A Classic 80's Song that Most of America Missed

R and I were driving through Germany last year when a song came on the radio. I had never heard the song before so I quickly ignored it. But R got all excited, turned up the radio and started signing along. She remembered it from her days growing up in Frankfurt, Germany in the early 80s.

I remembered laughing at the song - which was half in German and half in English - but didn't think much of it. I assumed it was just a random German song that R remembered because she happened to live int he right place at the right time.

But then I heard the song again in Italy. Then in Prague. I kept hearing it on the radio many times over. I heard it again today while I was in the coffee shop. And this is a 20 year old song. Why had I never heard this song before I moved to Europe? There had to be a reason.

OK - I'll stop the suspense. The song in question is named Jeanny and was recorded in 1985 by the Austrian pop star Falco - best known (in the US) for the hit song Rock Me Amadeus.

And it turns this song was effectively banned in the USA. I found this out while reading a Chuck Klosterman book a few weeks ago. According to critics, the song glorifies rape and stalking. I don't know about that. It must be the German part of the song, because the English lyrics are harmless enough. The chorus goes soemthing like this...

Jeanny, quit livin' 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
Jeanny, quit livin' on dreams
Jeanny, life is not what it seems
You're lost in the night
Don't wanna struggle and fight
There's someone who needs you


If you have lived in the US your whole life, there is a good chance that you have never heard this song. I certainly didn't. And that's a real shame. This is one of the most awesomely bad song ever created. You can't get it out of your head. It's so so very bad. But in an awesome 80's kind of way.

I feel bad that us Americans were deprived the chance of having this song as part of our childhood memories. Everyone should hear this song on the radio and laugh at how horrible it is. And then scream the lyrics at the top of your lungs as you remember how much you loved it when you were 12. We missed our chance... there are very few 80's song that are more cheesy than this. R.I.P. Falco

You can see the video of Jeanny below. And, just so you know, I wrote the majority of this blog before I watched the video. Now that I have seen the video, I love this song ten times more. Oh my God it's great!!!!