Trans Europe Express
Kraftwerk / Run DMC Lyrics
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Trans-Europe Express
Trans-Europe Express
Trans-Europe Express
Trans-Europe Express
Trans-Europe Express
Trans-Europe Express
Rendezvous on Champs-Elysees
Leave Paris in the morning with T.E.E.
Trans-Europe Express
Trans-Europe Express
Trans-Europe Express
Trans-Europe Express
In Vienna we sit in a late-night cafe
Straight connection, T.E.E.
Trans-Europe Express
Trans-Europe Express
Trans-Europe Express
Trans-Europe Express
From station to station
Back to Düsseldorf City
Meet Iggy Pop and David Bowie
Trans-Europe Express
Trans-Europe Express
Trans-Europe Express
Trans-Europe Express
The song Trans-Europe Express by Kraftwerk is a reflection on the title train's cultural and social impact, as well as a celebration of its integration of European cultures. The song has a repetitive structure, with the chorus featuring the words "Trans-Europe Express" repeated several times. The song's lyrics describe the train's journey from Paris to Vienna, with a rendezvous on the Champs-Elysees before moving on to Vienna's late-night café scene. The chorus relates the importance of the train to connecting cities and people across Europe.
The song takes on a psychedelic sense that focuses on the "Trans-Europe Express" train symbolizing the continuity of foreign locations and cultures. The repetition of the lyrics, along with the synthesized composition and mechanically pronounced vocals, generates an atmosphere of modernity along with nostalgic reflection. The song mentions Iggy Pop and David Bowie's encounter, which is significant since they constituted important features to the European musical scene. Kraftwerk developed a techno sound that existed long before techno developed as a music genre in the 80s, which equipped the band with a unique voice in the Berlin music sphere.
Line by Line Meaning
Trans-Europe Express
Repeated emphasis on the Trans-Europe Express, a train service connecting different European cities and countries
Rendezvous on Champs-Elysees
Meeting on the Champs-Elysees, a famous avenue in Paris and a symbol of French culture
Leave Paris in the morning with T.E.E.
Taking the Trans-Europe Express from Paris in the morning to travel to a new destination
In Vienna we sit in a late-night cafe
Stopping in Vienna and spending time in a cafe late at night
Straight connection, T.E.E.
Highlighting the convenience and directness of the Trans-Europe Express
From station to station
Moving from one train station to another on the Trans-Europe Express
Back to Düsseldorf City
Returning to Düsseldorf, a city in Germany and the location of Kraftwerk's studio
Meet Iggy Pop and David Bowie
Possibly referring to a real-life meeting between the band and musicians Iggy Pop and David Bowie, with whom they collaborated
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Anthem Entertainment, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ralf Huetter, Emil Schult
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tony Smith
Music that was ahead of its time. Kraftwerk deserves to be in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Sharjeel Khan
Why? They actually killed rock and roll in a positive way.
S P
Yeah, but the Rock & Roll HOF is full of non-rock artists/groups at this point. It's more of a hall of fame for anyone who made a big splash in American and British music (and sold a lot of records) and it doesn't really matter who is in there or not in there as far as categorizing their music. And it doesn't decrease an artist or group's legitimacy to be in the HOF or increase it by including them. We should all feel pretty indifferent to the the Rock & Roll HOF to be honest, because it's a dumb mess. I wouldn't be against Kraftwerk getting a spot, but it certainly doesn't matter. We know their importance.
Craig Ezell
Tony Smith:I fully agree.
Craig Ezell
Now I know where that riff from the 80's hip hop tune "Planet Rock" came from.Awesome.
DOLO BROLIC
Nastard2 it’s filled with people that ROCK!!!
BamilekeWoman
I am a 66yo Cameroonian & American women & I first heard this song , mixed with Planet Rock, played on WBLS, on Memorial Day, 1977! Changed my life forever; Kraftwerk is in a class ALL BY ITSELF! have loved them since that 1st listen!!!
Cheryl de Boissiere
Dance 💃 down Africa!!!
Manuel pena
It was great on getting lay
MOUN Records
Planet Rock didn’t come out until 1982.