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.
You Can Win If You Want
Modern Talking Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Left and never looking back
Rings on your fingers, paint on your toes
Music where ever you go
You don't fit in a smalltown world
But I feel you're the girl for me
Rings on your fingers, paint on your toes
You're leaving town where nobody knows
You can win if you want
If you want it, you will win
On your way you will see that life is more than fantasy
Take my hand, follow me
Oh, you've got a brand new friend for your life
You can win if you want
If you want it you will win
Oh, come on, take a chance for a brand new wild romance
Take my hand for the night
And your feelings will be right, hold me tight
Oh, darkness finds you on your own
Endless highways keep on rolling on
You're miles and miles from your home
But you never want to phone your home
A steady job and a nice young man
Your parents had your future planned
Rings on your finger, paint on your toes
That's the way your story goes
You can win if you want
If you want it, you will win
On your way you will see that life is more than fantasy
Take my hand, follow me
Oh, you've got a brand new friend for your life
You can win if you want
If you want it you will win
Oh, come on, take a chance for a brand new wild romance
Take my hand for the night
And your feelings will be right, hold me tight
You can win if you want
If you want it you will win
Oh, come on, take a chance for a brand new wild romance
Take my hand for the night
And your feelings will be right
The lyrics of Modern Talking's song "You Can Win If You Want" are about a girl who leaves her small town with confidence and determination, but also uncertainty about what her future holds. The lyrics describe her freedom of choice, as she left everything behind to pursue her dreams. The singer carries paint on her toes and rings on her fingers, symbolizing her artistic spirit and desire for self-expression. The song communicates that she doesn’t want to be part of a small-town world but starts to realize that life is more than just fantasy.
The chorus is the most important part of the song since it is repeated multiple times, emphasizing that anyone can win in life if they truly want to. The lyrics encourage the singer to take a chance for a “brand new wild romance,” and that everything will work out in the end. The song also mentions that the singer is far away from home on endless highways, but she still chooses not to call her parents, who have already planned her future with a steady job and a nice young man.
Overall, the message of the song encourages people to embrace their independence and take risks, while also acknowledging that life can be uncertain and challenging. It shows that we can win if we pursue our dreams with confidence and determination.
Line by Line Meaning
You packed your things in a carpetbag
You left with all your belongings in a bag
Left and never looking back
You moved on without regret
Rings on your fingers, paint on your toes
You wear jewelry and have painted nails
Music where ever you go
You bring music with you wherever you travel
You don't fit in a smalltown world
You don't belong in a small, localized community
But I feel you're the girl for me
I think that you and I are meant to be together
You're leaving town where nobody knows
You're departing a place where you're not recognized
You can win if you want
You have the capacity to succeed if you choose to pursue it
If you want it, you will win
Your desire to succeed will drive you to victory
On your way you will see that life is more than fantasy
You will discover that life is not a dream but a reality
Take my hand, follow me
Allow me to guide you
Oh, you've got a brand new friend for your life
I can be a new companion in your life
Oh, darkness finds you on your own
You are alone when darkness comes
Endless highways keep on rolling on
The roads ahead are infinite
You're miles and miles from your home
You're far away from your place of origin
But you never want to phone your home
You don't want to call your family
A steady job and a nice young man
You have a stable profession and a good partner
Your parents had your future planned
Your family had predetermined plans for your life
That's the way your story goes
That's the course your life has taken
Oh, come on, take a chance for a brand new wild romance
Be daring and initiate a new passionate relationship
Take my hand for the night
Allow me to accompany you for the evening
And your feelings will be right, hold me tight
You will feel content if you embrace me closely
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
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