German here. I am certainly one of the oldest of your observers. When this song first gained recognition, I was already a young adult. And you can only properly classify this song if you understand the whole musical movement behind it. The whole thing is called the “New German Wave” and started in western Germany towards the end of the 70s. Inspired and fueled by the punk music that emerged in England, young German musicians began to musically break away from the anglicization of German music that emerged during the occupation after the war, far away from the commercial German hit music, which was a kind of last bastion German-language music and differed from this "beer tent folk music" that still existed and still exists. It was the emancipation of music sung in German from English-speaking models. And that also had an impact on the other side of the Atlantic. Here too, German music achieved high rankings in the US billboards. Falco, had a number 1 hit, even in German. Nena had second place with a English cover, of her German hit (99 red Ballons) and of course Peter Schilling, as you heard, also with an English version of his German original. The impact on the international music business was not insignificant, because Germany has and had (even at the beginning of the 80s) the third largest music market in the world. And the industry was completely surprised by this development and lost a lot of money to small music publishers of untill yesterday unknown bands. The NDW lasted a good 4 years and changed a lot in music Germany...
And many more after that. When my son was about 7 or 8 in the early 2000s he heard this song on the car radio and completely fell in love with 80s music!
There was that moment in the 80s in the US where German language artsts singing translated versions of their songs was a thing. And that's good because we got Peter Schilling, Falco, and Nena out of that. I do love "A Different Story" by Peter Schilling as well.
Had the 45 single for this, and the B-side was the original German version. It was awesome, plus as an early teenager me and my non--multilingual friends had a lot of fun with the misheard German lyrics.
@@bridgemanjrAuf Deutsch ist es original!Er ist groß geworden in der "Neuen deutschen Welle"!Für mich als Deutsche klingt es auf englisch irgendwie falsch🤷
THE FIXX " Red Skies " 1982 HQ I meant to say the year was 82' and the song is " Red Skies" and it is totally Rocking and super creatively Awesome just like the song by Peter Schilling Major Tom . Thanks Jay &: Amber for this cool song .
Love this artist. He's usually singing in German and as a teen, you weren't cool if you didn't listen to the German version. We used to sing along not knowing what the words meant other than it was like David Bowie's song. lol We also listened to Nena and Falco in German only at the clubs. We went to a "New Wave" club. Rock clubs were rowdier and no dancing. We wanted to dance. This was our dance music in the 80's.
I'm German and therefore I only know the original German version of this song. The song is part of the so called „Neue Deutsche Welle“ (New German wave). It was a music movement in the German speaking region in the late 70s and the 80s in which these musicians wrote songs with German lyrics but didn't want it to be Schlager.
I used to go to visit my aunt in Erding during my HS summers in the early 80's. Extrabreit, Spliff , Nina Hagen, and Spider Murphy Gang, Kraftwerk (although earlier) among others caught my attention. I also discovered Iron Maiden in its very beginnings. Good times. Now I would drop dead if they did a review of Carbonara by Spliff. That was really popular when I was there one time.
It's funny to see Amber hanging on to every word of the lyrics while Jay misses all the lyrics and listens only to the music! I guess that's what makes them a good match for reactions.
Boy this song never gets old! Still sounds so good! Like it just came out yesterday! This is one of my favorite songs from the 80s. Peter Schilling.👌😎👍
As 11 year old in the fall of 83 when this came out, and being aware of Space Oddity thru my older sister, I honetly thought Major Tom was a real astronaut that was lost in space, and these songs were telling a real story
This was the "Part 2" of the story of Major Tom of David Bowie's "Space Oddity." It's a happy song because Major Tom WAS stuck in space in Space Oddity like Amber said, and Major Tom is coming home now!!
Amber,you're absolutely right! Major Tom is lost. He doesn't make it back to Earth. Tom saying "This is my home, I'm coming home" is him accepting his fate.
Another song I've heard a bazillion times but never knew the title. A very ubiquitous MTV video from when I was in my 20s. Hmmm. It sort of faded from the airwaves after the 80s, possibly because it's so identifiable from that era and Euro/German New Wave sound that it dates itself. Blessings❤
Big hit in the fall of 1983... remember the first time I heard it on the radio I turned up the volume as I was entering the main gate at Camp LeJeune and the MP on duty did a little pop and lock as he waved me through...great memories of that time🥹👍🤙
Great song! An incredible one-hit wonder. As others have noted this is a sequel to David Bowie's 1969 song "Space Oddity" and Peter Schilling has Major Tom cutting off communication with ground control and floating around in space. It is done with synths and a techno beat, which sounds nothing like Bowie's sound for his song but it does jam and was a big hit for this guy at the beginning of the MTV era. Made for a good video and so it got a lot of airplay on MTV. In the late 70's/early 80's there was a lot of techno music coming out of Germany and this song was originally released in Germany. Peter Schilling is a German synth pop artist and he along with one of the most influential techno bands, KRAFTWERK helped put Germany on the techno music map.
Yes Amber showing her teacher personality but with her musical appreciation knowledge from the channel! Always so charming. I bet her students love and admire her so much!
