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99 Luftballons

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This article is about the Nena song. For the song's album, see 99 Luftballons (album).
"99 Luftballons"
Single by Nena
from the album Nena and 99 Luftballons
LanguageGerman
English title"99 Red Balloons"
Released
  • March 1983 (West Germany)
  • 1984 (United Kingdom)
Genre
Length3:53
LabelEpic
Composer(s)Uwe Fahrenkrog-Petersen
Lyricist(s)
Producer(s)
Nena singles chronology
"Nur geträumt"
(1982) 		"99 Luftballons"
(1983) 		"Leuchtturm"
(1983)
Official video
"99 Luftballons" on YouTube

"99 Luftballons" (German: Neunundneunzig Luftballons, "99 balloons") is a song by the West German band Nena from their 1983 self-titled album. An English-language version titled "99 Red Balloons", with lyrics by Kevin McAlea, was also released by Nena on the album 99 Luftballons in 1984 after widespread success of the original in Europe and Japan. The English version is not a direct translation of the German original and contains lyrics with a somewhat different meaning.[6] In the US, the English-language version did not chart, while the German-language recording became Nena's only US hit on the Billboard Hot 100.

Lyrics

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While at a June 1982 concert by The Rolling Stones in West Berlin, Nena's guitarist Carlo Karges noticed that balloons were being released. He watched them move toward the horizon, shifting and changing shapes like strange spacecraft (referred to in the German lyrics as a "UFO"). He thought about what might happen if they floated over the Berlin Wall to East Berlin.[7][8][9]

Also cited by the band was a 1973 newspaper article from the Las Vegas Review-Journal about five high school students who played a prank to simulate a UFO by launching 99 (one was lost from the original 100) aluminized Mylar balloons attached with ribbons to a traffic flare. The red flame from the flare reflected by the balloons gave the appearance of a large pulsating red object floating over Red Rock Canyon outside the Las Vegas Valley in Nevada.[10]

A direct translation of the title is sometimes given as "Ninety-Nine Air Balloons", but the song became known in English as "Ninety-Nine Red Balloons".[11][12]

The lyrics of the original German version tell a story: 99 balloons are mistaken for UFOs, causing a military general to send pilots to investigate. Finding nothing but balloons, the pilots put on a large show of firepower. The display of force worries the nations along the borders and the defense ministers on each side encourage conflict to grab power for themselves. In the end, a cataclysmic war results from the otherwise harmless flight of balloons and causes devastation on all sides without a victor, as indicated in the denouement of the song: "99 Jahre Krieg ließen keinen Platz für Sieger," which means "99 years of war left no room for victors." The anti-war song finishes with the singer walking through the devastated ruins of the world and finding a single balloon. The description of what happens in the final line of the piece is the same in German and English: "'Denk' an dich und lass' ihn fliegen," or "Think of you and let it go."[13]

English version and other re-recordings

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The English version retains the spirit of the original narrative, but many of the lyrics are translated poetically rather than being directly translated: red helium balloons are casually released by the civilian singer (narrator) with her unnamed friend into the sky and are mistakenly registered by a faulty early warning system as enemy contacts, resulting in panic and eventually nuclear war, with the end of the song near-identical to the end of the original German version.[13]

From the outset Nena (the lead singer) and other members of the band expressed disapproval of the English version of the song, "99 Red Balloons". In March 1984, the band's keyboardist and song co-writer Uwe Fahrenkrog Petersen said, "We made a mistake there. I think the song loses something in translation and even sounds silly."[14] In another interview that month, the band, including Nena herself, were quoted as being "not completely satisfied" with the English version since it was "too blatant" for a group not wishing to be seen as a protest band.[15]

Two re-recordings of the original German version of the song have been released by Nena the singer: a modern ballad version, which was included on Nena feat. Nena (2002),[16] and a 2009 retro version,[17] which originally aired as an animated video on the European Arte channel (as part of a special called "Summer of the '80s") and included some portions in French (specifically, the second part of the first verse and the entire final verse). Nena later formally released this rendition on her 2010 Best of Nena compilation; however the French text was omitted and replaced with the original German lyrics.

Live recordings of the song are included on all seven of Nena's live albums, dating from 1995 to 2018.[18][19][20]

Reception

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American and Australian audiences preferred the original German version, which became a very successful non-English-language song, topping charts in both countries, reaching No. 1 on the Cash Box chart, Kent Music Report, and No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, behind "Jump" by Van Halen.[21] It was certified Gold by the RIAA. The later-released English translation, "99 Red Balloons", topped the charts in Canada and on the UK Singles Chart and Irish Singles Chart.[22][23][24]

In his 2010 book Music: What Happened?, critic and musician Scott Miller declared that the song possesses "one of the best hooks of the eighties" and listed it among his top song picks for 1984. Nonetheless, he cautioned: "It must be admitted that this song suffers from an embarrassingly out-of-place disco funk interlude, and the word Kriegsminister."[25]

