8 international music hits by German artists
Image credit: A.PAES / Shutterstock.com
By Emily Proctor
When you think of influential international music artists, your mind probably drifts towards the US, the UK, or perhaps even Puerto Rico, Spain and Colombia. Germany probably isn't very high up on many people's lists.
However, despite being much better known for classical music than popular music, people in Germany have actually made a bigger contribution to the modern music industry than you might think
Famous German songs
Here are eight truly talented musicians and bands who made it big abroad with these international hits.
1. 99 Luftballons - NENA
This ultimate German classic, written by the German band NENA, is often one of the first songs people list when asked about German music. The hit, which was also translated into English and re-recorded as 99 Red Balloons, became famous worldwide for its catchy lyrics and Neue Deutsche Welle (New German Wave) style. Nena, the lead singer of the band, re-released many of their songs as a solo artist and over the years has sold over 25 million records, making her the most successful pop singer in the history of German charts.
Video: YouTube / NENA
2. Everytime We Touch - Cascada
Back in 2005, Cascada took the world by storm with Everytime We Touch, an energetic dance tune that still promises to get everyone up on their feet! In 2010, the band became the second-most downloaded dance artist in the world, only just behind dance legend David Guetta. Cascada later released Evacuate the Dancefloor, a successful international hit, and went on to represent Germany in the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö in 2013.
Video: YouTube / CASCADA
3. Trans Europa Express - Kraftwerk
Legends in both German culture and dance music, Kraftwerk first came into the public eye in the early 1970s and set the stage for modern-day electronic music artists. While Trans Europa Express is often regarded as one of the band’s most successful songs, the group have had a number of internationally popular hits such as Das Model, Computer Love, Autobahn and Tour de France.
4. Major Tom (Coming Home) - Peter Schilling
Unofficially based on Major Tom, the protagonist of David Bowie's 1969 song Space Oddity, this was Peter Schilling’s most internationally successful song. Major Tom topped the chart in Germany, Austria and Switzerland when it was first released in 1983. The song was re-released in English a few months after its initial German release, and made it to number one in Canada, number four in South Africa and number two on the US dance chart.
The classic track has also enjoyed a massive viral resurgence over the last years. After capturing a new generation of fans as an unofficial stadium anthem during the Euro 2024 tournament, it has officially been selected as the goal celebration song for the national football team at the 2026 World Cup.
Video: YouTube / Peter Schilling
5. Satellite - Lena
Lena also has a Eurovision connection, winning the song contest for Germany in 2010 with this number. Lena, known also by her full name Lena Meyer-Landrut, was born and raised in Lower Saxony and often receives praise online for her success despite a relatively ordinary background as a Hanover native, with no formal training in vocals. Her song Satellite clocked in over 100.000 downloads in its first week, becoming the fastest-selling digital release ever in Germany.
Video: YouTube / Eurovision Song Contest
6. Wind of Change - Scorpions
This rock ballad by the Scorpions is widely associated with the fall of the Berlin Wall, but it was not actually released until January 1991, over a year later, just after the failed coup that eventually led to the collapse of the Soviet Union. Eventually becoming an anthem for the end of the Cold War, Wind of Change is now one of the best-selling singles of all time, with its sentiments of hope and peace making it relevant time and again in new waves of political upheaval. In 2022, lead singer Klaus Meine said he changed the lyrics to no longer "romanticise Russia" in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine.
Video: YouTube / Scorpions
7. Stolen Dance - Milky Chance
Bringing a modern folk-pop flavour to the list, the duo Milky Chance, originally from Kassel, achieved phenomenal success with their breakout hit Stolen Dance. The track became a global phenomenon after its release, topping charts across Europe and the US alternative billboards. Driven by an infectious acoustic hook and melancholic dance beats, the song has clocked up over 1 billion streams worldwide, proving that musicians in Germany can dominate alternative charts well beyond the electronic scene.
8. Forever Young - Alphaville
Although only a moderate success when it was first released in 1984, Forever Young has gone on to be one of this German synth-pop band's most enduring songs, still appearing on playlists around the world today. Alphaville's classic has been covered multiple times over the years, including by the Australian band Youth Group for the hit US show The O.C, by British singer Becky Hill, and sampled on the Jay-Z song Young Forever.
Video: YouTube / RHINO
Other honourable German music mentions
Other honourable mentions go to the German-Russian dance music king Zedd, as well as rock band Tokio Hotel, who have both seen huge levels of success over their careers. Check out the official German music chart for some of this week’s most popular German hits.