September 16, 2005

iFive - 16th Sep

This is a ver strange occurance and the only other two songs I can possibly think of that would do it on my iPod are Canon in D Minor by JS Pachebel and Yesterday by The Beatles. In a retro 80's moment, this song isn't all it seems either.

99 Luftballoons differs greatly from the English version 99 Red Balloons. The version although sung by Nene (name after the Rolls-Royce jet engine, not the lead singer) had been toned down for the English speaking world. Gone are the references to War Ministers, Gas Canisters and Jet Fighters.
Actually this song dates itself rather subtly. As this was written from within West Berlin, the sightof both US and Russian jets overhead was a very real and present danger. Both sides has nuclear weapons and spent 50 years being stand-offish.

1. 99 Luftballoons - Nene
2. 99 Red Balloons - Nene
3. 99 Red Balloons - Ben Folds
4. 99 Red Balloons - The Presidents of the USA
5. 99 Red Balloons - Goldfinger.

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