Thought I'd do one of these as Germany will be in the spotlight over the next couple of weeks as Eurovision 2011 host country.
It's been a while since I did a German charts update (and I won't be posting any links, as the last time I did this I almost got my blog shut down and don't want to risk this again!!).
Anyway, the most significant thing is....where are all the German hits? As with many other European countries these days, the German chart has become so generic with the same international hits as everywhere else - J-Lo's "On The Floor" tops the singles chart, with Snoop Dogg, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Usher, Katy Perry, Chris Brown, Adele and Enrique Iglesias all taking up a space in the chart...and for some inexplicable reason, a revival of Depeche Mode's "Just Can't Get Enough" which has been in the German chart for a few weeks.
So I'm going to ignore that and concentrate on some of the other German/European hits instead.
Starting with the Finnish band Sunrise Avenue who continue to be very popular in Germany. "Fairytale Gone Bad" was a massive hit there, and the band's latest track "Hollywood Hills" sticks to their familiar accessible pop/rock sound and has already spent 10 weeks in the German singles chart.
Another act from outside Germany who's doing very well over there is Milow; "You And Me (In My Pocket)" the first single from his current album "North and South" again doesn't stray too far from his trademark acoustic sound with a little touch of the Paul Simon style in there too.
So we've had a Finnish band and a Belgian singer....now we have a Dutch singer named Caro Emerald who's doing well in the top 10 with "A Night Like This". I think her retro style might appeal to fans of Paloma Faith and Eliza Doolittle.
Danish singer Mads Langer's very inspired reinterpretation of Olive's 90s dance hit "You're Not Alone" has also been in the German chart for a few weeks. Think Milow's "Ayo Technology" and you get the idea - I like this!
Where are all the German acts then? The highest placed German song this week is "Strobo Pop" by Die Atzen featuring Nena. Yes, that Nena! It's an of-the-moment electropop/rap number and is (IMHO) a bit annoying.
Then there's Jupiter Jones, whose "Still" is a melodic mid-tempo rock song making its way into the top 20.
I suppose the big question is: where is "Taken By A Stranger"? Well, after 9 weeks on the chart, Lena's 2011 Eurovision entry is languishing at no. 42 although expect it to briefly climb the chart again in a couple of weeks.
