So, it’s Oktoberfest time again, and we are excited!!
Not so much for the crowds and beer drinking (we could do without hordes of drunk tourists and we can drink even better German beer any day of the year).
No, we’re excited to wear our trachten and sing silly songs and schlager!
For those of you planning to visit Oktoberfest this year, we’ve prepared a short introduction to some of the most common Oktoberfest songs. While there are a couple that are specific to Oktoberfest, you’ll likely hear these at many festivals (e.g., Starkbierfest and Dachauer Folksfest), at après ski, and at many parties.
It’s just more fun when you know what people are singing, and many have motions or some sort of audience participation.
Since this will be an extremely long post, we’ll group them into three posts, splitting the songs into three categories: Wies’n Hits, Classics/Traditional, and Songs You Should Already Know.
Let’s start with the most fun category - Wies’n Hits. Though it will seem the entire tent knows these, the songs are not very old. Songs from before the 90s will be in the Classics/Traditional (wow, I’m starting to feel old…)
They’ve become popular in the last 10 years, but are incredibly well-known in the Munich area (and Austrian ski resorts and German beach resorts in Spain, if we’re being honest). The truth is that many Bavarian traditions have enjoyed a resurgence in popularity over the last 10 years or so. While visitors to Munich in the summer will likely see plenty of people dressed in tracht, this is a more recent development. It’s fun, it’s cool, and many young people enjoy the traditions today.
In no particular order, but starting with a crowd favourite –
Fliegerlied:
What I love about this one are the silly motions and the catchy tune. It began as a children’s song but has become a favourite of beer festivals, après ski, and anywhere that involves a band and drinks. This one came to Oktoberfest 4 or 5 years ago from the children’s band Donikkl und die Weißwürschtl but was popularized by Tim Toupet’s top 10 cover version.
The full lyrics are below, but most important are the motions to the chorus. Watch the crowd and singer in the video for examples, but we’ve listed them here next to the chorus:
Und ich flieg, flieg, flieg wie ein Flieger (fly your arms like a bird or airplane)
Bin so stark, stark, stark wie ein Tiger (make a muscle to show your strength)
Und so groß, groß, groß wie 'ne Giraffe (pump your arms to the ceiling to show being tall)
So hoch oh, oh, oh (wave your hands up high)
Und ich spring, spring, spring immer wieder (hold your hands in front and jump like a kangaroo)
Und ich schwimm, schwimm, schwimm zu dir über (swim your hands in front of you)
Und ich nehm, nehm, nehm dich bei der Hand, (shake hands)
Weil ich dich mag, Und ich sag
Heut ist so ein schöner Tag
La-la-la-la-la (wave your hands and dance)
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Fliegerlied Ich lieg gern im Gras [Chorus] Und ich flieg, flieg, flieg wie ein Flieger [Chorus 2x, then 1x slow] |
Flying Song I like lying in the grass [Chorus] And I fly, fly, fly like a flyer [Chorus 2x, then 1x slow] |
Here is the best video tutorial about how to sync the movements with the song:
Here is what it's like in a festzelt at Oktoberfest. The motions aren't so disciplined, but awesome ENERGY!
Viva Colonia:
The truth is that very few people know all the words to this song. It’s from Köln, not Bavaria, and is totally unrelated to Oktoberfest. But still all the bands play it and everyone stumbles along until the chorus of “Viva Colonia” comes and they reach the two words they know. Don’t feel bad, just go with the flow and learn the tune and the two most important words.
This one is fairly new, too, recorded in 2003 by De Höhner. It was meant to sound like a song in the Cologne dialect (Kölsch), but to be able to be understood by most Germans. (…still pretty tough for non-native speakers like us!) You’ll hear it often at Karneval or Köln area sporting events, but somehow it made it to Oktoberfest. At Oktoberfest, you might hear a slightly altered version, replacing “Viva Colonia” with “Viva Bavaria.”
I’m just giving you the chorus, but if you really want the rest of the lyrics, you can find them online.
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Viva Colonia (Chorus) Da simmer dabei! Dat is prima! VIVA COLONIA! |
Viva Colonia (Chorus) Count us in! That's great! Long live Cologne! |
I chose this particular video because it’s bizarrely funny – someone laid the sound track over a video of German heavy metal band Rammstein.
Cowboy und Indianer:
Also a song that has its own dance, the Lasso Dance (Lasso-Tanz), this song first came out in 2000, but became a hit several years later after the dance was popularized. It almost cracked the German Top 5 (peaked at #6) in 2007.
During the chorus (which is sung a record FIVE times!!), follow the dance steps shown in the video. A quick intro:
Komm hol das Lasso raus (motion like you’re twirling a lasso) wir spielen Cowboy (point a gun with your finger) und Indianer (put a couple fingers behind your head to simulate feathers)...
wir reiten um die Wette (put hands at waist like riding with reins) ohne Rast und ohne Ziel (shield your eyes with your hand, looking at the horizon)
hast du mich umzingelt werd ich mich ergeben (put your hands up to surrender) stell mich an den Marterpfahl (put your hands like they’re tied behind your back)
komm hol das Lasso raus, (twirl the lasso again) so wie beim ersten Mal...
