You have covered so much ground. I was in college with this song and the B52's and Talking Heads and The Clash. The best part is that you still have so many genres left to go. I am excited for you because it keeps going on. You don't have any Ray Charles. You don't have Grateful Dead (Ripple) Black-eyed peas (Where is the Love) Michael Buble (Feeling Good) Taco (Puttin on the Ritz) The Vapors (Turning Japanese) Thomas Dolby (Blinded me with Science) Stray Cats - (Stray Cat Strut) Adam Ant (Goody Two Shoes) Bobby McFarren (Don't Worry, Be Happy) Partridge Family (I Think I Love You) You don't have Garth Brooks. I could go on and on and on. A long way to go. Plus, do you keep up with the more modern ones like Macklemore?
Believe it or not, the German version was the one on the radio in America and other English speaking countries back in the 80's. It just took off and took over. We had no idea what we were singing in German, but it was a lot of fun.
@@JayveeTV It seriously keeps your channel fresh--thanks for being different!! (you can keep that trend going with some Alphaville and some Falco--both have great use of the sounds you loved here, taken even further sometimes! I seriously think you'll be an instant fan) :)
@@chrstnanomee7494 Actually it was a challenge among us to get all the words. Not that we succeeded in all the pronunciations, but even today I can remember most of the words. 🙂
@@JimmyNotes As an English only speaker, I prefer to think it "flows like poetry" hahaha But ya, I'm kinda jealous that I can appreciate both the music and the lyrics (in English) as much as I DO, knowing that there's an even BETTER version of the song that's "inaccessible" to me lol
I think both versions just represented the tensions between nations in the whole Cold War period, they were at their most strained the year before this song came out. Prob respresented the East/West Germany conflict and tensions too
OMG, I didn't even know there was an English version. Have been rocking out to the German version for 37 years 😂 No one even cared that we couldn't understand a word she said, lol
Check out Falco next, another German artist who had some 80's hits both in English/German versions: - Rock Me Amadeus (extended version) - Der Kommissar - Vienna Calling
thats how we grew up in the 80s, great movies, awesome music. But the constant knowledge that at any moment the entire planets population could be nuked out of existence. Not sure if true but I had heard that the American missiles had been set for a two stage strike. IF the 'final code' were ever entered half our missiles would fire at preset targets and 24hrs later the rest would fire automatically to catch any survivors who had come out of hiding.
I don't speak German but the German version is better. That's what became a hit. That's what we were dancing to in the clubs. I didn't hear the English version until much, much later and it still doesn't sound right. It cheapens it somehow .... diminishes it's impact.
only cause you heard that version first. The english version was the version a hit in the UK. Not sure how it has more impact when you dont even understand what she is singing! Lyrics give a song meaning.
@@en6278 did not realise that. American and Australian audiences preferred the German version, while the English version topped the charts in the U.K., Canada and Ireland. I prefer the German version as it just sounds more passionate to me. It was also meant as a protest song. Also, you can Google the lyrics. The English version loses so much in translation, and wasn’t translated by the band themselves. Apparently they didn’t like it as much.
@@kikidee23 no I think people just have nostalgic attachement to the version they remember. Americans know the german version cause that took off there before they put out an english version for the UK. A protest song is no use if nobody has a clue what the words mean. And this was the early 80s so forget about google!! noboy is gonna care enough to go translate lyrics. some maybe but not overwhelming majority. Its just a catchy tune. With no meaning. The english lyrics give it meaning. Of course the band prefer singing their native language thats a no brainer.
@@en6278 well, it does have meaning if you understand it. And now you can Google it. But yeah, back in the day would have been more nostalgic. But anyway, I stand by my preference.
Great reaction. There is a reason why this was a world wide hit. Actually, they said the idea for this song came about when at the end of a Rolling Stones concert in Berlin hundreds of balloons were released. The song's lyricist watched them rise and let his fantasy run wild what this could spark. You have to keep in mind that those were the days of the Cold War. And yes, please react to the original German version as well.
@@rhoetusochten4211 - I wouldn't exactly say "plausible." Even the radar systems back then could distinguish between small balloons and actual fighter jets or missiles, so it was a bit of poetic hyperbole. But the danger of the cold war, and the fact that even the slightest miscalculation could spark a nuclear Armageddon, was indeed very real!
Others have already said the song's about 99 red balloons being released and accidentally triggering a nuclear war. In reality, there were a few cases during the Cold War where very innocuous things almost started World War III. (Including a flock of swans that missile radar picked up near Turkey In 1956.) Kind of heavy subject matter, really. But it had a beat, and people could dance to it.
I read about some VIPs being shown around a new USA radar centre when they were quickly ushered out as alerts started sounding, they thought Russia had launched nukes. It turns out that nobody had thought about the moon rising over the horizon and reflecting a signature back to the radar. It's scary how close accidental launches have been or could happen.
It’s so important to know history to understand songs. This was the Cold War. It’s about accidental nuclear war. They had us shook like y’all are from global warming. I was a kid when this dropped and we just gigged off it.
Yeah, i think it was literally years before I even knew there was an English version. I think I'd either requested it on the radio or selected it on a jukebox, but they had the English version loaded by mistake. It just felt 'wrong'.
When a non-German speaking person says the German version of this song is better, what exactly makes it better to them? Is it something about how the song is sung like the pitch or tone of the singers voice? Because I don’t hear any difference in those respects. Each version is sung equally well to my ear regarding pitch and tone. Neither is ‘out of tune’. Neither do I hear any difference in cadence, tempo, or instrumental differences. They are sung and played exactly the same. So is it the case that a non-German speaking person likes the German version better because the German words to them lack any meaning, and therefore, the song is unburdened of any message or meaning to the listener? Or is it something about how the German words in and of themselves ‘sound’ when pronounced and sung to the beat and rhythm of a tune, which are nothing but incomprehensible ‘noises’ lacking meaning to the listener, that gives the song a unique, exotic or mysterious appeal?
