News
Kraftw erk Lyrics


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Here is the West German Broadcasting Station with the news
Fifty nuclear power stations will be built in the West German Republic
In the next ten years
Each one can supply a city of millions with power
The North German Broadcasting Service with the news
In the whole world 355 nuclear powerstations are operational or being built
According to plans of the nuclear lobby there will be 2000
At the turn of the century
Here is the Bayerische Broadcasting Service with the news
No other postwar technology
... even space travel, ...
Here is Radio Bremen, we bring you the news
The supplies of easily fissionable uranium
Needed as fuel for the reactors is as limited as the supplies of oil
The now known supplies of uranium is just sufficient





To operate the reactors already operational and under construction
For a period of 40 years

Overall Meaning

Kraftwerk's "News" is a commentary on the proliferation of nuclear power stations in the world, with a particular focus on West Germany in the 1980s. The song is made up of several announcements from various German radio stations, each reporting on different aspects of the nuclear power industry, from the number of plants in operation to the availability of uranium.


The first announcement from the West German Broadcasting Station emphasizes the scale of the nation's nuclear ambitions, with plans to build fifty power stations in the next decade. The second announcement from the North German Broadcasting Service puts this in perspective, revealing that there are already 355 nuclear power stations in operation or under construction worldwide, with plans for 2000 by the year 2000. The third announcement from the Bayerische Broadcasting Service argues that no other postwar technology, not even space travel, has been developed or embraced with such enthusiasm as nuclear power.


The final announcement from Radio Bremen reports on the limitations of the uranium supply, suggesting that despite the promises of infinite clean energy, there is only a finite amount of fuel available. This underscores the paradox at the heart of the nuclear industry, which promises to solve the world's energy needs while simultaneously creating potentially catastrophic environmental risks.


Overall, "News" is a powerful critique of the nuclear power industry and its supporters, highlighting the dangers and limitations of this technology. It is also a reminder of the importance of critical, independent journalism in an era of mass communication and powerful interests.


Line by Line Meaning

Here is the West German Broadcasting Station with the news
We have an important news report to share


Fifty nuclear power stations will be built in the West German Republic
There are plans to construct fifty facilities that can generate nuclear energy in West Germany


In the next ten years
The construction of these facilities is set to take place within the coming decade


Each one can supply a city of millions with power
Each facility has the capacity to provide energy to a populous area


The North German Broadcasting Service with the news
We have another news report from North Germany


In the whole world 355 nuclear powerstations are operational or being built
There are currently 355 nuclear power plants existing or in the process of being constructed worldwide


According to plans of the nuclear lobby there will be 2000
Plans from those advocating for nuclear energy suggest that number will grow to 2000


At the turn of the century
This dramatic increase in nuclear facilities will occur as we transition from one century to the next


Here is the Bayerische Broadcasting Service with the news
We have yet another news report, this time from the Bayerische Broadcasting Service


No other postwar technology
Few, if any, postwar scientific advancements compare to the potential of nuclear power


... even space travel, ...
Not even the possibility of space travel can match the impact of nuclear energy


Here is Radio Bremen, we bring you the news
Radio Bremen has a news report to share


The supplies of easily fissionable uranium
The availability of uranium that can be used as fuel for nuclear reactors


Needed as fuel for the reactors is as limited as the supplies of oil
The reserves of uranium needed to power nuclear facilities are just as scarce as oil reserves


The now known supplies of uranium is just sufficient
The known reserves of uranium are barely enough to fuel the reactors currently operational or under construction


To operate the reactors already operational and under construction
The known uranium reserves can only sustain the current and upcoming nuclear facilities for a limited period of time


For a period of 40 years
These known uranium reserves will last only for the next four decades




Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS

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Comments from YouTube:

@retrovideoquest

The only thing I don't like about this song is that it's so short...! I used to listen to shortwave radio (way before the Internet!) and those sounds are soooo familiar, those rythmical interferences, the relaxing monotone, unintellegible voices of broadcasters from far away countries, and of course, the melodic "intros" indicating the top of the hour starting a program. Voice of America, BBC World Service, Radio Canada... Priceless memories, impossible to explain to the Internet generation...

@OprichnikStyle

used to? i started listening a few years ago lol

@Dronemf11

Best Kraftwerk song

@Vim281

@retrovideoquest I'm 14 and I have a SW radio, I love SW. I heard the world on my radio on top of a mountain.

@foxwolfblood2

it is a song, it is a weird song but its a song, oh yea and i like this kind of music too. opinions suck don't they?

@luizaugusto935

Ralf, Florian & Karl.

@MultiANDRE1963

What is really amazing in this song is that are several radio stations being receive in a Radio VAcum Tube I supose.

@riccardomicallo3693

that's the real german tv news theme

@edoardozampetti4601

German talk radio

@ALANLACORTEBRITO

GOOD , GUT

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