Music video

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The promotional video, which was originally made for the Dutch music programme TopPop and broadcast on 13 March 1983, was shot in a Dutch military training camp, the band performing the song on a stage in front of a backdrop of fires and explosions provided by the Dutch Army. Towards the end of the video, the band are seen taking cover and abandoning the stage, which was unplanned and genuine since they believed the explosive blasts were getting out of control.[26]

VH1 Classic, an American cable television station, ran a charity event for Hurricane Katrina relief in 2006. Viewers who made donations were allowed to choose which music videos the station would play. One viewer donated $35,000 for the right to program an entire hour and requested continuous play of "99 Luftballons" and "99 Red Balloons" videos. The station broadcast the videos as requested on 26 March 2006.[27][28]

Charts

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German version

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English version

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2002 re-release

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Chart (2002) Peak
position
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[62] 17
Germany (GfK)[63] 28
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[64] 82
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[65] 77

Certifications

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German version

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[66] Platinum 90,000‡
France (SNEP)[67] Gold 500,000*
Germany (BVMI)[68] Gold 500,000^
Netherlands (NVPI)[69] Gold 100,000^
United States (RIAA)[70] Gold 1,000,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

English version

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[71] Platinum 100,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[72] Platinum 600,000‡

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Gerard, Chris (7 July 2015). "The 50 Greatest Pop Songs of the '80s, Nos. 40-31". Metro Weekly. Retrieved 22 May 2023.
  2. ^ Spuhler, Robert (21 September 2016). "The return of Nena". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
  3. ^ Wide, Steve (22 September 2020). "Honourable Mentions: New Wave 'One-Hit Wonders'". A Field Guide to Post-Punk and New Wave. Smith Street Books. p. 72. ISBN 978-1-925811-76-6.
  4. ^ Breihan, Tom (10 August 2020). "The Number Ones: Van Halen's "Jump". Stereogum. Retrieved 29 July 2023. Nena's apocalyptic German-language synthpop banger "99 Luftballons" peaked at #2 behind "Jump".
  5. ^ Sheffield, Rob (27 September 2022). "100 Best Songs of 1982". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 9 September 2023. ...the German New Wave boom that also gave us...Nena ("99 Luftballons")...)
  6. ^ "99 Red Balloons – interview with the writer, Kevin McAlea". Eighty-eightynine. Retrieved 17 July 2014.
  7. ^ "99 Luftballons und das Chaos der Gefühle". Der Spiegel (in German). 25 March 1984.
  8. ^ Rolling Stone, 15 March 1984
  9. ^ Patton, Alli (8 September 2022). "Balloons, Blitzkriegs, and the Berlin Wall—The Meaning Behind Nena's '99 Luftballons'". American Songwriter.
  10. ^ "Strange flying object sighted over Red Rock". Las Vegas Review-Journal. 9 September 1973.
  11. ^ "The New English-German Dictionary: "Luftballon"". Retrieved 2 June 2007. balloon – der Luftballon [dead link‍]
  12. ^ "The New English-German Dictionary: "Balloon"". Retrieved 2 June 2007. balloon – der Ballon, balloon – der Luftballon [dead link‍]
  13. ^ a b "99 Luftballons, Side by Side Comparison". In the 80s. Retrieved 29 October 2014.
  14. ^ "A very good group from Germany". No.1. 17 March 1984. p. 38.
  15. ^ Strike, Andy (10 March 1984). "99 Red Herrings". Record Mirror. p. 14.
  16. ^ "Nena feat. Nena – 20 Jahre by Nena". iTunes DE. Apple Inc. Retrieved 27 June 2013.
  17. ^ "99 Luftballons – Single by Nena". iTunes US. Apple Inc. 5 November 2010. Retrieved 27 June 2013.
  18. ^ "99 Luftballons". Nena.de. 11 May 2013. Archived from the original on 9 March 2016. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
  19. ^ "Live at SO36". Nena.de. 4 February 1960. Archived from the original on 9 March 2016. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
  20. ^ "Nichts Versäumt Live". Nena.de. 4 February 1960. Archived from the original on 9 November 2018. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  21. ^ "March 3, 1984 – The Hot 100". Billboard. 3 March 1984. Retrieved 17 July 2014.
  22. ^ a b "Top RPM Singles: Issue 4454." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 6 July 2011.
  23. ^ a b "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Nena". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 6 July 2011.
  24. ^ a b "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 17 July 2014.
  25. ^ Miller, Scott (2010). Music: What Happened?. Alameda, CA: 125 Books. p. 120. ISBN 978-0-61538-196-1.
  26. ^ Brendel, Rolf (2014). Nena – Geschichte einer Band. Berlin: Aufbau Verlag GmbH & Co. pp. 131–5. ISBN 978-3-35105-015-3.
  27. ^ "VH1 Classic to Air the Classic 80s Music Video '99 Luftballons' for an Entire Hour on Sunday, 26 March" (Press release). VH1 Classic. PR Newswire. 22 March 2006. Archived from the original on 7 September 2010. Retrieved 28 March 2014.