@@oaktree1628 I don't speak German and wonder y English speakers rave about the German version being so much better. U just articulated what I've been considering so much better than I could or would have. Thank U.
@@jadecawdellsmith4009 It is difficult to explain. The german version has a Lot more soul, and was out first, so it was the right and original version. It sound more serious. It is About 99 ballons, causing 99 years of World war, because it was seen on radar as enemy missiles. The lyrics har a Lot Better flow and power, at last if you understand german. You Really Feel the terror of the last war going to end human civilisation. 😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱💀☠💀☠💀☠💀☠💀☠💀☠💀☠💀☠💀☠💀☠💀☠💀☠💀☠💀☠💀☠💀☠💀☠💀☠💀☠💀☠💀☠💀☠💀☠💀☠💀☠💀☠💀☠💀☠💀☠💀☠💀☠💀☠💀💀☠
@@Altinget I understand the meaning & gravitas of the song. I understand y German speakers would prefer it because of the meaning. I just am confused y non German speakers esp those who don't know the meaning of the lyrics to refer it.
I lived in Germany from 80-84 and back stateside Nena 99 Luftballoons was the biggest thing I was a cool teen because I knew both versions word-for-word 🤣 I'm glad you finally got it uploaded! ❤🎶❤
This came out when I was first stationed in Germany, ready to face off against the Soviets. Early in the song there is a lyric about "bugs in the software" and the "one eye" is the radar system picking up the swarm of balloons as a bogey (unidentified blip/target - potentially hostile). So the military scrambles fighters and things escalate until war breaks out. Probably with the death of her friend. Hence the sad ending. The video will give you a good idea of what I am describing. The German version conveys a similar sentiment but is better at more clearly telling its story.
@@dannyiontton3669 Yup, we knew that if the Ruskies & the Warsaw Pact came rolling into West Germany and Europe, the best, but unlikely, outcome would be that we could hold long enough and inflict enough losses that reinforcements could arrive and the Soviets would decide to withdraw. However, we knew the more likely outcome would be that they would be stubborn and things would escalate to World War III.
During the 80's the world was worried about a nuclear war between the USA and Soviet Union. Here in the UK we had warning films put out by the government telling us what to do when the war started.. There were songs about it and there was a film starring Matthew Broderick called War Games essential about a computer having a war between the USA and the Soviet Union and the computer decided there would be no winners. They were scary times.
I remember that @Denise Meredith. We were discussing the four minute warning in the playground. Just one misunderstanding, one wrong move... we came so close to wiping ourselves out. Will we ever learn, I wonder.
@@kayew5492 I remember doing the drills, diving under our desks. I often wonder what that desk was made from in order to protect me. I think me and the desk would have both ended up shadows or ash. So, they pretty much scared the bejeezus out of us, all while lying that we could survive if we just made it under the desks.
I was serving on a fast attack submarine when this song was relatively new, and I had the album on cassette tape (CD may have existed, but were not popular yet). It was the Cold War in those days, the balance of terror as they called it. One of my shipmates borrowed the tape from me and noticed that he could listen to the English version, then flip the tape over and listen to the German version since the play length was nearly identical and they were so positioned on the tape. He would do this for hours while off watch. Eventually he was removed from submarine service for mental issues, an all too common end to submarine careers in those days. But yes, there we were ready to respond in case any red balloons went up listening to anti-war songs when we had the chance. Thankfully none did. Now we have a new set of problems. Something tells me we'll find yet another set of problems as soon as we get this one sorted out. So it goes.
The song was written by the keyboard player. He saw balloons floating away, and imagined that those balloons would have gone over wall to E Germany and start a war.
As many of the comments have already indicated, this song is about how easy it could be to start a nuclear war and wipe out humanity. The singer and her friend released 99 red balloons into the sky and the response from a trigger-happy nation that couldn't identify the objects in the air was to launch a missile attack.
Yes,,that Nation was the United States. It was a very Anti American song. I was living in Germany and saw her get big. She was very Anti USA and Loved the Soviet Union.
I don't think it inspired the song, and the incident I'm pretty sure postdated but one of the moments where both sides came close to launching went something like this. USSR: We're detecting a launch, oh shit is this it, is it starting? USA: We're detecting a launch oh shit is this it, is it starting? Norway: You mother fuckers! We told both of you we were launching a fucking weather balloon today at this exact fucking time to avoid exactly this fucking situation.
Yeah, Wall fell while I was a pre-teen/teen... Grew up with nuclear war a silent background tension to the world. Not as overt as the early Cold War Era, but There.
I have never heard the (English) Version of this song. Back in the day (80/90's) we couldn't understand the words of the song but like you said it just got you moving with the the beat.
This is about the closest were going to get to time travel listening to songs and watching movies from back in the day that bring back so much nostalgia
“99 dreams I have had and every one, a red balloon. It’s all over and I’m standing pretty, in the dust that was a city. If I could find a souvenir, just to prove the world was here. And here is a red balloon, I think of you... and let it go.” - Nena, West German New Wave Band, 99 Red Balloons, Recorded 1984
Anyplace anywhere anytime is Nena’s song, or in Germany, irgendwie, irgendwo, irgendwann. (I think that’s right, my German isn’t great!) Nena is amazing though. Love most of their songs.
Not only was this the ultimate song about the cold war in the 80s, it was the best pop song of the decade as well, especially the german version. Merry Christmas, mate and fingers crossed for a less crazy new year
UK was one of the few countries where the English version was the hit. Most of the rest of the world played the German version but this is what we heard in UK.
This is awesome. This song is one of those that you hear the first time and can't help but smile and dance. One of my favorite 80's songs of all time. Love the reaction.
