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
Junge Roemer
Falco Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Und meine Kinder sind totkrank
Komm, kauf mir ein paar Ketten ab
Dass ich was Gutes hintuen kann
Die Mussolinis hier hassen uns, doch mich kriegen sie nicht klein
Du bist ein guter Mensch, das hab' ich gleich erkannt
Also schlägst du mit mir ein
Gehst ein Stück und drehst nicht um, doch
Am Eingang vom Kolosseum merkst du
Ja, es fehlt ein Zehn-Euro-Schein
Kann sein, dass ich ihn vergessen hab'
Was soll's? Das wird schon passen
Für dich ein Liter Wein weniger
Und für mich ein Platz zum Schlafen
Junge Römer
Tanzen anders
Als die Andern
Sie kommen und sehen und siegen
Ganz allein gegen den Rest der Welt
Frag': „Junge Römer
Kennt ihr die Sonne noch?“
Sie kennt die Sorgen
Junge Römer
Die Nacht ist jung wie ihr
Vergesst das Morgen
Junger Römer, süßer Schweiß
Auf schwarzer Haut in heißer Nacht
Doch er schläft nicht in weißer Seide
Sondern auf dem Rohbau-Dach
Und da träumt er dann von der West-Sahara
Wo er träumte von dem Dolce Vita
Heut träumt er schlecht von der Policia
Hetzjacken am Lazio-Spieltag
Muschel-armband, Selfie-Stick
Bags von Prada und Fendi
Zahlt, zahlt Dokumente, die braucht er nicht
Denn bella ragazza erkennen ihn, ah
Sitzt am Tiber, halber Liter
Angeliqua im Arm
Die Sorgen kommen, wenn der Morgen geht
Doch noch hält die Sonne ihn warm
Junge Römer
Tanzen anders
Als die Andern
Sie kommen und sehen und siegen
Ganz allein gegen den Rest der Welt
Frag': „Junge Römer
Kennt ihr die Sonne noch?“
Sie kennt die Sorgen
Junge Römer
Die Nacht ist jung wie ihr
Vergesst das Morgen
(?)
Das neue Leben
Fängt sie ein
Keiner für alle
Und jeder für sich
Keine Gefühle
Die stören dich
Junge Römer
Tanzen anders
Als die Andern
Sie kommen und sehen und siegen
Ganz allein gegen den Rest der Welt
Frag': „Junge Römer
Kennt ihr die Sonne noch?“
Sie kennt die Sorgen
Junge Römer
Die Nacht ist jung wie ihr
Vergesst das Morgen
Junge Römer
Tanzen anders
Als die Andern
Sie kommen und sehen und siegen
Ganz allein gegen den Rest der Welt
Frag': „Junge Römer
Kennt ihr die Sonne noch?“
Sie kennt die Sorgen
The lyrics of "Junge Römer" by Falco discuss the struggles and hardships of a group of marginalized individuals living in Rome, Italy. The song touches on themes of poverty, illness, discrimination, and resilience. The singer, who has lost his job and has sick children, asks a stranger to buy some chains from him so he can make some money, and then disappears. He reflects on the Mussolinis who hate him but he won't let them bring him down. He then addresses the young Romans, who dance differently from everyone else and face the world alone. They know the sun but also know the sorrows that come with it.
The young Romans who dance differently than others represent those who don't fit with the normative society. They face the world alone, but they manage to come out on top. They know the sun and its warmth, but they also know the burdens and struggles of life. The singer recognizes these struggles and admires their resilience, as they still manage to stand together and come out victorious. The song presents a message of hope and resilience, telling marginalized people that they are not alone.
Line by Line Meaning
Ich und meine Frau haben den Job verloren
My wife and I lost our jobs
Und meine Kinder sind totkrank
And my children are seriously ill
Komm, kauf mir ein paar Ketten ab
Come buy some chains from me
Dass ich was Gutes hintuen kann
So that I can do something good
Die Mussolinis hier hassen uns, doch mich kriegen sie nicht klein
The Mussolinis here hate us, but they won't bring me down
Du bist ein guter Mensch, das hab' ich gleich erkannt
You're a good person, I recognized it right away
Also schlägst du mit mir ein
So you shake hands with me
Gehst ein Stück und drehst nicht um, doch
You walk a bit and don't turn around, but
Keine Spur von mir, weit und breit
There's no trace of me, far and wide
Am Eingang vom Kolosseum merkst du
At the entrance of the Colosseum, you notice
Ja, es fehlt ein Zehn-Euro-Schein
Yes, there's a ten euro note missing
Kann sein, dass ich ihn vergessen hab'
Maybe I forgot it
Was soll's? Das wird schon passen
What can you do? It'll work out
Für dich ein Liter Wein weniger
One liter of wine less for you
Und für mich ein Platz zum Schlafen
And a place to sleep for me
Junger Römer, süßer Schweiß
Young Roman, sweet sweat
Auf schwarzer Haut in heißer Nacht
On black skin in a hot night
Doch er schläft nicht in weißer Seide
But he doesn't sleep in white silk
Sondern auf dem Rohbau-Dach
Instead, he sleeps on the roof of a building under construction