Imagine the kids talking trash to each other. "My teacher is cooler than yours!" "Oh, yeah? My teacher has a RUclips channel!" Everybody else, "Whoa!!"
I’m so glad you liked the song. It was soooo 80’s I was afraid it’d be too bubblegum for you. I have loved this song since it was a hit on the radio. Love you guys.
Looking back, my love for this song (and many others) at the time surely indicated that my ears loved hearing synth sounds. I love trying to isolate instruments as I listen to any music. And that includes orchestras. But once they put synths into the mix, the true challenge began. As far as I can tell, this is all done by a single incredibly gifted synth artist from the time -- Peter Schilling. I was taking German class in high school in the mid-80s. And I am pretty sure that we listened to the song in the original German in class, along with a couple others like '99 Luftballoons'.
THE FIXX - " Red Skies At Night " 1983 and " Saved By Zero " 1983 are 2 more super amazing songs with really Cool Bass sounds and epic guitar riffs . Really Good stuff 👍
Peter Schilling is a German musician, which we had a few of around that time in the 80s. Another great one that has a relevant message is "99 Luftballons" or "99 Red Balloons" in English, by Nena.
Nena is awesome, but like this song... please please please... the German version... the English versions lose their punch and certainly do not have the same flow to them.
Fun fact, when I was in German class in high school, our teacher had us translate this song as well as the German versions of "Rock Me Amadeus" and "Der Kommissar." It really made the class so much fun!
Yeah, it was never played on any New Orleans radio stations, that's when I first started to delve into alternative '80s music and found out top 40 was a bunch of bull.
What is funny i made my comment 11 hours ago about the song and hearing it all the time, and this morning running errands in my car what came on the radio? lol I hear it at least once or twice a week.
@@TimothySmiths I think what we're talking about is when this song first came out in early '80s we never heard it on the radio. Nowadays they have radio stations that play all the cool stuff that you never did hear in the eighties
Great reaction you two! I've loved this track since first hearing it when I was 5, it was 1983, and it was played often on the radio (it actually hit #1 here in Canada). Knew this before I heard David Bowie's Space Oddity...but it wasn't long after that I heard it - so really got to know Major Tom!! Glad you enjoyed. Cheers!
An absolute classic. CLASSIC!!!! Amber has gotten SO good at dissecting almost any song. The on-the-spot analysis is always spot-on from the tone of the story, to the music composition to the voice inflections, everything is great
Remember this from HS when I lived in Berlin as a military brat. I’d be walking tree-lined streets snd parks while this filled my walkman headphones. The instruments were glorious on headphones back then.
Great reaction! One of the top 80's songs, always uplifts. Such cool contrast btwn verses and chorus. Most Americans think Peter Schilling is a one-hit wonder, but he's not. Very creative artist and story-teller. Next time check out his song "The Different Story"
That song was part of the "Neue deutsche Welle" (new german wave). Just a few one got an english version. You may know "99 red balloons" from Nena - that one is another song from that aera.
Yeah, but 99 red balloons did not chart on the radio. The German language version, 99 Lurtballons was the US hit. I still chastise the local radio when they play the wrong one!
@@mavfin8720 Charted or not it still made its way to the United States and did play over the radio. I remember. I liked both versions even though I did not understand German at the time.
@@jamescurfman3284 Yes, but my point was for 99 Luftballons, the one that charted and was a big radio hit in the 80s was the German-language version. And it annoys me when the radio stations now in the US play the wrong (English language) version, out of ignorance, I guess.
@@mavfin8720 IMAGINE having an ENGLISH version of a song played in a country that primarily speaks ENGLISH! GOSH, WHAT A NIGHTMARE! If it was in an area of the U.S. where German was a dominant language (such as parts of Pennsylvania, just as one example), then I could see where the German version would be appropriate. But I can also see the point of view of the Radio Station Manager or the DJ who plays the English version instead. Now, whether you find that to be bigotry or not is between you and the DJ. Maybe the DJ is still wet-behind-the-ears and just does not know about the German Version. Maybe telling the DJ specifically to play the German Version was the way to go. But I really think you are too sensitive about it. That's why I was saying, I like BOTH versions. Stop being so picky and ENJOY WHAT YOU GET. You are lucky they played ANY version of that song, especially Thirty - Forty years later.
@@jamescurfman3284 The English language version is A) translated very badly, and B) doesn't flow right. But, w/e, if you love that version, you be you.
Amber, I have to say you always have such a rich understanding of music that goes much deeper than just the song itself. Always a pleasure hearing your insights.
My favorite song of his! So sad but an incredible song. Great lyrics!! Fantastic video!! It is a classic! Highlighting the danger and mysteriousness of space travel better than any other song. Great reaction guys!
With such unworldly, futuristic instrumentation, just one of the greatest 80's bop tunes EVER, IMO..A huge fan!! This would hold up even if it were released today. Thanks for doing this one, guys!