It's hard to imagine if you were not around, but in the early/mid 80's nuclear annihilation was a very REAL possibility, the threat was something we lived with. Your generation very nearly never was! Happy Christmas and a peaceful, safe new year. X
Since it's Christmas time ABBA's "Happy New Year" would be very fitting. And then may be "Thank you for the music" by them as well. Will uplift the mood, for sure)
As a little girl the German version was my favorite. I didn't know what I was singing lol. My dad had the record and I'd listen to it over and over again when I was at his house. When I got older and heard the english version I was shocked that it was actually a deep song.
OMG we were all amazed with Nenas arm pit hair in the video, she was a beast, made us feel something ya know? It was very risqué to us, so mysterious and beautiful
This song chills me to the bone! The lyrics are prophetic and have a meaning! The ending is haunting- it makes me wonder if she lived or if she died? 😱
Nena was still touring and performing in 2020 - there are many concert appearances of her through the years. I heard a radio interview with her on shortwave out of Germany quite recently, so I think she's alive and well and working on another in what's been a long series of albums.
What inspired the original German version was an incident where 99 weather balloons were briefly mistaken for missiles or bombers, triggering a scramble by jet fighter interceptors. When the English version was written, they used "red balloons" just because it scanned better.
Another song about nuclear war. It was what we were all worried about in the early 80s as tensions between the US and Soviet Union increased. There were loads of very happy sounding records that were about the end of the world.
@@denisemeredith2436 Or Trans Europa Express which was very successful in American clubs with mainly black audience. Also unexpectedly successful there was "Bostich" from Yello.
Nena was a band named after their lead singer who is now a solo artist. So far the only artist of the Neue Deutsche Welle (German New Wave) who had success after the hype and still releasing material. Nena was recently rediscovered by international audiences because of the repeated use of their 1984 song Irgendwie, irgendwo, irgendwann in the first German Netflix show "Dark" (2017-2020).
@@texascard I know! Just saying the wrong order!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bro, the song is not a "hopeful" song. The song is about nuclear war. Two lovers release red balloons into the air; and the military misreads them on radar and think the balloons are nuclear missiles. In response the president launches nuclear missiles. There's nuclear war and the Earth is destroyed.
Lol, music means something to different people. The song tells a story, and the last line of the song is very poignant and in my opinion very hopeful and uplifting. I don't understand why you have to disagree with someone else like that, there is a polite way to do it.
@@fortunax22 listen to the lyrics. There is no question it's about nuclear war. There's a polite way to do it? I didn't call him an asshole or anything rude like that, so what are you talking about? I wasn't impolite. That's you reading into my words. And the last line of the song - put it in context with the rest of the last verse: 99 dreams I have had In every one a red balloon It's all over and I'm standin' pretty In this dust that was a city If I could find a souvenir Just to prove the world was here... And here is, a red balloon I think of you and let it go. So in a song where cities are reduced to dust and a souvenir as proof that the world was here - because the world is gone now - and the line you think is hopeful is "I think of you and let it go"? That's a slim hope - from cities reduced to dust and the end of the world to letting a single red balloon go? I don't see the hope.
@@jflaugher yes, I did listen to the lyrics. There is a polite way to do things and yet again implying people haven't listened to the lyrics is not the way to do it. It's an anti war song and yes the song does tell a story about war reducing both sides of a conflict, however, that doesn't mean the song cannot still have an uplifting and hopeful message. Perhaps you should actually learn more about the song aside from just looking at at the lyrics. Lyrics mean more than just their face value. As I said before, and you seem to want to just dismiss because you're always correct, people interpret music differently. You see it as a depressing piece of music, and other people don't. Learn how to frame your arguments so you aren't talking down to people, it will help you in life.
@@fortunax22 where in my original post did I say anything rude? I was informing him - educating him. He seemed to think it was about the Berlin Wall coming down - which happened several years later. So whether or not he was listening to the lyrics, he totally misunderstood what the lyrics were about. And it has nothing to do with me wanting the lyrics to be depressing. It's a matter of what the lyrics are actually about. If you have a problem with the subject matter of the song, take it up with Nena. I didn't write the song, she did.
Me and my best friend had this 45 vinyl- played it over and over in junior high school! Love that funky beat! One side of the vinyl was the English version and the flip side was the German side- we played both- that bass and groove was all we needed! Merry Christmas Eve Jovaughn! 🎄🎁✌️✨
So jealous of you getting to listen to this for the very first time! This was my song as a kid in the 80’s....my name is Nina....I used to think it was written for me 🤣 Great Video! X
Gabriele Susanne Kerner, the lead singer of Nena, became a wife, had kids, wrote and sang kids songs...but the rocker was still in her. Check out another Nena song she redid with another 80s female singer, Kim Wilde (who sang Kids in America). They sang a Nena song "Anywhere, Anyplace, Anytime."
It's an anti-war song. The German version is better because the text flows more naturally. However, there are so many other (better) songs to react to. Check out songs by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds (e.g. from the album: No more shall we part) or by Leonard Cohen (songs like: Famous blue raincoat, Suzanne, Avalanche, A street ......).
Suzanne Vega - Luka (Official Video) th-cam.com/video/VZt7J0iaUD0/w-d-xo.html This song was very deep when it came out, and the subject matter. Great song though.
This was such a great track and what a singer Nena was.... at a time (early/toward mid 80's) when there was real tension and fear in the possible escalation of danger to world peace. So this plus other great tracks like "I wont let the sun go down on me" by Nik Kershaw, also Ultravox's "Dancing with tears in my Eyes" also "Two Tribes" by Frankie goes to Hollywood...all reflected young people's reactions to what they saw as an upcoming real point of no return for our planet.
