Trans-Europe Express - Kraftwerk (1977)

"Trans-Europe Express" was the title track of German electronic music band Kraftwerk's 1977 album of the same name, and released as a single at the time, and reissued on CD in 1990. The music was written by Ralf Hütter, and the lyrics by Hütter and Florian Schneider. The track is ostensibly about the Trans-Europ Express rail system, with technology and transport both being common themes in Kraftwerk's music. The track has since found further influence, both in hip-hop by its interpolation by Afrika Bambaata (via Arthur Baker) on the seminal "Planet Rock" and by modern experimental bands such as the electroclash bands of the early 2000s. "Trans-Europe Express" was released as a single in 1977, and charted in the Billboard Hot 100, where it peaked at number 67. The song's lyrics reference the album "Station To Station" and meeting with musicians Iggy Pop and David Bowie. Hütter and Schneider had previously met up with Bowie in Germany and were flattered with the attention they received from him. Hütter was interested in Bowie's work as he had been working with Iggy Pop, who was the former lead singer of The Stooges; one of Hütter's favorite groups. "Trans-Europe Express" was the sixth studio album by Kraftwerk. Recorded in mid-1976 in Düsseldorf, Germany, the album was released in March 1977 on Kling Klang Records. The album's themes were influenced by friends who suggested writing songs about the Trans-Europ Express to reflect Kraftwerk's electronic music style. Critics have described the album as having two specific themes: celebration of Europe and the disparities between reality and image. The album has been re-released in several formats and continues to receive acclaim from modern critics who praise the album as one of the greatest and most influential records of the decade. Kraftwerk, meaning 'power plant' or 'power station', is an electronic music band from Düsseldorf, Germany. The group was formed by Ralf Hütter and Florian Schneider in 1970, and was fronted by them until Schneider's departure in 2008. The signature Kraftwerk sound combines driving, repetitive rhythms with catchy melodies, mainly following a Western Classical style of harmony, with a minimalistic and strictly electronic instrumentation. The group's simplified lyrics are at times sung through a vocoder or generated by computer-speech software. Kraftwerk were one of the first groups to popularize electronic music and are considered pioneers in the field. In the 1970s and early 1980s, Kraftwerk's distinctive sound was revolutionary, and has had a lasting effect across many genres of modern music. This channel is dedicated to all the great 'old school' R&B music I grew up with, the stuff that originally made me tap my feet and want to be a DJ. Funk, soul, disco, R&B, dance, hip-hop, pop . . . 60s, 70s, 80s . . . whatever you call it, it's all 'Old School' and it's all here!

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Copyright 1977 Kling Klang/EMI/Capitol Records
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Category:

Music

Tags:

• Trans-Europe
• Express
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• German
• Ralf
• Hütter
• Florian
• Schneider
• technology
• transport
• Afrika
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• Arthur
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[kmfdm70]

excelente kraftwerk

[FIGHTSEEN]

How amazing STILL is this song 35 years out!? How amazing the impact of Kraftwerk on music and pop culture.

[heaven176]

Break dancing was on the seen when this came out I was a kid Queens N.Y. Boys from the Bronx would come to Queens to battle in Park and skating rink what a funand exciting time. Where are you pumas and PRO Keds?

[1984bandito]

ill!

[njtomboy]

Loved this as a kid....and Numbers!

[edwardjamesbutler]

This predates Africa Bambatas Planet Rock

[port2344chester]

When this hit the streets in the NYC... NOTHING BUT PURE MAGIC!

Still sounds refreshing & new after 35yrs! @djbuddyloveoldschool THANK YOU!