Oktoberfest Songs 3 - The Songs You Already Know

In the first two posts, we learned some of the most popular Oktoberfest songs and dance moves.

First, the more recent Wies’n hits

Second, the older Traditional and Classic songs

Today, we’ll feature the other songs you’ll hear often, but should already know. 

Sorry to break the stereotypes, but you probably will not hear any Hasselhoff songs at Oktoberfest.  However, as anything that gets the crowd singing or dancing or swaying is fair game, you will hear quite a few popular American songs or covers of them.   

Here we’ll just give you the video and a link to the lyrics in case you need them, rather than taking up space with all the lyrics. 

Speaking of stereotypes….we’ll go straight to the #1 Oktoberfest song you already know 

Country Roads:

I don’t know what it is about this song, but it’s everywhere. My theory is that part of the passport application process for Germans is a test to see if they know the words.  Per capita, there probably are more Germans who know the words than Americans.  There’s even a bar in Bangkok called Country Roads, and they will definitely play it for you.

If you stay long enough in a tent or party where trachten is worn, you WILL hear Country Roads, and everyone WILL sing along.  If you don’t know them already, learn the words.  You’ll thank us later – and you’ll have a ready karaoke song next time you need to come up with one in Asia.   

The lyrics page just further supports my theory – they have an option on the left for 11 additional languages! 

The Ketchup Song & The Macarena:

Strangely, The Ketchup Song (actually titled Aserejé) seems to be more popular than the Macarena, though you probably will hear both. Apparently Aserejé swept Europe as a huge hit but didn’t quite capture the same success in the US. Here are the videos, to refresh you on the dance moves.  

You think I’m joking, but I’m not…we heard both at Pappasito’s a few weeks ago…

I’ve shown the Spanglish version that’s most popular, but you can also check out the full Spanish version (lyrics shown here and video here ) 

You may want to check out the lyrics, but definitely learn the dance moves.

And the Macarena (lyrics)

Walking on Sunshine:

Katrina and the Waves’ 1983 hit is a huge hit and really gets the crowd dancing on the benches. (Lyrics)

Hey Baby:

While most Americans will think of Dirty Dancing when they hear this one, it’s really DJ Ötzi's version that has driven the resurgence of this song.  If you’re a Rockies fan, you’ll hear this version during the 7^th inning stretch.

While almost EVERYONE seems to have covered this song (including The Chipmunks), I think the Dirty Dancing and this version are the most popular. This one is similar to the original, but with the “ooohh, aahhh!” lyric added.

99 Luftballons:

While this one is a German song, it’s a big enough international hit that everyone will recognize it.  You’ll likely hear the German version, so we’ll show the lyrics and translation here.  Since Nena released a separate English version, the English song 99 Red Balloons isn’t really a translation from the German – it’s a different song, with the same spirit and tune.  

99 Luftballons Hast du etwas Zeit für mich Dann singe ich ein Lied für dich Von 99 Luftballons Auf ihrem Weg zum Horizont Denkst du vielleicht g'rad an mich Dann singe ich ein Lied für dich Von 99 Luftballons Und dass so was von so was kommt 99 Luftballons Auf ihrem Weg zum Horizont Hielt man für Ufos aus dem All Darum schickte ein General 'ne Fliegerstaffel hinterher Alarm zu geben, wenn es so wär Dabei war'n da am Horizont Nur 99 Luftballons 99 Düsenjäger Jeder war ein großer Krieger Hielten sich für Captain Kirk Das gab ein großes Feuerwerk Die Nachbarn haben nichts gerafft Und fühlten sich gleich angemacht Dabei schoss man am Horizont Auf 99 Luftballons 99 Kriegsminister - Streichholz und Benzinkanister - Hielten sich für schlaue Leute Witterten schon fette Beute Riefen Krieg und wollten Macht Mann, wer hätte das gedacht Dass es einmal soweit kommt Wegen 99 Luftballons 99 Jahre Krieg Ließen keinen Platz für Sieger Kriegsminister gibt's nicht mehr Und auch keine Düsenflieger Heute zieh' ich meine Runden Seh' die Welt in Trümmern liegen Hab' 'nen Luftballon gefunden Denk' an dich und lass' ihn fliegen

99 Baloons (translation) If you have some time for me, then I'll sing a song for you About 99 balloons On their way to the horizon. If you're maybe thinking about me now then I'll sing a song for you About 99 balloons and what comes from such a thing. 99 balloons on their way to the horizon People think they're UFO's so a general sent up a fighter squadron after them Sound the alarm if were so but there on the horizon were only 99 balloons. 99 fighter jets Each one's a great warrior Thinks himself a Captain Kirk then came a great firework the neighbors didn't understand and felt provoked so they shot at the horizon at 99 balloons. 99 War Ministers - matches and gasoline cans They thought they were clever people already smelled a nice bounty Called for war and wanted power. Man, who would've thought that things would someday go so far because of 99 balloons. 99 years of war left no room for victors. There are no more War Ministers nor any jet fighters. Today I'm making my rounds see the world lying in ruins. I found a balloon, thought of you and let it fly away.

