He is the only artist to score a #1 Hit in the U.S. with a German language song, and his albums and singles have sold about 60 million copies worldwide.
Early Years
Born in Vienna, studying at the Vienna Music Conservatory in 1977 which he left after one semester to pursue a career in music, he lived for a short time in West Berlin while singing in a jazz-rock band. When he returned to Vienna he was calling himself "Falco," reportedly in tribute to the East German ski jumper Falko Weißpflog, and playing in the Austrian bands Spinning Wheel and Hallucination Company. En route to becoming an international rock star in his own right, he was bass player in the Austrian hard rock-punk rock band Drahdiwaberl (from 1978 until 1983). With Drahdiwaberl he wrote and performed the song "Ganz Wien" which he would also include on his debut solo album Einzelhaft.
Individual success
Falco's first hit was "Der Kommissar" from the 1982 album Einzelhaft. A German language song about drug consumption that combines rap verses with a sung chorus, Falco's record was a number-one success in many countries but failed to break big in the U.S. The song, however, would prove to have a life of its own in two English-language versions. British Rock band After the Fire recorded an English cover version, loosely based on Falco's lyrics and also called "Der Kommissar" (with "uh-oh" and "alles klar Herr Kommissar" the only other lyrics held over from the original). This time, the song shot to number three in the United States (their only major hit there) in 1983, though it failed to crack the UK Top 40. The band - who had been together more than a decade - broke up almost immediately thereafter. That same year, American singer Laura Branigan recorded a version of the song with new English lyrics, under the title "Deep in the Dark" on her album Branigan 2.
After a second album, Junge Roemer, failed to provide a repeat to his debut single's success (outside of Austria and Germany, where the album topped the charts), Falco began to experiment with English lyrics in an effort to broaden his appeal, and chose a new production team. The result would be the most popular album and single of his career.
Falco recorded "Rock Me Amadeus" inspired in part by the Oscar-winning film Amadeus, and the song became a worldwide hit in 1986. This time, his record reached #1 in the U.S. and UK, bringing him the success that had eluded him in that major market a few years earlier. The song remained in the top spot of the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks and his album, Falco 3, fittingly peaked at the number three position on the Billboard album charts. Unheard of at the time for a white performer, much less a European one, the Austrian rapper's single climbed to the upper reaches of the Billboard Top R&B Singles Chart (only a few years earlier called the "Black Singles" chart), peaking at number 6. Falco 3 peaked at number 18 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts. Ultimately, "Rock Me Amadeus" went to the #1 spot in over a dozen countries including the Soviet Union and Japan. Follow-up single "Vienna Calling" was another international pop hit, peaking at #18 of the Billboard Charts and #17 on the U.S. Cash Box Charts in 1986. A double A-side 12" single featuring remixes of those two hits peaked at #4 on the U.S. Dance/Disco charts.
"Jeanny" the third release from the album Falco 3, brought the performer back to the top of the charts across Europe. Highly controversial when it was released in Germany and the Netherlands, the story of "Jeanny" was told from the point of view of a rapist and possible murderer. Several DJs and radio stations refused to play the ballad, which was ignored in the U.S., although it became a huge hit in many European countries, and inspired two sequels on later albums.
In 1986, the album Emotional was released, produced by Rob and Ferdi Bolland (Bolland & Bolland). On the Album were "Coming Home (Jeanny Part 2, Ein Jahr danach)" and the song "Kamikaze Cappa" which was written as a tribute to the late photojournalist Robert Capa. "The Sound of Musik" was another international success, and a Top 20 U.S. Dance hit, though he failed to make the U.S. pop charts. He also went on "Emotional-Tour" which was a world tour where he ended up in Japan at 1987. In 1987, he sang a duet with Brigitte Nielsen "Body Next to Body" and the single was a Top 10 hit in the Germanic countries. The Album Wiener Blut was released in 1988 but it did not get much publicity outside Germany and Austria.
After "Jeanny," there were a number of European hits, but Falco was rarely heard in the U.S. and the UK. His 1992 U.S. comeback attempt, the album Nachtflug with the song "Titanic" won a number of awards, but failed to chart in America.