Most of the music of the 80s and 90s would hold up compared to music of the 2020s….which I do actually listen to. The music of the 80s especially was the most innovative, creative, and original music and sound ever produced. 90s music also was incredibly creative and original. Music from bands like Depeche Mode, The Cure, Pet Shop Boys, and many, many other actual sounds more “modern” than music today. I like some hip hop and rap too from artists like Nelly and Eminem, but 2020s hip hop lyrics are just getting over-the-top obscene.
This song came out when I was a teenager and it's what introduced me to Ziggy and 70s Bowie! "Ashes to ashes, fun to funky; we know Major Tom's a junkie..."
You need Jean Michel-Jarre's new wave masterpiece Rendez-vous 4 - he did a music video as tribute to the Challenger disaster... the entire album is amazing. There is a piece at the end called "Ron's Piece" - it's a saxophone solo that was supposed to be played by Ron McNair from orbit and was going to be the first piece of music recorded in space.
thank you so much guys for reacting on Peter Schilling with this one hit wonder and huge iconic song as well from the 80S new wave like i had mentioned before there's way too many one hit wonders that were worldwide hits like Big Country by Big Country or 99 Ballons by Nena , A Place To Be by Duncan Dhu among others
Finally reacted to Peter Schilling... This is his SECOND best song - His best song just happens to be ONE OF THE BEST SONGS OF THE 80's. Peter Schilling: "A Different Story (A World of Lust & Crime), is an absolute must listen!!!
Fun fact: the series Invasion (a Syfy show) they play this song. It’s one of my favorite shows. It’s in season 2 and i about had a heart attack when this song blurted out. I’ve always loved this song. The alien was playing this to the earthling as a mind scan knowing it was one of her favorite songs.
This song was popular when I was in elementary school, but of course I wasn't aware at the time that this was NOT David Bowie...probably thinking, "There can't be more than one song about an astronaut named Major Tom!"
If you're looking for another Peter Schilling song, The Different Story is one of my faves and I can't recommend it enough. Pan flute, catchy synths, amazing vocals, and just a strong set of lyrics to go along with it.
I grew up to this one on the radio, so many memories! Thanks for doing a reaction to it, guys! My favourite part is, besides that driving bass guitar riff, the melodic harmonies at the end! Stunning! So proud my family shares the same last name with this artist 😝
Fun story, which is funny to no one but me and my wife. When they sing ‘Earth below us’ I always thought they said ‘Earthly Lords’. For 30 years I misunderstood these lyrics. When my wife and I got together, at one point this song came on and I confidently sang the lyrics as Earthly Lords…..which was greeted by her hysterical laughter and correction of what I was getting wrong. Now, through 17 years of being together, anytime I mess up something small, she will say (in the Anchorman voice) EARTHLY LORDS!!! ……..anyway, love this song.
I love misheard lyrics stories like these, so it's funny to me too, lol! When I was in college, one of my best friends was a brilliant Norwegian musician student who spoke nearly perfect English & she & I were always sharing & singing songs back & forth. (We still do, btw, decades later.) One day, she was belting out Hard To Handle by The Black Crowes in her amazing voice, & she sang, "Hey little thing let me light your chemicals..." I said, "Wait, WHAT?!" It's "light your candle cause..." She was certain she was accurate & went on to explain why chemicals made sense. I said something like, "It's not that they couldn't be singing "light your chemicals," but that they actually ARE singing "light your candle cause." One because it makes more sense & two, because candle rhymes with handle..." On we went, me debating the bi-lingual Norwegian over English lyrics in good fun! I mean really it's a testament to how amazing her English was, lol!
What a phenomenal reaction!! This one exemplifies why your channel is THE channel for reactions ~ period! ❤😊 Loved it ... And I agree with RSR Family comments about The Fixx - Red Skies 🙏👊 Thank you so much Amber and J!! @RobSquadReactions
Guys this song makes me think of MTV the early days when MTV was part of our every day life this song came out around Thanksgiving of 1983 reached number 14 on Billboard pop singles chart guys in those days MTV was must watch TV songs like Major Tom makes me remember just how great MTV once was keep up the great work guys.
The song is originally in German (also by Peter Schilling). I wasn't aware (or have forgotten) that there was also an English version of it. It was one of the biggest hits of the "Neue Deutsche Welle" (translates to "New German Wave") in the early 80s. Another famous song from this period, which was originally in German but had an English version as well and was quite successful outside of Germany, was "99 Red Balloons" (German: "99 Luftballons") by Nena.
Those were the days. Schilling was characterized by the fact that his voice always harmonized gently with the chords, like his own instrument. "Rheingold" had a similar style, particularly heard on the song "Dreiklangsdimensionen". The harmonies in his song "Die Wüste lebt" are sung even better and faster or nice too "Terra Titanic". Its more intense in german, but then it doesn't rhyme in english.: The earth's gravity has been overcome Everything has been working perfectly for hours Scientific experiments “But what use have they in the end?” thinks Major Tom In the control center, they start to panic The course of the capsule is not correct at all “Hello, Major Tom, can you hear?” “Do you want to destroy the project like that?” But he can't hear anything The earth shimmers blue, he´s last transmission "... and Greets, my wife!” and he falls silent Below the egoists are still mourning Major Tom thinks to himself: “If they knew - A light guides me through space That you don't know yet, I'll be there soon I am getting cold"
The chorus to this song is such a massive earworm of a hook! I just remember everyone in the clubs kinda spin-dancing when the chorus kicked in. Great tune.