A HIPHOP artist named John Forte sampled this for song he did with Wyclef from Fugees. The song is "Ninety Nine Flash The Message" It has an official music video
Dude you are so awesome, I loved your reaction and how you interpreted the song. Best reaction video ever! I’m subscribed! I look forward to watching all of your videos and videos to come!
99 Red Balloons anti-nuclear war song, in the Cold War ‘80s. Europe always lived in fear between the Soviet Union’s hostilities in a divided Germany and the territories Russia owned. Nuclear tensions between US and the Soviet Union: 99 Red Balloon was symbolic to a various things in this song: 99 dreams about the future, 99 days of tensions, 99 nuclear bombs, 99 cities that all this happened. The sole survivor of the event lets life know we have all passed but we were here.
This Song and Nenas first LP was produced by Spliff, the band which played with Nina Hagen as Nina Hagen Band on their first groundbreaking LP Nina Hagen.
![[Full Episode] The Restaurant War Thailand ศึกพ่อค้าซ่าแม่ค้าแซ่บ Episode 4 | 13 ต.ค. 67](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/h8N9tY46P-M/mqdefault.jpg)
Alright guys thanks for showing this video love I’m gonna give the German version a shot to see if there’s any big difference.
Großartig 👍
Only in language. The song still bangs true 🤟❤🎶❤🤟
99 is neunundneunzig auf Deutsch prounouced as "neun - und -neunzig" Luftballoons = toy balloons.
This German version has English subtitles so you can see the difference in lyrics
th-cam.com/video/7aLiT3wXko0/w-d-xo.html
You have covered so much ground. I was in college with this song and the B52's and Talking Heads and The Clash. The best part is that you still have so many genres left to go. I am excited for you because it keeps going on. You don't have any Ray Charles. You don't have Grateful Dead (Ripple) Black-eyed peas (Where is the Love) Michael Buble (Feeling Good) Taco (Puttin on the Ritz) The Vapors (Turning Japanese) Thomas Dolby (Blinded me with Science) Stray Cats - (Stray Cat Strut) Adam Ant (Goody Two Shoes) Bobby McFarren (Don't Worry, Be Happy) Partridge Family (I Think I Love You) You don't have Garth Brooks. I could go on and on and on. A long way to go. Plus, do you keep up with the more modern ones like Macklemore?
Believe it or not, the German version was the one on the radio in America and other English speaking countries back in the 80's. It just took off and took over. We had no idea what we were singing in German, but it was a lot of fun.
Yes, the German version is even better.
There was a elaborate and extension to the song that use to be played on the UK radio long before it was a hit.
German version is best.
That's right, we only heard the German version on the radio first. We didn't know what she was singing about but we all enjoyed the song!
there was also a remix which combined the English and German versions
I really prefer the original ( German) version. Was very cool when it was first released.
Yeah, do a Falco song! Rock Me Amadeus and Der Kommisser.
I agree, sounds better in German even if you can't understand it.
Yeh me too
Yes the German version sounds better but it's cool that she spoke English too so she did 2 versions.
Yeah, the lyrics fit the melody better.
Young dude reacts to tunes no one else does. And is insightful.
Thank you and I am the first reactor to do this song
@@JayveeTV It seriously keeps your channel fresh--thanks for being different!!
(you can keep that trend going with some Alphaville and some Falco--both have great use of the sounds you loved here, taken even further sometimes! I seriously think you'll be an instant fan) :)
He is great
Agree and that's why he is my favorite reactor.
@@JayveeTV you should listen to the german version on your own time, its the better sounding one, you wont regret it lol
Even here in the US, we usually listened to the German version, not the English one.
Same here in Canada.
And could mumble all the words
@@chrstnanomee7494 Actually it was a challenge among us to get all the words. Not that we succeeded in all the pronunciations, but even today I can remember most of the words. 🙂
All I ever could do was wait for the Captain Kirk part LMAO
@@chrstnanomee7494 Me and my friends were complete nerds so we had the time! 😂
I was living in Germany when this came out. German version is the original.
Richtig!
I was living in the United States.
They played the German version too. That is extremely rare, but we ALL like the German version the best.
What year?
Cool :) I think everyone knows the German one's the original
@@libraryfiles4470 '83 or '84 I think
The German version just flows together more smoothly, whereas the English version is more accessible to people.
Agreed. While the English version is easier for English speaking people to understand, it flows like gibberish.
yeah this^
@@JimmyNotes As an English only speaker, I prefer to think it "flows like poetry" hahaha
But ya, I'm kinda jealous that I can appreciate both the music and the lyrics (in English) as much as I DO, knowing that there's an even BETTER version of the song that's "inaccessible" to me lol
doesnt help that her accent is strong in the english version.
but the german version is definitely better
I find myself enjoying singing the german lyrics
Talking about Nuclear War between the West and the East. Germany was divided then and would have been the front line in case of any conflicts.
I think both versions just represented the tensions between nations in the whole Cold War period, they were at their most strained the year before this song came out. Prob respresented the East/West Germany conflict and tensions too
Falco was another artist with both German and English songs.
Yes, Falco was amazing
Der Kommisar and Amadeus are the two songs of his that most come to mind.
Jeannie
America
Männer des Westens
Out of the dark
The song Jeannie was even banned in the 1980s. The radio stations were not allowed to play the song because the lyrics were about a mad killer.
Rock me Amudaus...
OMG, I didn't even know there was an English version. Have been rocking out to the German version for 37 years 😂 No one even cared that we couldn't understand a word she said, lol
Certainly a COLD WAR song back in the day. For those of us who lived through the Cold War with the USSR.
Check out Falco next, another German artist who had some 80's hits both in English/German versions:
- Rock Me Amadeus (extended version)
- Der Kommissar
- Vienna Calling
Der Kommissar! Yes!
yes please!
Absolutely!
Austrian artist!
