What Theyre Listening To In Germany This Summer

The music of Germany is the music of Europe. And, increasingly, America too. Here’s a look at what’s topping the charts in Germany as summer makes its first appearance. Whether it’s a bit of head banging while watching the BBQ, or a soaring tune to belt out with friends on the way to the beach, there’s something on the German airwaves for everyone.

Rammstein, Paris

Not everyone in Germany loves metal, but those who do love it a lot. Paris is a live compilation album of songs performed at a legendary concert by Rammstein in Paris in 2012. A DVD of the concert, filmed by world-famous video director Jonas Åkerlund (Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Coldplay), blurs the lines between music and cinema.

Helene Fischer

If it’s not metal or electronica, it’s sappy mom-pop. And Helene Fischer happens to be the queen of this genre. Over her 10-year career, she has sold more that 14.5 million albums, and even has her own wax figure in Berlin’s Madame Tussauds. Here she is with a snippet of her megahit, “Atemlos durch die Nacht” (meaning Breathless Through The Night) from the live album Farbenspiel: Live aus dem Deutschen Theater München.

Die Toten Hosen, Laune der Natur

Germany’s answer to the Sex Pistols, Die Toten Hosen (literally “the dead pants”) are still tearing the place up 35 years after they first got together. This song, “Under the Clouds,” is from their 2017 album Laune der Natur (Freak of Nature).

Ed Sheeran, ÷ (divide)

Ed Sheeran is everywhere, so it is no surprise that he’s tearing up the charts in Germany, too. His new album, ÷ (divide), was released in March and looks set to be blasted from tinny, waterproof speakers at beaches and in parks all over Germany.

Papa Roach, Crooked Teeth

As the Californian rock band says, “We’re a band that tries to walk that line between metal, hardcore, punk rock and pop music, and we do our best at trying to make it all cool,” according to front man Jacoby Shaddix. Their 9th album, Crooked Teeth, was released in April 2017. Considering they’ve been touring almost constantly since 1999, Shaddix and co. must be doing something right.

Adel Tawil, So schön anders

Adel Tawil started as a member of the boyband The Boyz and is now a singer/songwriter and producer in his own right. His second solo album, So schön anders (Pretty Much Different), hit number one in Germany in May. Here’s the acoustic version of “Ist da jemand” (Is Anybody There?).

Burak Yeter, “Tuesday” feat. Danelle Sandoval

A Dutch DJ settles in London and makes music that tops the charts in multiple countries. It’s a typically European story, which came true for Burak Yeter. “Tuesday,” featuring Danelle Sandoval – which has been watched more than 182 million times on YouTube – has a chilled, bouncy beat, perfect for car rides to the beach.

Ofenbach, “Be Mine”

French duo Ofenbach mixes some saucy insouciance with catchy hooks and a peppy dance beat to make the perfect summer sing-along. The song reached number one in Poland and Russia, and is currently number two on the German dance charts.