I'm a huge metalhead, but I've always loved this song ! I was a science nerd too lol so anything to do with spaceflight appealed to me since I was a kid. But "Major Tom" it's freaky how one can take a NASA Apollo mission ground control transcript and pick out a compelling lyrical tune out of it ! Really fantastic ! And Peter Schilling keeps that low key, controlled monotone when it's the parts about the cold calculated procedures of the ground control crew to the astronaut, but then when Peter's vocals SOAR is when we're in Major Tom's head and he's experiencing the majesty of zero G and orbit of the Earth... the unEarthly appreciation of the beauty and grandeur of it all up there in orbit... even when things go horribly wrong... the astronaut Major Tom doesn't panic... he sets his affairs in order and tells ground control and the Earth he's coming home... It's tragic, but kinda beautiful and inspirational as well...
German here. I am certainly one of the oldest of your observers. When this song first gained recognition, I was already a young adult. And you can only properly classify this song if you understand the whole musical movement behind it. The whole thing is called the “New German Wave” and started in western Germany towards the end of the 70s. Inspired and fueled by the punk music that emerged in England, young German musicians began to musically break away from the anglicization of German music that emerged during the occupation after the war, far away from the commercial German hit music, which was a kind of last bastion German-language music and differed from this "beer tent folk music" that still existed and still exists. It was the emancipation of music sung in German from English-speaking models. And that also had an impact on the other side of the Atlantic. Here too, German music achieved high rankings in the US billboards. Falco, had a number 1 hit, even in German. Nena had second place with a English cover, of her German hit (99 red Ballons) and of course Peter Schilling, as you heard, also with an English version of his German original. The impact on the international music business was not insignificant, because Germany has and had (even at the beginning of the 80s) the third largest music market in the world. And the industry was completely surprised by this development and lost a lot of money to small music publishers of untill yesterday unknown bands. The NDW lasted a good 4 years and changed a lot in music Germany...
I was in high school learning German at that time. It made my studies more meaningful and fun.
Also German here. I was about 7 years old. About the same time (don't know exactly) when "Da da da" by Trio came out. Early eighties =)
@@pufaxx So, you are born '75?
@@melchiorvonsternberg844 yes =) - also: Ja. Ist richtig.
@@melchiorvonsternberg844 Somehow YT has eaten my answer. But yes - Born 1975.
The 80's answer to David Bowie's "Space Oddity"... it introduced the next generation to Major Tom!
yes Ground Control to Major Tom ......
Actually ashes to ashes was released by Bowie in 1980 and this was about 3 years after that.
Perfectly put. 👍
And many more after that. When my son was about 7 or 8 in the early 2000s he heard this song on the car radio and completely fell in love with 80s music!
True. It did
I love the haunting, echoing vocals Peter brings to this song. Makes you feel like being up in the vastness of space.
steverogers4253 - Exactly!
Imo the german original is WAY better and his singing way more on point.
There was that moment in the 80s in the US where German language artsts singing translated versions of their songs was a thing. And that's good because we got Peter Schilling, Falco, and Nena out of that.
I do love "A Different Story" by Peter Schilling as well.
da da da da
Had the 45 single for this, and the B-side was the original German version. It was awesome, plus as an early teenager me and my non--multilingual friends had a lot of fun with the misheard German lyrics.
Nena, and also Nina Hagen
This song is also done in German. Just as cool!!!
@@bridgemanjrAuf Deutsch ist es original!Er ist groß geworden in der "Neuen deutschen Welle"!Für mich als Deutsche klingt es auf englisch irgendwie falsch🤷
This was one of those songs that ALWAYS got the car radio turned up high. ✌️
Ikr?
Peter's amazing vocals absolutely deserved to be turned up! :)
One of the most memorable choruses in all pop music history! Still gives me chills.
It’s the best song The Moody Blues never wrote!
not on the english cover lol "vööööllig losgelöööst" is much catchier!
Love this song. Always have. The story it tells is very sad.
Now you need to hear David Bowie's own sequel to "Space Oddity": It's called "Ashes to Ashes."
This needs to be upvoted so J and Amber see it.
Yeah, I remember that song back in the day. Odd video too as I recall.
Warpaint also does a beautiful live version of Ashes to Ashes.
This right here! Ashes to Ashes is my all-time favorite Bowie song.
Ashes to Ashes was the first music video I remember seeing WAY back before MTV. I was fairly young and it properly messed with my brain
THE FIXX " Red Skies " 1982 HQ I meant to say the year was 82' and the song is " Red Skies" and it is totally Rocking and super creatively Awesome just like the song by Peter Schilling Major Tom . Thanks Jay &: Amber for this cool song .
Man, The FIXX was my jam. Deeper and Deeper is my favorite. …I see the edge,I look, I fall..
