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
One Night in Bangkok
Falco Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bangkok, Oriental Setting
But the city don't know what the city is getting
The crème de la crème of the chess world
In a show with everything but Yul Brynner
Time flies – doesn't seem a minute
Since the Tyrolean spa had the chess boards in it
Play at this level there's no ordinary venue
It's Iceland, or the Philippines, or Hastings
Or
Or this place!
Company
One night in Bangkok and the world's your oyster
The bars are temples but their pearls ain't free
You'll find a god in every golden cloister
And if you're lucky, then the god's a she
I can feel an angel slidin' up to me
The American
One town's very like another
When your head's down over your pieces, brother
Company
It's a drag, it's a bore, it's really such a pity
To be looking at the board not looking at the city
The American
Whattaya mean?!
You've seen one crowded, polluted, stinking town
Company
T-girls1, warm and sweet (sweet)
Some are set up
In the Somerset Maugham suite
The American
Get Thai'd, you're talking to a tourist
Whose every move's among the purest:
"I get my kicks above the waistline, sunshine"
Company
One night in Bangkok makes the hard man humble
Not much between despair and ecstasy
One night in Bangkok and the tough guys tumble
Can't be too careful with your company
I can feel the devil walking next to me
The American
Siam's gonna be the witness
To the ultimate test of cerebral fitness
This grips me more than would a muddy old river
Or reclining Buddha
But thank God I'm only watching the game
Controlling it
I don't see you guys rating
The kind of mate I'm contemplating
I'd let you watch, I would invite you
But the queens we use would not excite you
So, you better go back to your bars
Your temples, your massage parlors
Company
One night in Bangkok and the world's your oyster
The bars are temples but their pearls ain't free
You'll find a god in every golden cloister
A little flesh, a little history
I can feel an angel slidin' up to me
One night in Bangkok makes the hard man humble
Not much between despair and ecstasy
One night in Bangkok and the tough guys tumble
Can't be too careful with your company
I can feel the devil walking next to me
Falco's song One Night in Bangkok tells the story of an American chess player who has come to Bangkok, which is referred to as an Oriental setting that does not know what it is getting. The song describes how the city's chess circuit is hosting the crème de la crème of the chess world. The player describes how time flies and how everything has changed since the Tyrolean spa had the chess boards in it. The song mentions that playing at this level means that there is no ordinary venue, and the location could be Iceland, the Philippines, Hastings, or Bangkok, where they currently are.
The song goes on to describe how the city of Bangkok is a magical place. The bars are referred to as temples, but the pearls they offer are not free. You can find a god in every golden cloister, and if you are lucky, the god is a female. The American chess player is shown the seedy side of Bangkok, where T-girls are warm and sweet and are set up in the Somerset Maugham suite. The song mentions that the American is talking to a tourist who is pure and goes above the waistline to get their kicks.
The American is excited about being in Bangkok and believes that it is a unique place to be. The song takes a humorous turn, where The American suggests that the queens they use in the game would not excite the others, and they should go back to their bars, temples, and massage parlors. The song then concludes with the chorus, highlighting that one night in Bangkok makes the hard man humble and that you cannot be too careful with your company. Bangkok is a place with a little flesh, a little history, and where one can feel an angel or the devil sliding up to them.
Line by Line Meaning
Bangkok, Oriental Setting
The location of this chess tournament is in Bangkok, a majestic city in Southeast Asia.
But the city don't know what the city is getting
The city of Bangkok is hosting the world's best chess players, but it doesn't yet understand the magnitude of this competition.
The crème de la crème of the chess world
The top tier chess players from around the globe are gathered here to compete.
In a show with everything but Yul Brynner
This event has everything to offer, except famous actor Yul Brynner who's known for his role as the King of Siam in the 1956 movie The King and I.
Time flies – doesn't seem a minute
The tournament has been so thrilling and engaging that time seems to have flown by in the blink of an eye.
Since the Tyrolean spa had the chess boards in it
It feels like only yesterday when they played chess in a spa resort in the alpine region of Tyrol before this grand event.
