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
Der Komissar
Falco Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But it's not that I don't care so
'Cause I hear it all the time
But they never let you know
On the T.V. and the radio
She was young her heart was pure
But every night is bright she got
She come rappin' to the beat
Then I knew that she was hot
She was singin', don't turn around, oh oh[incomprehensible]
Der Kommissar's in town, oh oh
You're in his eye and you'll know why
The more you live the faster you will die
Alles klar, Herr Kommissar?
She said, "Babe you know, I miss Jill and Joe"
And all my funky friends
But my street understanding
Was just enough to know what she really meant
And I got to thinking while she was talking
That I know she told the story
Of those special places that she goes
When she rides with the others in the subway
Singin', don't turn around, oh oh
Der Kommissar's in town, oh oh
And if he talks to you and you don't know why
You say your life is gonna make you die
Alles klar, Herr Kommissar?
Well, we meet Jill and Joe and brother Herr
And the whole cool gang and oh
They're rappin' here, they're rappin' there
But she's climbin' on the wall
It's a clear case, Herr Kommissar
'Cause all the children know
They're all slidin' down into the valley
They're all slipping on the same snow
Hear the children, don't turn around, oh oh
Der Kommissar's in town, oh oh
He's got the power and you're so weak
And you're frustration will not let you speak
Don't turn around, oh oh
Der Kommissar's in town, oh oh
And if he talks to you then you'll know why
The more you live, the faster you will die
Don't turn around, oh oh
Der Kommissar's in town, oh oh
Don't turn around, oh oh
Der Kommissar's in town, oh oh
Don't turn around, oh oh
Der Kommissar's in town, oh oh
Don't turn around, oh oh
Der Kommissar's in town, oh oh
Don't turn around, oh oh
Der Kommissar's in town, oh oh
Don't turn around, oh oh
Der Kommissar's in town, oh oh
Falco's "Der Kommissar" is a song that reflects the fear and anxiety felt by the people of Vienna after a spate of child disappearances. The song starts with the famous "Zwei drei vier" count-in, then follows with the singer's take on the situation. Through the lyrics, Falco describes a young woman who misses her friends, but is now stuck in a dangerous predicament with nowhere to turn. She sings about the dangers of the city life and how the mysterious persona known as Der Kommissar is out there, watching people's every move, waiting to prey on their vulnerabilities.
The lyrics go on to describe how people are slipping into the valley and sliding on the same snow, alluding to the danger that the whole city is experiencing. The song's chorus is a warning, repeated continuously, not to turn around because Der Kommissar is watching, and if he talks to you, you'll know why. The lyrics are a call to action, with Falco asking everyone to be vigilant and try to stay safe in a city where danger is lurking around every corner.
The song was originally recorded in 1981 by Falco and released as a single in Austria. It became a hit there and was later covered by After the Fire, whose version became an international success. The song tackled the social issues faced by the people of Vienna, including the spate of child disappearances, which had become a significant concern at the time. The song, therefore, achieved an emotive response from the people of Vienna and highlighted the dangers that citizens were facing at the time.
Line by Line Meaning
Zwei drei vier, one two three, it's easy to see
The introduction of the song with a count-in, indicating that something easy to see is about to be explained.
But it's not that I don't care so
The singer is acknowledging an issue, even if it seems like he doesn't care.
'Cause I hear it all the time
The issue he's acknowledging is something he's heard repeatedly.
But they never let you know
Despite the frequency with which this issue is mentioned, the root cause is never explained.
On the T.V. and the radio
The media is constantly mentioning the issue, but never delving into its cause.
She was young her heart was pure
The singer introduces a character who is young and naive.
But every night is bright she got
This character lives a vibrant, exciting nightlife.
She said, 'Sugar is sweet'
The character is carefree and enjoys the simple things in life.
She come rappin' to the beat
The character is musically inclined and enjoys expressing herself through rap music.
Then I knew that she was hot
The singer is attracted to this character and finds her appealing.
She was singin', don't turn around, oh oh[incomprehensible]
The character is singing a warning about something, though her exact words are unclear.
Der Kommissar's in town, oh oh
There is someone called the Kommissar in the area.
You're in his eye and you'll know why
The Kommissar is watching closely and has a reason for doing so.
The more you live the faster you will die
Living a certain lifestyle will lead to an early death.
Alles klar, Herr Kommissar?
A repeated question asking if everything is clear to the Kommissar.
She said, 'Babe you know, I miss Jill and Joe'
The character misses her friends, Jill and Joe.
And all my funky friends
The character and her friends have a fun, lively lifestyle.
But my street understanding
Despite the carefree lifestyle, the character has a streetwisdom and understanding.
Was just enough to know what she really meant
The character knows what her friends mean when they speak in code.
And I got to thinking while she was talking
The singer is thinking deeply while the character is speaking.
That I know she told the story
The character has shared a story with the singer.
Of those special places that she goes
The character frequents certain places that are significant to her.
When she rides with the others in the subway
One of the character's meaningful places is the subway, where she rides with friends.
It's a clear case, Herr Kommissar
The singer is certain that something is clear to the Kommissar.
'Cause all the children know
Even young people know what is going on.
They're all slidin' down into the valley
All the young people are headed for trouble or danger.
They're all slipping on the same snow
All these young people are making the same mistakes.
Hear the children, don't turn around, oh oh
The children are warning others.
He's got the power and you're so weak
The Kommissar is strong and others are vulnerable.
And you're frustration will not let you speak
The singer's frustration is preventing him from speaking up.
And if he talks to you then you'll know why
If the Kommissar speaks to someone, it will become clear why he is watching them.
The more you live, the faster you will die
Living a dangerous and reckless lifestyle will lead to an early death.
Der Kommissar's in town, oh oh
Repeating the warning that the Kommissar is around.
Don't turn around, oh oh
Urging others not to pay attention to the Kommissar.
Der Kommissar's in town, oh oh
Repeating the warning that the Kommissar is present.
Don't turn around, oh oh
Urging others not to make themselves known to the Kommissar.
Der Kommissar's in town, oh oh
Repeating the warning again that the Kommissar is there.
Don't turn around, oh oh
Urging others again to not draw attention to themselves.
Der Kommissar's in town, oh oh
Repeating the warning once more.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@marioperkovic3289
He was rapping in German back when not a single German rapper was yet born. And he hit #1 in the US charts doing so. Fucking legend.
@lawnmowermanTX
AGREED! Jeanny was a favorite of mine... my exfiancee Jeanne is lost to the drug addiction world, only G-d knows her heart.. i grew up on Freddy Mercury... Queen. i listen to Ozzy Osbourne... living alone.... way my life is destined and meant for me to live, alone, forgotten and largely ignored as a slow retarded dummy... way i was raised... but that's show biz!
@HombreAproximativo
He wasn't even German xD.
@nataliejones8951
you mean Austrian?
@eriklarson9137
@@lawnmowermanTX imagine typing that.
@freshepaprika1056
He was Austrian!
Er wor Österreicha bidschen
@saraheart2804
I love how he switches languages so smoothly. RIP Falco.
@Perririri
Вечная Память
@WmPryor1
And he is that somewhat rare German who can pronounce "th" clearly. I love the language switching. I lived in Deutschland in the 1970's. I loved Germany too.
@jonas_security_kolinski
@@WmPryor1 He's austrian, but I get your point :)