Excellent suggestion!
Love this artist. He's usually singing in German and as a teen, you weren't cool if you didn't listen to the German version. We used to sing along not knowing what the words meant other than it was like David Bowie's song. lol We also listened to Nena and Falco in German only at the clubs. We went to a "New Wave" club. Rock clubs were rowdier and no dancing. We wanted to dance. This was our dance music in the 80's.
I'm German and therefore I only know the original German version of this song. The song is part of the so called „Neue Deutsche Welle“ (New German wave). It was a music movement in the German speaking region in the late 70s and the 80s in which these musicians wrote songs with German lyrics but didn't want it to be Schlager.
And the german version is even more captivating, in my opinion.
@@cuoresportivo155I think so too.
@@cuoresportivo155 facts.... all day long
I used to go to visit my aunt in Erding during my HS summers in the early 80's. Extrabreit, Spliff , Nina Hagen, and Spider Murphy Gang, Kraftwerk (although earlier) among others caught my attention. I also discovered Iron Maiden in its very beginnings. Good times. Now I would drop dead if they did a review of Carbonara by Spliff. That was really popular when I was there one time.
@@cuoresportivo155 We never listened to the English versions lol.
It's funny to see Amber hanging on to every word of the lyrics while Jay misses all the lyrics and listens only to the music! I guess that's what makes them a good match for reactions.
I notice this too - all the time 😊
Boy this song never gets old! Still sounds so good! Like it just came out yesterday! This is one of my favorite songs from the 80s. Peter Schilling.👌😎👍
I nominate David Bowie's own second take on Major Tom, "Ashes To Ashes."
The 80's were so friggin weird....I'm glad I grew up then 🤣
Haha SAME!
Best time ever
Yes indeed...remember Kim Carnes' "Crazy In The Night (Barking At Airplanes)? The title say it all.
As 11 year old in the fall of 83 when this came out, and being aware of Space Oddity thru my older sister, I honetly thought Major Tom was a real astronaut that was lost in space, and these songs were telling a real story
It funny at @2:35 - he's into the bass, she realizes/hears the words "Something wrong", and she starts to pay attention..
I was 8 years old when this was released and it made a big impression on me. Still in my top favourite songs of all time.
This song is like The Cars covering David Bowie covering The Cars.
I was in high school when this song came out, it was on MTV constantly. Haven’t heard it in years, but it brings back a lot of nostalgic memories.👍
This was the "Part 2" of the story of Major Tom of David Bowie's "Space Oddity." It's a happy song because Major Tom WAS stuck in space in Space Oddity like Amber said, and Major Tom is coming home now!!
Love the Chronic Town avatar.
Amber,you're absolutely right! Major Tom is lost. He doesn't make it back to Earth. Tom saying "This is my home, I'm coming home" is him accepting his fate.
@hawkeyegeorge it's my favorite R.E.M.!
Actually part 3. Ashes to ashes is part 2.
This is part 3... Space oddity, ashes to ashes then coming home!!
The way the chugging guitar locks into the rhythm of the oscillating Moog keyboard is 80s magic!
Oh how the dance floor would fill up when this song was played! ✌
Peter Schilling had another popular hit in the 80s called "The Different Story" and it's good too. 😊
One of the 80s hits I revisit online about once a week. Was in high school at the time and was a favorite of mine.
Another song I've heard a bazillion times but never knew the title. A very ubiquitous MTV video from when I was in my 20s. Hmmm. It sort of faded from the airwaves after the 80s, possibly because it's so identifiable from that era and Euro/German New Wave sound that it dates itself.
Blessings❤
Big hit in the fall of 1983... remember the first time I heard it on the radio I turned up the volume as I was entering the main gate at Camp LeJeune and the MP on duty did a little pop and lock as he waved me through...great memories of that time🥹👍🤙
Great song! An incredible one-hit wonder. As others have noted this is a sequel to David Bowie's 1969 song "Space Oddity" and Peter Schilling has Major Tom cutting off communication with ground control and floating around in space. It is done with synths and a techno beat, which sounds nothing like Bowie's sound for his song but it does jam and was a big hit for this guy at the beginning of the MTV era. Made for a good video and so it got a lot of airplay on MTV. In the late 70's/early 80's there was a lot of techno music coming out of Germany and this song was originally released in Germany. Peter Schilling is a German synth pop artist and he along with one of the most influential techno bands, KRAFTWERK helped put Germany on the techno music map.
The final message: "Give my Wife my Love"... always gets me.
... then nothing more...
Absolutely brilliant song
Was a huge hit here in South Africa
Love it 🇿🇦
love RSA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Im coming back in 2 months
Yes Amber showing her teacher personality but with her musical appreciation knowledge from the channel! Always so charming. I bet her students love and admire her so much!
Imagine the kids talking trash to each other. "My teacher is cooler than yours!" "Oh, yeah? My teacher has a RUclips channel!" Everybody else, "Whoa!!"
A lot of boys are probably hot for her too.
@@raymondohlsen5054 I bet all the male students get hot and bothered by her!
