It might be a trait of the MTV generation to love people you know nothing about. German artist Nina Hagen used to pop up on MTV back in the '80s, and despite not knowing a thing about her music I was convinced she was relevant to my interests. Like Wendy O. Williams she has clung to my consciousness without actually entering my inner musical library. In the 7th and/or 8th grade the young Darius had MTV for a brief but glorious period and Hagen along with Dale Bozzio of Missing Persons are most strongly imprinted on my psyche. Hagen was like a scary, fetishy version of Cyndi Lauper, and to this viewer, sexier than Madonna without trying as hard.'Wir Leben Immer ... Noch"
Somewhat recently with Apocalyptica, "Seemann"
"Naturträne"
7 comments:
I think many people here in Germany hate her.
She's a world-wide icon, but they do not realize it.
The first time I really noticed her was after she demonstrated how to masturbate and get a better orgasm in a national talk show and everyone was soooo shocked. It was all over the news.
Her daughter Cosma Shiva was once called the 'German Angelina Jolie'.
I had never heard of this woman before.
@Lisa that is rather strange, but for her I imagine it is not all that unexpected. Though I was surprised/alarmed at her Christianity, of course her parents were Atheists, and kids always rebel, especially when they are rebels :-) I will have to look for her daughter.
@TRT she's not gotten much American press for a while, not that she was mainstream to begin with :-)
There's no one quite like Nina Hagen. I collected most of her records (this is back when they were really records -- no one had heard of CDs yet). She grew up in East Germany and was trained in opera, which helps (a little) to explain the wild vocal range.
I can understand German fairly well and the lyrics to her songs are every bit as out-there as you'd expect. She may have succumbed to some form of Christianity, but I doubt Unbeschreiblich Weiblich is going to be playing on fundie radio stations any time soon.
@infidel - yeah, I doubt she's the ridiculously annoying religious type. Also, she might have brought it up just to go against what is expected of her?
Nina's fabulous, but musically, I've always felt like a good chunk of her cult status and fame should have been aimed more at her friend and collaborator, Lene Lovich. Loved both of them in the Herman Brood film, CHA CHA.
Thanks Heather. I know Lene Lovich by name only. Have not seen Cha Cha. Will have to check both out.
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