Death
Falco died of severe injuries received from a collision with a bus in his Mitsubishi Pajero near the city of Puerto Plata, in the Dominican Republic on 6 February 1998, just two weeks before his 41st birthday. While it was initially reported that the autopsy showed high blood levels of alcohol and cocaine, this was disputed. At the time of his death, he was working on a comeback into the music world.
He was buried in the Zentralfriedhof (Central Cemetery) in Vienna, Austria.
Years active: 1974 -1998
America
Falco Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Die G'schicht is a jene, des weiß a jeder
Weil es liegt doch auf der Hand
Es war mit Bock und Roll Musik
Nicht immer leicht in diesem Land
Was in mir sitzt ist weiß gespritzt
Das ist mir völlig klar
Seitdem in USA ich war
Dort hört man: „Falco You Are Wonderful“
Kumm, hobts mi langsam gern
Wenns meine records trotzdem kaufen tätets
Tät es mich nicht stören
Das typische an mir
Ich bin untypisch ganz und gar
Amal hoch und amal tief
Amal g'spritzt, dann wieder klar
Ihr werd's mi nehmen miaßen, wieri bin
I sags eich lieber glei
Zeigts mir den nächsten schlanken Fuß
Dann bin ich für euch live dabei
America
Wenn's ihr ma glaubats, wie ma euch vermissen ka'
America
Wenn's ihr ma glaubats, wie ma euch vermissen ka'
America nana
I spiel auf Reagan, come on
America
Lala lalala la la
Der Spiegel sagte: „Wien is vorn“
Und wenn der es nicht weiß wer dann?
Wann der Mr. Smith a Glatze hat
Verkauf ma ihm 'nen Kamm
Der Herr war dick, das Madel slick
So denn er lallend fragt
What's your name?
I' nehm' zweitausend
Keusch der Madel sagt
Ihr werd's uns nehmen miaßen, wie ma san
Wir sagns euch liaber glei
Zagts uns den nächsten Präsidenten
Und wir san live dabei und ab jetzt
America
Wenn's ihr ma glaubats, wie ma euch vermissen ka'
America
Wenn's ihr ma glaubats, wie ma euch vermissen ka'
Jawohl
Would like to have that wonderful Wiener Schnitzel
Geh, gib eahm 10 Deka Polnische in a Wachauer
Yeah, that's really great
Waaß I eh, des macht hundert
Na, na, Schilling ned Dollar
Übertreiben woll ma's ned"
America
Woah lala lalala lala la la
America
Woah lala lalala lala la la
America
Wenn's ihr ma glaubats, wie ma euch vermissen ka'
Lala la la
America
Wenn's ihr ma glaubats, wie ma euch vermissen ka'
Whoa oh oh oh
America
Woah lala lalala lala la la
America
Ey wenn's ihr ma glaubats, wie ma euch vermissen ka'
Lala la la
America
Wenn's ihr ma glaubats, wie ma euch vermissen ka'
America
Wenn's ihr ma glaubats, wie ma euch vermissen ka'
America
Wenn's ihr ma glaubats, wie ma euch vermissen ka'
America
Wenn's ihr ma glaubats, wie ma euch vermissen ka'
America
Wenn's ihr ma glaubats, wie ma euch vermissen ka'
America
Wenn's ihr ma glaubats, wie ma euch vermissen ka'
The lyrics of Falco's song "America" are a peculiar reflection of his own experiences in the United States of America. The Austrian singer had success in the American music scene, but he encountered difficulties adapting to the cultural differences. The song begins by affirming that it is well-known that it wasn't easy to make rock and roll music in America, especially for someone like Falco, who was different from the norm. The lyrics mention his distinctly white appearance, despite drinking whiskey, and the support he received from his American fans.
The chorus of the song expresses Falco's longing for America, knowing that his feelings are mutual. He mocks the typical American tourist who tries to bargain with locals, giving humorous examples of how they would interact with Viennese culture. He then imagines himself performing for Ronald Reagan, showcasing the unique perspective he has to offer the American public.
Overall, "America" is a song that conveys Falco's complex feelings towards the country that gave him success and struggle. He recognizes the difficulties that come with trying to fit in while being different, and he also yearns to return to the place that he calls home away from home.