YES to Rock Me Amadeus!!!
Jay, the ballons were mistook for missiles or bombs and her town got bombed.
The whole planet where nuked at the end, not only her town
@@DSP16569 MAD, mutually assured destruction...which was rather mad...
thats how we grew up in the 80s, great movies, awesome music. But the constant knowledge that at any moment the entire planets population could be nuked out of existence. Not sure if true but I had heard that the American missiles had been set for a two stage strike. IF the 'final code' were ever entered half our missiles would fire at preset targets and 24hrs later the rest would fire automatically to catch any survivors who had come out of hiding.
I don't speak German but the German version is better. That's what became a hit. That's what we were dancing to in the clubs. I didn't hear the English version until much, much later and it still doesn't sound right. It cheapens it somehow .... diminishes it's impact.
I agree! I absolutely prefer the German version.
only cause you heard that version first. The english version was the version a hit in the UK. Not sure how it has more impact when you dont even understand what she is singing! Lyrics give a song meaning.
@@en6278 did not realise that. American and Australian audiences preferred the German version, while the English version topped the charts in the U.K., Canada and Ireland.
I prefer the German version as it just sounds more passionate to me. It was also meant as a protest song. Also, you can Google the lyrics.
The English version loses so much in translation, and wasn’t translated by the band themselves. Apparently they didn’t like it as much.
@@kikidee23 no I think people just have nostalgic attachement to the version they remember. Americans know the german version cause that took off there before they put out an english version for the UK. A protest song is no use if nobody has a clue what the words mean. And this was the early 80s so forget about google!! noboy is gonna care enough to go translate lyrics. some maybe but not overwhelming majority. Its just a catchy tune. With no meaning. The english lyrics give it meaning. Of course the band prefer singing their native language thats a no brainer.
@@en6278 well, it does have meaning if you understand it. And now you can Google it. But yeah, back in the day would have been more nostalgic. But anyway, I stand by my preference.
Great reaction. There is a reason why this was a world wide hit.
Actually, they said the idea for this song came about when at the end of a Rolling Stones concert in Berlin hundreds of balloons were released. The song's lyricist watched them rise and let his fantasy run wild what this could spark. You have to keep in mind that those were the days of the Cold War.
And yes, please react to the original German version as well.
It's hard for people who don't remember how tense things were to understand just how plausible a war over balloons is/was.
@@rhoetusochten4211 - I wouldn't exactly say "plausible." Even the radar systems back then could distinguish between small balloons and actual fighter jets or missiles, so it was a bit of poetic hyperbole. But the danger of the cold war, and the fact that even the slightest miscalculation could spark a nuclear Armageddon, was indeed very real!
Others have already said the song's about 99 red balloons being released and accidentally triggering a nuclear war.
In reality, there were a few cases during the Cold War where very innocuous things almost started World War III. (Including a flock of swans that missile radar picked up near Turkey In 1956.)
Kind of heavy subject matter, really. But it had a beat, and people could dance to it.
I read about some VIPs being shown around a new USA radar centre when they were quickly ushered out as alerts started sounding, they thought Russia had launched nukes. It turns out that nobody had thought about the moon rising over the horizon and reflecting a signature back to the radar. It's scary how close accidental launches have been or could happen.
It’s so important to know history to understand songs. This was the Cold War. It’s about accidental nuclear war. They had us shook like y’all are from global warming. I was a kid when this dropped and we just gigged off it.
German version is the best one.. I didn't hear the english one for some time after the song came out
Yeah, i think it was literally years before I even knew there was an English version. I think I'd either requested it on the radio or selected it on a jukebox, but they had the English version loaded by mistake. It just felt 'wrong'.
Of the two versions the German one was the more popular at the time, but basically they are the same vibe.
German version is definitely better
When a non-German speaking person says the German version of this song is better, what exactly makes it better to them? Is it something about how the song is sung like the pitch or tone of the singers voice? Because I don’t hear any difference in those respects. Each version is sung equally well to my ear regarding pitch and tone. Neither is ‘out of tune’. Neither do I hear any difference in cadence, tempo, or instrumental differences. They are sung and played exactly the same. So is it the case that a non-German speaking person likes the German version better because the German words to them lack any meaning, and therefore, the song is unburdened of any message or meaning to the listener? Or is it something about how the German words in and of themselves ‘sound’ when pronounced and sung to the beat and rhythm of a tune, which are nothing but incomprehensible ‘noises’ lacking meaning to the listener, that gives the song a unique, exotic or mysterious appeal?
@@oaktree1628 I don't speak German and wonder y English speakers rave about the German version being so much better. U just articulated what I've been considering so much better than I could or would have. Thank U.
@@jadecawdellsmith4009 It is difficult to explain. The german version has a Lot more soul, and was out first, so it was the right and original version. It sound more serious. It is About 99 ballons, causing 99 years of World war, because it was seen on radar as enemy missiles. The lyrics har a Lot Better flow and power, at last if you understand german. You Really Feel the terror of the last war going to end human civilisation. 😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱💀☠💀☠💀☠💀☠💀☠💀☠💀☠💀☠💀☠💀☠💀☠💀☠💀☠💀☠💀☠💀☠💀☠💀☠💀☠💀☠💀☠💀☠💀☠💀☠💀☠💀☠💀☠💀☠💀☠💀☠💀☠💀☠💀💀☠
@@Altinget I understand the meaning & gravitas of the song. I understand y German speakers would prefer it because of the meaning. I just am confused y non German speakers esp those who don't know the meaning of the lyrics to refer it.
I lived in Germany from 80-84 and back stateside Nena 99 Luftballoons was the biggest thing
I was a cool teen because I knew both versions word-for-word 🤣
I'm glad you finally got it uploaded! ❤🎶❤
I lived in Germany 1981 to 1982. Also a big hit at the time was the “chicken dance”!!!!