For the English Version:

99 Red Balloons (English Version):

You and I in a little toy shop

Buy a bag of balloons with the money we've got

Set them free at the break of dawn

Til one by one, they were gone

Back at base bugs in the software

Flash the message, something's out there

Floating in the summer sky

99 red balloons go by

99 red balloons

Floating in the summer sky

Panic bells - it's red alert

There's something here from somewhere else

The war machine springs to life

Opens up one eager eye

Focusing it on the sky as 99 red balloons go by

99 Decision street

99 ministers meet

To worry, worry, super flurry

Call the troops out in a hurry

This is what we've waited for

This is it boys, this is war

The president is on the line

As 99 red balloons go by

99 knights of the air

Ride super high tech jet fighters

Everyone's a super hero

Everyone's a Captain Kirk

With orders to identify

To clarify, and classify

Scramble in the summer sky

99 red balloons go by

99 dreams I have had

In every one a red balloon

It's all over and I'm standing pretty

In this dust that was a city

If I could find a souvenir

Just to prove the world was here

And here is a red balloon

I think of you, and let it go

Summer of ’69:

Staying in 80s classics but moving back to North America, we have Bryan Adams’ 1985 anthem. (Lyrics)

New York, New York:

Moving backwards in the classics department, we get to Sinatra. Between its status as a classic and New York’s status in the German vacation preferences, everyone loves this one.

I doubt anyone needs the lyrics, but just in case…

Sweet Home Alabama:

And 4 or 5 years back further, we have Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Sweet Home Alabama.  I was shocked the first 5 times I heard this played in Germany – at Oktoberfest, a fair, a fireworks competition, and the Women’s World Cup downhill – and then I realized how popular it is here.

Kid Rock’s All Summer Long that samples Sweet Home Alabama is also popular among the younger crowd.

Lyrics for the original, and for Kid Rock’s version.

Not the original, but a 2003 concert version:

And Kid Rock’s All Summer Long:

Or if you prefer, Kid Rock and Lynyrd Skynyrd performing together, on some awards show.

Mambo No. 5:

Changing pace back to songs that we all love to hate (but secretly love), we have Lou Bega’s 19 hit.  In Germany’s defense, he is German…and spent his early years (until 15) in Munich. So, I guess this is appropriate for Oktoberfest after all.  (Lyrics)

Sweet Caroline:

Thank you, Niel, this is a great one for the crowds! (Lyrics)

If you haven’t had enough DJ Ötzi yet, he released a cover a few years ago. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RacmAUst7g0&feature=related

La Bamba:

Another oldie and another one with a little Latin influence (in this case, a LOT!)…

There are quite a few versions out there, but here are Los Lonely Boys and Carlos Santana at the 2004 Latin Grammy Awards.

The Spanish lyrics are available here.

Off on a tangent…Berlitz did a cute commercial using this song to show misunderstandings.

Que Sera Sera:

Another of the oft-covered classics, Dutch group Hermes House Band’s version has become quite popular.  The lyrics are the same, just remixed and faster. 

Hermes House Band - Que Sera Sera: Video Vidéo MoeAva sélectionnée dans Musique

  

YMCA:

Since the crowds love Fliegerlied and The Ketchup Song, it should be no surprise that YMCA is a popular Oktoberfest song.

I don’t think anyone really needs a refresher to the words or the song, but here’s the original video, which may be something most of us have never actually seen.

Is this the way to Amarillo:

For our final “oldie” on the list, we have Tony Christie’s 1971 hit. I hadn’t heard this one before moving to Germany.  Apparently it was a huge hit in the UK and continental Europe, especially Germany, where it topped the charts, but never was very popular in the US.  I’m not surprised about its success in Germany….it’s schlager and has a nice “lalalalalalala” chorus for the audience to sing.

The song has been remade several times and somehow has become a popular football chant in some UK and German stadiums.  A parody by British soldiers in Iraq in 2005 was so popular it crashed the Ministry of Defense servers! (see the video here)

So, maybe we should file it under “most popular American song that no Americans know” or something other than “songs you should know.”  The lyrics are simple.

Angels:

Like Country Roads, Robbie Williams’ ballad hit big in Europe and SE Asia. Another good option to learn for your karaoke songs.

It’s My Life:

And we’ll end the list with one of my favorites, by Bon Jovi.  Catchy, energetic tune and the lyrics are well-suited to a crowd that wants to sing and scream.  

So now you’ll know a large percentage of the songs most commonly played at Oktoberfest.  If you really want to get the full singing experience, you should go in the evenings when the bands are playing more and the crowds are more energetic.  Herr J and I highly recommend the Kaiserschmarm Tent, which is a little smaller and intimate (it’s wine, prosecco, and cocktails, not beer) and has a great band playing songs everyone loves.  Wherever there’s an opportunity for props and costumes (YMCA, for example), they’ll take it.

And after Oktoberfest? If you want to keep singing? Many locals go to the après Wies’n parties at local clubs.  MünchenBlogger has a list of some common spots. Löwenbräukeller and Park Café are always popular hot spots, as are the usual clubs like P1 and 089. Or keep your eyes out around town for posters showing “Après Wies’n” parties.

Let us know your favourite Oktoberfest songs, and if we’ve missed any.