Modern Talking war für mich früher absolutes No-Go. Zu glatt, zu kommerziell, zu viel Bohlen. Heute sehe ich das differenzierter. Vielleicht lag es weniger an der Musik – und mehr an meinem eigenen Anspruch, was “cool” sein durfte.
Modern Talking – From “No Way” to Respect
Modern Talking. There was a time I couldn’t stand them. Too clean. Too commercial.Too… Dieter Bohlen :-)
If you grew up with rock, metal or early electronic stuff, admitting you listened to Modern Talking felt like social suicide.
And yet — try playing “You’re My Heart, You’re My Soul” or “Cheri Cheri Lady” at the right party.
- People know it.
- People sing it.
- People move.
No irony needed. Why I probably judged too fast. Back then I equated “complex” with “good”.
Rock guitars? Good.
Underground sounds? Good.
Synth-pop chart stuff? Suspect.
But strip it down - why it was good or better "smart":
- strong hooks
- clear structure
- instantly recognizable melodies
- zero confusion about what the song wants to be
That’s not cheap. That’s focus. We may not like the aesthetic but I can’t deny the impact.
In the 1980s Germany they were everywhere and apart from Scorpions one of the few projects successful internationally (I know it from my French exchange student - thexy loved it!).
Looking back, they built something many “cool” bands never managed which is: Songs that survived decades
Not my kind of music, not my heroes but i respect the work of Dieter and sometimes listen to the songs (original and the revamped mixes like below:
Which artist did you dismiss completely — and later had to admit they were better than you thought?