  28. ^ "VH1 Classic to air '99 Red Balloons' music video for a full hour". USA Today. Associated Press. 24 March 2006. Retrieved 11 October 2017.
  29. ^ "Australia No. 1 hits – 1980's". World Charts. Archived from the original on 9 January 2017.
  30. ^ "Nena – 99 Luftballons" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 4 June 2013.
  31. ^ "Nena – 99 Luftballons" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 4 June 2013.
  32. ^ "UK, Eurochart, Billboard & Cashbox No.1 Hits". MusicSeek.info. Archived from the original on 14 June 2006.
  33. ^ Pennanen, Timo (2021). "Bonnie Tyler". Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021 (PDF) (in Finnish). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 267. Retrieved 11 July 2022.
  34. ^ "Classifiche". Musica e dischi (in Italian). Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Nena".
  35. ^ "Japan #1 IMPORT DISKS by Oricon Hot Singles". Hbr3.sakura.ne.jp (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 11 September 2010. Retrieved 17 July 2014.
  36. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 13, 1983" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 4 June 2013.
  37. ^ "Nena – 99 Luftballons" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 17 July 2014.
  38. ^ "Nena – 99 Luftballons". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 4 June 2013.
  39. ^ "Nena – 99 Luftballons". VG-lista. Retrieved 4 June 2013.
  40. ^ "Las canciones más populares en América Latina". La Opinión (Los Angeles) (in Spanish). 20 January 1984. Retrieved 30 September 2024.
  41. ^ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (in Spanish) (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  42. ^ "Nena – 99 Luftballons". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 4 June 2013.
  43. ^ "Nena – 99 Luftballons". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 4 June 2013.
  44. ^ "Nena Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 4 June 2013.
  45. ^ "Nena – Awards". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 28 May 2016.
  46. ^ "CASH BOX Top 100 Singles – Week ending MARCH 10, 1984". Cash Box. Archived from the original on 30 September 2012.
  47. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Nena – 99 Luftballons" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 4 June 2013.
  48. ^ "Jahreshitparade 1983" (in German). Austriancharts.at. Hung Medien. Retrieved 17 July 2014.
  49. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 1983" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 17 July 2014.
  50. ^ "Jahrescharts – 1983" (in German). Offiziellecharts.de. GfK Entertainment Charts. Archived from the original on 9 May 2015.
  51. ^ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1983" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 17 July 2014.
  52. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1983" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Hung Medien. Retrieved 17 July 2014.
  53. ^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1983" (in German). Hitparade.ch. Hung Medien. Retrieved 17 July 2014.
  54. ^ "Kent Music Report No 548 – 31 December 1984 > National Top 100 Singles for 1984". Kent Music Report. Retrieved 23 January 2023 – via Imgur.com.
  55. ^ "Forum – ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts – Top 100 End of Year AMR Charts – 1980s". Australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014.
  56. ^ "TOP – 1984". Top-france.fr (in French). Retrieved 17 July 2014.
  57. ^ "Top 100 Hits for 1984". The Longbored Surfer. Retrieved 17 July 2014.
  58. ^ "The CASH BOX Year-End Charts: 1984". Cash Box. Archived from the original on 30 September 2012.
  59. ^ "South African Rock Lists Website SA Charts 1969 – 1989 Acts (N)". Rock.co.za. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
  60. ^ "Top 100 Singles of 1984". RPM. Vol. 41, no. 17. 5 January 1985. Retrieved 17 July 2014.
  61. ^ "The Official Top 40 best-selling songs of 1984". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
  62. ^ "Nena – 99 Luftballons %5b2002%5d" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved 4 June 2013.
  63. ^ "Nena – 99 Luftballons" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 4 June 2013.
  64. ^ "Nena – 99 Luftballons %5b2002%5d" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 17 July 2014.
  65. ^ "Nena – 99 Luftballons %5b2002%5d". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 4 June 2013.
  66. ^ "Danish single certifications – Nena – 99 Luftballons". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
  67. ^ "French single certifications – Nena – 99 Luftballons" (in French). InfoDisc. Select NENA and click OK. 
  68. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Nena; '99 Luftballons')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
  69. ^ "Dutch single certifications – Nena – 99 Luftballons" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved 26 June 2019. Enter 99 Luftballons in the "Artiest of titel" box. Select 1983 in the drop-down menu saying "Alle jaargangen".
  70. ^ "American single certifications – Nena – 99 Luft Ballons". Recording Industry Association of America.
  71. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Nena – 99 Red Balloons". Music Canada.
  72. ^ "British single certifications – Nena – 99 Red Balloons". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
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