Rock me Amadeus...

Falco was a pop, rock and hip hop rapper and music artiste hailing from Austria. His songs were mostly in German mixed with English lyrics. I was barely 7 years when my brother will blast his tracks non-stop, in particular these two epic tracks :

1) Rock Me Amadeus

This stunning track rocked my world as a young kid and over 20 years on, it still rock my senses like no other song can. Recorded in German laced with english verses and about the classic composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, this was a very successful single that top the charts in UK, USA and most parts of Europe in 1986. Absolutely singalong, though i don't understand a single word of German but each time when the chorus hits, it just brings me home. With a brilliant MTV featuring the charismatic and flamboyant Falco in different shades of dressing-up as Mozart, it is just a joy to watch. Larger than life, this is music and showmanship as its absolute best.

2) Jeanny

This second major hit by Falco is a very fine ballad. Featuring spoken lyrics in German, Falco's voice breaks out emotionally with stunning choruses sung in English. 3/4 way into the song, a newscaster spoken speech with a police siren adds an intelligent touch to a perfect song. This single was controversial at its point of release as it was said to be written from the point of a rapist or murderer. Because i don't understand German, i have always interpreted this song as a guy mourning over a lost love or death. The beauty of music is such you don't need to know a single word in a song and yet it touches a chord in your heart. It is about that connectedness between you and the song. The MTV is also brilliant and classy.

Falco had other hits such as 'Vienna Calling' and 'Der Kommissar'. Tragically, he died in a car accident in 1998 at the age of 40 and was due for a music comeback.

If i am only given a limited choice of songs to bring me to the after-life, these two songs will undoubtedly be in my list. In any case, they are already deeply entrenched in my heart.

'Jeanny, quit living on dreams
Jeanny, life is not what it seems
Such a lonely little girl in a cold cold world
There's someone who needs you...'

R.I.P Falco