Und da träumt er dann von der West-Sahara
And there he dreams of the Western Sahara
Wo er träumte von dem Dolce Vita
Where he used to dream of the sweet life
Heut träumt er schlecht von der Policia
Today, he has nightmares about the police
Hetzjacken am Lazio-Spieltag
Violent police on Lazio game day
Muschel-armband, Selfie-Stick
Shell bracelet, selfie stick
Bags von Prada und Fendi
Bags from Prada and Fendi
Zahlt, zahlt Dokumente, die braucht er nicht
He pays for documents he doesn't need
Denn bella ragazza erkennen ihn, ah
Because beautiful girls recognize him, ah
Sitzt am Tiber, halber Liter
Sitting by the Tiber river, half a liter
Angeliqua im Arm
With Angelique in his arms
Die Sorgen kommen, wenn der Morgen geht
Worries come when morning comes
Doch noch hält die Sonne ihn warm
But the sun still warms him
Das neue Leben Fängt sie ein
She captures the new life
Keiner für alle Und jeder für sich
Everyone for themselves, and nobody for everyone
Keine Gefühle Die stören dich
No feelings that interfere with you
Junger Römer, süßer Schweiß
Young Roman, sweet sweat
Auf schwarzer Haut in heißer Nacht
On black skin in a hot night
Doch er schläft nicht in weißer Seide
But he doesn't sleep in white silk
Sondern auf dem Rohbau-Dach
Instead, he sleeps on the roof of a building under construction
Und da träumt er dann von der West-Sahara
And there he dreams of the Western Sahara
Wo er träumte von dem Dolce Vita
Where he used to dream of the sweet life
Heut träumt er schlecht von der Policia
Today, he has nightmares about the police
Hetzjacken am Lazio-Spieltag
Violent police on Lazio game day
Muschel-armband, Selfie-Stick
Shell bracelet, selfie stick
Bags von Prada und Fendi
Bags from Prada and Fendi
Zahlt, zahlt Dokumente, die braucht er nicht
He pays for documents he doesn't need
Denn bella ragazza erkennen ihn, ah
Because beautiful girls recognize him, ah
Sitzt am Tiber, halber Liter
Sitting by the Tiber river, half a liter
Angeliqua im Arm
With Angelique in his arms
Die Sorgen kommen, wenn der Morgen geht
Worries come when morning comes
Doch noch hält die Sonne ihn warm
But the sun still warms him
Junge Römer Tanzen anders
Young Romans dance differently
Als die Andern Sie kommen und sehen und siegen
They come, see, and conquer
Ganz allein gegen den Rest der Welt
Completely alone against the rest of the world
Frag': „Junge Römer Kennt ihr die Sonne noch?“
Ask: 'Young Romans, do you still know the sun?'
Sie kennt die Sorgen Junge Römer
Young Romans know the worries
Die Nacht ist jung wie ihr Vergesst das Morgen
The night is young like them, forgetting about tomorrow
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Robert Ponger, Johann Hoelzel
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mikekaraoke
@@steffischander8289 Hey Steff, yes I did indeed enjoy + really enjoyed my holidays in Germany-still do. 😁
Yea exactly-why the lol in the Modern Talking one?? 🤔
Is it Dieter Bohlen with his very cheesy grin and fist pumps during performances and in music videos. 😂✊🏻
Ah "Grauzone" were good, but prefer Hubert Kah!
Yea D.A.F also like, I did mention Tangerine Dream in my list- I could of gone on and on so made myself top why put etc. lol
Well def come to England when you can, where would you like to visit and why??
As I said last time went to Germany stayed in Cologne for few days. Then went to one of my fav Theme Parks in the world-Europa Park!
Are you a Theme/Water Park girl?? ❤
@Demonhunter71717
Diese Magische Atmosphähre die das Lied ausstrahlt ist einmalig. Ruhe in Frieden Falco
@NikolausBachinger-hm9nw
Und gute Aufnahme 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
@Claudiandrea49
❤️❤️❤️❤️🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
@Udo_aus_OWL
Falco ist einfach ein Gesamtkunstwerk! Er war seiner Zeit weit voraus........
@maxaut_tco9046
Wäre auch heutzutage ein Nummer 1 Hit! Ein zeitloses Meisterwerk.
@King0neEurope
Was heißt auch...der ist damals ziemlich gefloppt :D Aber ich finds auch grandios.
@nwest8274
Stimmt - von Kritikern eigentlich ziemlich gelobt worden, beim "Publikum" trotzdem eher durchgefallen.
Find's aber auch einen seiner besten Songs, weil so "Falco-speziell" irgendwie. Ähnlich wie etwa "Nachtflug" oder "Ganz Wien" u.a. Mit ner anderen Tiefe / Ausstrahlung, dagegen war etwa "Amadeus" nur platt und eher langweilig ( Falco selbst soll es übrigens gehasst haben ) - aber DAS war dann der Nr1-Hit.
@tinakoehler6526
Er hatte eben seinen ganz eigenen Stil.. entweder man mag es oder nicht.. ich finde es grandios ☺️
@michaelmaringer7565
@@nwest8274 Ganz genau
Special,wie auch die von dir andren erwähnten Songs.
Beste Grüße
@michaelmaringer7565
@@tinakoehler6526 💯👏👏👏