First formed at the end of 1984 (Anders was 21), they unexpectedly became immensely popular with their standalone disco hit "You're My Heart, You're My Soul", which was then followed by "You Can Win If You Want" and "Cheri, Cheri Lady". They released two albums a year from 1985 to 1987 while also promoting their singles on television all over Europe. After splitting up in 1987, the duo reunited in 1998, at first only testing the waters with new versions of hit singles and again reaching the top of the charts unexpectedly. Bohlen and Anders split again in 2003 due to irreconcilable disagreements (they had never been friends in the first place). Thomas Anders started another solo career immediately, while Bohlen had by now begun devoting most of his time to new talents, especially those he discovered on the German edition of the TV show Pop Idol/American Idol.
Global sales of Modern Talking records were 120 million units, according to BMG in June 2003, and they have become the biggest-selling German music act in history, so far outselling even Frank Farian's projects Boney M and Milli Vanilli, Michael Cretu's Enigma, Sandra, the Scorpions, Snap! and Rammstein.
Modern Talking were successful in Europe, Asia, South America and some African countries. In the United Kingdom they reached the top ten only once with the song "Brother Louie" (in 1986, #4 UK). They did not feel very good about promoting their singles there due to being marketed in England as a gay group like Erasure and Culture Club. Indeed, in the UK "Brother Louie" is regarded by those who remember it as nothing more than a novelty record by a one-hit wonder.
They were almost unknown in North America by mainstream standards, never appearing in the charts there, and due to lack of backing from a record company and lack of time did not go there to promote their music. Composer Dieter Bohlen employed mood-evoking lyrics and intellectually-designed, synthesizer-based music which was out of vogue in the U.S. before Modern Talking even formed.
In 2006 Bohlen included a secret message in his song "Bizarre Bizarre" which was played backwards: "There will never be an end to Modern Talking". However, Bohlen said "he meant to say that the music of Modern Talking will live forever" [4]. Anders has kept the Modern Talking songs in his repertoire and produced songs in a similar vein for his solo records ("Independent Girl"). In 2006 he produced an album of Swing and Jazz versions of popular songs (including Modern Talking's first hit). Bohlen has written two autobiographical books, one of which also detailed Modern Talking's history from his perspective, and sold a million copies in Germany. The sequel was heavily criticised for his unfairness towards the people he worked with. As a result of that, he withdrew from the public for a year until 2006, when he said he regretted putting out the second book. Anders had not been the only one pressing charges against Bohlen and demanding that sections of the book be modified.
Riding On A White Swan
Modern Talking Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Distant fire it's hurting you
It's so sad
Good love go's bad
Tears of love will make me sad
Frozen teardrops
Running with the night
Sorry doesn't always make it right
Why did love just break apart break apart?
I'm riding on a white swan
I need your love tonight
I'm riding through a hard storm
Don't treat me like a child
I'm riding on a white swan
I've got just what you need
I'm riding on a white swan
You've got the best of me
On the wings of a nightingale
Playing games your love for sale
Then my girl belongs to yesterday
No return don't lose your way
It's more than just the two of us
Heart is open come on, trust
Love I gave for your mystic smile
Should I go (?)
Or stay awhile stay awhile
I'm riding on a white swan
The lyrics of the song "Riding On A White Swan" by Modern Talking narrate the story of a protagonist who is struggling with a doomed romance. The first verse sets the scene with a secret message for a rendezvous and the image of a distant fire, which suggests the emotional turmoil the singer is going through. The lines "It's so sad, Good love go's bad, Tears of love will make me sad" conveys the sadness and heartbreak that the singer is going through. The frozen teardrops signify the pain that the singer's heart is going through. The phrase "running with the night" could refer to the uncontrollable emotions that consume the singer's mind, leading to restless nights, and endless thoughts. The second verse talks about how apologies can't always fix everything and that the tears of love continue to break the singer's heart, wondering why love had to break apart in the first place.
The chorus is a plea for love and affection. The singer is riding on a white swan through a hard storm, seeking the love and attention of the person they desire. The line "Don't treat me like a child" suggests that the singer is tired of being ignored or pushed away, and wants to be taken seriously. The next verse talks about how the singer's love interest was playing games and selling their love. Now the singer realizes that the love they shared belongs to the past, and there is no turning back. The lines "It's more than just the two of us, Heart is open come on, trust" show that the singer is willing to give their all to the relationship, while asking their love interest to open up their hearts and trust them. The final lines express the singer's dilemma whether to leave or stay, depending on whether their love is reciprocated or not.
Line by Line Meaning
Secret message for a rendez-vous
Sending a private message to arrange a meeting
Distant fire it's hurting you
Emotional pain with no visible cause
It's so sad
Expressing sorrow and disappointment
Good love go's bad
When a healthy relationship falls apart
Tears of love will make me sad
Feeling heartbroken and regretful
Frozen teardrops
Crying so much that tears seem to freeze
Running with the night
Trying to escape problems in the darkness
Sorry doesn't always make it right
An apology cannot fix everything
Tears of love tears in my heart
Experiencing deep emotional pain
Why did love just break apart break apart?
Questioning the cause of a relationship ending
Don't treat me like a child
Demanding respect from a partner
I've got just what you need
Having the qualities that a partner desires
You've got the best of me
Giving everything to a partner
Playing games your love for sale
Being manipulative in a romantic relationship
Then my girl belongs to yesterday
Moving on from a past love
No return don't lose your way
Taking decisive actions in a relationship
It's more than just the two of us
The relationship affects others besides the couple
Heart is open come on, trust
Being vulnerable and asking for trust
Love I gave for your mystic smile
Being drawn to a partner's mysterious charm
Should I go (?)Or stay awhile stay awhile
Undecided about whether to leave or stay in the relationship
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Hansa Musik, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DIETER BOHLEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Edu Tere Barbosa
on Just Like An Angel
show