What's unique about Gangnam Style is that it's a cultural meme in America that isn't in English. It would be really interesting to see what sort of different sentiment this project would inspire if applied to a song where Americans could actually understand the lyrics and cultural references, or if it was shown to a South Korean audience.
Yep, it would be interesting to read about things we miss - lyrics, and meaning of obvious references we don't get. For example, I think that dude in the elevator is an actor I saw in some movie, but I don't know if I'm correct. Obviously scene in sauna has some humorous meaning, but, again without lyrics it's unclear.
This blog[0] provides excellent context for the song, including subtitles for the song (overlaid on still shots) -- the last several seconds of the video will give you the names of the famous people with cameos.
There are lots of cultural memes in America that aren't in English. You can restrict to "recent pop culture", but even in straight music, 99 luftballoons was big 25 years ago. I'm sure there are many other examples.
Having achieved widespread success in Europe and Japan, plans were made for the band to take the song international with an English version by Kevin McAlea, titled "99 Red Balloons". The English version is not a direct translation of the German and contains a somewhat different set of lyrics.[2] The later-released English translation, "99 Red Balloons," was the version that became popular outside of Germany and neighboring countries, with it topping the charts in Canada, the UK, Australia and Ireland. Interestingly, it was the original German version that American audiences preferred, becoming the highest Billboard charting German song in US History, when it peaked at #2 in the US. [3]
I'm not surprised. The English lyrics are, frankly, a little awkward. Nena's accent could be seen as endearing, but at the same time, it sounds a tad stilted, and nowhere near as fluid as the original German. It's a dance tune, and once you know what the song is about, it's just much more fun to hear it in the language that sounds more polished and lets you tune out the words so you can, well, dance.
At the end of the day, lyrics are a much smaller part of the musical experience than people give them credit for.
Then again, I have a very easy time dissociating lyrics (and their meaning) from the rest of the music, so maybe that's just me. This doesn't always happen, but it's not unusual for me to listen to a song enough times to internalize the syllables and sing along, and still not stop and think about what the words actually mean (even in English). It may sound odd at first, but when you think about it, you probably have the same experience when you go to the opera - try and make out the words of Handel's "The Messiah", an English opera, and you'll see what I mean[1]!
(And now that I think about it, how many people know what the verses of 'Born in the USA' are really about?)
Also, I did already know that the German version was more popular, so it's hard to be sure I'm not just rationalizing that knowledge after-the-fact! :-)
I don't care what the liner notes say, I'm still convinced that Ian Curtis sings, 'I've been waiting for a guy to come and take me by the hand / Could these sensations make me feel the pleasures of a normal man?'[1]
I'm Canadian and I remember the English version getting more radio play than the German version. Learning now that the German version was more popular in the USA, I feel like a bit of a philistine. :)
Comments
What's unique about Gangnam Style is that it's a cultural meme in America that isn't in English. It would be really interesting to see what sort of different sentiment this project would inspire if applied to a song where Americans could actually understand the lyrics and cultural references, or if it was shown to a South Korean audience.
>cultural meme in America that isn't in English
Yep, it would be interesting to read about things we miss - lyrics, and meaning of obvious references we don't get. For example, I think that dude in the elevator is an actor I saw in some movie, but I don't know if I'm correct. Obviously scene in sauna has some humorous meaning, but, again without lyrics it's unclear.
This blog[0] provides excellent context for the song, including subtitles for the song (overlaid on still shots) -- the last several seconds of the video will give you the names of the famous people with cameos.
[0] http://mydearkorea.blogspot.ca/2012/08/korean-music-psys-gan...
Another great link for context: http://seoulspace.co.kr/2012/09/03/understanding-gangnam-sty...
que sera sera.
c'est la vie.
There are lots of cultural memes in America that aren't in English. You can restrict to "recent pop culture", but even in straight music, 99 luftballoons was big 25 years ago. I'm sure there are many other examples.
99 red balloons was translated to english. My admittedly-unreliable-recollection is that's the one that received most radio play.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14IRDDnEPR4
Edit: I guess I'm wrong:
per wikipedia:
Having achieved widespread success in Europe and Japan, plans were made for the band to take the song international with an English version by Kevin McAlea, titled "99 Red Balloons". The English version is not a direct translation of the German and contains a somewhat different set of lyrics.[2] The later-released English translation, "99 Red Balloons," was the version that became popular outside of Germany and neighboring countries, with it topping the charts in Canada, the UK, Australia and Ireland. Interestingly, it was the original German version that American audiences preferred, becoming the highest Billboard charting German song in US History, when it peaked at #2 in the US. [3]
I'm not surprised. The English lyrics are, frankly, a little awkward. Nena's accent could be seen as endearing, but at the same time, it sounds a tad stilted, and nowhere near as fluid as the original German. It's a dance tune, and once you know what the song is about, it's just much more fun to hear it in the language that sounds more polished and lets you tune out the words so you can, well, dance.
At the end of the day, lyrics are a much smaller part of the musical experience than people give them credit for.
Then again, I have a very easy time dissociating lyrics (and their meaning) from the rest of the music, so maybe that's just me. This doesn't always happen, but it's not unusual for me to listen to a song enough times to internalize the syllables and sing along, and still not stop and think about what the words actually mean (even in English). It may sound odd at first, but when you think about it, you probably have the same experience when you go to the opera - try and make out the words of Handel's "The Messiah", an English opera, and you'll see what I mean[1]!
(And now that I think about it, how many people know what the verses of 'Born in the USA' are really about?)
Also, I did already know that the German version was more popular, so it's hard to be sure I'm not just rationalizing that knowledge after-the-fact! :-)
[1] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5jeelU1Vb4
You are not the only one who does this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQt-h753jHI
Likewise, I'm sure we all recall Jimi Hendrix singing, "Excuse me while I kiss this guy."
I don't care what the liner notes say, I'm still convinced that Ian Curtis sings, 'I've been waiting for a guy to come and take me by the hand / Could these sensations make me feel the pleasures of a normal man?'[1]
[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PldpBJEn4vQ
Haha, thanks for that - now I know what I probably sound like whenever I sing along to 'Dragostea Din Tei'!
I'm Canadian and I remember the English version getting more radio play than the German version. Learning now that the German version was more popular in the USA, I feel like a bit of a philistine. :)
Macarena, Las Ketchup and Numa Numa are three other recent ones (some contain English elements but the main catchy parts are in other languages).