@@mspfinney oh yeah it was and I was too good at it on the volksmarche circuit haha. Where were you? My dad was stationed at Grafenwöhr
I remember when this came out, at the height of Cold War nuclear paranoia.
This came out when I was first stationed in Germany, ready to face off against the Soviets.
Early in the song there is a lyric about "bugs in the software" and the "one eye" is the radar system picking up the swarm of balloons as a bogey (unidentified blip/target - potentially hostile).
So the military scrambles fighters and things escalate until war breaks out. Probably with the death of her friend. Hence the sad ending. The video will give you a good idea of what I am describing.
The German version conveys a similar sentiment but is better at more clearly telling its story.
My dad was a British Fusilier he taught me the meaning behind the song being the nuclear war made me go wtf xD
@@dannyiontton3669 Yup, we knew that if the Ruskies & the Warsaw Pact came rolling into West Germany and Europe, the best, but unlikely, outcome would be that we could hold long enough and inflict enough losses that reinforcements could arrive and the Soviets would decide to withdraw.
However, we knew the more likely outcome would be that they would be stubborn and things would escalate to World War III.
During the 80's the world was worried about a nuclear war between the USA and Soviet Union. Here in the UK we had warning films put out by the government telling us what to do when the war started.. There were songs about it and there was a film starring Matthew Broderick called War Games essential about a computer having a war between the USA and the Soviet Union and the computer decided there would be no winners. They were scary times.
Thank goodness for tic tac toe...lol.
That was a Good Movie !!! It showed how easy it could be !! 😡👎
That is a classic now. So fun to see the 80's technology...giant computers...green words on a black screen, payphones, etc.
I remember that @Denise Meredith. We were discussing the four minute warning in the playground. Just one misunderstanding, one wrong move... we came so close to wiping ourselves out. Will we ever learn, I wonder.
@@kayew5492 I remember doing the drills, diving under our desks. I often wonder what that desk was made from in order to protect me. I think me and the desk would have both ended up shadows or ash. So, they pretty much scared the bejeezus out of us, all while lying that we could survive if we just made it under the desks.
She was really hot!! I only really remember this song Because watching her dance was quite Pleasant.
I Want My MTV!!! is was the eighties
I remember her because of her hairy armpits in the video
I was serving on a fast attack submarine when this song was relatively new, and I had the album on cassette tape (CD may have existed, but were not popular yet). It was the Cold War in those days, the balance of terror as they called it. One of my shipmates borrowed the tape from me and noticed that he could listen to the English version, then flip the tape over and listen to the German version since the play length was nearly identical and they were so positioned on the tape. He would do this for hours while off watch. Eventually he was removed from submarine service for mental issues, an all too common end to submarine careers in those days. But yes, there we were ready to respond in case any red balloons went up listening to anti-war songs when we had the chance. Thankfully none did. Now we have a new set of problems. Something tells me we'll find yet another set of problems as soon as we get this one sorted out. So it goes.
Love your reaction as the instruments kick in full. 😁
So it goes.
Captain Kirk is sung the same in the German version lol
Enjoy your reactions! They used to play the German version on the radio in the U.S. - that's a better version.
Nice reaction as always. you also should check out the original one 99 Luftballons
Love this song, had a huge crush on the singer back in the day. God I miss the 80s.
I have this 45rpm: on 1 side this song is sung in english, on the other side its in german.
The song was written by the keyboard player. He saw balloons floating away, and imagined that those balloons would have gone over wall to E Germany and start a war.
Listen to another incredible German punk artist from the eighties, Nina Hagen. A good song to start with is Born in Xixax.
Oh yes, Nina is amazing !
Oder "Du Hast Den Farbfilm Vergessen." :-))
Hey man, a song from this era I think you would love: Kim Wilde - Kids in America. The original official video is super 80s vibe.
Kim Wilde and Nena Hagen were best of friends.. 😊
Think Cambodia is better
You came 💥
All of hers- listen to her every day.
The version in German is so much better!
Played 9,000,000 times on MTV
Lol yep
Could have been ten thousand😅
Yes you are correct sir MTV played the crap out of this back then 🤔
As many of the comments have already indicated, this song is about how easy it could be to start a nuclear war and wipe out humanity. The singer and her friend released 99 red balloons into the sky and the response from a trigger-happy nation that couldn't identify the objects in the air was to launch a missile attack.
Yes,,that Nation was the United States. It was a very Anti American song. I was living in Germany and saw her get big. She was very Anti USA and Loved the Soviet Union.
EVERY nation reacted, not just one.
I don't think it inspired the song, and the incident I'm pretty sure postdated but one of the moments where both sides came close to launching went something like this.
USSR: We're detecting a launch, oh shit is this it, is it starting?
USA: We're detecting a launch oh shit is this it, is it starting?
Norway: You mother fuckers! We told both of you we were launching a fucking weather balloon today at this exact fucking time to avoid exactly this fucking situation.
@@charlesbaldwin3166 Exactly!
Yeah, Wall fell while I was a pre-teen/teen... Grew up with nuclear war a silent background tension to the world. Not as overt as the early Cold War Era, but There.
You might check out Scottish Band Big Country with their song out around this same time "Big Country"
I have never heard the (English) Version of this song. Back in the day (80/90's) we couldn't understand the words of the song but like you said it just got you moving with the the beat.
This is about the closest were going to get to time travel listening to songs and watching movies from back in the day that bring back so much nostalgia
You should watch the video, was one of my favorites on MTV when MTV didn’t suck!
“99 dreams I have had and every one, a red balloon. It’s all over and I’m standing pretty, in the dust that was a city. If I could find a souvenir, just to prove the world was here. And here is a red balloon, I think of you... and let it go.”