@@raymondohlsen5054 I don't think yt is considered to be particularly cool with the kids in our days.^^
Props to Amber for recognizing the connection to David Bowie's song Space Oddity
This song was written as a direct response to David Bowies Space Oddity!!
I’m so glad you liked the song. It was soooo 80’s I was afraid it’d be too bubblegum for you. I have loved this song since it was a hit on the radio. Love you guys.
This was one of my favorite songs in HS but the local station rarely played it. Took forever to figure out the artist
This here was one of my jams at the Goth Club's 80's Nights.
Looking back, my love for this song (and many others) at the time surely indicated that my ears loved hearing synth sounds. I love trying to isolate instruments as I listen to any music. And that includes orchestras. But once they put synths into the mix, the true challenge began.
As far as I can tell, this is all done by a single incredibly gifted synth artist from the time -- Peter Schilling.
I was taking German class in high school in the mid-80s. And I am pretty sure that we listened to the song in the original German in class, along with a couple others like '99 Luftballoons'.
Hearing this song is making me cry thinking about how much fun we had in the 80’s.
Ah, the nostalgia attack... :)
Yes I remember this song coming out. It was a great song for a great time of my life.
THE FIXX - " Red Skies At Night " 1983 and " Saved By Zero " 1983 are 2 more super amazing songs with really Cool Bass sounds and epic guitar riffs . Really Good stuff 👍
Great suggestions.
Peter Schilling is a German musician, which we had a few of around that time in the 80s. Another great one that has a relevant message is "99 Luftballons" or "99 Red Balloons" in
English, by Nena.
Nena is awesome, but like this song... please please please... the German version... the English versions lose their punch and certainly do not have the same flow to them.
Fun fact, when I was in German class in high school, our teacher had us translate this song as well as the German versions of "Rock Me Amadeus" and "Der Kommissar." It really made the class so much fun!
They reacted to "99 Red Balloons" in 2022, but unfortunately it got blocked.
@@whitespider99 oh, ok! That's too bad. It's such a great song.
Trio - da da da
One of my favorites that was hardly played on any station I listened to. As a fan of astronomy, I have always loved this song.
Growing up in SoCal was a blessing if you were into alternative music in the 80s.
Here in LA area of CA used to hear it all the time, and quite frankly i still hear it often on the radio.
Yeah, it was never played on any New Orleans radio stations, that's when I first started to delve into alternative '80s music and found out top 40 was a bunch of bull.
What is funny i made my comment 11 hours ago about the song and hearing it all the time, and this morning running errands in my car what came on the radio? lol I hear it at least once or twice a week.
@@TimothySmiths I think what we're talking about is when this song first came out in early '80s we never heard it on the radio. Nowadays they have radio stations that play all the cool stuff that you never did hear in the eighties
Great reaction you two! I've loved this track since first hearing it when I was 5, it was 1983, and it was played often on the radio (it actually hit #1 here in Canada). Knew this before I heard David Bowie's Space Oddity...but it wasn't long after that I heard it - so really got to know Major Tom!! Glad you enjoyed. Cheers!
An absolute classic. CLASSIC!!!! Amber has gotten SO good at dissecting almost any song. The on-the-spot analysis is always spot-on from the tone of the story, to the music composition to the voice inflections, everything is great
One of my favorite one hit wonders!!
It's actually not a one hit wonder for Peter. You'll like his song "A Different Story" which should've been a much bigger hit.
Remember this from HS when I lived in Berlin as a military brat. I’d be walking tree-lined streets snd parks while this filled my walkman headphones. The instruments were glorious on headphones back then.
I thought I had never heard this song but it’s the theme tune to the Deutschland series which is absolutely brilliant!
Great reaction! One of the top 80's songs, always uplifts. Such cool contrast btwn verses and chorus. Most Americans think Peter Schilling is a one-hit wonder, but he's not. Very creative artist and story-teller. Next time check out his song "The Different Story"
1984/'85, if my old memory still works. A very haunting song, which never reall explains how Major Tom survived?!
That song was part of the "Neue deutsche Welle" (new german wave). Just a few one got an english version. You may know "99 red balloons" from Nena - that one is another song from that aera.
Yeah, but 99 red balloons did not chart on the radio. The German language version, 99 Lurtballons was the US hit. I still chastise the local radio when they play the wrong one!
@@mavfin8720 Charted or not it still made its way to the United States and did play over the radio. I remember. I liked both versions even though I did not understand German at the time.
@@jamescurfman3284 Yes, but my point was for 99 Luftballons, the one that charted and was a big radio hit in the 80s was the German-language version. And it annoys me when the radio stations now in the US play the wrong (English language) version, out of ignorance, I guess.
@@mavfin8720 IMAGINE having an ENGLISH version of a song played in a country that primarily speaks ENGLISH! GOSH, WHAT A NIGHTMARE!
If it was in an area of the U.S. where German was a dominant language (such as parts of Pennsylvania, just as one example), then I could see where the German version would be appropriate. But I can also see the point of view of the Radio Station Manager or the DJ who plays the English version instead.