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Cowboy und Indianer [Chorus] Komm hol das Lasso raus wir spielen Cowboy und Indianer... So wie ein Cowboy in der Einsamkeit [Repeat Chorus] So wie ein Cowboy in der fremden Stadt [Repeat Chorus 3x] |
Cowboy and Indians [Chorus] Come get out the lasso, we’ll play cowboys and Indians ...
[Repeat Chorus] Like a cowboy in a foreign town [Repeat Chorus 3x] |
Here is another great video tutorial about how to perform the movements with the song:
Living Next Door to Alice:
This is one of those songs that most English speakers will hear in Germany and then think to themselves “Wait, did I understand that correctly?” The answer is yes, you did. This one is an English-language Wies’n hit, where the crowd shouts the chorus, “Alice, Who the f--- is Alice?”
The song originally was an early 70s song Living Next Door to Alice by the Australian group New World. It was remade a few times, with the English band Smokie’s version topping the charts in the German-speaking region. Finally the Dutch band Gompie released the more risqué version with the current title and chorus. While it only made it to #2 on the German charts, it secured a place in the Oktoberfest and après ski repertoires.
Though it’s only one word, probably not safe to play loudly at work…
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Living Next Door to Alice Sally called when she got the word, Well I rushed to the window, [Chorus] Oh, I don't know why she's leaving, Twenty-four years just waiting for a chance,
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Grew up together, [Chorus] Sally called back, asked how I felt, [Chorus] Now I'll never get used to not living next door to Alice... |
Hände zum Himmel:
We included this in our classic Schlager list, but it’s big at Oktoberfest, too.
Originally done by Die Kolibris, the Hansi Hinterseer cover is well-known, too!
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Die Hände zum Himmel Wenn du heut' nicht in der Stimmung bist Fühltst Du dich manchmal auch so allein [Chorus]Und dann die Hände zum Himmel Wir tun nur noch das was uns gefällt Und an morgen wird heut nicht gedacht [Chorus 2x] Wir klatschen zusammen und keiner ist allein |
Hands to Heaven If today you aren’t in the mood You feel so alone sometimes [Chorus] And then put your hands up to heaven We do only what we like
[Chorus 2x] We clap along and no one is alone |
Joana (Du geile Sau):
Peter Wackel’s party version of an old song by Roland Kaiser became a big hit in 2006 (especially in Mallorca) and is now a top Wies’n hit.
Not the best recording in the world, but you get an idea of the crowd reaction and where to sing along. Like Wahnsinn, there are expected crown refrains in bracketed italics. This one is a tougher one to translate, as the crowd refrains are all slang and depending on the translation could range from playful to downright vulgar. I went with the more playful translation, and since you’ll be singing along with the crowd, there is nothing to worry about. But I’d be careful about calling someone a “geile Sau...”
There’s a better version here, but it’s blocked in the US. Perhaps it will work for our European friends…
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Joana Joana, geboren um Liebe zu geben Wie ein Stich ins Herz traf mich dein Blick [Chorus] Joana, [du geile Sau] 'Ich wohn' in der Stadt nicht weit von hier' [Chorus 2x] |
Joana Joana, born to give love Like a stab in the heart I met your gaze [Chorus] Joana, [you dirty sow] “I live in the city not far from here,” [Chorus 2x] |
'54, '74, '90, 2006:
This one really is a World Cup song, but everyone liked it so much that it’s played at Oktoberfest and après ski. If you plan to be in Germany for long (or during World Cup or Euro Cup), you should learn this one.
Written by Sportfreunde Stiller for the 2006 World Cup, it mentions Germany’s championships in 1954, 1974, 1990, and it’s hoped-for 2006 championship. Last summer we heard the updated '54, '74, '90, 2010 version and at this year’s Women’s World Cup '54, '74, '90, 2011… with the 2012 EuropaCup coming soon. Not sure what will happen to they lyrics when Germany next wins….
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'54, '74, '90, 2006 [Chorus] (Eins und Zwei und Drei und) Wir haben nicht die höchste Spielkultur, [Chorus] Die ganze Welt greift nach dem goldenen Pokal, [Chorus] Beim ersten Mal wars n Wunder, [Chorus] |
'54, '74, '90, 2006 [Chorus] (One and Two and Three and) We don’t have the highest game culture, [Chorus] The whole world reaches for the golden cup, [Chorus] The first time was a wonder, [Chorus] |
Ab in den Süden:
Another summer hit that became a Wies’n hit. The band and/or the crowd usually will change the words to fit Oktoberfest. This one is a sort of German reggae-hiphop summer anthem, by Buddy and DJ The Wave in 2003.
