaving the crowd in awe. Check their schedule and try to catch a show, as this is one show not to be missed.

Michael Jackson and the Return of Captain EO?

With the continuing worldwide success of Michael Jackson's This Is It film and album (pictured), it's no surprise his fans want more ways to remember the King of Pop. MTV has already snapped up the television rights for This Is It, so expect that to air sometime in 2010. Meanwhile, another Jackson classic might return to select theaters as well: Captain EO. The $30 million dollar, 17-minute 3-D short film was produced by George Lucas, directed by Francis Ford Coppola, starred Jackson and featured two of his songs ("We Are Here to Change the World" and "Another Part of Me). It was screened exclusively at Disney theme parks from 1986 until 1998, but rumors abound that the public clamor for more Michael has Disney working on a revival. Whether today's audiences will get to experience smoke effects and laser show that enhanced the original 3-D experience is unknown, but hopefully we'll know more sooner rather than later so we can all start making our 2010 vacation plans.

Fred Hammond Artist Picks: Napster Playlist

Fred Hammond is one of the most respected production specialists in contemporary Gospel music. With a simply amazing list of nominations for Grammy, Dove, and Stellar awards, he is sought out for his always-valuable contributions to musical projects. Aside from his production expertise, Hammond is also the powerful Gospel singer and musician behind the September release of the album Love Unstoppable. We caught up with him recently and asked him for a list of his favorite tracks, hoping for clues as to what inspires him. He not only graced us with his list, but provided some brief commentary as well:

1. "Celebrates (He Lives)," Fred Hammond

2. "Knocks Me off My Feet," Stevie Wonder: This was the first song I ever sang in public, at a house party off 7 mile in Detroit, at age 17.

3. "Restoration," The Winans: When I heard this song, I was coming home from work on Finkle & Greenfield, and it changed my life. Once I heard it, I knew I wanted to be a professional Gospel singer.

4."Thank You (for Letting Me Be Myself)," Sly & The Family Stone: As a young boy, this was the first time I was introduced to funk.

5. "I’ll Be There," The Jackson 5: I sang this song with a group in elementary school. I sang Jermaine's part.

6. "I Belong to You," Rance Allen: Rance Allen is one of my favorite male singers of all time.

7. "I’m Encouraged," Thomas Whitfield: My Mentor.

8. "Jungle Boogie," Kool & The Gang: Growing up in the 'hood, every basement and porch band played this song. The horn and bass line is forever etched in my memory.

9. "Superstition," Stevie Wonder: At 12 years old, I got my first starlight sparkle blue drum set, and this was the first song I played.

10. "Whatcha See Is Watcha Get," The Dramatics: The Dramatics, major do-wop [street-]corner harmony. It's what I grew up on.

11. "Running Back to You," Commissioned: The first full song I ever wrote from where I was in my life.

12. "Jesus Is the Answer," Andrae Crouch: This song has such a simple, yet powerful message.

The Rolling Stones, Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out! Remastered

The Rolling Stones' classic live compilation from their late '60s glory days Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out! has been reissued today, nearly 40 years after the original debuted. The album, considered one of the greatest live rock albums of all time, includes performances mainly recorded during the band's '68 to '69 Beggars Banquet and Let it Bleed period. And while some die-hards may still prefer the studio records, Ya-Ya's still packs a punch, even four decades later. Aside from the remastered tracks, which let killer performances of "Midnight Rambler," "Sympathy for the Devil," and "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" really shine, the new reissue includes set-opening performances from B.B. King and Ike & Tina Turner. This special addition finds The Stones, Ike & Tina, and B.B. all in their prime, unleashing gritty blues numbers that make for an especially comprehensive and now even more dangerously soulful listening experience. And if you're still hungry for more Stones, we've recently created a Stones Blues playlist that archives some original blues classics along with the Stones' one-of-a-kind covers of them.

Andrew Weatherall, A Pox on the Pioneers

If late '80s and early '90s "indie-dance" could be attributed to the efforts of one man, that man would be Andrew Weatherall. Moving from UK underground dance music journalism in the fanzine Boys Own to production duties for the Happy Mondays, New Order, and most famously Screamadelica, the breakthrough album by Primal Scream, Weatherall established that rocking the dance floor was possible in the most literal sense. Over the ensuing 20 years, he has continued to crank out genre-bending material in his own projects, Sabres of Paradise and Two Lone Swordsmen on the iconic label Warp, and through remix work with My Bloody Valentine, Björk, and many others. A Pox on the Pioneers, just released this August, is Weatherall's first full-length solo album, and it's evidence that his restless and inventive musical spirit hasn't dimmed since the heyday of acid house.