Now, whether you find that to be bigotry or not is between you and the DJ. Maybe the DJ is still wet-behind-the-ears and just does not know about the German Version. Maybe telling the DJ specifically to play the German Version was the way to go.
But I really think you are too sensitive about it. That's why I was saying, I like BOTH versions. Stop being so picky and ENJOY WHAT YOU GET. You are lucky they played ANY version of that song, especially Thirty - Forty years later.
@@jamescurfman3284 The English language version is A) translated very badly, and B) doesn't flow right. But, w/e, if you love that version, you be you.
One of the good one hit wonders of the 80s.
Up until a few months ago I would have bet my life that this was a Moody Blues song. I was shocked to realize it was someone else! I never knew.
It’s the best song The Moody Blues never wrote!
And he's from Germany and sang it originally in German 😉😁
Amber nailed it! Great job, figuring out the inspiration behind this song.
Amber, I have to say you always have such a rich understanding of music that goes much deeper than just the song itself. Always a pleasure hearing your insights.
My favorite song of his! So sad but an incredible song. Great lyrics!! Fantastic video!! It is a classic! Highlighting the danger and mysteriousness of space travel better than any other song. Great reaction guys!
I've always loved this song!
The final chorus harmonies get to me every time.
Perfect 80's masterpiece. Bravo Bravo, Bravo. The early 80 so special in so many peoples ❤
His song 'A Different Story' is absolutely phenomenal.
Haven't heard this song is a very very long time. Thanks for taking me back a bit.
With such unworldly, futuristic instrumentation, just one of the greatest 80's bop tunes EVER, IMO..A huge fan!! This would hold up even if it were released today. Thanks for doing this one, guys!
Most of the music of the 80s and 90s would hold up compared to music of the 2020s….which I do actually listen to. The music of the 80s especially was the most innovative, creative, and original music and sound ever produced. 90s music also was incredibly creative and original. Music from bands like Depeche Mode, The Cure, Pet Shop Boys, and many, many other actual sounds more “modern” than music today. I like some hip hop and rap too from artists like Nelly and Eminem, but 2020s hip hop lyrics are just getting over-the-top obscene.
Agree 💯, @@wiltchamberlainisthegoat13 ! I don't think they'll never be another decade like the 80's.
This song came out when I was a teenager and it's what introduced me to Ziggy and 70s Bowie!
"Ashes to ashes, fun to funky; we know Major Tom's a junkie..."
It reeks 80's! My favorite music decade!
I have this song on my new wave playlist - still an absolute banger.
You need Jean Michel-Jarre's new wave masterpiece Rendez-vous 4 - he did a music video as tribute to the Challenger disaster... the entire album is amazing. There is a piece at the end called "Ron's Piece" - it's a saxophone solo that was supposed to be played by Ron McNair from orbit and was going to be the first piece of music recorded in space.
Love this. It was popular on US radio in both English and German. I have a lot of his music in both languages.
Absolutely a classic, and I love how our girl Amber pays such attention to the lyrics!
thank you so much guys for reacting on Peter Schilling with this one hit wonder and huge iconic song as well from the 80S new wave like i had mentioned before there's way too many one hit wonders that were worldwide hits like Big Country by Big Country or 99 Ballons by Nena , A Place To Be by Duncan Dhu among others
Very impressed you reviewed this hidden early 80's gem. The early 80's were a different beast than the late 80's - and a much better beast.
Finally reacted to Peter Schilling... This is his SECOND best song - His best song just happens to be ONE OF THE BEST SONGS OF THE 80's. Peter Schilling: "A Different Story (A World of Lust & Crime), is an absolute must listen!!!
Fun fact: the series Invasion (a Syfy show) they play this song. It’s one of my favorite shows. It’s in season 2 and i about had a heart attack when this song blurted out. I’ve always loved this song. The alien was playing this to the earthling as a mind scan knowing it was one of her favorite songs.
This song was inspired by David Bowie's “Space Oddity,” For being a one hit wonder Ive always liked it
One Hit Wonders. The music world's jewels..❤
This song was popular when I was in elementary school, but of course I wasn't aware at the time that this was NOT David Bowie...probably thinking, "There can't be more than one song about an astronaut named Major Tom!"
One of my all time favorites. So glad you finally got to it
I knew Jay would pick up that bass line early. It drives this song. This was top 80's MTV music. The way he delivers the lyrics is so different.
If you're looking for another Peter Schilling song, The Different Story is one of my faves and I can't recommend it enough. Pan flute, catchy synths, amazing vocals, and just a strong set of lyrics to go along with it.
An 80's Classic !
I grew up to this one on the radio, so many memories! Thanks for doing a reaction to it, guys! My favourite part is, besides that driving bass guitar riff, the melodic harmonies at the end! Stunning! So proud my family shares the same last name with this artist 😝
I am old, I guess, I was 16 when this came out! Great reaction video to one of Germanys biggest 80s hit!