Line by Line Meaning
Die G'schicht is a jene, des weiß a jeder
Everyone knows the story
Weil es liegt doch auf der Hand
It is obvious
Es war mit Bock und Roll Musik
It was with rock and roll music
Nicht immer leicht in diesem Land
Not always easy in this country
Was in mir sitzt ist weiß gespritzt
What's inside me is white sprayed
Das ist mir völlig klar
That is perfectly clear to me
Obgleich ich Whiskey tschechern tu
Although I'm drinking whiskey
Seitdem in USA ich war
Since I was in the USA
Dort hört man: „Falco You Are Wonderful“
They say 'Falco You Are Wonderful' there
Kumm, hobts mi langsam gern
Come, start liking me slowly
Wenns meine records trotzdem kaufen tätets
If you would still buy my records
Tät es mich nicht stören
It wouldn't bother me
Das typische an mir
The typical thing about me
Ich bin untypisch ganz und gar
I am completely atypical
Amal hoch und amal tief
Sometimes high, sometimes low
Amal g'spritzt, dann wieder klar
Sometimes sprayed, then clear again
Ihr werd's mi nehmen miaßen, wieri bin
You will have to take me as I am
I sags eich lieber glei
I'll tell you right away
Zeigts mir den nächsten schlanken Fuß
Show me the next slim foot
Dann bin ich für euch live dabei
Then I'll be there for you live
Wenn's ihr ma glaubats, wie ma euch vermissen ka'
If you only knew how much we miss you
America nana
America, no no
I spiel auf Reagan, come on
I'll play for Reagan, come on
Der Spiegel sagte: „Wien is vorn“
The Spiegel said 'Vienna is ahead'
Und wenn der es nicht weiß wer dann?
And if he doesn't know it, who does?
Wann der Mr. Smith a Glatze hat
When Mr. Smith is bald
Verkauf ma ihm 'nen Kamm
We'll sell him a comb
Der Herr war dick, das Madel slick
The man was fat, the girl was slick
So denn er lallend fragt
So when he asks slurringly
What's your name?
What's your name?
I' nehm' zweitausend
I'll take two thousand
Keusch der Madel sagt
The girl says meekly
Ihr werd's uns nehmen miaßen, wie ma san
You'll have to take us as we are
Wir sagns euch liaber glei
We'll tell you right away
Zagts uns den nächsten Präsidenten
Tell us the next president
Und wir san live dabei und ab jetzt
And we'll be there live from now on
Jawohl
Yes
Would like to have that wonderful Wiener Schnitzel
I would like to have that wonderful Wiener Schnitzel
Geh, gib eahm 10 Deka Polnische in a Wachauer
Go, give him 10 decas (of sausages) from Wachau
Yeah, that's really great
Yeah, that's really great
Waaß I eh, des macht hundert
I know, that makes a hundred
Na, na, Schilling ned Dollar
No, no, Schillings not dollars
Übertreiben woll ma's ned"
We don't want to exaggerate
Woah lala lalala lala la la
Whoa lala lalala lala la la
Ey wenn's ihr ma glaubats, wie ma euch vermissen ka'
Hey, if you only knew how much we miss you
Whoa oh oh oh
Whoa oh oh oh
Lyrics © Budde Music Publishing GmbH, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHANN HOELZEL, ROBERT BOLLAND, FERDINAND BOLLAND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@notimptoknow4215
Its an analogy for US-austrian political friendship, with a bunch of selfdeprecating elements in it as not to be seen as too radical of a song. :)
Read the translation a few postings above - here are a few excerpts:
Everyone knows that it wasnt always easy with irish and rock and roll music in this country... (Reference to the occupation after the second world war, and what developed out of it.)