- Nena, West German New Wave Band, 99 Red Balloons, Recorded 1984
I always saw it as an innocent gesture (setting the balloons go) causes war to break out. Eager to fight they launch Jet fighters.
*I've always enjoyed this song, but watching you love it was another level!* ⭐😃👍
Try Kim Wild with "Keep me hanging' on". She release a song with Nena too is call "Anyplace anywhere"
Fiiiiinallyyyy someone suggests keep me hangin on 👏🏼👍🏼
Anyplace anywhere anytime is Nena’s song, or in Germany, irgendwie, irgendwo, irgendwann. (I think that’s right, my German isn’t great!)
Nena is amazing though. Love most of their songs.
Keep me hanging on is also Nena originally, or at least I thought!
@@kikidee23 Keep me hanging on is a great song but it's not from Nena. 😉
@@sonjal.8510 my bad! Confused it with hangin’ on you, which is Nena 😂 Different songs! Ignore me lol
I only heard the German version.
over here in Europe, it is still a guaranteed success in every party, every bar etc.
but it is in fact the German version that works well here.
Not the parties I used to go to taking ext any and listening to rave music the demographic for ni na must have been the age group 7 to 14
Not only was this the ultimate song about the cold war in the 80s, it was the best pop song of the decade as well, especially the german version. Merry Christmas, mate and fingers crossed for a less crazy new year
UK was one of the few countries where the English version was the hit. Most of the rest of the world played the German version but this is what we heard in UK.
This is awesome. This song is one of those that you hear the first time and can't help but smile and dance. One of my favorite 80's songs of all time. Love the reaction.
It's hard to imagine if you were not around, but in the early/mid 80's nuclear annihilation was a very REAL possibility, the threat was something we lived with. Your generation very nearly never was! Happy Christmas and a peaceful, safe new year. X
Yep. Was tense, wasn't it? Told my son all about it not long ago.
I love Nena since the beginning.. She still make good music. Thank you.. Greetings from Berlin/Germany
You make my fave songs even more fun to listen to. So cool! ❤️
Since it's Christmas time ABBA's "Happy New Year" would be very fitting. And then may be "Thank you for the music" by them as well. Will uplift the mood, for sure)
As a little girl the German version was my favorite. I didn't know what I was singing lol. My dad had the record and I'd listen to it over and over again when I was at his house. When I got older and heard the english version I was shocked that it was actually a deep song.
OMG we were all amazed with Nenas arm pit hair in the video, she was a beast, made us feel something ya know? It was very risqué to us, so mysterious and beautiful
This song chills me to the bone! The lyrics are prophetic and have a meaning! The ending is haunting- it makes me wonder if she lived or if she died? 😱
Nena was still touring and performing in 2020 - there are many concert appearances of her through the years. I heard a radio interview with her on shortwave out of Germany quite recently, so I think she's alive and well and working on another in what's been a long series of albums.
What inspired the original German version was an incident where 99 weather balloons were briefly mistaken for missiles or bombers, triggering a scramble by jet fighter interceptors. When the English version was written, they used "red balloons" just because it scanned better.
Go ahead and listen to the ductchland vision.Hope you like it.
"This has 80s vibes right here!" Well, he's not wrong... ;-)
Another song about nuclear war. It was what we were all worried about in the early 80s as tensions between the US and Soviet Union increased. There were loads of very happy sounding records that were about the end of the world.
I had no idea that was what the song was about. I was a little kid and wanted a red ballon.
Finally! Love it, glad u were able to react to 99 Luftballons! Leave it to the Germans to keep us on our toes! Haha
The German original is 1000 times better than the English version.
Amen
I agree the German is Better
99 times better
@@Steve_Stowers Brilliant!
True. However goldfingers cover of it is the best version hands down!!!
I'll say this. I really like how much volume you put to all the videos you watch/listen to. You don't let your voice overshadow them, much love.
I think a cold war song. Remember folks, this was five years before the reunification of Germany
The song was all over the radio. It started a three week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart. The song was also a No.2 hit in the U.S.
If you want another good '80s German song to review...
... try 'Da Da Da' by Trio.
That's a Cool Song!
Good song. Remember the band Kraftwerk with their hits Autobahn and Tour de France?
@@denisemeredith2436 Or Trans Europa Express which was very successful in American clubs with mainly black audience. Also unexpectedly successful there was "Bostich" from Yello.
Dude...you make me smile 😊 🙏 thank you. Merry Christmas 🎄 to you and your family. A x
Thank you and same to you
This was huge down here when I was a teenage and I have never heard the English version until today! It sounds so weird!
LOVE This song! Thanks for covering!
Been wanting someone to react to this forever
Why? It is not a classic song. Just an ok pop song.
@@snapdragon8620 Now I have to defend?? Bc I like the beat I think it's a vibe
Nena was a band named after their lead singer who is now a solo artist. So far the only artist of the Neue Deutsche Welle (German New Wave) who had success after the hype and still releasing material. Nena was recently rediscovered by international audiences because of the repeated use of their 1984 song Irgendwie, irgendwo, irgendwann in the first German Netflix show "Dark" (2017-2020).
Wherever you get your recommendations from: A+++
From you guys
@@JayveeTV In that case you should check out Pump Up the Volume by MARRS if you haven’t already.
Love this track so much...only one way to go after this thinking of the topic... Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Two Tribes.
German version has a better flow...jmo
Love this song and love your reaction!!! Truly great songs tell a story or have a positive message. Keep Jammin' friend.
It's a shame you didn't listen to the German version.
Didn’t you watch the video?? He said he was going to listen to the German version in a separate video
Schade,
@@texascard I know! Just saying the wrong order!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you can't understand German, what is the point !!!
