[40 Years of Red Balloons] -- This week's Flashback comes from the Neue Deutsche Welle (or "New German Wave") band, Nena! They took their name from Gabriele Susanne Kerner's nickname, which was Spanish for "little girl." As a band, Nena was active from 1981 through 1987. And they released their self-titled debut 40 years ago this week, on January 14, 1983.
Now, if you recall the band called Nena, you probably know them for one song, and one song only: the international hit "99 Luftballons" (or the English-language version titled "99 Red Balloons"). "99 Luftballons" was second single from the band's debut album, and it started breaking on US charts in early 1984, just as Nena was releasing their second album. "99 Luftballons" ultimately peaked at #2 in the US, but in several other countries -- Australia, Austria, Canada, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, Switzerland, and the UK -- it became a #1 hit.
Often referred to as a one-hit wonder, Nena did have chart success with other songs across Europe. Still, they never duplicated the success of "99 Luftballons" and the follow-up international album of the same name. And while they never formally announced a breakup, the band discontinued working together as of 1987.
As we celebrate the 40th anniversary of Nena's release, I recommend "Nur geträumt" (the first single from Nena), "Noch einmal," "Tanz auf dem Vulkan," and "Kino." All sung in German, of course.
Flashback: Nena (January 14, 1983)
And ... that's all till next week. Dedicated 80s-philes can find more flashbacks in the Prophet or Madman archives or via Bookended's 80s Flashback tag. As always, your comments are welcome on today's, or any other, flashback post. And if you like what I'm doing here, please share the link with your friends. If, however, you don't like the flashback, feel free to share it with your enemies.
I'll see you in seven!
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