All changed, don't you know that when you
Everything has changed since the players reached this high level and now nothing can be taken for granted.
Play at this level there's no ordinary venue
At the level of this tournament, there is no possibility of playing in an ordinary venue, it has to be this place or an equally amazing location.
It's Iceland, or the Philippines, or Hastings
This tournament could have been hosted in other wonderful locations around the world like Iceland, The Philippines or Hastings.
Or
But it's happening here in Bangkok.
One night in Bangkok and the world's your oyster
Being in Bangkok for one night is like having the world at your doorstep with endless thrilling possibilities.
The bars are temples but their pearls ain't free
The bars in Bangkok feel like sacred places where one can worship, but drinks there aren't complimentary and have to be paid for.
You'll find a god in every golden cloister
Bangkok has plenty of golden monasteries or temples where one can find their god or spiritual sanctuary.
And if you're lucky, then the god's a she
You might be fortunate enough to find female representations of gods in certain temples in Bangkok that are related to fertility or love.
I can feel an angel slidin' up to me
Metaphorically, one can feel saintly vibes or protection around them when they're visiting these religious spots in Bangkok.
One town's very like another
When engrossed in a chess game, every town or city looks almost alike to a player and it's difficult to discern one from another.
When your head's down over your pieces, brother
When focusing on your next move in chess with full concentration, one cannot spare time to look around and appreciate the ambience and beauty of the city.
It's a drag, it's a bore, it's really such a pity
It's sad that players often have to compromise on touring the city and seeing its sights for the energy-consuming and mentally exhausting game of chess.
To be looking at the board not looking at the city
While playing chess, you can't appreciate the sights and sounds around you and instead you're fully preoccupied with the board.
Whattaya mean?!
The American is a bit taken aback by the company's comment, asking them to clarify in disbelief.
You've seen one crowded, polluted, stinking town
The American suggests that the company is mistaken as all cities with lots of people have similar problems like congestion and pollution.
T-girls, warm and sweet (sweet)
Bangkok is also famous for transvestite showgirls, who are friendly and affectionate with tourists, called T-girls.
Some are set up In the Somerset Maugham suite
Some of these transvestites have infamously met clients in the Somerset Maugham Suite, which is located in one of Bangkok's luxury hotels.
Get Thai'd, you're talking to a tourist
When one gets a dose of Thai culture, they are more likely to identify themselves as tourists.
Whose every move's among the purest
The American is trying to say that he is a good man and hasn't had a single bad intention so far in the city.
"I get my kicks above the waistline, sunshine"
The American emphasizes that he is not looking for the often-sought-after Thai massaging services, as he only requires entertainment above the waistline.
Not much between despair and ecstasy
A single night in Bangkok can make a huge difference in the mood and well-being of a person; it could bring euphoria or depression, and little in between.
One night in Bangkok and the tough guys tumble
The American suggests that only one night in this city could alter the attitude of tough guys and they could become submissive or even fall in love with it.
Can't be too careful with your company
It is important to be careful about the group you associate with in Bangkok, especially when visiting places with less than reputable characters.
I can feel the devil walking next to me
Some of the people one meets in Bangkok could have an evil and dangerous aura about them, just as the allure of the city makes it feel like one is walking a fine line between good and bad.
Siam's gonna be the witness
The country of Thailand, with its previous name being Siam, is going to be witnessing an extraordinary test of mental strength and wits with this championship.
To the ultimate test of cerebral fitness
Bangkok will be hosting one of the most complex and challenging games for these chess players to prove their worth in cerebral strength.
This grips me more than would a muddy old river
The excitement of this tournament and this city's beauty grip him more than anything and even more than the muddy old river that the city has to offer.
Or reclining Buddha
Reclining Buddha is one of the sacred symbols of Buddhism showcased in Bangkok's numerous temples.
But thank God I'm only watching the game Controlling it
The American is grateful that he is observing the game, rather than playing it - making him digress from the chaos and appreciate the sport without the pressure of winning.
I don't see you guys rating
The American talks down to his companions, implying that they aren't at the same intellectual level as he is.