@@GrafindeKlevemark doesn’t matter if we don’t understand. The point is that it sounds better lol
Brilliant song, nena is doing great live tours still going, this song never gets boring, loved the reaction dude 👍
Bro, the song is not a "hopeful" song. The song is about nuclear war. Two lovers release red balloons into the air; and the military misreads them on radar and think the balloons are nuclear missiles. In response the president launches nuclear missiles. There's nuclear war and the Earth is destroyed.
Lol, music means something to different people. The song tells a story, and the last line of the song is very poignant and in my opinion very hopeful and uplifting. I don't understand why you have to disagree with someone else like that, there is a polite way to do it.
@@fortunax22 listen to the lyrics. There is no question it's about nuclear war. There's a polite way to do it? I didn't call him an asshole or anything rude like that, so what are you talking about? I wasn't impolite. That's you reading into my words.
And the last line of the song - put it in context with the rest of the last verse:
99 dreams I have had
In every one a red balloon
It's all over and I'm standin' pretty
In this dust that was a city
If I could find a souvenir
Just to prove the world was here...
And here is, a red balloon
I think of you and let it go.
So in a song where cities are reduced to dust and a souvenir as proof that the world was here - because the world is gone now - and the line you think is hopeful is "I think of you and let it go"? That's a slim hope - from cities reduced to dust and the end of the world to letting a single red balloon go? I don't see the hope.
@@jflaugher yes, I did listen to the lyrics. There is a polite way to do things and yet again implying people haven't listened to the lyrics is not the way to do it. It's an anti war song and yes the song does tell a story about war reducing both sides of a conflict, however, that doesn't mean the song cannot still have an uplifting and hopeful message. Perhaps you should actually learn more about the song aside from just looking at at the lyrics. Lyrics mean more than just their face value.
As I said before, and you seem to want to just dismiss because you're always correct, people interpret music differently. You see it as a depressing piece of music, and other people don't. Learn how to frame your arguments so you aren't talking down to people, it will help you in life.
@@fortunax22 where in my original post did I say anything rude? I was informing him - educating him. He seemed to think it was about the Berlin Wall coming down - which happened several years later. So whether or not he was listening to the lyrics, he totally misunderstood what the lyrics were about.
And it has nothing to do with me wanting the lyrics to be depressing. It's a matter of what the lyrics are actually about. If you have a problem with the subject matter of the song, take it up with Nena. I didn't write the song, she did.
@@fortunax22 Joshua wasn’t rude.
Me and my best friend had this 45 vinyl- played it over and over in junior high school! Love that funky beat! One side of the vinyl was the English version and the flip side was the German side- we played both- that bass and groove was all we needed! Merry Christmas Eve Jovaughn! 🎄🎁✌️✨
its an allegory for the cold war , funny how these cold war songs are starting to be relevant again
So jealous of you getting to listen to this for the very first time! This was my song as a kid in the 80’s....my name is Nina....I used to think it was written for me 🤣 Great Video! X
This song was about the time around the Berlin Wall in Germany
Gabriele Susanne Kerner, the lead singer of Nena, became a wife, had kids, wrote and sang kids songs...but the rocker was still in her. Check out another Nena song she redid with another 80s female singer, Kim Wilde (who sang Kids in America). They sang a Nena song "Anywhere, Anyplace, Anytime."
Band is pronounced Nehna. Just an FYI.
Peak Cold War song, dunno how you got it through YT blocking but glad you did. The 99 red balloons symbolise peace.
It's an anti-war song. The German version is better because the text flows more naturally. However, there are so many other (better) songs to react to. Check out songs by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds (e.g. from the album: No more shall we part) or by Leonard Cohen (songs like: Famous blue raincoat, Suzanne, Avalanche, A street ......).
Yes, I'm from California USA when it first came to the America's and it came here in German. Loved it back then, love it now!!
Suzanne Vega - Luka (Official Video)
th-cam.com/video/VZt7J0iaUD0/w-d-xo.html
This song was very deep when it came out, and the subject matter. Great song though.
Great song.
This was such a great track and what a singer Nena was.... at a time (early/toward mid 80's) when there was real tension and fear in the possible escalation of danger to world peace. So this plus other great tracks like "I wont let the sun go down on me" by Nik Kershaw, also Ultravox's "Dancing with tears in my Eyes" also "Two Tribes" by Frankie goes to Hollywood...all reflected young people's reactions to what they saw as an upcoming real point of no return for our planet.
A HIPHOP artist named John Forte sampled this for song he did with Wyclef from Fugees. The song is "Ninety Nine Flash The Message" It has an official music video
One of my favorite songs when I was about 16. Has real meaning.
Yes in '84...very radio friendly hit...
Dude you are so awesome, I loved your reaction and how you interpreted the song. Best reaction video ever! I’m subscribed! I look forward to watching all of your videos and videos to come!
99 Red Balloons anti-nuclear war song, in the Cold War ‘80s. Europe always lived in fear between the Soviet Union’s hostilities in a divided Germany and the territories Russia owned. Nuclear tensions between US and the Soviet Union: 99 Red Balloon was symbolic to a various things in this song: 99 dreams about the future, 99 days of tensions, 99 nuclear bombs, 99 cities that all this happened. The sole survivor of the event lets life know we have all passed but we were here.
This Song and Nenas first LP was produced by Spliff, the band which played with Nina Hagen as Nina Hagen Band on their first groundbreaking LP Nina Hagen.
J, This was their only charting song in the US (German version). She had numerous top 10 hits in Germany and Austria.
It's incredible this song just became relevant right now!
Hope you had a great Christmas, Jayvee. Love this song. Always reminds me of my childhood.
Too much energy in 1 song!! Timeless 80s at its best.
The band Goldfinger does an excellent remake. Very heavy. Was in the movie Eurotrip
Just started watching you. Great smile. Great comments. Not watching any other reactor after I saw you. 2 thumbs up!!