542,410 plays (132,975 listeners)
“99 Luftballons” is a Cold War-era protest song by the German singer Nena. Originally sung in German, it was later re-recorded in English as “99 Red Balloons”.
“99 Luftballons” reached #1 in West Germany in 1983. In 1984, the original German version also peaked at #2 on the American Billboard Hot 100 chart and the English-language version topped the UK Singles Chart. The German version topped the Australian charts for five weeks and the New Zealand charts for one week.
When it made the charts in the United States, most US radio DJs incorrectly assumed that “99 Luftballons” translated to English as “99 Red Balloons” and spoke the number 99 in English, saying “Ninety-nine Luftballoons.”
The translation of the title is sometimes given as “Ninety-Nine Air Balloons”, however “Ninety-Nine Balloons” is also correct. A Luftballon is a colourful toy balloon, rather than a balloon for transport or research. The name is derived from Luft, German for air, but the meaning of Luft does not qualify the type of balloon. The title “99 Red Balloons” almost scans correctly with the syllables falling in the right places within the rhythm of the first lines of lyrics, with “red” replacing “Luft”. The only difference is the missing counterpart to the German syllable “und” in “Neunundneunzig” (literally “nine and ninety”).
“99 Luftballons” reached #1 in West Germany in 1983. In 1984, the original German version also peaked at #2 on the American Billboard Hot 100 chart and the English-language version topped the UK Singles Chart. The German version topped the Australian charts for five weeks and the New Zealand charts for one week.
When it made the charts in the United States, most US radio DJs incorrectly assumed that “99 Luftballons” translated to English as “99 Red Balloons” and spoke the number 99 in English, saying “Ninety-nine Luftballoons.”
The translation of the title is sometimes given as “Ninety-Nine Air Balloons”, however “Ninety-Nine Balloons” is also correct. A Luftballon is a colourful toy balloon, rather than a balloon for transport or research. The name is derived from Luft, German for air, but the meaning of Luft does not qualify the type of balloon. The title “99 Red Balloons” almost scans correctly with the syllables falling in the right places within the rhythm of the first lines of lyrics, with “red” replacing “Luft”. The only difference is the missing counterpart to the German syllable “und” in “Neunundneunzig” (literally “nine and ninety”).
Video
Added by ali94will
Nena-99 Luft Balloons!
Lyrics: Hast Du etwas Zeit für mich
Dann singe ich ein Lied fuer Dich
Von 99 Luftballons
Auf ihrem Weg zum Horizont
Denkst Du vielleicht grad' an mich
Dann singe ich ein Lied…
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Lyrics: Hast Du etwas Zeit für mich
Dann singe ich ein Lied fuer Dich
Von 99 Luftballons
Auf ihrem Weg zum Horizont
Denkst Du vielleicht grad' an mich
Dann singe ich ein Lied…
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99 Luftballons
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Shouts
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vilena_ wrote:
Amazing song. Gorgeous Nena!
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Failleke wrote:
It's used in one of my favourite scenes in Scrubs!
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ausgeflogen wrote:
Mein Papa mag das auch gerne hören.
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TheLoveGuru wrote:
Great!!
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ruby65_4love wrote:
a very special song for me. At the age of 19 i was visiting Toronto/Canada. This Song was Hit in US/Canada. Great Time, Great Song! Great Nena! Go for it Nena, I luv U!
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asia_93 wrote:
sooo extra! ich liebe dieser Song...
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xFOSSAx wrote:
German language version for the win! [4]
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ElectricGod wrote:
German language version for the win! [3]
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JKPopGirl wrote:
좋다
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backpocketcomb wrote:
German language version for the win! [2]
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giania wrote:
German language version for the win!
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scoobyjman wrote:
cool song
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Pufky wrote:
what a stunning song!
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lotharvomteich wrote:
nena, immer wieder, und wie sie das macht, immerfloot, jung , frisch, super, wer hätte das damals gedacht, am anfang
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JuggaloUnited wrote:
voll abgefuckt totale scheise
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SpiderJeruslm wrote:
Nena...soooo hot.
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sinisterman wrote:
Long time ago she was soooooo entertaining, but now she´s mostly annoying.
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LQQKIE wrote:
Great song... part of Retro Fridays member group radio. Come and Join!!!
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felipealbrecht wrote:
Super!
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Silvinike wrote:
d(^_^)b
Nena
99 Luftballons
full track
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Recent Activity
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Poarstman, LuckyLuke1792, croelektrash and 9 other people loved Nena – 99 Luftballons. 37 minutes ago
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