The kind of mate I'm contemplating
The American is contemplating a partner to be with, and though the others would be invited to join him if he finds someone, he thinks that their interests wouldn't align.
I'd let you watch, I would invite you
He is being condescending, saying he would let them watch he and his partner, and they could be part of the scenario.
But the queens we use would not excite you
The females he's interested in would not be of their interest, as they have a very different preference in women and it's not in the direction of the women the American seeks.
So, you better go back to your bars Your temples, your massage parlors
The American casually dissuades his colleagues' suggestions by stating they could instead return to their respective places - drinking at bars, visiting temples or getting massages.
A little flesh, a little history
In Bangkok, one can indulge in a bit of history and culture or little pleasures of the flesh, whichever pleases them.
I can feel an angel slidin' up to me
This line is a repetition of an earlier one, emphasizing the novel sensations the city gives and that even the slightest change of ambiance can feel like the hand of fate leading one to their destiny.
Contributed by Charlie K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@user-ww3tr4ze8w
Verse 1]
Bangkok, Oriental setting
The city don't know what the city is getting
The crème de la crème of the chess world
In a show with everything but Yul Brynner
Time flies, doesn't seem a minute
Since the Tyrolean Spa had the chess boards in it
All change, don't you know that when you
Play at this level, there's no ordinary venue?
It's Iceland, or the Philippines, or Hastings, or
Or this place
Kaliii “Area Codes” (Live...
[Chorus]
One night in Bangkok and the world's your oyster
The bars are temples, but the pearls ain't free
You'll find a god in every golden cloister
And if you're lucky, then the god's a she
I can feel an angel sliding up to me
[Verse 2]
One town's very like another
When your head's down over your pieces, brother
It's a drag, it's a bore, it's really such a pity
To be looking at the board, not looking at the city
What do ya mean?
You've seen one crowded, polluted, stinking town
Tea girls, warm and sweet (Warm, sweet)
Some are set up in the Somerset Maugham suite
Get Thai'd! You're talking to a tourist
Whose every move's among the purest
I get my kicks above the waistline, sunshine
[Chorus]
One night in Bangkok makes the hard man humble
Not much between despair and ecstasy
One night in Bangkok and the tough guys tumble
Can't be too careful with your company
I can feel the devil walkin' next to me
[Verse 3]
Siam's gonna be the witness
To the ultimate test of cerebral fitness
This grips me more than would a muddy old river
Or reclining Buddha
And thank God I'm only watching the game, controlling it
I don't see you guys rating the kind of mate I'm contemplating
I'd let you watch, I would invite you
But the queens we use would not excite you
So you'd better go back to your bars
Your temples, your massage parlours
[Chorus]
One night in Bangkok and the world's your oyster
The bars are temples, but the pearls ain't free
You'll find a god in every golden cloister
A little flesh, a little history
I can feel an angel sliding up to me
One night in Bangkok makes the hard man humble
Not much between despair and ecstasy
One night in Bangkok and the tough guys tumble
Can't be too careful with your company
I can feel the devil walkin' next to me
@roosreviews472
Hands down, the greatest song ever written about playing chess in Thailand.
@meghanelaraby277
🤣🤣🤣🤣
@hollygolightly649
😂😂😂
@ReaperRob
As a lover of overly narrow superlatives, I believe this is the best comment ever made by a guy names Rudy on a video sharing platform about a video from a musical about Chess.
@RighteousBrother
Ah but what about..... No you're right!
@christinerush2351
:)
@nl_kripp
I played this song today when I was on a train that was entering Bangkok at night time. Third class, fully packed, no A/C, hot as fck, city lights outside and this playing on the headphones. It was something else.
@AlisonBryen
I love playing music in context!
@twinalphathree9147
I was a young man in 84 when I heard this. I thought this song was so bizarre yet enticing and enchanting. You couldn't help but like it. Some 40 years later and it still transports me back to those carefree days.
@markmunroe-hz8rf
Your words hit me. Born in 1978, I am glad to live through the magical and fun 80s and the laid back and cool 90s.