For the Oktoberfest lyrics, user chickmunks has posted them on Toytown here (middle of the page). “Sommer, sonne, sonnenschein” are replaced with “Hendl, Brezn, und a Bier,” as well as changing many of the lyrics to fit Oktoberfest.
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Ab in den Süden Oh willkommen, willkommen sonnenschein! [Chorus] Raus aus dem regen, Und ich sag: Sommer, sonne, sonnenschein, Oh wir kommen, wir kommen, wir kommen sonnenschein!!!!! [Sing 2x] Eeeeeeeeey, ab in den süden, |
Off to the South Oh welcome, welcome sunshine! Ready for the island, summer, sun, beach and tenderness. [Chorus] Out of the rain, And I say: Oh, we’re coming, we’re coming, we’re coming sunshine !!!!! [Chorus] [Sing 2x] Eeeeeeeeey, off to the south, |
Das geht ab:
This is another one you should know for any football related activity, though its refrain applies to many occasions. It’s a 2009 Top 5 hit collaboration between DJ Manny Marc and the group Frauenarzt.
This is a German rap song, so often you’ll hear just the chorus rather than the entire song. FC Bayern fans love to cheer it at games.
We’ll go with their original video:
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Das geht ab ich hab dieses gefühl [Chorus] hey das geht ab! heute sind wir nicht alleine [Chorus 2x] |
It’s going off (it’s awesome) I have this feeling [Chorus] Hey, that's awesome! Today we’re not alone [Chorus 2x] |
Anton aus Tirol:
This is one of the many hits of DJ Ötzi, king of the après ski and Wies’n…A number one hit in both Austria and Germany in 2000, this one is about Anton, the (annoying) ladies man from Tirol.
I’ll just let the video and lyrics speak for themselves. But if you spend enough time in Munich or skiing, you’ll hear it.
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Anton aus Tirol [Chorus] Ich bin so schön , ich bin so toll. Ich bin der Anton aus Tirol. Blaue Pille, Sellerie - des braucht so a Anton nie. [Chorus] Abends dann im Discostadl zoag i mi mit 15 Madl, denn gewinnen kann nur i. [Chorus] Lalalalala............. |
Anton from Tirol [Chorus] I am so beautiful , I am so great, I am Anton from Tirol. My physique, is a wonder of nature. Blue pill, ginseng root, Anton never needs those, [Chorus] Evenings then at the village disco, I show up with fifteen babes, because I’m the only winner [Chorus] Lalalalala…… |
Ein Stern (der Deinen Namen Trägt):
This is a much better DJ Ötzi one, a 2007 Number One in both Germany and Austria. I like this version he did with Andre Rieu and his orchestra in 2010, though there are many dance and acoustic versions out there. It’s an incredibly popular song here!
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Ein Stern [Chorus] Einen Stern der Deinen Namen trägt Seit Jahren schon leb ich mit Dir [Chorus] Irgendwann ist es vorbei [Chorus 2x] |
A Star [Chorus] A star which bears your name For years I have been with you [Chorus] Someday it will be over [Chorus 2x] |
The last few of this group are recent official Wies’n Hits and contenders, so may not be as widely played as the old favorites. There definitely seems to be a trend toward making them sound more Bavarian (whether it’s accurate or not, I’m no judge!). I wouldn’t worry about learning the words, but here are the videos:
Wies’n Hit 2010: Fassl voll Bier
This was the official Wies’n hit for 2010, by the band HoAß, appropriately about a keg of beer and some fun after the guy’s girlfriend goes out.
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Wies’n Hit 2009 Runner-up: 10 Meter geh’
This song by Chris Böttcher mocks Top Model and and superstars with a catchy tune to be elected the 2009 Wies’n Hit. It’s pretty catchy but an odd, funny video.
Before those were Fliegerlied (2008), Ein Stern (2007), and 54, 74, 90, 2006 (2006), which have all stood the test of a few years.
What will be selected as 2011’s Wies’n Hit? Most people's money is on Austrian Andreas Gabalier’s song:
I sing a Lied für di
This one has become popular in the Austrian summer festivals, “I sing a song for you.”
Other contenders include:
I am from Bavaria:
Amusing and full of stereotypes (and in English):
Kuh Yvonne:
I think this one is probably trying too hard with silly animal theme, motions, and traditional sound mixed with pop. But, it’s out there….
By the way, for those of you who haven’t heard of her, Yvonne is the fugitive cow (kuh) who escaped the slaughterhouse.
Scharfe Möpse:
As Herr J mentioned earlier, this one is a play on words. Möpse is both the plural of pug (the dog) and boobs, which are often accentuated by the dirndls at Oktoberfest.
And finally we end with a little fun. Not going to be a Wies’n Hit, but still catchy and cute: (and the guy scuba diving in the beer mug is cute)
For the other two groups, head to our later posts:
Classic/Traditional Oktoberfest Songs (long live the 80s!)