What I like is white spritzer (white wine with soda - stands for, what I like is Austria/austrian mentality), that's crystal clear to me
Even though I get hammered on whisky (stand in for being depressed... ;) White whine with soda is light comparatively, and not used by depressed people to drown their sorrows... ;) ) since I have been to the USA
There they say "Falco you are wonderful", come on, start liking me already (what they say is not what they mean - but stated as a very soft blow)
If you would buy my records regardless, I wouldn't mind (thats an actual call back to his professional life, and a callback to the vailed criticism that was made, that the relationship between the US and austria had been ambivalent.. Thats Falco the poet... :) )
The typical about me is, I am atypical entirely (= bravado :)),
Sometimes high and sometimes low, sometimes spritzed (drunk, or acting drunk) then clear/sober again (again, double meaning. :) As in I'm telling you the truth but I'm doing it from behind a secure vail of acting drunk. Also the situation is depressing (for me). :) )
You will have to take it from me, how I am, I better tell you now (= bravado :) )
Show me the next lean (naked) leg (= women down to have sexual relations), then maybe I'll be with you there live
Play on Reagan (US President), come on - lalala
The "Spiegel"(Germanys prime weekly news magazine) said: Vienna is ahead, if they don't know, who does (The public sentiment more so than the Spiegel usually... ;) As in Falco is down with open political secrets/the rumor mill on the streets :) Also putting down the importance of Vienna. :) )
If Mr. Smith (the Americans) is bald, we (the Viennese) will sell him a comb
The gentleman was fat, the girl was slick, when then he asked her babbling - "What's your name?", "I want two thousand" innocently the girl said
You will have to take it from us (/and take us), how we are, we better tell you right now
Show us the next (US) president and we'll be there live - or maybe not
America, ... would you believe me how much one guy is able to miss you? (Sarcastic, and then also not sarcastic - because being number one in the US charts was the highest professional achievement in his career. :) Again, double meaning. :) )
(Still in the voice of the american tourist:) I would like to have that wonderful Wiener Schnitzel
(Viennese:) Go give him ten dekagram Polish (cheap (but good) sausage) into a Wachauer (local kind of sandwich bread)
(Still in the voice of the american tourist:) Yeah, that's really great
(Viennese:) I know already, that's a hundred. Nono, schillings not dollars, let's not exaggerate (100 Schillings is about 10-20 times as much as the sandwich should've cost, 100 Dollars would have been 100 times as much... :))
America ... La la la - la la - la la
@RwBguardian
Well
The story is like that, everyone knows that, because it's obvious
It wasn't always easy with bagpipe and roll music in this country
What I like is white spritzer*, that's crystal clear to me
Even though I get hammered on whisky since I was in the USA
There they say "Falco you are wonderful", come on, start liking me
If you would buy my records regardless, I wouldn't mind
The typical about me is, I am untypical, not at all
Sometimes high and sometimes low, sometimes sptirzed then clear again
You will have to take it from me, how I am, I better tell you now
Show me the next lean leg, then maybe I'll be there live
America, if you would believe me, how you can be missed
America, if you would believe me, how you can be missed
Play on Reagan, come on - lalala
The "Spiegel"** said: Vienna is ahead, if they don't know it, who will
If Mr. Smith is bald, we will sell him a comb
The gentleman was fat, the girl slick, then he asked babbling:
"What's your name?", "I want two thousand" innocently said the girl
You will have to take it from us, how we are, we better tell you now
Show us the next president and we'll be there live - or maybe not
America, ...
I would like to have that wonderful Wiener Schnitzel
Go give him ten dekagram Polish (sausages) in a Wachauer***
Yeah, that's really great
I know already, that's a hundred. Nono, schillings not dollars, let's not exaggerate
America ... La la la - la la - la la
https://lyricstranslate.com/en/america-america.html-8
@68holger
Der beste Sänger den Österreich hervorgebracht hat
@jemmounicat1620
Auf den Punkt gebracht 😉
@gerhardriedmann4087
Auch 40 Jahre später, einfach toll!!!
@matthiasheilig2132
Fakt
@stephanpaudler1332
Ist so , wir wuchsen in der geilsten Zeit ever auf ….und wussten es nicht
@HoboHeaven
So underrated. Der Text ist der Hammer, hau mich jedesmal weg^^
@user-jj4pr6iv8j
großartiger österreichischer Künstler - einfach unique !!!!
@Hammern28
This song is just awesome. RIP Falco!
@reneprucha7054
Da geht mir mein Herz auf bei dieser Musik.
@danielfalk3450
Jawooi