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This is a topic from the The 1980's forum on inthe00s.

Subject: 99 RED BALLOONS

Written By: sweetthing18 on 12/07/02 at 06:39 a.m.

WHta a song i love it i mean whats not to love its got a good beat and its fun  ;D i mean  i love all 80s dont get me wrong but its good what do you like do tell

Subject: Re: 99 RED BALLOONS

Written By: CatwomanofV on 12/07/02 at 09:12 a.m.

I wouldn't call it a "fun" song. I would say it is a very heavy song. I perfer the Germany version to the English version. The lyrics were changed a lot in the translation. I still love the song.



Cat

Subject: Re: 99 RED BALLOONS

Written By: jamminoldies on 12/07/02 at 09:18 a.m.

I can't even understand the German version.
The English version I can understand.

howard :D

Subject: Re: 99 RED BALLOONS

Written By: JETTA00 on 12/08/02 at 09:31 a.m.

What exactly is the song 99 red balloons about??  

Subject: Re: 99 RED BALLOONS

Written By: jamminoldies on 12/08/02 at 10:08 a.m.

Yeah,and what the heck is a luftballoon???

howard :D

Subject: Re: 99 RED BALLOONS

Written By: SammyReed on 12/08/02 at 10:30 a.m.

I think this was supposed to be some sort of anti-nuke protest song .......... or something.

Subject: Re: 99 RED BALLOONS

Written By: Jeffpcmt on 12/08/02 at 10:43 a.m.

From what Ive heard, the synopsis of 99 Luftballoons is basically about an accidental nuclear war starting and feeds off the cold war jitters of the time.  

The song begins with kids in then West Berlin launching balloons 1 by 1 into the sky.  The balloons float across to the east side and the Soviets/East Germans mistakenly recognize the balloons as bombs or missles on their radar and go on red alert.  NATO then does the same.  The situation quickly escalates and climaxes into all out war.  The last verse Nena seems to be looking at the remains of a destroyed world and reflecting on how ridiculous mutually assured destruction is.

Thats my interpretation.

Subject: Re: 99 RED BALLOONS

Written By: JETTA00 on 12/08/02 at 11:08 a.m.

that seem accurate but is LUFTBALLOONS the german translation for REDBALLOONS? ???

Subject: Re: 99 RED BALLOONS

Written By: Katrinawitch on 12/09/02 at 11:17 a.m.

I've always wondered that myself.

I agree with sweetthing18, though; this song has got to be one of my all time favorite 80's songs.  I know the subject matter is serious, but the tune is awesome.

Subject: Re: 99 RED BALLOONS

Written By: 80sRocked on 12/09/02 at 11:36 a.m.


Quoting:
From what Ive heard, the synopsis of 99 Luftballoons is basically about an accidental nuclear war starting and feeds off the cold war jitters of the time.  

The song begins with kids in then West Berlin launching balloons 1 by 1 into the sky.  The balloons float across to the east side and the Soviets/East Germans mistakenly recognize the balloons as bombs or missles on their radar and go on red alert.  NATO then does the same.  The situation quickly escalates and climaxes into all out war.  The last verse Nena seems to be looking at the remains of a destroyed world and reflecting on how ridiculous mutually assured destruction is.

Thats my interpretation.
End Quote




Thats right for the most part.  I've read the story behind the song years ago and thats pretty much the jist of it.  I'm not sure about the NATO part though.

Subject: Re: 99 RED BALLOONS

Written By: CatwomanofV on 12/09/02 at 11:51 a.m.

There was a parody called "99 Dead Baboons." I can't remember who did it.


Cat

Subject: Re: 99 RED BALLOONS

Written By: JETTA00 on 12/09/02 at 08:05 p.m.

Tim Cavanaugh did 99 Dead Balloons

Subject: Re: 99 RED BALLOONS

Written By: mrgazpacho on 12/10/02 at 08:43 a.m.


Quoting:
that seem accurate but is LUFTBALLOONS the german translation for REDBALLOONS? ???
End Quote



Well, "Luft" is the German word for "air". I suppose it sounded less natural in English to say "Air Balloons" (as distinct from, say, water balloons).

Subject: Re: 99 RED BALLOONS

Written By: spirit301 on 12/13/02 at 08:01 p.m.

Try visiting the Website for NENA, which features a new version of '99 Luft Ballons'.

http://www.nena.de

Subject: Re: 99 RED BALLOONS

Written By: Jeffpcmt on 12/14/02 at 09:03 a.m.


Quoting:
Try visiting the Website for NENA, which features a new version of '99 Luft Ballons'.

http://www.nena.de
End Quote



Is there an English language version of this website?

Subject: Re: 99 RED BALLOONS

Written By: spirit301 on 12/14/02 at 02:52 p.m.

For the English version search for 'Nena' on the search engine www.google.com
this will give you the option to translate the site.  The search results link is below.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=Nena

some of the site will remain in German.