Fun story, which is funny to no one but me and my wife. When they sing ‘Earth below us’ I always thought they said ‘Earthly Lords’. For 30 years I misunderstood these lyrics. When my wife and I got together, at one point this song came on and I confidently sang the lyrics as Earthly Lords…..which was greeted by her hysterical laughter and correction of what I was getting wrong. Now, through 17 years of being together, anytime I mess up something small, she will say (in the Anchorman voice) EARTHLY LORDS!!! ……..anyway, love this song.
but even now I bet you still hear Earthy Lords when it plays.
I love misheard lyrics stories like these, so it's funny to me too, lol!
When I was in college, one of my best friends was a brilliant Norwegian musician student who spoke nearly perfect English & she & I were always sharing & singing songs back & forth. (We still do, btw, decades later.)
One day, she was belting out Hard To Handle by The Black Crowes in her amazing voice, & she sang, "Hey little thing let me light your chemicals..."
I said, "Wait, WHAT?!" It's "light your candle cause..." She was certain she was accurate & went on to explain why chemicals made sense. I said something like, "It's not that they couldn't be singing "light your chemicals," but that they actually ARE singing "light your candle cause." One because it makes more sense & two, because candle rhymes with handle..."
On we went, me debating the bi-lingual Norwegian over English lyrics in good fun! I mean really it's a testament to how amazing her English was, lol!
This song is originally in german and was the biggest smash hit of 80s NDW(Neue Deutsche Welle), love it! 🥰
Looking fwd to the Euro 24 soccer tournament when hopefully this'll be played as the official goal tune.
love the harmony.
This was my favorite song as a kid in the 80’s.
What a phenomenal reaction!! This one exemplifies why your channel is THE channel for reactions ~ period! ❤😊
Loved it ... And I agree with RSR Family comments about The Fixx - Red Skies 🙏👊
Thank you so much Amber and J!!
@RobSquadReactions
GREAT TUNE! :) THANKS, YA'LL!!! Loved this tune when it came out: STILL DO! :)
Guys this song makes me think of MTV the early days when MTV was part of our every day life this song came out around Thanksgiving of 1983 reached number 14 on Billboard pop singles chart guys in those days MTV was must watch TV songs like Major Tom makes me remember just how great MTV once was keep up the great work guys.
How many here prefer the German version?🙋♂️
Both are fire
Most definitely. It's a masterpiece.
The lyrics are slso a lil diffrent in german it is a lil better
Yah
Nope
The song is originally in German (also by Peter Schilling). I wasn't aware (or have forgotten) that there was also an English version of it. It was one of the biggest hits of the "Neue Deutsche Welle" (translates to "New German Wave") in the early 80s. Another famous song from this period, which was originally in German but had an English version as well and was quite successful outside of Germany, was "99 Red Balloons" (German: "99 Luftballons") by Nena.
I can still get lost into this song. So good!
This is one of my favorite songs. I've listened to this song in the last week or so. Thank you for your reaction.
Those were the days. Schilling was characterized by the fact that his voice always harmonized gently with the chords, like his own instrument. "Rheingold" had a similar style, particularly heard on the song "Dreiklangsdimensionen". The harmonies in his song "Die Wüste lebt" are sung even better and faster or nice too "Terra Titanic".
Its more intense in german, but then it doesn't rhyme in english.:
The earth's gravity has been overcome
Everything has been working perfectly for hours
Scientific experiments
“But what use have they in the end?” thinks Major Tom
In the control center, they start to panic
The course of the capsule is not correct at all
“Hello, Major Tom, can you hear?”
“Do you want to destroy the project like that?”
But he can't hear anything
The earth shimmers blue, he´s last transmission "... and
Greets, my wife!” and he falls silent
Below the egoists are still mourning
Major Tom thinks to himself: “If they knew -
A light guides me through space
That you don't know yet, I'll be there soon
I am getting cold"
Great Song it was a huge Hit
Love this song!
The chorus to this song is such a massive earworm of a hook! I just remember everyone in the clubs kinda spin-dancing when the chorus kicked in. Great tune.
Another space song by Harry Nilsson, titled "Spaceman," was released in 1972, two or three years after Bowies' "Space Oddity."
I also like "Spaceman" by 4 Non Blondes
@@Robsan40 I haven't heard, I'll check it out, Thanks!
This song always brings back childhood memories!
This was on the radio often when I was a kid. Great memories. Thanks!
There’s also a version with German lyrics. Both are great!
I'm a huge metalhead, but I've always loved this song ! I was a science nerd too lol so anything to do with spaceflight appealed to me since I was a kid.
But "Major Tom" it's freaky how one can take a NASA Apollo mission ground control transcript and pick out a compelling lyrical tune out of it ! Really fantastic !
And Peter Schilling keeps that low key, controlled monotone when it's the parts about the cold calculated procedures of the ground control crew to the astronaut, but then when Peter's vocals SOAR is when we're in Major Tom's head and he's experiencing the majesty of zero G and orbit of the Earth... the unEarthly appreciation of the beauty and grandeur of it all up there in orbit... even when things go horribly wrong... the astronaut Major Tom doesn't panic... he sets his affairs in order and tells ground control and the Earth he's coming home...
It's tragic, but kinda beautiful and inspirational as well...